Pathways to Study Law After 12th Without CLAT Exams

If you are interested in becoming a lawyer, many people consider CLAT to be the only ticket to top law universities in India. But many colleges do not require CLAT scores. In a situation where you are eager to pursue a law program immediately following the completion of your 12th grade, there are alternatives to taking the CLAT entrance exam. This is a list of top public universities with law programs that do not require high CLAT scores.

Not many renowned government-run law schools in India conduct separate entrance tests when short-listing candidates for enrollment in law programs. Here are a few options:

Delhi University (DU)

The Delhi University provides BA LLB courses at the Law Department of Delhi University. It conducts a test called DU LLB Entrance Exam to get admissions there. Unlike CLAT, this is different; that is, they are not connected to CLAT. The students take admissions here directly.

Banaras Hindu University (BHU)

The university is one of India’s oldest, top-ranked institutions, which provides a 5-year combined degree in BA LLb. In order to take admission, a student has to qualify for the university's UET, which is an alternative to taking CLAT. This is a particularly useful option for a student who is interested in pursuing a legal education but wants to avoid taking CLAT.

University of Mumbai

The Mumbai University offers law courses in various inter linked colleges. The admission procedure involves a special entrance exam; CLAT is not required here. The students can directly enroll from the university’s website via their browsers.

In some states, there are law entrance exams that allow students to snatch spots in local law schools. Examples of such law entrance exams are:

Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT CET)

The state of Maharashtra offers law programs in government colleges via MHT CET. For 12th-pass students, the goal is to pursue the 5-year LLB combos through this annual exam.

Karnataka State Law University (KSLU) Exam

It has a common entrance exam for law courses offered by educational institutions such as KSLU. Candidates interested in taking law courses offered by government-run institutions are supposed to register for this exam.

Certain government-run law schools in India select students on the basis of academic record, mostly for the three-year LLB course. The entrance requirements vary from one college to another, but many do not require CLAT scores at all.

University of Calcutta

The University of Calcutta offers a three-year LLB course. Admission is based on the results of exams, with no need for CLAT.

Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia is operating a law school in Lucknow

This college provides law lectures for B.A. and M.A. students. Although a variety of law colleges follow CLAT, RMLNLU has its own entrance exam to shortlist the applicants.

For some students, a degree in law might be too bold a move; diploma courses are now an alternative. Public institutions, on the other hand, run short law courses, such as:

Diploma in Labour Law (LLD)

Few colleges in India are running diploma courses in Labor Laws, together with Constitutional Laws. Most of these courses are of a short duration compared to the regular LLB courses, with no requirement for CLAT marks.

Certificate in Business Law or Cyber Law

Public colleges cum schools offer certificates in niche fields such as legal studies with respect to business issues, cyber law, etc. Such courses are ideal for learners who are passionate to join the law workforce - but are unwilling to undertake a full degree program.

People still consider CLAT a best way to get into law school throughout India, but many others take different routes that do not include taking that exam. Some take university-level entrance rounds, while others take state-level ones. Then, a couple get in based on marks alone, while some go straight to enter diploma programs. The doors are open, but they depend on what one wants to pursue.