Studying law in India is a popular career choice for students interested in the legal field. Whether you want to become a lawyer, judge, or legal advisor, understanding the steps involved in how to study law in India is essential.
From selecting the right law course to preparing for entrance exams and choosing a good law college, each step requires careful consideration.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about law study in India, including the eligibility criteria, courses available, and career options, helping you make informed decisions 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. |
Checkout: 3 Year LLB vs 5 Year LLB
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
Know about the top law entrance exams 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. |
Checkout: List of NLUs in India
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. |
Check the Best Law Colleges in India
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 (RMLNLU) | 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 |
Checkout: How to Prepare for Moot Court?
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.
Learn about the different types of lawyers in India.
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
These are short-term postgraduate diploma courses focused on specific areas of law, such as:
- 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.
Read about Judge vs Magistrate
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.
Know more about law courses after 12th.
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 that, 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.
FAQs About Law Study in India
You can apply for 5-year integrated LLB programs (BA LLB, BBA LLB, BCom LLB) after clearing law entrance exams like CLAT, AILET, or state-level exams.
States like Karnataka, Delhi, Maharashtra, and West Bengal have prestigious law schools like NLSIU Bangalore, NLU Delhi, and GLC Mumbai.
Yes, but you may need to clear the local bar exams or meet specific requirements in the country where you wish to practice.
Complete 12th, clear entrance exams like CLAT, and get admission to a law school. Study for 5 years for an integrated LLB or 3 years after graduation for a 3-year LLB.
The cost ranges from ₹2 to ₹10 lakhs for the entire course, depending on the law school (private or public).
It takes 5 years for an integrated LLB program after 12th or 3 years if pursued after graduation.
Several universities offer online and distance learning diploma courses in law, but full-fledged LLB degrees are not available online.
To practice in the US, you would need to meet the requirements of the state where you wish to practice, including passing the Bar exam. Learn how to practice in US as an Indian lawyer.
Cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Pune are popular for law schools.
Yes, NRIs can study law in India and are eligible for admission in most law schools. Some NLUs have reserved seats for NRIs.
Yes, foreign nationals can apply to Indian law schools, though they may need to meet specific requirements depending on the institution.
Studying law in India is ideal if you plan to practice here. However, if you’re interested in international law or practicing abroad, studying overseas may offer more opportunities.
Yes, OCI cardholders can study law in India and are eligible for admission in most law schools.
You need to meet the specific admission requirements of foreign universities, which often include proficiency in English (IELTS/TOEFL) and standardized tests like LSAT.
To practice law in India, you must hold a recognized LLB degree and pass the All India Bar Examination (AIBE). A foreign law degree may require further validation.
No, you need to complete 12th grade before applying for a 5-year integrated LLB program.
Foreigners can study law in India, but practicing law in India requires meeting the Bar Council of India’s requirements.
You need to clear admission requirements, including IELTS/TOEFL scores and personal statements. Some universities may also require LNAT (Law National Aptitude Test).
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