The legal profession is in high demand today. Due to the changing social and economic circumstances and the ever-increasing regulatory role that the government is taking on, the demand for lawyers is increasing. Law is not only financially lucrative but also an adventurous and exciting career option. Gone are the days when students chose only engineering and medical professions. The legal profession has evolved tremendously over the past few years. But the question that most students have is how to become a lawyer in India.
Becoming a lawyer is one of the most rewarding career options in terms of both job satisfaction and salary potential in India. According to the Bar Council of India, the Indian legal profession has about 12 lakh registered advocates, 950 law schools, and 4-5 lakh law students. In India, about 60,000-70,000 law graduates enter the legal profession every year.
To become a lawyer, certain eligibility criteria must be met. The first and primary eligibility criteria are that the candidate must have passed the 12th class examination from a recognized board or university. After which he can take various law entrance exams like CLAT, AILET, SLAT, etc. Read the full article to know all the details about how to become a lawyer in India.
But before we move further, let’s understand…
Topics covered
Who is a lawyer?
A lawyer is a qualified, licensed practitioner who drafts legal documents for the administration, prosecution, or defense of legal actions. Lawyers are mainly responsible for solving the legal problems of their clients. According to their specialization, lawyers handle a wide range of cases, including divorce, property disputes, marital problems, and criminal offenses. They are compensated for the causes they fight.
What does a lawyer do?
Using legal knowledge, lawyers help clients understand and resolve legal issues. Although lawyers have different roles and responsibilities depending on their area of expertise, most lawyers work with the following roles and responsibilities:
- Creating legal documents and submitting them to the relevant courts and authorities
- Attending courts and client hearings
- Lawyers work with police and detectives and help them prepare case evidence for trials and mediation
- Case handling and advising clients on the choice of court
- Conducting investigations and arguments in favor of their clients before the judge
Read about the Difference Between a Lawyer and Advocate
Types of Lawyers in India
The work of a lawyer is not easy, different specifications study the details and subtleties in different fields and sectors. Below are the types of lawyers you can consider after becoming a lawyer.
Civil Lawyer
Civil lawyers handle cases related to civil matters, such as property disputes, contract breaches, family law matters, consumer disputes, and other non-criminal legal issues.
Criminal Lawyer
Criminal lawyers specialize in criminal law and represent individuals or entities accused of committing a crime. They defend their clients and ensure their rights are protected throughout the legal process.
Corporate Lawyer
Corporate lawyers deal with legal matters related to corporations, including corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, contract negotiations, intellectual property rights, compliance, and other business-related legal issues.
Family Lawyer
Family lawyers focus on legal issues within families, such as divorce, child custody, adoption, domestic violence, inheritance, and related matters.
Labor Lawyer
Labor lawyers specialize in labor and employment laws. They represent employees, employers, or labor unions in cases involving workplace disputes, employee rights, wrongful terminations, labor law compliance, and other labor-related matters.
Intellectual Property (IP) Lawyer
IP lawyers handle cases related to intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. They help individuals or businesses protect and enforce their IP rights.
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Tax Lawyer
Tax lawyers specialize in tax law and provide legal advice and representation in matters related to taxation. They assist clients with tax planning, disputes with tax authorities, tax compliance, and other tax-related issues.
Constitutional Lawyer
Constitutional lawyers specialize in constitutional law and focus on issues related to the interpretation and application of the Indian Constitution. They may handle cases related to fundamental rights, constitutional challenges, and public interest litigation.
Environmental Lawyer
Environmental lawyers deal with legal matters concerning environmental regulations, conservation, and sustainability. They may represent clients in cases related to environmental pollution, natural resource management, and environmental impact assessments.
Real Estate Lawyer
Real estate lawyers handle legal matters related to property transactions, including buying, selling, leasing, and developing real estate. They review contracts, resolve disputes, and ensure legal compliance in real estate transactions.
Steps to Become a Lawyer
Following are the steps you need to consider to become a lawyer-
Step 1: Complete upper secondary education
To become a lawyer, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. A person is eligible for admission to a law college or university only after obtaining higher secondary education from a recognized board of education. A student from any stream including Arts, Science, or Commerce is eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Laws degree program.
Step 2: Complete the release in any thread
If you have already completed your studies in any of the streams, you have another route to get an LL.B. which is a 3-year LL.B. after graduation. If you decide to go down this route, you need to complete a bachelor’s degree in any stream.
Step 3 – Take the law entrance exam
Most law schools select applicants based on their performance on law school entrance exams. One of the most popular exams at the national level is the Common Law Entrance Test. This two-hour exam consisted of 150 multiple-choice questions with one mark for each correct answer and a deduction of 0.25 for each incorrect answer.
