How to Do LLB in India: A step-by-step guide to start a Law Career in 2025

An LLB or a Bachelor of Laws is an Indian undergraduate degree in law. An LLB in India can be through two routes, either directly after 10+2 or another route that allows you to pursue LLB after an undergraduate degree. So, depending on the type of LLB, the course duration of an LLB program may be 3 years or 5 years. LLB students study various legal components in their course curriculum, such as legal writing, criminal law, contract law, and constitutional law are among the topics covered in the course.

Did you know? The lawyer per capita number for India falls at 112.76 per 1 lakh. Although it may seem a decent number, upon a deeper study of the Indian population and legal proceeding status, we find that with the high demand in legal systems and pending cases, it is a fairly small number.

Hence, India certainly needs more lawyers. So if you are fresher and wondering how to do an LLB in India, you can be assured that the profession that you’re aiming for is quite an in-demand role.

We shall further take an in-depth look at what are the admission requirements for LLB. Read along to find out more information on LLB admissions and eligibility.

Also Read: How to Become a Lawyer in India

Steps to do LLB in India: A Complete Roadmap

In order to pursue LLB in India, you can follow this step-by-step tutorial:

• STEP 1: First and foremost you need to complete your 10+2 education from a recognized board if going for a 5-year LLB program or a bachelor's degree for a 3-year LLB program
• STEP 2: Then you need to choose the LLB program you wish to pursue, whether it is directly after school or after under graduation
• STEP 3: If you wish to pursue an LLB or law degree directly after school, you will need to pursue an integrated 5-year integrated law course and if you want to first complete your UG studies and then pursue LLB, then you will be eligible for the 3 year LLB program
• STEP 4: The next step is to start your preparation for law entrance exams in India. These entrance exams are conducted at different levels varying from university to university. Read further to find more about different law entrance exams like CLAT and LSAT
• STEP 5: Then, you need to fill in the application forms for Apply for LLB admission to various law universities in a program of your choice
• STEP 6: This will be a crucial step as you will be participating in the entrance exam and your performance in this examination will determine your admission status
• STEP 7: Upon successful status and results in your entrance exams, you will be included in the merit list for admission to the specific law college or university. After this, you can attend the admission counseling session
• STEP 8: This shall be the final step in your admission as enroll in the university and complete all document verifications as well as submit your course fees.
• STEP 9:  Now that you are successfully enrolled as an LLB student, you will be studying the LLB program wherein you can focus on developing foundational knowledge of law while pursuing practical experience and exposure.

What is the Eligibility Criteria for LLB

The eligibility criteria for an LLB course in India varies with the type of LLB you are pursuing, whether it is a 5-year integrated LLB degree or a 3-year LLB course.

Potential law students need to meet certain age requirements, qualify for entrance exams, and cater to specific academic prerequisites. To make sure you fulfill the prerequisites to pursue a profession in law, it is crucial to comprehend these factors. 

Admission requirements for LLB

The eligibility and admission requirements for both kinds of LLB degrees in India are broken down below:

Entrance exams for LLB

Your admission to LLB programs in India is majorly determined by how well you score in your law entrance exams. Several law entrance exams in India are conducted at the national and university levels. Let’s take a look at some of the main entrance exams for LLB in India:

1.CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)

• CLAT is the most widely recognized entrance exam for admission to 22 National Law Universities (NLUs) offering 5-year integrated LLB programs
• It tests candidates on subjects like English, General Knowledge, Legal Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, and Mathematics. The exam is held annually and is considered highly competitive.

2. AILET (All India Law Entrance Test)

• AILET is conducted by the National Law University, Delhi (NLU Delhi) for admission to its BA LLB program
• It tests English, General Knowledge, Logical Reasoning, and Legal Aptitude. AILET is one of the top law entrance exams and is considered more challenging due to its rigorous pattern.

3. LSAT India (Law School Admission Test)

• LSAT India is an entrance exam organized by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) for admission to various law schools in India
• It evaluates candidates on reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning skills. Many private law schools in India accept LSAT scores for admission.

4. DU LLB Entrance Exam

• The University of Delhi conducts its own entrance exam for admission to its 3-year LLB program
• DU LLB entrance exam consists of multiple-choice questions based on General Knowledge, Legal Awareness, Analytical Ability, and English Language skills. DU is one of India's top law schools, and its entrance exam is highly competitive.

5. IPU CET (Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test)

• IPU CET is conducted by Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) for admission to various law courses, including BA LLB and 3-year LLB
• The exam assesses candidates on General Knowledge, Logical Reasoning, English, and Legal Awareness.

6. BHU UET (Banaras Hindu University Undergraduate Entrance Test)

• BHU UET is conducted by Banaras Hindu University for admission to its undergraduate law programs, including a 5-year BA LLB
• The exam tests knowledge of General Studies, English, and Legal Aptitude

Also Read: Top Career Options for Lawyers

Top LLB institutions in India

India is home to a number of recognized law colleges and universities that provide high-quality legal education and turn out some of the best solicitors and legal professionals. LLB and integrated LLB courses are among the undergraduate and graduate legal programs offered by these universities. 

These law schools are well-known for their coursework, top-notch faculty, and successful placements and certainly play a fundamental role in shaping the upcoming legal professionals. 

Below is a list of the top 10 LLB schools in India which are reputed to producing esteemed legal professionals in the country:

How can upGrad help you?

Although the profession of a lawyer is highly sought after in India, there is still a lot of competition in the legal job market in India. So, how can you stand out as a valuable lawyer to the organization you are seeking to work in? The answer is to invest yourself in additional ventures outside your law books and classroom activities.

Explore, learn, and upskill for better job prospects. We at upGrad, provide you with opportunities to excel in your learning and career advancement journey. You can take a look at our law programs and explore options in short-term courses as well as higher study options.

Are you interested in a career in corporate law, then you must check out our Corporate Law Certificate course which will allow you to expedite your career progression.

We have more in store for you! Check out our free law courses and start your upskilling journey today, and even get a free certificate upon completion!

Read more here: Free Law online courses with certification

Conclusion

If you are looking to pursue an LLB, you need to know about the entire admission process in depth, ranging from eligibility criteria to best law schools, This will greatly help you to know your options and help you begin your law career journey. 

Further, as an aspiring law student, you must carefully prepare by selecting the appropriate university, concentrating on entrance exam preparation, and obtaining real-world experience through internships. With an LLB, you get a chance to bag a variety of legal job roles, which may range from government roles, corporate law, practicing attorney, or even academia.

Interested in knowing more about your future career options? Get your hands on expert guidance by booking a free counseling session with upGrad now!

References:
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/lawyers-per-capita-by-country
https://www.barcouncilofindia.org/info/educationa-de7va7 
https://www.nirfindia.org/Rankings/2024/LawRanking.html