LLM Syllabus 2024: Subjects, Semester-wise Syllabus PDF, Top Colleges, Books
Pragati SinghSenior Executive - Content
LLM or Master of Law is a one-year or two-year postgraduate course in Law which is offered in various specialisations such as Constitutional and Administrative Law, Environmental Law, Corporate and Commercial Laws etc. A graduate in law can choose to specialise further into any stream of law by taking up this course. An LLM degree gives direction to a candidate in establishing his career in a niche area. For example, a candidate aspiring to be a lawyer can choose to practice in popular areas such as Company Laws, Intellectual Property Laws, Environmental Laws etc. Similarly, a candidate aspiring to become a Professor can choose his area of specialisation and teach those subjects in the university.
Therefore, LLM is a highly popular course which helps professionals establish a promising career in law. Many central and state universities offer this course as a two-year programme whereas National Law Universities offer it as a one-year course. The course curriculum is designed in a holistic way to give detailed knowledge on a particular field of law. Candidates after finishing this course can work as Lecturers/Professors, Research Associates, Lawyers etc.
- Important Facts- LLM
- Course Curriculum for LLM
- 2.1 Compulsory Subjects
- 2.2 Specialisations Subjects
- Popular Books and Authors for LLM
- Top Entrance Exams for LLM
- Top Colleges for LLM
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on LLM Career
Important Facts- LLM
- Course Duration- LLM is either offered as a one-year or two-year programme. Many Private Universities as well as National Law Universities have introduced a one-year LLM course whereas top Central and State Universities offer two-year course. Many colleges also offer Executive LLM which can be completed in three years and is offered to working professionals.
- Eligibility Criteria- The basic eligibility to pursue this course is a three-year of five-year LLB degree from a recognised university. Candidates who are in the final year can also apply for LLM provided they complete the course before admissions. Those candidates who are aspiring to join top colleges must also appear national-level or state-level entrance exams such as CLAT PG, AILET, SET, BHU LLM, ILI LLM etc.
- Course Fees- The course fee in Government universities ranges from INR 5000-15000 per annum whereas in private universities or National Law Universities it can range from INR 1 lakh to INR 2 lakh per annum.
- Scope in India- LLM is a popular course amongst law graduates who wish to further specialise in a particular branch of law. After completing LLM, candidates can pursue Ph.D. and also clear UGC NET to establish a career in academics or practise in tribunals as advocates related to their specialisations.
Read More: LLM Overview
Course Curriculum for LLM
Compulsory Subjects
The following subjects are compulsory across all specialisations in Master of Laws. Candidates have to mandatorily complete these courses and the required number of credits. The core subjects of LLM are as follows:
| Compulsory Subjects |
|
|---|---|
| Subject |
Details |
| Research Methodology |
The course introduces to the basics of research, research methods and tools as well the basics of legal writing. |
| Law and Justice in Globalizing World |
This course defines the meaning and scope of law, the concept of utilitarian justice, economic theory of law and the impact of globalisation on development of law and human rights. |
| Comparative Legal Systems |
It deals with the development of public law and a comparative study of legal systems, models of government and judicial organisation across the world. |
| Dissertation |
Candidates have to compulsorily submit a research work based on topic of their choice in the final year towards successful completion of the course. |
| Teaching Practice |
Some institutes offer credit course in teaching practice wherein candidates can teach for limited number of hours to hone their skills. |
Specialisations Subjects
| Constitutional and Administrative Laws |
|
|---|---|
| Subject |
Details |
| Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles |
It deals with the Part III and Part IV of Constitution of India, their importance, inter-relationships and judicial developments. |
| Administrative Law |
Administrative Law includes rules and procedures which enumerates the legal framework for functioning of public authorities. |
| Judicial Process |
It deals with the concepts of rule of law, nature of judicial process, structure of courts and jurisprudential aspects of stare decisis and obiter dicta. |
| Election Laws |
Election Laws consists of constitutional mandate for Election Commission of India and Representation of the People Act, 1951. |
| Minorities Law |
Minorities Laws include the various legislations carved out for the interests of minorities and the constitutional protection and rights for minorities. |
| Local Self Government |
It deals with 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment which has given constitutional recognition to local self-government. |
| Intellectual Property and Trade Laws |
|
|---|---|
| Subject |
Details |
| International Trade Law |
The course deals with the structure, functions and principles of WTO and the dispute settlement mechanism offered by WTO. |
| Competition Law |
Competition Law introduces to the concepts of Anti-Competitive Agreements, Abuse of Dominant Positions, Combination and the role of Competition Commission of India. |
| Law of E-Commerce and Information Technology Laws |
The course introduces to the rules of e-commerce, application of electronic signature, consumer protection and Information Technology Act. |
| Law of Copyright |
The subject deals with the evolution of copyrights law, TRIPS, WIPO, and the acquisition and ownership of copyrights. |
| Law of Patents and Designs |
It deals with the application of patent laws in acquisition and ownership of patent rights and the protection of industrial designs. |
| Law of Trademarks and GI |
It deals with the acquisition of trademarks and Geographical Indications and their infringement and remedies. |
| Investment Laws |
It deals with concept of shares, debentures, securities contracts and functions of SEBI. |
| Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning |
|
|---|---|
| Subject |
Details |
| Law and Economic Development |
