Law provides a framework to society. It is the authority of the governing body of a country to enforce rules and regulations that will distinguish it as a civilised society. Law is enforceable, and all members within the national boundary have to abide by it. Law encompasses every section of life. And its branches are numerous – Civil Law, Criminal law, Labour law, Traffic law, family law, Law of Succession, Tenant law, Company law, Execution law, Administrative law, Asylum and Social laws. The legal profession is not a restricted choice of lawyer families now. There is a huge number wanting to join this profession. The Law Colleges in India, offering varied courses, attract this bunch of emerging legal aspirants.
The National Law School of India University is the best law institute in the country. Established in 1987, it offers undergraduate, post graduate, research programs and distance education to students. The various degrees include B.A, B.L Hons.; PhD in human rights, medical law and ethics, intellectual property rights law; LLM; M. Phil; JSD – Doctor of Jurisprudential Sciences; LLD – Doctor of Laws. The first year of LLB teaches students history, political science, economics and sociology along with the legal subjects,to provide a large base. The curriculum in NLSIU includes a unique subject-International Commercial Transactions, Law, Poverty and Development. The college conducts the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) for admission, which is an initiative of the Bar Council of India (BCI) and University Grants Commission (UGC). This test applies to ten law colleges in India.
NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad, was set up in 1998 under the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research University Act. Admission is on the basis of CLAT. And the courses offered are BA.LLB at UG level; LLM at PG level in environment law, human rights, intellectual property rights, insurance law, constitutional laws, corporate law and governance and criminal law; M Phil; and Post Graduate Diploma in cyber law, patent law, media law, international humanitarian law, aviation law and air transport; PhD; and Auditing specific courses. NALSAR is recognized for its exchange programs with renowned world universities that include the Griffith University and University of New South Wales in Australia, University of Western Ontario in Canada, Law School of King’s College in London , etc.
Symbiosis Law College, Pune, founded in 1977, conducts an all India law entrance test for admission. It offers two 5 year law courses, namely BA.LLB in Arts subjects of law and BA.LLB in Management and Business subjects of law. Other courses include two 2 year part time courses – Master of Tax Management and Tax Administration,and Master of Labour Law and Labour Welfare; one year diploma in Labour Law and Labour Welfare, Intellectual Property Law, Forensic Science and Medical Jurisprudence, International Business Laws and Corporate Law in India; Advance Diploma in Taxation Law; and Diploma in Criminology and Penology, Cyber Law and Human Rights Jurisprudence.
ILS Law College in Pune, commenced in 1924, affiliated to University of Pune, bases admission on merit and not test. Admission process starts in May every year and applicants should have at least 55% for diploma courses and 45% in graduation for LLB. The institute offers Integrated 5 year Program, Distance Education, and Diploma in Taxation Law, Labor Laws and Labor Welfare, Housing Laws, Consumer Protection Laws, Corporate Laws, Cyber Laws, Human Rights and and Law, Medical Jurisprudence and Forensic Sciences.
The Faculty of Law, Benares Hindu University, conducts its own entrance test for admission. It has 25 options to choose from. The colleges offers LLB and LLM degrees. It is known for the community oriented courses in law taught here (Socio economic welfare, environment, poverty, population, consumer and religion, women, children etc). Legal education is imparted on rural problems and legal awareness also. Recently, the faculty has included an LLM degree on Human Rights and Duties recommended by UGC.
Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, started functioning in 1924. It offers Master of Comparative Law (MCL), LLB and LLM. Research programs offered are Doctor of Civil Law (DCM) and PhD in Law. A common entrance test takes place for admission.
Government Law College in Mumbai, laid foundation in 1855, is one of the oldest law colleges in India. It admits students on a cut off basis. The institute offers BLS LLB – 5 year, LLB – 3 year, LLM – 2 years, and PhD course in Securities Law.
Faculty of Law, Chandigarh University, is the proud producer of three Chief Justice of India, and many more judges of the Supreme Court. It holds an entrance test for the LLB and LLM courses. PHD and LLD is also offered.
The Amity Law School in Delhi, was founded under the Ritnand Balved Education Foundation. It is affiliated to the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University of Delhi. A common entrance test is conducted by the Indraprastha University in the month of May every year, followed by an interview, for admission. The institute is recognized by the Bar Council Of India. And is known for its 5 year LLB Honors course.
National Law Institute University, Bhopal, was established in 1997. It bases admission on CLAT. Courses offered are the 5 year integrated BA LLB; LLM in Business Law, Environment Law, Constitutional and Administrative Law, Criminal Law, Human Rights, Law Science and Technology; and PhD in Cyber Law.
All over India there are several other good law colleges to pursue legal studies. Some of them are the National Law University of Jodhpur, NUJS Kolkata, Aligarh Muslim University, Mumbai University, Panjab University, Gujarat University, the Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University, Army Institute of Law, University of Calcutta, Hidayatullah National Law University, Allahabad University.
The legal profession requires constant research, study and effort. The Law Colleges in India prepare the students to be able to face the challenges of this profession. It is essential to train them suitably so that they not only have the knowledge but also develop the attitude and aptitude that is significant for a lawyer.
