The Legal Admissions Blueprint
I wish to be a Lawyer. This used to be the term for a decade of years battling in local court. Law is one of the most dynamic, lucrative and international professions in India today.
From contending in constitutional debates in the Supreme Court to advising in mergers valued in the billions of dollars at an AC boardroom to representing the cause of human rights, this book will be your personal admission counselor. We'll unlock the exams, the colleges and the real jobs that await you!
Understand career paths in the legal field.Know legal career options.
You need to be aware of the type of law you wish to pursue before deciding on an exam:
- Corporate Law: The highest paying sector. Merge, acquire and compliance for MNCs. It is uncommon to spend time in a courtroom.
- Civil/Criminal – the classic route. Represent clients in court. It's a gradual beginning but has a lot of power, respect and unlimited earning potential over time.
- Judiciary & Civil Services: Civil Services to become a judge or law as a strong optional subject in UPSC.
- Special Interest Group Areas: Intellectual Property (Patents/Trademarks), Cyber Law, Environmental Law, and International Arbitration.
The 5-Year vs 3-Year Dilemma
Integrated Law (5 Year): This is the one to which you enroll immediately after your Class 12. It will save you a year of study and is the main way to gain admission into elite National Law Universities (NLUs) and corporate law firms.
3 Year LLB: You undertake this after a bachelor's degree (such as BA, B.Sc, B.Com). Very good for anyone who has put off their legal career, for the UPSC aspirants and mature students. The best here is Delhi University (Faculty of Law).
3. Major Law Entrance Exams Comparison
| Exam Name | Target Institutes | Exam Focus | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEE Main 2022 | - | Basic of Physics and Chemistry and Papers 1, 2, 3 | Very Easy |
| CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) | 24 National Law Universities (NLUs) and leading private institutes of law | Reading comprehension, Critical reasoning, Legal aptitude | High |
| AILET | Only National Law University, Delhi (NLUD) | Speed, logic and analytical reasoning | Very High |
| Which of the following are the top three state colleges where you can pursue a legal degree?Which of the following state colleges has the most memory based legal knowledge, logic, and moderate level of difficulty? | |||
| SLAT / LSAT-India | Symbiosis, Jindal Global Law School (Premium Private) | Logical reasoning, reading skills | Moderate |
Eligibility, The Bar Council 4.
- No such restriction: A student from any stream in Science, Commerce or Arts can pursue the law course. No compulsory subject in Class 12.
- Aggregate : Usually 45% in Class 12th is required for appearing in CLAT (40% in case of SC/ST).
- Getting a degree is not the end of the Licensing Pathway. You are required to be a member of a State Bar Council and pass the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) within two years of completion of your law degree to practice in court.
5. NLUs vs Private Colleges.5. NLUs vs Private Colleges.
The NLU Advantage: The best of the best Legal IITs are the Top NLUs such as NLS Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad and NLU Delhi. They provide unparalleled Corporate placement (Day Zero placements), moot court culture and Alumni networks.
Premium Private Colleges: These provide world class infrastructure and global faculty and are very expensive (₹20 Lakhs to ₹40 Lakhs for 5 years).
Government Colleges: GLC Mumbai and ILS Pune have a great historic legacy, excellent litigation network and very low fees as compared to the top NLUs, but the level of corporate placement is comparatively low.
7. Relationships & Workplaces
- Tier-1 Corporate Law Firms: Freshers get paid from ₹14 Lakhs to ₹18 Lakhs per annum.
- In-House Counsel (Companies): Offers a better work-life balance with starting salary between ₹8 Lakhs to ₹12 Lakhs per annum, than law firms.
- Litigation: The salary of a senior advocate begins at a low level of usually ₹15,000 – ₹30,000 per month. You are on pay to learn. After 5-7 years your own income will skyrocket, thanks to your own clientele.
7. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Reading: CLAT is now all about comprehension; memorizing GK is no more relevant. The problem is that you must be able to read and comprehend passages that are 400 words long in just 2 minutes, even if you know a lot about the subject.
- Failure to fulfil Domicile Reservations: 25% of the seats are reserved horizontally for students from their home state in many of the NLUs. This is your huge advantage in counselling.
- If you are set on doing the hardcore litigation in Mumbai courts, then GLC Mumbai is better than a lower tier NLU, in spite of the NLU tag.
8. Final Decision Guide
- In the event you like corporate law and high salaries: Focus on CLAT/AILET with all the best!
- Enhance your preparation for UPSC: Target affordable state colleges through MH CET/CUET exams.
- For a world-class academic experience, if finances allow – opt for Target LSAT-India at Jindal.
Your Legal Career Begins Now
Whether you are applying for a prestigious corporate law internship or a clerkship under a Supreme Court judge, your resume is your strongest argument.
Build Your Legal Resume