Law Courses After 12th & Graduation: Eligibility, Colleges & Jobs

Last Updated on August 6, 2023 by Vishnu Nambiar

Are you searching for the list of best law courses in India? Do you want to pursue law education after 12th or after completing graduation? If yes, this post will be of help to you. Here, I’ve compiled a list of top law courses in India.   In this post, readers will find the following details –

• List of law courses in India (after 12th as well as graduation)
• List of relevant law entrance exams
• List of top law colleges in India
• Procedure to become a lawyer in India
• Career prospects (job opportunities, salary, scope and more)

In short, this post covers all the important details that you need to know about law education in India. After going through this post, readers will be able to find an ideal law program and college.

Though I’ve already written an article about Integrated Law courses, I still get bombarded by questions from 12th passed students regarding career in Law field. They were having doubts regarding law courses, career in the law sector etc. It seems that the topic of ‘Integrated law courses’ didn’t really helped them understand more about a career in the field of law. So, I’ve decided to come up with a really simplified article for 12th Science, Commerce and Arts students. In this article, I will cover basic course details, career prospects and more such essential details. This article is all about “Law courses after 12th“/”Law education after 12th“/”Law courses after Graduation” in India! Students who have a flair for Law will find this article informative and useful! Even Graduates who are interested in Law Education will find this article to be of use.

Best law courses in India (2022)

In India, law aspirants have access to different types of law programs. Based on the format of the course, law programs can be classified into the following main types –

• UG law programs
• PG law programs
• Doctoral Degree programs

Candidates who have passed 12th standard are eligible to pursue UG level law courses. UG level programs are usually integrated law courses. Candidates who have completed Bachelor’s Degree education are eligible to pursue PG level law program. LL.B. is one such program.   Come, let us take a close look at the different types of law programs now. Here is everything you need to know about it –

List of law courses after 12th

Sr No	Name of the course	Duration	Eligibility Criteria
1	BA LL.B.	5 years	Completed 12th standard from a recognized board or equivalent
2	BBA LL.B.	5 years	Completed 12th standard from a recognized board or equivalent
3	B.Sc. LL.B.	5 years	Completed 12th standard from a recognized board or equivalent
4	B.Com. LL.B.	5 years	Completed 12th standard from a recognized board or equivalent
5	B.Tech. LL.B.	5-6 years	Completed 12th standard from a recognized board or equivalent
6	BMS LL.B.	5 years	Completed 12th standard from a recognized board or equivalent
7	BBM LL.B.	5 years	Completed 12th standard from a recognized board or equivalent
8	BSW LL.B.	5 years	Completed 12th standard from a recognized board or equivalent

These are some of the popular UG level law programs in India. Candidates who have passed 12th class are eligible to pursue these programs. The course duration is generally 5 years. However, it may vary slightly from one program to another. Such programs are generally known as integrated law programs in India.

List of law courses after graduation

Sr No	Name of the course	Duration	Eligibility Criteria
1	LL.B.	3 years	Completed Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized college/university
2	LL.M.	2 years	Completed LL.B. from a recognized college/university

Technically speaking, LL.B. is a PG level academic program. Candidates who have completed Bachelor’s Degree are eligible to pursue LL.B. program. It is the most popular law education program in India. The course duration is three years.   After completing LL.B., candidates may apply for LL.M. It is an advanced law education program. LL.M. stands for Master of Law. The course duration is two years. LL.M. is more like a specialization program. When it comes to this law program, candidate may choose an area of specialization.   For example – LL.M. Criminal law, LL.M. Corporate Law, LL.M. International Law etc. It is evident that criminal law, corporate law and international law are such areas of specialization.

List of Doctoral Degree law courses

Sr No	Name of the program	Duration	Eligibility Criteria
1	LL.M. PhD	4 years	Completed LL.B. from a recognized college/university
2	PhD in Law	3 years	Completed LL.B. and LL.M. from a recognized college/university

LL.M. PhD is an integrated program. It combines Master’s as well as Doctoral Degree law programs. LL.B. graduates are eligible to pursue this integrated program. PhD in law is the classic Doctoral Degree law education program. Candidates who have completed LL.B. as well as LL.M. programs are eligible to pursue this course. I must add that Doctoral Degree programs are research-oriented in nature. If you have a flair for research, you may apply for any one of these programs.

Law admission process

In this section, we will check out the list of relevant law entrance exams, the admission process and reservation criteria. Let us begin –

List of law entrance exams

When it comes to Law Institutes, the regulatory body is Bar Council of India. To get admission in reputed, Bar Council approved institutes, one must appear for CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) examination, AIBE, LSAT and SET. This test is conducted to evaluate candidates’ general English skills, legal aptitude, logical skills etc. Those who want to get admission in Integrated Law program or L.L.B. program must prepare for this test and score well in it. Some Private Institutes have their own Entrance examination to gauge the Legal Aptitude and skills of candidates.   Some Institutes also have minimum marks criteria set in case of 12th Board examination/Graduation program. It is generally 50% aggregate marks in main subjects.   In short, law entrance exams are conducted to facilitate merit based admission process. This process ensures that only deserving and eligible candidates are allotted seats at law schools. Law entrance exams are conducted at UG, PG and Doctoral Degree level admissions. Usually these exams are conducted once in a year.

