Introduction
Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) is one of the most popular undergraduate degrees in India, as it opens up numerous career options in fields like finance, accounting, marketing, and management. On the other hand, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is a professional degree that equips graduates with legal knowledge and skills and enables them to pursue a career in the legal profession. While these two degrees may seem different at first glance, they can actually complement each other in many ways. In this blog, we will explore the question “Can we do LLB after BCom” for an Indian audience, and provide insights into the eligibility, courses, career prospects, admission, colleges, and benefits of pursuing an LLB after BCom.
Eligibility for LLB after BCom
To pursue an LLB degree in India, candidates must fulfil certain eligibility criteria, as laid down by the Bar Council of India (BCI). According to the BCI, a candidate who has completed a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university can apply for a three-year LLB course. Therefore, BCom graduates are eligible to apply for LLB after completing their degree. However, they must ensure that they have scored at least 45% marks in their graduation, as this is the minimum qualifying criteria for most law colleges in India. Some colleges may also have additional eligibility requirements, such as age limit, domicile, and language proficiency, which candidates should check before applying.
Law courses after BCom
After completing their BCom degree, students who are interested in pursuing law can choose from various types of law courses in India. The most common ones are:
Three-year LLB after BCom
This is a traditional LLB degree that focuses on legal theory and practice and enables graduates to become lawyers, legal advisors, or legal consultants. It is a postgraduate degree but is often referred to as an undergraduate degree in law, as it is pursued after a bachelor’s degree.
Five-year integrated LLB after BCom
This is a relatively new and popular law degree in India, which merges a bachelor’s degree with an LLB degree. Students can enrol in this course after completing their 12th standard (10+2) exams and can choose from various combinations like BA-LLB, BBA-LLB, B.Sc-LLB, and BCom-LLB. This course provides a holistic education in both law and other disciplines and prepares graduates for diverse career options.
Other law degrees
Apart from LLB, there are several other law degrees in India that BCom graduates can pursue, such as LLM (Master of Laws), MBL (Master of Business Laws), PG Diploma in Business Laws, PG Diploma in Intellectual Property Rights, etc. These degrees are typically pursued after LLB or equivalent.
Career opportunities after LLB and BCom
A BCom-LLB degree can open up various career options for graduates, as it equips them with a unique blend of financial and legal skills. Some of the popular career paths for BCom-LLB professionals in India are:
Corporate lawyer:
Many companies, both Indian and multinational, hire in-house lawyers to handle their legal affairs. BCom-LLB graduates can apply for such roles. Wherein, they can provide legal advice, draft contracts, handle compliance, and represent the company in legal matters.
Tax consultant:
With their knowledge of commerce and law, BCom-LLB graduates can become tax consultants. Helping individuals and businesses in filing tax returns, complying with tax laws, and resolving tax disputes.
Legal analyst:
BCom-LLB graduates can also work as legal analysts. Where they’ll be required to research legal issues, analyze legal documents, and provide recommendations to clients or employers.
Entrepreneur:
BCom-LLB graduates with an entrepreneurial mindset can start their own law firm or consultancy. They can offer legal and financial services to clients. This requires a combination of legal expertise, business acumen, and networking skills.
Civil services:
Many BCom-LLB graduates also opt for civil services exams, such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), or Indian Revenue Service (IRS). The knowledge of law and commerce can be useful in these roles, where they may have to deal with governance, law enforcement, or taxation.
Admission Process To Pursue LLB after BCom
To apply for LLB after BCom, candidates need to follow a few steps:
Research:
Candidates should research various law colleges that offer LLB courses, and check their eligibility criteria, course fees, faculty, infrastructure, and placements. They can also read reviews and ratings of the colleges online or ask for recommendations from their upperclassmen or teachers.
Entrance exams:
Many law colleges in India conduct entrance exams for admission to their LLB courses. The most popular ones are CLAT (Common Law Admission Test), AILET (All India Law Entrance Test), LSAT (Law School Admission Test), and MH CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test). Candidates need to prepare well for these exams, which test their aptitude, reasoning, as well as English language skills.
Application process:
Once the entrance exams are over, candidates need to apply for admission to the law colleges of their choice. They need to fill out the application form, attach the required documents, and pay the application fee. Some colleges may also conduct personal interviews or group discussions as part of the admission process.
Seat allotment:
After the application process is over, the law colleges release their merit lists, based on the entrance exam scores, academic records, as well as other measures. Candidates who meet the cut-offs and other conditions are allotted seats in the colleges and are given a deadline to complete the admission formalities, such as payment of fees, submission of documents, and attendance in orientation sessions.
Top law colleges in India for LLB after BCom
There are numerous law colleges in India that offer LLB courses after BCom. Here are some of the top ones, based on their reputation, faculty, placements, and infrastructure:
National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore:
NLSIU is one of the oldest and most prestigious law colleges in India and offers a five-year integrated BA-LLB course, as well as a one-year LLM course. Additionally, it has a highly capable faculty, a state-of-the-art library, and excellent placements, with top law firms, companies, and NGOs recruiting its graduates.
National Law University (NLU), Delhi:
NLU Delhi is a relatively new but rapidly growing law college, which offers a five-year integrated BA-LLB course, as well as a 2-year LLM course. It has a diverse student community, a vibrant campus life, and strong industry linkages, with many of its graduates working in top law firms, companies, and public sector organizations.
Symbiosis Law School, Pune:
Symbiosis Law School is a premier law college in Pune, which offers a three-year LLB course, as well as a five-year integrated BA-LLB course. It has a world-class infrastructure, experienced faculty, and a dynamic curriculum, which includes moot court competitions, internships, and skill development programs. Its graduates have been placed in top law firms, companies, and international organizations.