Candidates must score a minimum of 50% marks in CLAT to be eligible for admission. Most colleges accept CLAT scores. Other law entrance exams
- AILET – All India Law Entrance Test
- SLAT-Symbiosis Law Entrance Test
- LSAT – Law School Admission Test
- MC-CET-Maharashtra Common Entry Test-Law
Step 4 – Apply to law school
After receiving qualifying scores on the law entrance exam, you can apply to law schools. Each application requires the submission of official transcripts, law school entrance exam scores, and letters of recommendation with other additional information.
Many law schools accept candidates with high CLAT scores who have top-notch letters of recommendation and experience in extracurricular activities.
Step 5 – Obtain a Bachelor of Laws degree
If you decide to pursue a career in law, this will be a much better opportunity. While pursuing a Bachelor of Laws degree, the subjects you study such as political science, economics, sociology, etc. will help you learn more about the society in which you practice law.
Along with this, you should study legal subjects like family law, criminal law, constitutional law, etc. To graduate from law school, you need to pass all subjects in your final year.
Step 6: Pass the All-India Bar Examination
According to government guidelines, law graduates must pass the All-India Bar Examination to be eligible to practice law in India. Every year Bar Council of India conducts this exam every year. To become a member of AIBE, you must be registered as a solicitor with the State Bar Council.
Step 7 – Gain experience
After passing the AIBE, you are eligible to practice law. The next best step would be to apply for a position as an attorney at a law firm or start practicing law on your own.
Eligibility Criteria to Become a Lawyer
If you looking forward to an answer on how to become a lawyer after the 12th, here is the answer to your question. Various eligibility criteria must be met to be eligible to become a lawyer. Some of the basic criteria for becoming a lawyer are given below for your reference,
- Students must have passed their 12th class exams with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA
- They have to pass various national-level or university-level entrance exams like CLAT, AILET, LSAT, etc.
- They must have completed a 5-year undergraduate course such as B.B.L., B.B.L., BCom B.L.
How to Become a lawyer in India
To become a lawyer in India, aspiring candidates must complete legal courses and also clear the AIBE (All India Bar Examination) exam to strengthen their career as a lawyer. Below are some of the most important steps to take to become a lawyer.
School-level preparation: There are no fixed or compulsory subjects or fields of study to become a lawyer, but a background in political science, sociology, etc. will ultimately help you better understand the subject.
How to Become a lawyer after 12th
To become a barrister after Year 12, aspiring candidates must complete the steps outlined below,
- Undergraduate Preparation: To become a lawyer, students must complete an undergraduate law course such as LLB, BA LLB, BBA LLB, or BSc LLB. However, before enrolling in these courses, they have to clear the law entrance exams like CLAT, AILET, LSAT, etc. Almost all Tier 1 law colleges admit students who score the highest in these entrance exams. legal sciences.
- Postgraduate preparation: Postgraduate courses, such as the LL.M., can be attended by students who wish to become lawyers. Admission to postgraduate law courses is also done based on law entrance exams like CLAT PG, LSAT, etc.
Job opportunities for lawyers in India
Advancing a career as a lawyer has several job roles. After a certain period, a lawyer is promoted to a more senior role depending on his or her skills. A law student must first assume the role of a summer law student or intern. After gaining experience for a few months, he or she becomes ready to take on the role of junior attorney. A junior lawyer is promoted to a senior lawyer. In this section, we will discuss the legal career options or legal job vacancies.
Law Firms
Many lawyers work in law firms, either large or small, where they handle a variety of legal cases for individual clients, businesses, or organizations. Law firms may specialize in different areas of law, such as corporate law, intellectual property law, litigation, or family law.
Corporate Sector
Lawyers are in demand in the corporate sector, where they provide legal counsel and advice to businesses. They may work as in-house counsel for companies, handling legal matters related to contracts, compliance, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, and employment law.
Government Jobs
Lawyers can work in various government departments and agencies, such as the judiciary, public prosecution, legal advisory bodies, and legislative bodies. They may serve as judges, public prosecutors, legal officers, or legal advisors to government departments.
Judiciary
Lawyers can pursue a career in the judiciary by appearing for judicial service examinations conducted by state or central authorities. Successful candidates become judicial officers and preside over courts, hearing and deciding cases.
Legal Process Outsourcing (LPO)
LPO companies in India offer legal support services to clients abroad. Lawyers can work in LPO firms, handling tasks like legal research, document review, contract drafting, and paralegal work.
Academia
Lawyers with a passion for teaching and research can pursue a career in academia. They can become law professors or lecturers in law schools and universities, sharing their knowledge and expertise with aspiring law students.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Lawyers can work with NGOs that focus on social justice, human rights, environmental issues, or other causes. They provide legal aid and representation to marginalized communities, advocate for policy changes, and engage in public interest litigation.