Reservation of seats

Based on the outcome of the entrance exam, a merit list is formed. Based on the merit list and its ranking, seats are allotted among deserving candidates. Reservation criteria is applicable on this merit list. Candidates belonging to groups/categories such as – SC/ST/OBC/PwD have access to reserved seats and quota.   Come, let us check out the step-by-step process of becoming a lawyer in India. Here is everything you need to know about it –

How to become a lawyer in India?

In order to become a lawyer in India, one must possess certain educational qualifications. One must also be registered with the relevant chapter of Bar Council of India. Let us take a close look at all of the requirements and details –

Educational qualification required

To become a lawyer in India, the minimum educational qualification required is – completed LL.B. course. This is the minimum qualification required to begin a career in law sector in India.

Practicing law in India: Steps involved

1. The first and foremost step is – complete LL.B. program
2. Complete the program from an institute that is recognized by the Bar Council of India
3. After completing the program, register with relevant chapter of the Bar Council of India
4. Upon registering successfully, you are eligible to begin law practice in India

Skills required to thrive in law sector

To succeed in this field, possessing some skills will come handy! Those skills are- good communication skills, analytical, logical and reasoning skills, quick thinking, will to prove one’s point, confidence, investigative skills, good memory etc. Having a positive and pleasant personality will also help, when it comes to this profession.

Popular law colleges in India

Here’s a list of popular law colleges in India –

• Central Law College, Salem, Tamil Nadu
• Government Law College, Thirunelveli, Tamil Nadu
• Government Law College, Trichy, Tamil Nadu
• Government Law College, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
• Dr Ambedkar Government Law College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• Government Law College, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
• NLSIU, Bangalore, Karnataka
• Government Law College, Hassan, Karnataka
• BES College of Law, Bangalore, Karnataka
• Government Law College, Ramanagara, Karnataka
• Karnataka University, Dharwad, Karnataka
• University of Mysore, Mysore, Karnataka
• Bangalore University, Bangalore, Karnataka
• Gulbarga University, Gulbarga, Karnataka
• Government Law College, Ernakulam, Kerala
• Government Law College, Kozhikode, Kerala
• Government Law College, Thrissur, Kerala
• Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
• University Law College, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
• Ganjam Law College, Berhampur, Odisha
• National Law University, Cuttack, Odisha
• Sambalpur University, Sambalpur, Odisha
• Berhampur University, Berhampur, Odisha
• Government Law College, Church Gate, Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
• Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
• National Law University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
• University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan
• Government Law College, Sriganganagar, Rajasthan
• Mewar University, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan
• Jodhpur National University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
• Jaipur National University, Jaipur, Rajasthan
• ICFAI University, Jaipur, Rajasthan
• University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal
• University of Burdwan, Bardhaman, West Bengal
• Midnapore Law College, Midnapore, West Bengal
• Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law, IIT Kharagpur, West Bengal
• University of North Bengal, Siliguri, West Bengal
• Central University of South Bihar, Patna, Bihar
• Patna Law College, Patna, Bihar
• Maharaja Law College, Bhojpur, Bihar
• Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala, Punjab
• Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab
• Government Mohindra College, Patiala, Punjab
• Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
• Faculty of Law, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
• University of Lucknow, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
• Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh
• Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
• NALSAR, Hyderabad, Telangana
• University College of Law, Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana
• Symbiosis International University, Hyderabad, Telangana

Career prospects, salary and scope

Job opportunities are available in abundance. After graduation, one may start private practice and start representing clients in the courts and appear for cases (after successful enrollment with Bar Council of India). But it would be better to work under senior Lawyers first, gain experience and then start private practice! Experience matters, when it comes to this field. Experience will come handy while scaling up career ladder.

Also read:

Courses after 12th Science

Courses after 12th Commerce

Courses after 12th Arts

  Corporate sector also needs well qualified Lawyers. Business firms and Corporate houses need lawyers to look after various activities such as legal aspects of business, financial transactions, taxation, business laws, environmental laws etc. Usually big firms have legal team on their board that consists of a team of Lawyers. After graduation, one may land a good job in one such legal team belonging to corporate sector companies! Also check – list of best careers in India.   Another career option is of starting up consultancy services. By doing so, one could provide legal aid to variety of clients, consisting of people to corporate giants. Starting salary in case of a Lawyer working under a senior Lawyer is generally around 10 to 20k Rupees per month. But in case of Lawyers working for Corporate houses and in the Consultation Business, the salary is generally higher, around 30-50k Rupees per month. In case of Advocates representing the Government, salary is based on fixed Pay Band.   Summary of common job posts-

• Corporate Lawyer
• Criminal Lawyer
• Property Lawyer
• Legal Consultant
• Advocate working for Government
• Judge
• Advocate with Private Practice
• Advocate working for Law firm
• Research professional
• Lecturer
• NGO/Social Activist

I hope that this article clears all doubts that 12th stream students and Graduates have about Law education. Pursuing a combination of Management and Law course will be slightly more beneficial. It is my personal opinion though! In short, it is an excellent course that students from all streams may pursue. Please make sure that you have the necessary skills to succeed in this field, before taking the plunge!