Three-years LLB v/s Five years LLB course in India

Law aspirants can pursue a five-year integrated course or three-year law programme at the graduation level. Know the major differences between a 5 year LLB course and 3 year LLB course in India.

By Vaishnavi Shukla

One question that repeatedly stumps law aspirants is whether to choose a five-year integrated BA LLB or BBA LLB/ BCom LLB or opt for a three-year LLB course. This article aims at clearing the confusion of students and putting forth an unambiguous answer, which will help students decide the correct course.

In India, currently, there are two ways to pursue an undergraduate degree in Law:

1. Through a five-year integrated law course or
2. Three-year LLB course

Also Read: Difference Between 3 & 5-year LLB Courses: Which one to pursue?

5 Year LLB Course: Advantages and Disadvantages

Elaborating on the first option available to students, the pros and cons of pursuing an integrated LLB degree are as mentioned below:

• The degree is an integrated course where the students do not have to undergo graduation twice, i.e. 3 years of graduation in any stream and then again 3 years of law; but here they will receive a consolidated “BA LLB” degree upon finishing the course in a period of 5 years. Earlier, the Bar Council of India (BCI) had an age limit of 20 years to pursue five year LLB course, but after facing criticism from the Supreme Court, the age limit was first increased to 22 years and later removed.
• It offers students a mix of BA subjects, coupled with Law straight from the first semester of admission.
• Students gain exposure to legal education from a young age and streamline their thought process in that direction.
• Students can choose from a wide range of subject options in five-year courses which three-year students cannot avail. For eg: BA LLB, BBA LLB, BCom LLB, BSc LLB, BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), BCom LLB (Hons), BSc LLB (Hons) etc.
• Students get early access to courtroom practice as colleges include Moot Courts, research submissions, Mock Trial Courts in their curriculum.
• Students also undergo internships every semester with top law firms, corporates, NGO’s and the likes and further enhance their knowledge on the practical aspects of the law.
• Students must choose a University of their choice offering such courses and must look into the placement, opportunities, rankings etc. before opting to take admission.
• Earlier, one of the drawbacks of this course was the age limit prescribed, which made it difficult for someone over the age of 22 to get access to this course. However, the age bar for five-year law courses has now been removed.
• Students spend only 5 years and shall be conferred an integrated BA LLB degree upon completion.
• The degree doesn’t come in two parts of BA and LLB but consolidated as BA LLB.
• Students study relevant subjects like Economics, Legal History, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology etc. as part of this course, which improves their knowledge on relevant issues and provokes constructive thinking.

3 Year LLB Course: Advantages and Disadvantages

Elaborating on the second option available to students, the pros and cons of pursuing a three year LLB degree are as mentioned below:

• A three-year course is pursued after possessing any graduation degree and it is imperative that the student has pursued graduation in any discipline and then shall be eligible for a three-year course in law. Earlier, the age limit set by the Bar Council of India (BCI) was 30 years, but after facing criticism from the Apex court, BCI decided to increase the age limit from 30 years to 45 years for 3-year law courses. Later, the age bar of 45 years was also removed by BCI. There are people who decide to pursue Engineering or BCom or BA or any other course for that matter, and later decide that they want to pursue Law as a career option. Such candidates can enrol in this course.
• In a three year course, the students must undergo dual graduation i.e. one in their respective discipline i.e. BCom/ BA/ BSc/ BTech etc. and then a three-year course in Law. This mostly happens when people decide to change their careers.
• The course takes longer than the integrated five year LLB For eg: 4  years of engineering + 3 years LLB = 7 years; or 3 years of BCom/ BSC/ BA + three years LLB = 6 years.
• The upper age limit has been removed, which opens the doors for professionals with years of experience to still pursue the course, for students, for graduates, everyone to pursue law in case they want to change their career graph.
• Most students who are aware of the five-year course, still opt for a three-year course in order to gain a better perspective in each field.
• In three year LLB course, students do not have the option to choose any subjects but have to study the formal 3-year syllabus prescribed by the University.
• It is considered a drawback because students get less exposure to legal education in comparison to the five year LLB students because five-year law students get longer time and experience in the field.
• Students get access to courtroom practice as colleges layout Moot Courts, research submissions, Mock Trial Courts in their curriculum.
• Students also undergo internships every semester with top law firms, corporates, NGO’s and the likes and further enhance their knowledge on the practical aspects of the law.
• The positive aspect of this course is that, as the students in this course are already graduates, the University starts directly with hardcore legal subjects without wasting any time.
• Students learn IPC, Crpc, CPC, family law, Bare Acts, Labour Law, Company Law etc. within months of joining the course, which the five-year students usually study in their third or 5^th year of law school.
• Students spend only 3 years and shall be conferred an LLB degree by the University upon completion.

I would advise students to choose the course wisely. Students who have finished their Class 12 and are looking to make a career in law, it is always better to choose a five-year course. However, professionals in any field, graduates, students pursuing any graduation, who are inclined to make a career in law, should definitely rejoice as BCI allows each individual to live up their dream and enter the legal profession.

About the Author:

I am Vaishnavi Shukla, a Corporate Attorney- India Head at Loyal Hospitality Pvt. Ltd, an exclusive franchisee of Empire group of hotels. I pursued law at the graduation level from Bangalore Institute of Legal Studies (BILS). Further, I did my LLM from Symbiosis Law School, Pune.