Legal Consultancy
Some lawyers set up their legal consultancy firms, offering specialized legal services and advice to clients. They may cater to individuals, businesses, or specific industries.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Lawyers can specialize in mediation, arbitration, and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. They work as mediators, arbitrators, or ADR consultants to help parties resolve legal disputes outside the court system.
Legal Journalism and Writing
Lawyers with strong writing and communication skills can pursue a career in legal journalism, legal content writing, or legal publishing. They may write articles, blogs, or books on legal topics or work for legal publications and media organizations.
Lawyer salary in India
The salary of a lawyer in India can vary widely based on a range of factors, such as the lawyer’s experience, area of specialization, location, and employer.
Here are some statistics on lawyer salaries in India:
- According to PayScale, the average annual salary of a lawyer in India is INR 5,03,800. However, salaries can range from INR 2,28,000 to INR 15,00,000 or more, depending on various factors.
- Experience is a key factor in determining a lawyer’s salary. Entry-level lawyers with less than one year of experience can expect to earn an average of INR 2,88,000 per year, while lawyers with 1-4 years of experience can earn an average of INR 3,84,000 per year. Mid-career lawyers with 5-9 years of experience can earn an average of INR 7,44,000 per year, while senior lawyers with 10-19 years of experience can earn an average of INR 14,16,000 per year.
- Area of specialization can also impact a lawyer’s salary. Lawyers who specialize in corporate law, intellectual property law, and tax law tend to earn higher salaries than those in other areas of law. For example, a corporate lawyer with 1-4 years of experience can earn an average of INR 6,77,000 per year, while a tax lawyer with the same experience level can earn an average of INR 4,31,000 per year.
- Location is another significant factor that can impact a lawyer’s salary. Lawyers working in metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore generally earn higher salaries than those working in smaller cities or rural areas. For example, the average salary for a lawyer in Mumbai is INR 6,75,000 per year, while the average salary for a lawyer in Lucknow is INR 3,00,000 per year.
- According to the National Salary Data released by PayScale, the median salary of a lawyer in India is INR 4,75,500 per year, with the range being between INR 1,96,000 to INR 25,00,000.
Epilogue!
Phew! So that was way too long and seriously if you’re bored or yawning, you must not take this weird passion of yours to be a Lawyer.
No wait, I am serious. If you found this article long then, pal, you are in for the wrong option. Choose wisely. The law may not be the best place for you.
Still, wondering how to become a lawyer? Well, then you better get in touch with our experts who can guide you specifically after assessing your troubles. They need to peek into that mind of yours to find what’s cooking and suggest the best possible option.
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Also Read:
- Peek into the Life of a Lawyer
- Career in Cyber Law
- CLAT exam
- LLB in India
- Law Colleges in Chennai
- Career as a Public Prosecutor
- Career As a Corporate Lawyer
- Career as a Criminal Lawyer
- Career in Civil Law
How to Become a Lawyer: FAQs
After completing the 12th year, students have to apply for law entrance exams like CLAT, LSAT, etc. Based on their entrance exam scores, they can take admitted to Bachelor of Laws (LLB), BA LLB (BA LLB), BBA LLB (Bachelor of Laws), BCom LLB, or BSc LLB. After graduation, they can apply for the All-India Bar Examination (AIBE) and pass the exam to start practicing as a lawyer.
To pursue a career in law, candidates can pursue a five-year integrated law degree course at the undergraduate level such as BA LLB, BBA LLB, BLS-LLB, BSc LLB, or BCom LLB. If the candidates have already completed their studies in other streams and now they want to pursue a career in law, then they pursue the three-year LLB course.
Law school coursework is varied and extensive, which means you can’t afford to relax. You need to put in the necessary work throughout the program if you want to succeed. So, law school is hard. More difficult than a regular college or university in terms of stress, workload, and commitment required.
If you are sure to try your law career in CLAT, it is best to go for Commerce Stream and then go for B.Com and do LB. Alternatively, after completing the 12th standard, you can go straight for CLAT.
Good time management and organizational skills are also important skills to have. The answer to the common question: “Is law a career in India?” would be so. It’s a great career in India with high pay and different paths to choose from after completing the course.
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Anushree has 4+ years of experience in the career counseling industry as a Senior Content Writer. She has also worked as a Social Media Marketing Expert for a startup and Content Quality Analyst for Publishing and E-learning Industry. She has done her Master’s in Commerce and PGDM in Finance & Trade and Marketing & HR, but she is currently following her passion for writing.
