law-course-eligibility
law-course-eligibility

Law Course Eligibility 2025: BA LLB, LLB & LLM Requirements in India

Law course eligibility requirements vary based on the level of the law degree program as well as the law school or university that the student is applying to. From practicing as an advocate to working in corporate firms or becoming a judge, there is no dearth of options for a law student to take up diverse roles in the legal profession. However, before stepping into this rewarding field, it’s essential to understand the eligibility requirements for different law courses. Whether you’re aiming for an undergraduate program like BA LLB or LLB, or a postgraduate degree like LLM, each course comes with specific academic and entrance exam criteria.

In this blog, we’ll break down the essential eligibility details for different law degree courses, making it easier for you to plan your legal career. Whether you’re a high school graduate or a working professional, let us become familiar with the qualifications you need to get on the right pathway for a successful career in law.

Get information about pursuing an LLB After Graduation.

Law Courses Eligibility – Essential Requirements

Before diving into specific course-wise eligibility criteria for law courses, let us look at the general eligibility requirements that apply to most law programs in India.

Generally, law courses fall into two broad categories – undergraduate (LLB, BA LLB) and postgraduate (LLM). Each has its own set of requirements as mentioned below

  • Basic Education Requirement – Most law programs require students to have completed their 10+2 (higher secondary) education for undergraduate courses and a bachelor’s degree for postgraduate courses.

  • Minimum Marks – For many programs, students must secure at least 45%-50% in their qualifying exams. However, some law schools may have higher or lower percentage cut-offs depending on the category (General, SC/ST, OBC, etc.).

  • Age Limitations – While most undergraduate law courses do not have an upper age limit, certain institutions may impose restrictions, especially for specific quotas.

Students must always refer to the official university brochure or entrance exam notification for the latest 2025 eligibility rules, as criteria may differ across institutions and change annually.

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Course Wise Eligibility Criteria for Law Programs

Law programs in India can be broadly classified into undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Each type of law course has its specific eligibility criteria, designed to ensure that candidates have the right educational foundation for legal studies. The eligibility can also vary based on the university or law school that the student is applying to. Here's an updated breakdown for 2025

  1. Undergraduate Courses: These include 3-year LLB and 5-year integrated law programs (BA LLB, BBA LLB, etc.).

  2. Postgraduate Courses: The most common postgraduate law course is the LLM (Master of Law), typically a 1-2 year program.

  3. Doctorate Courses: For those interested in academic and research positions, a Ph.D. in Law is an option, requiring an LLM as a prerequisite.

Let us look the detailed eligibility for popular law courses in India –

LLB Course Eligibility (3-Year)

  • Educational Qualification – Candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree (BA, B.Sc, B.Com, B.Tech, etc.) from a UGC-recognized university.

  • Minimum Marks – Generally, candidates must secure at least 45% for General, 42% for OBC, and 40% for SC/ST.

  • Entrance Exams – Most institutions require candidates to clear law entrance exams like DU LLB, PU LLB, MH CET Law, or university-specific tests.

Example:: A candidate who graduated in B.Com with 46% marks is eligible for admission under the General category in most state universities, but may not qualify for top-tier institutions like Delhi University or BHU.

BA LLB Course Eligibility (5-Year Integrated)

  • Educational Qualification – Passed 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized board.

  • Minimum Marks – As per BCI 2025 guidelines, the required minimum is 45% for General, 42% for OBC, and 40% for SC/ST.

  • Entrance Exams – Popular tests include CLAT, AILET, SLAT, MH CET (5-year), CUET UG (Law).

Standardized criteria now reflect revised BCI 2025 policy, which mandates specific percentage slabs by category.

LLM Course Eligibility

LLM (Master of Laws) is a postgraduate law degree that allows law graduates to specialize in areas like constitutional law, international law, and human rights law. The eligibility requirements for an LLM course are –

  1. Educational Qualification – Must have completed 3-year or 5-year LLB from a recognized institution.

  2. Minimum Marks – A minimum of 50%-55% depending on the institution and category.

  3. Entrance Exams – Most universities accept CLAT PG 2025, AILET PG 2025, or conduct their own tests like DU LLM or BHU PET.

If you have a 3-year LLB degree with 55% marks, you can apply for an LLM program in most Indian universities.

Example: A law graduate with a 3-year LLB degree scoring 54% can apply to NLU-based LLM programs through CLAT PG 2025, provided they meet the specific NLU cut-off scores.

Did You Know?

The BA LLB program allows students to specialize in specific legal areas during their later years of study, such as corporate law, criminal law, or intellectual property law.

Also read – Law Certificate Courses

Entrance Exams Required for Law Admissions (2025)

Admission to law courses in India is largely entrance-based, and the exam depends on the course level and institution. As of 2025, the following are the most recognized law entrance tests

Exam Name

Applicable For

Conducted By

Accepted By

CLAT 2025

UG & PG

Consortium of NLUs

24 NLUs + many private colleges

AILET 2025

UG & PG

NLU Delhi

Only NLU Delhi

LSAT—India 2025

UG & PG

Pearson VUE

Jindal Global Law School, UPES, etc.

MH CET Law 2025

3-yr & 5-yr LLB

Maharashtra CET Cell

Govt & aided colleges in Maharashtra

CUET UG (Law)

5-yr integrated law

NTA

Central universities & others

Did You Know? 

CUET UG syllabus now includes a Legal Studies section in select universities’ admission process for 5-year integrated programs!

CLAT is one of the most competitive law entrance exams, with thousands of students competing for limited seats in India’s top National Law Universities.

Summing Up

Pursuing a law degree in India opens up a world of opportunities. From practicing as a lawyer to working in top law firms or even joining the judiciary, it is crucial to fulfill the minimum eligibility requirements required for admissions to your dream Law School. Whether you are applying for a BA LLB, LLB, or LLM program, ensure you meet the educational qualifications, clear the required entrance exams, and choose the right law school to achieve your aspirations in the legal profession. 

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Law Course Eligibility: FAQs

Q1. What is the minimum qualification required to study law in India (2025)?

To pursue a 3-year LLB, a graduation degree in any stream is required. For the 5-year BA LLB, candidates must have completed 10+2 with a minimum of 45% (General).

Q2. Do I need to clear any entrance exams for law admissions in 2025?

Yes. Most reputed law colleges require exams like CLAT, AILET, LSAT—India, or state/university-specific tests.

Q3. Is there any age limit for pursuing law in 2025?

As per the Bar Council of India’s 2025 notification, there is no upper age limit for LLB and BA LLB admissions. However, institutions may still impose internal limits for certain categories or modes of study (e.g., distance/part-time).

Q4. What is the minimum percentage required for LLB in 2025?

You need at least 45% for General, 42% for OBC, and 40% for SC/ST as per BCI guidelines. Some premier institutes may demand higher cut-offs.

Q5. Can I pursue law after engineering or B.Tech?

Yes. Anyone with a recognized bachelor's degree, including engineering, BBA, B.Sc, etc., can pursue the 3-year LLB course.

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