Studying law in India continues to be a popular career choice for students interested in the legal field. Whether you aspire to become a lawyer, judge, or legal advisor, it is crucial to understand the steps involved in how to study law in India. From selecting the right law course to preparing for entrance exams and eventually choosing a reputed law college, each stage requires thoughtful planning and attention.
To begin with, students must be aware of the eligibility criteria for different law programs. Additionally, knowing the types of law courses available—such as a 5-year integrated program or a 3-year LLB—is important for making an informed choice.
Furthermore, preparing for competitive entrance exams like CLAT, AILET, and LSAT India is a key step in this journey. Once you clear these exams, the next decision involves selecting a college that aligns with your career goals and offers strong academic and placement support.
This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about law study in India. It will explain the eligibility requirements, outline the available courses, and explore career options after law school. Moreover, it will help you make confident and informed decisions as you embark on your legal education journey.
Types of Law Courses in India
There are different types of courses to study law in India:
| Law Course | Description |
| 5-Year Integrated LLB | A combined undergraduate and law degree, pursued after 12th grade. Popular courses include BA LLB, BBA LLB, and BCom LLB. |
| 3-Year LLB | A standalone law degree pursued after completing a bachelor’s degree in any discipline. |
| LLM (Master of Laws) | A postgraduate law degree pursued after completing an LLB, usually for specialization in a particular field of law. |
| Diploma in Law | Short-term courses (usually 1 year) focused on specific legal fields like Cyber Law, Taxation Law, and Corporate Law. |
| Certificate Courses in Law | Short courses (usually a few months) offering basic knowledge in specific legal areas like Human Rights Law or Intellectual Property Law. |
| PhD in Law | A research-focused degree for those interested in academic or legal research careers. |
Eligibility to Study Law in India
Below is the eligibility criteria to study law in India:
| Law Program | Educational Qualification | Minimum Marks Requirement | Age Limit |
| 5-Year Integrated LLB Program | 12th (10+2) from a recognized board | 45% (General), 40% (SC/ST) | No upper age limit |
| 3-Year LLB Program | Bachelor’s degree (in any discipline) from a recognized university | 45% (General), 40% (SC/ST) | No upper age limit |
| LLM (Master of Laws) | 3-year or 5-year LLB degree from a recognized university | 50% (General), 45% (SC/ST) | No upper age limit |
| Diploma/Certificate Courses | Completion of 12th grade or graduation (depending on course) | Varies by course | No age limit |
Law Entrance Exams to Study Law in India
1. National-Level Exams
| Exam Name | Conducted By | Programs Covered | Key Features |
| CLAT | Consortium of NLUs | 5-year B.A. LL.B.LL.M. | Gateway to 24 NLUs and other top law schools in India |
| AILET | NLU Delhi | 5-year B.A. LL.B.LL.M. Ph.D. | Exclusive entrance for NLU Delhi. |
| LSAT India | LSAC Global | 5-year B.A. LL.B.3-year LLBLL.M. | Accepted by top private law colleges in India, like BITS Law School, Alliance University, Jindal Global Law School, Manipal University, and more. |
| SLAT | Symbiosis International University | 5-year B.A. LL.B. B.B.A. LL.B. | Entrance for Symbiosis Law Schools in Pune, Noida, Nagpur and Hyderabad. |
2. State-Level Exams
| Exam Name | Conducted By | Programs Covered | Key Features |
| MH CET Law | Maharashtra State CET Cell | 3-year LLB5-year B.A. LL.B. | State-level exam for admission to top law colleges across Maharashtra. |
| AP LAWCET | Sri Krishnadevaraya University | 3-year LLB5-year B.A. LL.B. | Admission to top law colleges in Andhra Pradesh. |
| TS LAWCET | Osmania University | 3-year LLB5-year B.A. LL.B. | Admission to top law colleges in Telangana. |
3. University-Specific Law Entrance Exams
| Exam Name | Conducted By | Programs Covered | Key Features |
| AIL LET | Army Institute of Law, Mohali | 5-year B.A. LL.B. | Primarily for children of army personnel. |
| DU LLB Entrance | Delhi University | 3-year LLB | Admission to the 3-year LLB program at DU’s Faculty of Law. |
| BHU UET | Banaras Hindu University | 5-year B.A. LL.B.3-year LLB | Entrance for BHU’s integrated and 3-year law programs. |
| IPU CET | Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University | 5-year B.A. LL.B.3-year LLB | Entrance for law programs at GGSIPU, including integrated and 3-year courses. |
