Before we discuss how to become a lawyer, we first need to know why you should become one.
In December 2022, India’s then-Law Minister Kiran Rijiju made a shocking revelation. About 5 crore cases were pending in the courts of India! He said that our country needs about 45 lakh lawyers but has only 15 lakh lawyers. This severe dearth of lawyers in India in itself is a big reason why law can be a lucrative career for someone good.
And this is not all. Companies are hiring their own legal teams. People are becoming more aware of their legal rights and want to exercise them. The number of cases being filed has rocketed and the demand for lawyers and judges is increasing. Super-specialized fields of law, such as cybercrime and intellectual property rights enforcement, are on the rise too.
There has never been a more exciting time to join a law course.
Who is a Lawyer?
In India, the Bar Council of India (BCI) conducts the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) which lawyers must pass to obtain a Certificate of Practice. And to sit for the exam they must obtain a law degree from a BCI-recognised university.
Those who pass the AIBE exam become eligible to practice in the course and are called an ‘advocate’.
So, if you clear the 5-year integrated course in Law (the BA LLB exam) or the 3-year LLB exam (explained below), you become a lawyer. But you only become an ‘advocate’ when you clear the AIBE exam and your name enters the state roll maintained by a State Bar Council.
For all practical purposes, a lawyer is a licensed professional who advises and represents others in legal matters. They have two main duties: a) uphold the law, and b) protect a client’s rights.
Most lawyers begin their careers as law assistants researching cases for practising advocates, drafting legal documents for individuals and businesses, and preparing contracts and wills.
Lawyers can then choose to become a divorce lawyer, a criminal lawyer, a corporate lawyer, and more.
Top 5 Reasons to Choose a Legal Career
Everybody has a different reason to pursue a legal career. Some might be attracted to it for money, some for respect, and some to protect themselves and others from oppression. Here are the five top reasons why you want to pursue a career in law:
1. Drive Positive Change: Many Indian lawyers have become the driving force behind positive changes in society. Vrinda Grover, for example, is one of the 10 female lawyers in India recognized by TIME magazine as one of the 100 most powerful women in 2013.
She has dealt with many domestic violence cases and cases related to sexual minorities. She helped with the drafting of the POCSO Act of 2012, the Criminal Law Amendment of 2013, and the Prevention of Torture Bill of 2010.
Karuna Nundy, a Supreme Court lawyer, was instrumental in seeking justice for the victims of the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy – along with many other things she did.
As a lawyer, you can help:
- people understand their rights,
- combat false charges, and
- seek justice and a life of dignity.
You can be the voice of the masses through Public Interest Litigations (PIL), fight against archaic laws, and advocate for progressive laws.
2. Wide Range of Career Opportunities: From legal advisors to judicial services to litigation lawyers to legal researchers and journalists, there are hordes of careers open for a lawyer.
If you are studying BA LLB from SMS Law College, several career opportunities will open up for you. You can pick your specialisation, work in public or private sector organisations, or start with district courts and work up your way to higher courts.
At SMS Law College, we will not only teach you about the law but also help you develop the soft skills necessary to become a competent and exceptional lawyer in India.
3. Financial Stability: Being a lawyer can be highly lucrative. Some of the top lawyers in India (like Fali Sam Nariman, Gopal Subramanium, P. Chidambaram, Harish Salve, and Abhishek Manu Singhvi) charge anywhere between Rs 5 to 15 lakhs per day!
Criminal law and commercial law attract the largest salary packages along with many professional perks. For example, corporate lawyers often travel across India and abroad on the dime of companies they are representing.
You may choose to work with leading law firms, become a top lawyer in your field, and ultimately, start your own law firm. Working with good law firms allows you to:
- build your portfolio,
- get relevant work experience,
- gain contacts, and
- earn recognition.
All of these ultimately help you carve out a name in the field of law and fetch greater fees.
4. A Progressive Career: Becoming a lawyer is not the end of the road for you. You can advance your career further by appearing for various Judicial Service Examinations that can transform you from a lawyer to a law-maker.
Clearing these exams will make you eligible to become a judge and preside over cases. You can even work your way up to the High Courts of India with the right experience and expertise.
Many lawyers have worked their way up to the Chief Justice of India, the Solicitor General of India, the Head of the Bar Council of India, and the Parliament in different capacities.
5. Earn Respect & Prestige: Lawyers are highly respected professionals in Indian society. They fight for justice, make things easier for the common citizen, develop immense confidence, and have great people skills as a part of their training.
Gopal Subramaniam, for example, has been the Solicitor General of India and the Head of the Indian Bar Council. P. Chidambaram is a known Indian politician and is currently serving as a Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha. He has served as the Union Minister of Finance four times and also as a Minister of Home Affairs.
Salman Khurshid is a celebrated politician, Senior Advocate, Distinguished Author, and Law Professor. After doctors and engineers, lawyers are one of the most respected professions in India.
Steps to Become a Lawyer in India
Here are the key steps to becoming a lawyer in India:
1. Educational Qualifications:
After completing 10+2 from any recognized board in any stream, you can choose one of the two main pathways to become a lawyer:
- You can choose to complete a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline and complete a 3-year LLB degree program.
Or
- You can straightaway enrol in a 5-year Integrated Course in Law (BA LLB, BBA LLB etc.). If you are sure you want to do law, this route can save you one entire year!
2. Entrance Exams:
Please note that entrance exams are not mandatory for admission to all law colleges. Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), All India Law Entrance Test (AILET), or Law School Admission Test (LSAT India) can offer you admission to the top law colleges though.
SMS Law College in Varanasi is one of the top law colleges that offer you based on their online entrance test.
The top law entrance exams typically assess your legal aptitude, logical reasoning, comprehension skills, and general knowledge.
3. Skills Development:
At SMS Law College, we not only focus on theoretical knowledge of the legal system and laws but also on practical skills you need through:
- internships,
- mooting competitions or mock courts, and
- volunteering at legal aid clinics.
We also try to provide you with the best networking opportunities and work with you on making your resume stronger.
4. Enrollment with the Bar Council of India:
Once you complete your BA LLB degree, you have to register as an advocate with the BCI within 6 months to practice law. You need to submit the required documents and pay the enrollment fee.
5. Appear for AIBE Exam:
Within two years of enrollment with the BCI, you will need to clear the All India Bar Examination (AIBE). This is a mandatory national-level bar exam that aims to test your competency in various legal areas.
What to Do After You Become a Lawyer?
Once you become a lawyer, you can either start practicing in court right away or join a law firm or you can consider getting a higher degree. You can go on to do an LLM (Master of Law) and even a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in Law if you want to get specialized knowledge in a niche area.
You can also prepare for the judicial services exam and aspire to become a judge.
Conclusion
Here’s a complete guide on how to become a lawyer in India. If you have just cleared your 10+2, you can join the 5-year integrated course in Law right away.
If you want to join the BA LLB course at SMS Law College, contact us today and we will clear all your doubts and help you with the process!
