LLM full form is Master of Law and it is a postgraduate degree in Law. LLM course duration in India is of two years. A law graduate can either start a career or pursue a Law specialization such as Criminal Law, Business Law, Administrative Law, Environmental Law, Cyber Laws and many more. LLM degree gives an aligned direction to one\’s career objectives. Since the inception of specialized autonomous law schools in India in 1987, beginning with the establishment of the National Law School of India University, there has been a notable emphasis on master\’s level legal education in the country.
In India, there are over 600 esteemed LLM colleges. Among these, approximately 300 one-year LLM colleges are privately owned, while over 100 are government-owned, and more than 20 fall under semi-government ownership.
LLM courses typically last one to two years, and some offer research-oriented tracks for deeper dives into specific legal topics. The course curriculum of the LLM degree is structured in such a way that the law course is divided into four semesters. Additionally, some universities collaborate with foreign institutions, potentially opening doors to international exchange programs or enriching your curriculum with global perspectives.
Eligibility criteria for LLM courses in India are that an aspirant is required to have a bachelor\’s degree in law such as LLB with at least 55 percent of marks in aggregate. Top colleges for LLM courses are NLSIU, Symbiosis Law School, NLU Delhi, NALSAR, and NUJS, etc. While, some of the top LLM entrance exams are AILET, CLAT PG, MHCET, LSAT and AP LAWCET, etc. Career avenues encompass law firms, corporate legal departments, consultancies, government agencies, and academic pursuits in legal research.
LLM Course Details: Highlights
The below-given highlights table below gives a quick information about the course types, duration, course fees, and entrance exams for pursuing Master of Law degree. Candidates can check this table for an idea about the average salary offered after completing this course as well as the top recruiters for law graduates. Check key points related to courses related to Master of Law in the table below:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| LLM Full Form | Full form of LLM – Master of Law |
| LLM Course Type | Post graduation |
| LLM Course Eligibility Criteria | Three-year or five-year degree in Law and entrance examination |
| LLM Course Duration | 2 years |
| LLM Course – Mode of Study | Full-Time LLM Distance LLM Executive LLM (3 years) |
| LLM Course Fees | INR 50,000 to INR 1 lakh per annum |
| LLM Top Colleges | NLSIU, Symbiosis Law School, NLU Delhi, NALSAR, NUJS |
| LLM Average Salary | INR 5 lakh per annum |
| LLM Job Profiles | Advocate, Assistant Professor, Consultant, Legal Advisor, Solicitor, Legal Manager, Law Officer |
| LLM Entrance Exam | ALIET,CLAT PG, LSAT MHCET, AP LAWCET |
| LLM Top Recruiters | Bar Council of India, Law Firms, Multinational Companies, Public Sector and Private Sector Banks, Government Departments, Legal Process Outsourcing |
LLM Eligibility Criteria
Candidates who are looking forward to pursuing a career in law first need to gain a Master of Law degree, first must look at LLM qualifications for LLM admission 2024. Requirements for LLM(Master of Law) admission are mentioned below:
- Candidates are eligible to apply for LLM admission if they have completed their graduation in law, that is, if the aspirant has secured his/ her LLB/ Bachelor of Law/ Five Year Integrated LLM course from a recognized university/ college.
- As part of the eligibility criteria shared by some colleges, candidates need secure at least 55 percent aggregate marks at the graduation level in order to be eligible to secure admission in the LLM course offered by them.
What after LLM: Career and Scope?
After pursuing an LLM course, candidates can opt for further studies wherein they pursue either MPhil or PhD in Law. However, if candidates want to pursue a career in the field of law then he/ she can go through the below-mentioned job profiles. Aspirants are informed that in order to practice law in India they need to clear the All India Bar Exam(AIBE).
LLM Jobs and Salary
Job Profile Job Description Salary(in INR) Advocate In such a job profile one needs to do a lot of research work to gather factual data as well as physical evidence to support their claim. INR 4 LPA Solicitor In such a job profile an individual usually specializes in a specific area of law like tax, litigation, family or property. Solicitors offer legal advice to private as well as commercial clients. INR 4 LPA Judge In such a job profile one has to ensure that justice is administered and the legal rights of all the involved parties are safeguarded. INR 10 LPA Legal Advisor Candidates opting to work in such a job profile are also lawyers who specialize in a specific field of law. Legal advisors are usually hired by governments as well as large organisations/ companies. INR 6 LPA Notary Individuals are hired in such a job profile by the central government for the whole or specific part of the country. INR 4 LPA Oath Commissioner In such a job profile one is authorized to verify affidavits. INR 4.5 LPA