Best Colleges in India to Study Law
Below is the full list of 40 best law colleges of India:
| Rank | College/University | Location |
| 1 | National Law School of India University (NLSIU) | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| 2 | National Law University (NLU) | New Delhi, Delhi |
| 3 | NALSAR University of Law | Hyderabad, Telangana |
| 4 | The West Bengal National University of Juridicial Sciences | Kolkata, West Bengal |
| 5 | Symbiosis Law School | Pune, Maharashtra |
| 6 | Jamia Millia Islamia | New Delhi, Delhi |
| 7 | Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur | Kharagpur, West Bengal |
| 8 | Gujarat National Law University | Gandhinagar, Gujarat |
| 9 | Siksha O Anusandhan | Bhubaneswar, Odisha |
| 10 | Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh |
| 11 | Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology | Bhubaneswar, Odisha |
| 12 | Aligarh Muslim University | Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh |
| 13 | Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| 14 | Shanmugha Arts Science Technology & Research Academy | Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu |
| 15 | Christ University | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| 16 | Dr. B. R. Ambedkar College of Law | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh |
| 17 | Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University | New Delhi |
| 18 | Alliance University | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| 19 | Lovely Professional University | Phagwara, Punjab |
| 20 | Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh |
| 21 | National Law Institute University (NLIU) | Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh |
| 22 | National University of Study & Research in Law | Ranchi, Jharkhand |
| 23 | University of Lucknow | Lucknow, UP |
| 24 | Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) | Patiala, Punjab |
| 25 | Banaras Hindu University | Varanasi, UP |
| 26 | National Law University (NLU) | Cuttack, Odisha |
| 27 | National Law University and Judicial Academy | Kamrup, Assam |
| 28 | UPES | Dehradun, Uttarakhand |
| 29 | Manipal University | Jaipur, Rajasthan |
| 30 | Army Institute of Law | Mohali, Punjab |
| 31 | Maharashtra National Law University Mumbai | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| 32 | Chanakya National Law University | Patna, Bihar |
| 33 | Amity University, Haryana | Gurugram, Haryana |
| 34 | Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur | Nagpur, Maharashtra |
| 35 | Indian Law Institute | New Delhi, Delhi |
| 36 | ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, Hyderabad | Hyderabad, Telangana |
| 37 | Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh |
| 38 | National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) | Kochi, Kerala |
| 39 | Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh |
| 40 | Amity University | North Twenty Four Parganas, West Bengal |
Structure of Law Courses in India
| Details | 5-Year Integrated LLB | 3-Year LLB | LLM (Master of Laws) |
| Duration | 5 years | 3 years | 1-2 years |
| Eligibility | After 12th (10+2) | Graduation in any discipline | LLB (3 or 5 years) |
| Core Subjects | – Constitutional Law – Criminal Law – Contract Law – Family Law – Property Law – Tort Law | – Jurisprudence – Law of Contracts – Administrative Law – Criminal Law – Family Law – Environmental Law | – Specialization in areas like Corporate Law, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law – Research Methodology |
| Electives | – Intellectual Property Law – Cyber Law – International Law – Human Rights Law | – Corporate Law – Cyber Law – Labour Law – Taxation Law | – Electives vary by specialization |
| Practical Components | – Moot Courts – Internships – Client Counseling – Court Visits | – Moot Courts – Internships – Court Visits | – Research Papers – Internships – Seminars |
| Examinations | Semester exams, moot court participation, internships, dissertation | Semester exams, internships, research projects | Dissertation, research projects, exams |
Skills Required to Succeed in Law Studies
- Critical Thinking
- Research Skills
- Effective Communication
- Analytical Skills
- Attention to Detail
- Time Management
- Problem-Solving Abilities
- Resilience and Patience
- Interpersonal Skills
- Public Speaking and Advocacy
- Adaptability
- Writing Skills
Career Options After Studying Law in India
- Litigation Lawyer: Practice as an advocate in courts, representing clients in civil, criminal, or corporate matters.
