What is 3 Year LLB? Everything You Need to Know After Graduation

Overview: If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “Law is something I should’ve pursued,” you’re not alone.

Thousands of graduates across India make this exact shift every year, from commerce, science, humanities, engineering, you name it. And their gateway into the legal profession? The 3 Year LLB.

But hold on, what is 3 year LLB exactly? Is it the same as the five-year law course? Can you practice in court after this? And is it too late to start after graduation?

In this blog, we’ll answer all these questions and more. Whether you’re considering a career change or simply curious, this guide is your one-stop destination to understand what is 3 year LLB, why it matters, and how to get started.

Download FREE Study Material For 3 Year LL.B. By LegalEdge

What is 3 Year LLB?

Let’s begin with the basics.

The 3 Year LLB is a professional undergraduate law degree designed specifically for students who have already completed their graduation. Unlike the 5-year integrated law programs (like BA LLB or BBA LLB) which are available after Class 12, the 3 Year LLB is only open to those who’ve finished a bachelor’s degree in any stream.

In other words, what is 3 year LLB? It’s your chance to enter the legal field after graduation, without having to start over from scratch.

Read more: Upcoming 3 Year LLB Entrance Exams 2026 in India

Who Is This Course Meant For?

Let’s say you’ve done your B.Com or B. Tech or even a BA in Political Science, but now you feel law is where your heart is. This course is designed for people like you.

So if you’re asking what is 3 year LLB is meant for, it’s for:

• Graduates looking to switch careers
• Working professionals aiming for a legal edge in their industry
• Aspirants targeting the judiciary, civil services, or litigation
• Activists or social workers who want a deeper understanding of legal rights
• Even entrepreneurs who want to understand the legal landscape better

Basically, if you’ve already done your UG and want to study law without wasting years, this is the course to go for.

Read More: 3 Year LLB Entrance Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria

What Do You Study in the 3 Year LLB?

Now that we know what is 3 year LLB, let’s dive into the curriculum.

Here’s a year-wise overview of the subjects:

Year 1:

• Law of Contracts
• Legal Method
• Constitutional Law
• Family Law
• Law of Torts

Year 2:

• Criminal Law (IPC & CrPC)
• Property Law
• Administrative Law
• Environmental Law
• Labour Law

Read more: How to prepare for the 3-Year LLB Entrance Exam?

Year 3:

• Civil Procedure Code
• Company Law
• Public International Law
• Moot Court & Legal Drafting
• Interpretation of Statutes
• Professional Ethics

Most colleges also integrate internships, legal aid work, and practical exercises like moot courts and trial simulations into the program. So if you’re still wondering what is 3 year LLB really about, it’s not just theory, but a lot of hands-on legal training too.

Explore 3 Year LLB Courses By LegalEdge

Key Features That Define 3 Year LLB

Here’s what makes this course stand out:

1. Entry after graduation
2. No age bar – You can start at 22 or even 45.
3. BCI-approved – You’ll be eligible to practice law in Indian courts.
4. Flexible learning – Suitable for both full-time students and working professionals.
5. Foundation for judiciary, UPSC, and corporate roles

When someone asks you again what is 3 year LLB, tell them: it’s an all-access pass to the legal world after your bachelor's.

Read more: Difference between 3 Year LLB & 5 Year LLB

Eligibility Criteria: Can You Apply?

Let’s answer this once and for all.

• Minimum qualification: Any bachelor's degree (BA, BCom, BSc, BBA, BTech, etc.)
• Minimum marks: Usually 45% to 50% aggregate (varies by category and institution)
• Age limit: There is no upper age limit
• Entrance exam: Required for most reputed colleges 

So if you meet these criteria, there’s nothing stopping you. Still wondering what is 3 year LLB eligibility-wise? In short: Any graduate can apply. No stream restrictions.

Read More: 3 Year LLB Entrance Exam 2026 Books

Entrance Exams for 3 Year LLB

You don’t just walk into law school; you earn your place. Most top colleges conduct their own entrance exams for admission to the 3 Year LLB program.

Here are some of the most popular ones:

• NLSAT: For NLSIU Bengaluru 3 Year LLB Program
• NAIET: For NLU Odisha 3 Year LLB Program
• DET: For DS NLU 3 Year LLB Program
• MHCET Law: For colleges like Governent Law College and Indian Law Society in Maharashtra
• CUET PG: For DU Colleges and BHU
• SLS AIAT: For Symbiosis Law School Pune 3 Year LLB Program

So when you research what is 3 year LLB, don’t forget to also look up these entrance exams.

Read More: 3 Year LLB 2026 Admission Procedure

Top Colleges Offering 3 Year LLB in India

While there are hundreds of colleges offering the 3 Year LLB, some are known for their legacy, alumni network, and faculty. Here are some of the best:

1. National Law University Bengaluru

2. Faculty of Law, Delhi University

3. Government Law School Mumbai

4. National Law School, Odisha

5. Symbiosis Law School, Pune

6. Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Vishakhapatnam

7. Indian Law Society’s Law College

8. Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi

If you’re serious about studying law, don’t just ask “what is 3 year LLB”, ask where you’ll get the best version of it.

Read more: 3 Year LLB as a Career

Career Opportunities After 3 Year LLB

Now to the part that really excites most people.

What can you do after the 3 Year LLB? Quite a lot, actually. Here's a look:

1. Litigation – Join a senior advocate, get court experience, and eventually practice independently.
2. Corporate Law – Work in MNCs, legal departments, or top law firms.
3. Judiciary – Crack PCS(J) exams and become a judge.
4. Civil Services – Use your legal acumen to ace UPSC, especially for law optional.
5. Legal Journalism – Work with legal news platforms or media houses.
6. Policy & Research – Join think tanks, NGOs, or government legal advisory boards.
7. Entrepreneurship – Launch a legal tech startup or consultancy.

In short, if you’ve been asking what is 3 year LLB good for, it’s good for just about any legal or public policy career you can dream of.

Read more: Career after 3 Year LLB course

Why Choose 3 Year LLB After Graduation?

Let’s quickly list down why this course makes perfect sense:

• It gives your career a fresh direction
• It makes you eligible to practice law professionally
• You gain a powerful combination of legal and domain knowledge
• Opens the door to judiciary, civil services, policy, and more
• The course duration is shorter than doing a second UG (like BA LLB)

So when you ask again, what is 3 year LLB, it’s not just a degree. It’s a career reboot with legal superpowers.

Is It the Right Choice for You?

If you’re:

• Curious about laws and rights
• Strong in logic, analysis, and communication
• Motivated to make a difference
• Looking to blend legal skills with your current degree
• Willing to put in three years of rigorous training

Then yes, this is the course for you.

If you’re still thinking what is 3 year LLB, maybe it’s time to reframe the question to: “What can 3 Year LLB make me become?”

Conclusion

The legal landscape in India is evolving. We’re seeing a rise in legal tech, policy think tanks, legal journalism, international law practices, and high-impact litigation.

In such a time, the 3 Year LLB offers a timely, flexible, and powerful entry into the legal space for graduates.

So here’s the final answer to the question what is 3 year LLB:

It’s a doorway to justice, power, and influence—for anyone bold enough to step through it.