How To Become a Lawyer in India? Step By Step Guide

Reader’s Digest - Do you know how to become a lawyer in India? If so, you’ve come to the right place! In this blog post, we’ll be taking you through the steps you must take to become a lawyer in India, from choosing the right college to gathering the necessary experience. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 792,500 practising lawyers across the country, with estimated job growth of 9% over the next ten years.

Lawyers play an important role in our country. They are the ones who ensure that justice is served to the people and uphold the rule of law. 

Becoming a lawyer in India can be a great career option for those who are passionate about justice and want to make a difference in their society.

But there are certain essential eligibility criteria to become a lawyer. 

Mainly, one must the following the four steps mentioned below to become a lawyer in India:

Step 1 - Clear class 12th board exams with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA.

Step 2 - Prepare for Law Entrance Exams such as CLAT, AILET, LSAT India, etc.

Step 3 - Gain Admission into the Best Law Colleges in India & Acquire a Law Degree.

Step 4 - Obtain a “Certificate of Practice” after clearing the All India Bar Examination.

Download FREE Study Material for Law Entrance Exams by LegalEdge

Overview of How To Become a Lawyer in India? 

Raj was a bright young man with a passion for justice and a desire to make a difference in the world. 

Growing up, he had always been drawn to the law and the power it has to bring about justice and fairness in society. So, when he graduated from high school, he decided to pursue a career in the legal field. 

Raj soon realised that becoming a lawyer in India was no easy task. He had to pass the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) to be admitted to the prestigious National Law University, Delhi. 

After months of hard work and dedication, Raj eventually passed the exam and was accepted into the school. 

The next step was to complete the professional law degree program. This required Raj to take numerous classes on constitutional law, family law, criminal law, civil procedure, and more. 

He also had to complete internships with various law firms and attend lectures by renowned legal professionals. 

Finally, after years-long of hard work and dedication, Raj was now ready to become a lawyer in India. Before practising law, he had to take a few more steps, such as passing the All India Bar Exam. 

After all his hard work and effort, Raj was officially a lawyer in India. Raj was now ready to make a difference in the world. He was determined to use his knowledge and skills to help those in need and to fight for justice. 

He soon found himself in a successful legal practice, where he was able to help many people. Raj's story is one of determination and hard work. 

It shows that if you have dedication and commitment, anything is possible. 

Moral - Anyone can become a lawyer in India with the right determination, dedication and proper guidance.

Quick Facts To Become a Lawyer in India?

Who Is A Lawyer?

• A lawyer is a professional who provides legal advice and representation to individuals, businesses, and government entities.
• Lawyers specialise in various areas of law, such as criminal law, immigration law, family law, business law, and contract law. 
• They often advise clients on legal matters, prepare legal documents, and represent them in court.

Prerequisites to Become a Lawyer in India

• Knowledge of Indian Law: A lawyer in India needs to have up-to-date knowledge of the Indian Constitution, the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and other relevant Indian laws.
• Good Communication Skills: Good communication skills are essential for a lawyer to succeed in India. A lawyer must be able to effectively communicate with clients, other attorneys, and the court to represent their client’s interests.
• Analytical Skills: Critical thinking and analytical skills are necessary for a lawyer to objectively analyse legal issues and efficiently come up with viable solutions.
• Research Skills: Lawyers in India need to be able to use legal research tools to effectively access legal information, precedents, and information related to their cases.
• Negotiating Skills: Lawyers are often called upon to negotiate settlements on behalf of their clients. Negotiating skills are essential in such situations to ensure that the best possible outcome is achieved.
• Interpersonal Skills: A lawyer needs to be able to effectively interact with clients, other attorneys, and the court. Interpersonal skills such as empathy, active listening, and problem-solving ability are essential for a lawyer to be successful in India.

Steps to Become a Lawyer in India

Becoming a lawyer is a challenging and rewarding profession that requires dedication and hard work. It is a highly sought-after profession in India, and one can become a lawyer in the following simple steps.

Step 1 - Fulfil the Education Requirements to Become a Lawyer in India

Students must meet both the common and college-specific eligibility requirements to become a lawyer in India. 

Some of the basic requirements are as follows:

• Students must obtain a minimum of 60% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA in class 12th board exams.
• They must clear various university-level law entrance exams mentioned below:

1. Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)
2. All India Law Entrance Test (AILET)
3. Law School Admission Test (LSAT India)
4. Symbiosis Law Admission Test (SLAT)
5. Indian Law Institute LLM (ILI LLM)
6. Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University CET Law (GGSIPU CET)

• They must complete their law courses in undergraduate courses such as BA LLB, BCom LLB, and BSc LLB, followed by Postgraduate courses such as LLM.