- Corporate Lawyer: Work with companies on mergers, acquisitions, compliance, contracts, and legal advice for business operations.
- Judiciary (Judge/Magistrate): After clearing the Judicial Services Exam, serve as a judge or magistrate in various courts across India.
- Legal Advisor/Consultant: Provide expert legal advice to businesses, government bodies, or individuals on legal matters.
- Public Prosecutor: Represent the government in criminal cases, ensuring justice by prosecuting offenders on behalf of the state.
- Legal Academician: Teach law at universities or law schools and engage in legal research and writing.
- Legal Journalist: Cover legal news, landmark judgments, and court rulings for newspapers, TV channels, or online media platforms.
- Legal Researcher: Work with law firms, government agencies, or research organizations to conduct in-depth legal research and analysis.
- Government Lawyer (Indian Legal Services): Serve as a legal advisor in government departments, ministries, or public sector units.
- Human Rights Lawyer: Work with NGOs or international organizations to defend and promote human rights and social justice.
- Arbitrator/Mediator: Specialize in resolving disputes outside the courts through alternative dispute resolution methods like arbitration and mediation.
- Intellectual Property Lawyer: Specialize in protecting intellectual property rights, handling patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
- Taxation Lawyer: Specialize in taxation laws, providing guidance on tax-related issues for businesses and individuals.
- Environment Lawyer: Focus on environmental laws and cases related to environmental protection, climate change, and pollution control.
- Cyber Law Expert: Work on cases related to cybercrimes, data privacy, and internet-related legal issues.
Law Courses After Graduation
Know about the different law courses after graduation:
3-Year LLB
A full-time law degree program designed for graduates from any discipline. It provides comprehensive legal education, covering subjects like Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Contract Law, and more.
LLM (Master of Laws)
A postgraduate law degree for those who have completed their LLB. Specializations include Corporate Law, Constitutional Law, Human Rights Law, International Law, etc. The course duration is typically 1-2 years.
PG Diploma in Law
- PG Diploma in Cyber Law
- PG Diploma in Intellectual Property Rights
- PG Diploma in Environmental Law
- PG Diploma in Corporate Law
Certificate Courses in Law
These short-term courses (usually a few months) offer focused knowledge in specific areas of law. Popular certificate courses include:
- Certificate in Human Rights Law
- Certificate in Cyber Law
- Certificate in Labour Law
- Certificate in International Trade Law
PhD in Law
A research-focused doctoral program for law graduates interested in academia or high-level legal research. It allows deep specialization in areas like Constitutional Law, Corporate Law, and Environmental Law.
Integrated MBA-LLM
A unique course that combines management and law education, helping students understand the legal aspects of business management. It’s suitable for those aiming for corporate leadership roles.
Law Courses After 12th
- BA LLB: A 5-year integrated program that combines humanities subjects with legal education.
- BBA LLB: A 5-year integrated program combining business administration with legal studies.
- BCom LLB: A 5-year integrated course that focuses on commerce and law subjects.
- BSc LLB: A 5-year integrated program for students interested in science-related legal fields like environmental law or intellectual property law.
- BTech LLB: A 6-year integrated course combining engineering and law, ideal for technology law or intellectual property law specializations.
How to Study Law in India After 10th?
To study law in India after 10th, you must first complete your 12th (10+2) from a recognized board after which you can apply for a 5-year integrated LLB program such as BA LLB, BBA LLB, or BCom LLB. You need to clear law entrance exams like CLAT, AILET, or state-level exams to get admission into reputed law schools.
The 5-year integrated program combines undergraduate education with legal studies, allowing you to start your law career early. There are no direct law courses available immediately after 10th.
If you are looking to start off your career in law, join Law Prep Tutorial Delhi NCR today! Call us +91 87505 81505 to enquire!
