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 not, then you have come to the right place! In this blog, we’ll walk 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 practicing lawyers nationwide, with an estimated job growth of 9% over the next ten years.

Lawyers play an important role in our country. They 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 passionate about justice and want to make a difference in society.

Overview of How To Become a Lawyer in India? 

Mainly, one must follow these 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, etc.

Step 3 - Gain Admission into the Best Law Colleges In India & obtain a Law Degree.

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

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Some Quick Facts About Becoming a Lawyer in India?

Industry	Law, Legal
Eligibility	10+2 with 60% marks aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA
Entrance Exams	CLAT/LSAT/AILET
Education Qualification	UG - LLB
Professional Qualification	Certificate of Practice issued by the Bar Council of India after clearing AIBE
Average Starting Salary	INR 6,00,000 per annum
Average Highest Salary	INR 2 Crores per annum
Career Opportunities	Advocate, Judge, Legal Consultant, Legal Advisor, Public Prosecutor etc.

Who Is A Lawyer?

• A lawyer is a professional who provides legal advice and representation to individuals, businesses, and government entities.
• Lawyers specialize in various areas of law, such as civil law, criminal 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 an updated knowledge of Indian Laws, such as the Indian Constitution, the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and other relevant applicable laws.
• Good Communication Skills: Good communication skills are essential for a lawyer to succeed in India. A lawyer must 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 analyze legal issues and efficiently develop viable solutions objectively.
• Research Skills: Lawyers in India should be well-equipped to use legal research tools efficiently and effectively and access legal 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 the best possible outcome.
• Interpersonal Skills: A lawyer must 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 challenging and requires dedication and years of hard work. It is a highly sought-after profession in India. Anyone who possesses the following qualifications can become a lawyer.

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

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

Some of the basic requirements are as follows:

• Students must obtain at least 60% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA in class 12th board exams.
• They must clear CLAT, AILET, LSAT & SLAT, and other various university-level law entrance exams as prescribed
• They must complete their LLB degree.

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 graduation, pursue a law degree 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 want to pursue a law career directly after 12th grade, you should opt for 5-year integrated law courses available in India to help you reach your goal. Here is a list of top UG and PG law courses for becoming 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, complete the selection process, which includes clearing the entrance exam. 

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

College Name	Law Entrance Exam Name
National Law University Across India	CLAT UG
National Law University Across India	CLAT PG
National University of Law, Delhi	AILET UG
National University of Law, Delhi	AILET PG
Private Law Universities Across India	LSAT India
Symbiosis International University	SLAT
Indian Law Institute	ILI LLM
Law colleges in Maharashtra	MH CET Law (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test for Law)
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU)	GGSIPU CET Law

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 listed below:

Aligarh Muslim University Entrance Exam (Law)	Aligarh Muslim University Exam
AIL LET	Army Institute of Law
SLAT	Symbiosis International Deemed University (SIU)
CULEE	Christ University
ULSAT	UPES, Dehradun
BVP CET Law	Bhartiya Vidyapeeth University
BHU UET (Law)	Banaras Hindu University
KIITEE	Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology

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 annually in various cities nationwide. 
• 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. 
• The examination consists of multiple-choice questions on various topics related to Indian laws, such as civil, criminal, constitutional, taxation, and labor laws.
• The examination assesses the knowledge and understanding of the Indian laws and legal system. 
• The Bar Council of India releases the AIBE result, which includes the names of candidates who qualified for the examination.
• However, only those in the three categories can 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 practicing 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 easy; only the following steps must be followed. 

• Enroll for the AIBE examination on BCI's official website.
• Appear for the AIBE exam on the date and time the board prescribes at the designated venue.
• After writing the exam, cross-check the marks secured with the AIBE cut-off marks prescribed for your category. 
• After this, log in to the BCI's official website and check the final result released by the authorities. 
• If you clear the exam, the State Bar Council will award you the AIBE certificate of practice.

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 must adhere to various roles and responsibilities to be successful.

• Advising clients: A lawyer is responsible for advising clients about their legal issues. They must also ensure their advice is accurate, up-to-date, and tailored to their client’s circumstances.
• Representing clients: Lawyers are responsible for representing their clients in court proceedings and other legal proceedings. This includes preparing legal documents, representing their client in court or arbitration proceedings, and advising the court or arbitrator.
• Negotiating settlements: Lawyers must be able to negotiate settlements between their clients and other parties. They must 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 representing both parties' interests. 
• Drafting legal documents: Lawyers draft documents such as contracts, wills, trusts, and other instruments. They must ensure these documents are legally binding and enforceable in the courts.
• Investigating facts: Lawyers are responsible for conducting research and gathering evidence 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 informing their clients about their legal cases. This includes providing regular updates on the case's progress, 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 needy people.
7. Courtroom Exposure: Working as a lawyer allows you to gain experience in the courtroom.
8. Networking Opportunities: Legal professionals can build relationships with other legal professionals and clients.
9. Flexibility: Lawyers can work for themselves or an organization, allowing career flexibility.
10. Problem-Solving: Lawyers must use problem-solving abilities to resolve cases and find effective solutions.

Types of Lawyers & Their Salary Range

Type of Lawyer	Role	Average Income
Civil Lawyer	Civil matters	INR 11 – 12 LPA
Criminal Lawyer	Represent clients in criminal cases	INR 17.5 LPA & above
Corporate Lawyer	Provide legal advice to business	INR 8 – 10 LPA
Intellectual Property Lawyer	Carry out litigation only related to trademark, copyright, and trade secrets to that of patents and geographical indication	INR 18 – 24 LPA
Tax Lawyer	Advise clients on tax matters & disputes	INR 10 - 20 LPA
Family Lawyer	Handle family-related issues such as divorces, etc.	INR 5 - 10 LPA
Cyber Lawyer	Advocate cases related to cybercrime, such as theft of personal information and digital documents	INR 6 - 7 LPA

How to Choose the Best Law College in India?

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

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

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

• Accreditation Status: Ensure 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: Ensure 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 it is conveniently located.

Career Opportunities After Becoming A Lawyer

There are various alternative career for law graduates who are completing their LLB. A few of them are listed below:

• Litigation: Depending on your choice, you can start practicing in the lower or higher courts, but you should start by learning from the lower courts.
• Judicial Services: If you are not ready for practice, you can also try for judicial services. You can appear for any state judiciary exam to become a civil judge. 
• Corporate Law: You will work for big companies and manage their legal matters and litigation concerns. 
• Civil Services: Aspirants must clear UPSC and state-wise PSC to join civil services. It would be best if you were well-versed in all the laws to clear the entrance exams. 
• Academia: Students can also work on research papers (PhD), academics, and books. Approximately 10-15% take up core academics.
• Legal Process Outsourcing: Working in an LPO will give you faster career growth than in the legal profession. A job in an LPO can also give you a stable income.
• Entrepreneurship: It would be a good way for those who want to open their law firms and are ready and willing to take the risks. 

Conclusion

We hope this blog clears all your doubts about how to become a lawyer in India. Becoming a lawyer is indeed a challenging process, but it is rewarding and fulfilling. So take the first step, ace the bar examination, and write your own story in the world of Indian Law.  Happy Reading!