Faculty of Law, University of Delhi:
The Faculty of Law, University of Delhi is one of the oldest and most reputed law colleges in India. It offers a 3-year LLB course, as well as a 2-year LLM course. Boasting a rich legacy of producing eminent lawyers, judges, and policymakers, and having a distinguished faculty, which includes some of the most famous legal scholars and practitioners in India. Its graduates have excelled in various fields of law, including corporate law, criminal law, human rights law, as well as international law.
Jindal Global Law School (JGLS), Sonipat:
JGLS is a private law school, which offers a 5-year integrated BA-LLB course, as well as a 1-year LLM course. It has a modern campus, world-class facilities, and an international outlook, with collaborations with top universities and law firms across the globe. Its faculty includes scholars and practitioners from diverse backgrounds, who bring in a multidisciplinary approach to legal education. Its graduates have secured placements in top law firms, companies, and Government Agencies in India and abroad.
Conclusion
In conclusion, studying LLB after BCom can be a rewarding career choice for those who are passionate about law, commerce, and justice. It can open up various options in the legal profession, such as corporate law, litigation, advocacy, consulting, and academia, and can also lead to diverse roles in the business and public sectors. However, it requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and perseverance, as well as strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills. Candidates should carefully research their options, prepare well for the entrance exams, and choose the law colleges that offer them the best learning experience and career options. With the right mindset and direction, they can pave the way for a fulfilling and impactful career in law.
FAQs
Q: What is LLB, and how is it different from BCom?
LLB stands for Bachelor of Laws, which is an undergraduate degree in law. BCom stands for Bachelor of Commerce, which is an undergraduate degree in commerce. LLB focuses on legal concepts, theories, and practices, while BCom focuses on accounting, finance, management, and economics. Both degrees are different but complementary, as many legal cases and transactions involve financial and business aspects.
Q: What are the eligibility criteria for pursuing LLB after BCom?
The eligibility criteria for pursuing LLB after BCom vary from college to college, but generally, candidates need to have a BCom degree with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks. They also need to qualify for the national or state-level entrance exams for law, such as CLAT, AILET, LSAT, or CET. Some colleges may also consider work experience, extracurricular activities, and language proficiency while selecting candidates.
Q: What are the career opportunities after doing LLB after BCom?
There are various career options after doing LLB after BCom, such as becoming:
A corporate lawyer
A litigator
An advocate
a legal consultant
an in-house counsel
a legal analyst
a compliance officer, or an academician. The legal profession offers a wide range of roles and sectors to work in, such as law firms, corporate houses, government agencies, Non-Profit Organizations, and academic institutions. The combination of legal and commerce skills can also be helpful in entrepreneurship, policy-making, and social activism.
Q: What are the top law colleges in India that offer LLB after BCom?
Some of the top law colleges in India that offer LLB after BCom are:
National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore
National Law University (NLU), Delhi
Faculty of Law, University of Delhi
Jindal Global Law School (JGLS), Sonipat
Symbiosis Law School, Pune
These colleges have a rigorous curriculum, experienced faculty, excellent infrastructure, and strong industry linkages. These can enhance the learning and career options of the students.
Q: What skills and qualities are required to pursue LLB after BCom?
Pursuing LLB after BCom requires a range of skills and qualities, such as strong analytical and logical reasoning skills, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a keen interest in legal and social issues, a sense of ethics and professionalism, as well as the ability to work under pressure and deadlines. Moreover, It also requires an eagerness to learn, adapt, as well as band with diverse stakeholders, as the legal profession is concerned with dealing with clients, colleagues, judges, and the public. Students should develop these skills and qualities through Internships, Moot courts, Seminars, and other experiential learning options.
Some Helpful Government Links On The Topic Of Pursuing LLB After B.Com
Common Law Admission Test (CLAT): CLAT is a National-Level entrance exam. It is for admission to UG and PG law courses in 22 National Law Universities (NLUs). Additionally, also in other law colleges in India. The exam is conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities. It tests the candidates’ aptitude for English, Maths, Logical Reasoning, Legal Reasoning, and General Knowledge.
All India Law Entrance Test (AILET): https://nludelhi.ac.in/ailet.aspx . AILET is a National-Level entrance exam for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law courses at National Law University, Delhi. The exam tests the candidates’ aptitude for English, General Knowledge, Legal Aptitude, Reasoning, and Elementary Mathematics.
Law School Admission Test (LSAT): https://www.discoverlaw.in/lsat-india/ LSAT is a Global-Level entrance exam. It is admission to Undergraduate and Postgraduate law courses in various law colleges in India, as well as other countries. The exam is conducted by the Law School Admission Council. It tests the candidates’ Reading and Analytical Skills, as well as their ability to reason logically.
Bar Council of India (BCI): https://www.barcouncilofindia.org/ BCI is a statutory body that controls legal education and profession in India. It sets standards for legal education, conducts reviews of law colleges, and grants credit and approval to law degrees. Moreover, it also registers and disciplines advocates, and controls the functioning of Bar Associations.
Ministry of Law and Justice: http://www.lawmin.gov.in/ The Ministry of Law and Justice is a central government ministry. It formulates and implements policies and laws related to the legal system in India. Moreover, the Ministry also deals with other issues. Such as civil and criminal law, constitutional law, international law, legal aid, and access to justice. It also controls the functioning of subordinate courts, tribunals, and law commissions.