The legal profession in India has undergone a strategic and substantial change over the last few decades. Now-a-days the law aspirants not only figure themselves in courts but mark the presence in various corporate houses, law agencies, law firms, litigation, administrative services and many more.
However it is important to assess a few character traits before you take the plunge to enroll yourself in a Law program. It should be kept in mind that Law is a career which not only requires a lot of patience but logical argumentative abilities, hard work and the dedication to excel. Nothing to panic about so if you have patience and can coherently put across your arguments in any type of discussion you have at home, school or on any other forum and have the flare to be dedicated this profession will be something you can think about.
Often those who opt for Law are faced with two options:-
- choosing a three year law course after graduation in any discipline
- 5 year course after finishing 12th class.
Those interested in pursuing the five year course have to start preparing for the CLAT exam (Combined Law Admission Test). CLAT tests the candidates knowledge in English, legal aptitude, general knowledge, logical reasoning etc. For the three year programme most colleges take an entrance test as per their guidelines.
What are the Law exams I need to take?
The interested candidates who wish to take up Law as career need to qualify any of the entrance examinations listed below:
CLAT- Common Law Admission Test, commonly known as CLAT is the national level law entrance exam. You can take this admission test to secure a seat in any of the 14 National Law Universities (NLUs), TNNLS Tiruchirappalli, DSNLU Visakhapatnam, Nirma Ahmedabad etc.
LSAT- Law School Admission Test, commonly known as LSAT is a standardized test of reading and verbal reasoning skills designed by the USA–based Law School Admission Council (LSAC) for use by law schools in India.
DU LLB/LLM – Faculty of Law, University of Delhi conducts a separate law entrance exam for admissions to various law courses namely LLB and LLM courses.
SET Symbiosis- Symbiosis Entrance Testcommonly known as SET is a common written test conducted for taking admission to undergraduate law programs offered by various institutes under Symbiosis International University.
ULSAT- UPES Law Studies Aptitude Test commonly known as ULSAT is conducted by the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES). The competitive entrance test is conducted to grant admission to Bachelor of Laws (B.A. LLB) and LLB in Corporate Laws, Cyber Laws and Intellectual Property Rights.
List of prominent Law Institutes, from where you can pursue your law course.
- National Law University, Delhi
- National Law School of India University, Bangalore (NLSIU)
- NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad (NALSAR)
- National Law Institute University, Bhopal (NLIU)
- The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata (WBNUJS)
- National Law University, Jodhpur (NLUJ)
- Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur (HNLU)
- Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar (GNLU)
- Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow (RMLNLU)
- Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala (RGNUL)
- Chanakya National Law University, Patna (CNLU)
- National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi (NUALS)
- National Law University, Orissa (NLUO)
- National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi (NUSRL)
- National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam (NLUJA)
- Faculty of Law, University of Delhi
- Government Law College, Mumbai
- Amity Law College
- ILS Law College, Pune
- Ambedkar Law University, Chennai
- Symbiosis Society’s Law College, Pune
Like every other profession, doing law will not guarantee a hassle free career path, lawyers too have to endure through a struggle period. The struggle starts fading away once one trains under a Senior Counsel, which can be very helpful in getting to know the tricks of the profession. However those who want to pursue things on their own can as everything is possible with determination and hard work.
For a Law graduate the options are not limited. Below are a list of some options one can choose from after law:
1. Advocate in Court of law
2. An advocate in a corporate firm
3. Clear the exams conducted by the Public Service Commission and become a judge
4. With some experience one can be a Solicitor General, Public Prosecutor
5. Working with government departments and ministries
6. Legal advisors for various organizations, NGO’s, teach law etc.
Something to keep in mind that those who wish to practice law in courts need to register themselves in the Bar Council of India (BCI) and practice in courts under senior lawyers. Practicing in court will not only equip one with enhancing their chances of being hired by a law firm or senior lawyers but help in gaining substantial experience.
We have tried to provide you an overall view of the Careers in Law, which has emerged as an honorable career. It is the respected and promising future, if you are able to keep it up with your right attitude.