Check Here - LLM Courses Eligibility Criteria

Step 2 - Top Law Courses to Become a Lawyer in India

Option 1 - If you want to become a lawyer after your graduation, pursue a bachelor’s degree in law after graduating from the courses mentioned below. 

• Master of Legislative Law in Business Law
• Master of Law in Constitutional Law and Administrative Law
• Master of Law in Bharatiya Nyaya Darshan and Raj Dharma
• Master of Law in Corporate and Finance Law
• Master of Legislative Law in Criminal Law and Commercial Law
• Master of Legislative Law in Criminal Law and Criminology
• Post Graduate Diploma in Administrative Law
• Post Graduate Diploma in Child Rights and Development
• Post Graduate Diploma in Business & Corporate Law
• Post Graduate Diploma in Cyber Law and Intellectual Property Rights

The following are some of the most Law Career Options after Graduation:

• Practice of Law
• Judiciary
• Armed Forces
• Private Sector Jobs
• Government Jobs

Option 2 - If you are looking to pursue a career in law directly after the 12th, several 5-year integrated law courses are available in India to help you reach your goal. Here is a list of some of the top UG & PG law courses to become a lawyer in India.

Top UG Law Courses to Become a Lawyer in India

Some of the preferable law courses to become a lawyer in India are mentioned below:

1. Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) 
2. Bachelor of Arts & Laws (BA LL.B) 
3. Bachelor of Business Administration and Laws (BBA LL.B) 
4. Bachelor of Science & Laws (B.Sc LL.B) 
5. Bachelor of Computer Application & Laws (BCA LL.B) 
6. Bachelor of Commerce & Laws (B.Com LL.B) 
7. Five-year Integrated Program in Laws (BL/LL.B) 8. Post Graduate Diploma in Laws (PGDL)

Top PG Law Courses to Become a Lawyer in India

The following list mentions some of the most famous PG law courses in India:

1. Master of Laws (LL.M.) 
2. Masters in Business Laws (MBL) 
3. Masters in Constitutional Law (MCL) 
4. Masters in Corporate Laws (MCL) 
5. Masters in International Law (MIL) 
6. Masters in Human Rights Law (MHR) 
7. Masters in Taxation Law (MTL) 
8. Master of Intellectual Property Rights (MIPR) 
9. Master of Comparative Law (MCL) 
10. Master of Cyber Laws (MCL)

Step 3 - Clear the Law Entrance Exams to Become a Lawyer in India

After you have chosen the law degree, suffice the selection process, which includes clearing the entrance exam of the same. 

Various universities and institutions in India conduct various law entrance exams. 

Top Institute/University Level Law Entrance Exams Other Than CLAT in India

There are around 8 exams conducted at the university level for admission to law courses in India which are enlisted below:

Step 4 - Clear the All India Bar Examination to Become a Lawyer in India

• The All India Bar Examination (AIBE) is a national-level examination conducted by the Bar Council of India (BCI). 
• It is conducted to test and assess a lawyer's capability to practice law in India. 
• It is a one-day examination conducted every year in various cities across the country. 
• The examination is conducted for candidates who have obtained a degree in law from a recognized university in India and are eligible to appear for the examination. 
• It is open to all Indian citizens who have obtained a law degree from any recognized university. 
• The examination consists of multiple-choice questions based on various topics related to Indian laws, such as civil, criminal, constitutional, taxation and labour laws.
• The examination is conducted to assess the knowledge and understanding of the Indian laws and legal system. 
• The Bar Council of India releases the AIBE result with the names of candidates who have qualified for the examination.
• The AIBE COP is one of the critical papers that candidates must possess to practice law in the country. 
• However, only those who belong to any of the three categories are eligible to apply for the certificate. 

1. Senior Advocate
2. Advocates who have earlier completed the Law course but have not been listed under the list of practising advocates
3. The advocates who wish to register with the Supreme Court as an advocate

How to Apply for AIBE COP?

Applying for AIBE COP is very easy; one must follow only the following steps. 

• Enrol for the AIBE examination on the official website of BCI.
• Appear for the AIBE exam on the date and timing prescribed by the board at the designated exam venue.
• After writing the exam, cross-check the marks secured with the AIBE cut-off marks prescribed for your category. 
• Post this, log in to the official website of the BCI and check the final result released by the authorities. 
• If you clear the exam, then you will be awarded the AIBE certificate of practice by the state’s Bar council.

Check Here - What to do After AIBE Results?

Roles & Responsibilities of a Lawyer

Becoming a lawyer in India is a dream for many, but this dream requires dedication, hard work, and a great understanding of the law. 

As a lawyer in India, you have various roles and responsibilities that you must adhere to in order to be successful.

• Advising clients: A lawyer is responsible for providing legal advice to their clients about the legal issues they face. They must also ensure that the advice they provide is accurate, up-to-date, and tailored to their client’s specific circumstances.
• Representing clients: Lawyers are responsible for representing their clients in court proceedings and other types of legal proceedings. This includes preparing legal documents, representing their client in court or arbitration proceedings, and providing advice to the court or arbitrator.
• Negotiating settlements: Lawyers must be able to negotiate settlements between their clients and other parties. They must be able to assess a case's strengths and weaknesses and effectively represent their client's interests in negotiations. This includes negotiating the terms of a settlement, ensuring that the settlement is fair and equitable, and ensuring that both parties interests are represented. 
• Drafting legal documents: Lawyers are responsible for drafting legal documents such as contracts, wills, trusts, and other legal instruments. They must ensure that these documents are legally binding and enforceable in the courts.
• Investigating facts: Lawyers are responsible for conducting research and gathering evidence in order to support their client’s cases. This includes interviewing witnesses and documents and researching applicable laws and regulations.
• Advocating for clients: Lawyers are responsible for advocating for their clients in court proceedings and other legal settings. This includes making legal arguments, presenting evidence, and cross-examining witnesses.
• Conducting legal research: Lawyers must be able to conduct legal research to determine how the law applies to their client's situation. They must be able to interpret the law and apply it to the facts of the case.
• Keeping clients informed: Lawyers are responsible for keeping their clients informed about their legal cases. This includes providing regular updates on the progress of the case, answering any legal questions the client may have, and providing advice on how to proceed.

Benefits of Becoming a Lawyer in India

Becoming a lawyer in India is a rewarding and fulfilling career choice. From high salaries to the ability to help others in need, there are many benefits to becoming a lawyer in India. Here are just a few:

1. Prestigious Profession: Being a lawyer is a highly respected and prestigious profession in India.
2. Lucrative Pay: Lawyers' salaries and remunerations are quite lucrative in India. 
3. Job Security: Becoming a lawyer offers job security for a lifetime.
4. Professional Growth: Lawyers can progress in their careers by taking up challenging assignments. 
5. Legal Awareness: Lawyers are expected to be well-versed in the country's legal framework and be updated with the latest changes.
6. Social Impact: Lawyers can greatly impact society by using their legal knowledge to help people in need.
7. Courtroom Exposure: Working as a lawyer gives you the opportunity to gain experience in the courtroom.
8. Networking Opportunities: Legal professionals have the chance to build relationships with other legal professionals and clients.
9. Flexibility: Lawyers can choose to work for themselves or an organization, allowing flexibility in their careers.
10. Problem-Solving: Lawyers are expected to use their problem-solving abilities to resolve cases and come to an effective solution.

Types of Lawyers & Their Salary Range

How to Choose the Best Law College in India?

There are 1170 law colleges in India, out of which 807 are private, and 363 are government colleges.

These colleges offer specialisation in Corporate Law, Human Rights, Civil Law, Banking law, and many more. Most law schools teach the same introductory first-year courses, but from there, law schools vary considerably.

Students must keep the following points in mind while choosing Best Law Colleges in India:

• Accreditation Status: Make sure the Bar Council of India or the University Grants Commission accredits the college.
• Reputation and ranking: Consider the college's reputation and ranking in the legal education field.
• Faculty: Ensure that the college has experienced and well-qualified faculty members.
• Course offerings: Make sure the college offers courses relevant to your career aspirations. 
• Placement opportunities: Check the college's placement records and ensure that the college has a strong alumni network with good connections.
• Fee Structure: Compare fees of different colleges to ensure that you get the best value for your money. 
• Location: Consider the college's location and ensure that it is conveniently located.

Career Opportunities After Becoming A Lawyer

Students can choose their careers in any of the following fields after completing the law course.

• Litigation: One can start practice from the lower courts or higher courts. Most of the students choose lower courts as their preference.
• Judicial Services: If not practised, you can go to judicial services. To become a civil judge, you must appear for any of the Upcoming Judiciary Exams.
• Corporate Law: Here, students will be working for a big firm and have to handle all the law issues and litigations associated with the company. 
• Civil Services: Aspirants need to clear UPSC, state-wise PSC to join civil services. You need to be well versed with all the laws to clear the entrance exams. 
• Academia: Students can also work on research papers (PhD), academics, and writing books. Around 10-15% take up core academics.
• Legal Process Outsourcing: Other countries give work to outsourcing as they charge less amount comparatively. 
• Entrepreneurship: Many students open their own companies. It depends on self-satisfaction. 

Conclusion

We hope this blog clears all your doubts about how to become a lawyer in India. Becoming a lawyer in India is a long and challenging process, but it can be a rewarding and fulfilling career. Happy Reading!