The course deals with the application of law in economic development and protection of interests of stakeholders. |
| IT Governance and Regulation |
The course introduces the legal provisions regulating Information Technology and IT-based governance. |
| Big Data and Data Security Law |
It deals with the Data protection law in terms of multinational data handling and prohibition on the misuse of data. |
| Introduction to Machine Learning |
It is an introductory course to familiarise students on the programming computers and their applications in large-scale decision making process. |
| Machine Learning and Law |
It deals with the legal protection and solutions to issues arising out of usage of machine learning such as fraud-detection, facial recognition, data breaches etc. |
| Artificial Intelligence and Law |
It deals with the legal protection to the applications of artificial intelligence and remedies for legal issues. |
| Corporate and Securities Law |
|
|---|---|
| Subject |
Details |
| Corporate Governance |
Corporate Governance relates to the rules and regulations controlling the management and governance of an organisation. |
| Securities and Financial Market Regulations |
It deals with the legal rules regulating the securities market in India and the role of SEBI in in the securities and financial market. |
| Insolvency and Bankruptcy Law |
It deals with the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and the legal procedure related to winding up of companies during bankruptcy. |
| E-Commerce and Big Data |
It introduces to the legal rules guiding the application of big data in E-commerce industry. |
| Corporate Restructuring |
It deals with the application of legal expertise in during the elimination of financial crisis in any organisation. |
| Environmental Law and Policy |
|
|---|---|
| Subject |
Details |
| Energy Economics and Environmental Policy |
It deals with the environmental legislations and principles applied for determining usage of energy. |
| Environmental Justice |
It relates to the application of rules of natural justice in matters related to environmental disputes. |
| Environmental Jurisprudence |
This course familiarises students with the jurisprudential aspect of environmental legislations. |
| Hazardous Waste and Law |
It deals with the legislations framed for dealing with hazardous wastes such as nuclear, biomedical and chemical wastes. |
| Biodiversity and Law |
This topic relates to the Biodiversity Conservation Act and other allied legislations for the protection of flora and fauna. |
| Maritime Laws |
|
|---|---|
| Subject |
Details |
| International Law of the Sea |
The course deals with the Law of the Sea in India and UNCLOS which is significant document guiding International Maritime Laws. |
| Law related to Shipping |
It deals with the laws related to nature, registration, ownership of ships, safety and security at ships and the regulations for vessels and commercial ships. |
| Regulatory Mechanism For Marine Pollution |
It deals with the marine environmental law, conservation and protection of marine ecosystems and the conservation of marine resources and coastal zones. |
| Admiralty Law and Practice |
It deals with the evolution of admiralty law in India, Admiralty jurisdiction and the legal rules related to arrest on ships. |
| Law on Seafarers |
This course relates to the maritime labour law and various conventions of International Labour Organisations applicable to maritime labour force. |
| Maritime Crimes and Issues |
It introduces the concept of admiralty jurisdiction and principles of handling cases related to collision and limitation claims. |
Popular Books and Authors for LLM
| Book |
Author |
Details |
|---|---|---|
| Constitutional Law |
M.P. Jain |
This is a celebrated piece of legal work which brilliantly describes the provisions of Constitution of India and related judicial developments. |
| Administrative Law |
I.P. Massey |
The book deals with the principles of Administrative Law such as Rule of Law, Principles of Natural Justice and Delegated Legislations. |
| Ship Arrest in India and Admiralty Laws of India |
Shrikant Hathi, Binita Hathi |
The authors describe the legal procedure related to arrests made on ships and the development of Admiralty Law in India |
| Environmental Law |
Paramjit S. Jaiswal, Nishtha Jaiswal |
The book introduces to the development of Environmental Law in India and the application of international conventions on environmental issues pertaining to India. |
| Cyber Law |
Pawan Duggal |
It is a treatise on the application of Information Technology Law, various case laws and the issues related to cyber law. |
| Intellectual Property Rights in India |
V K Ahuja |
The author introduces to the concept of Patents, Copyrights, their infringement and protection. |
| How India Votes |
V S Rama Devi and S K Mendiratta |
This book is an authority on the election laws in India and the role of ECI in smooth election process. |
Top Entrance Exams for LLM
- CLAT PG: Consortium of National Law Universities conducts Entrance Exam for admissions to undergraduate as well as postgraduate courses in Law. CLAT PG is the most popular and competitive entrance exam for admissions to LLM courses in National Law Universities. Candidates must have either completed three-year or five-year law course or in their final year to appear in this exam.
- AILET- National Law University, Delhi conducts All India Law Entrance Test for admissions to undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes in law. After CLAT, this is one of the most sought-after entrance examination.
- DU LLM- Delhi University is one of the oldest central universities of India and DU LLM entrance test is conducted for admissions to postgraduate courses offered by Department of Law. The course is offered at Campus Law Centre 1 and Centre 2.
- CUET PG- Common University Entrance Test for postgraduate programmes is conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA) for admissions to LL.M. and other postgraduate programmes. Many top central and state universities accept CUET PG scores.
- SET- Symbiosis International University Conducts Symbiosis Entrance Exam for admissions to undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered by the university. The university offers LL.M. programme in multiple specialisations, therefore making it a popular course amongst candidates.
Also Read: Top Entrance Exams for LLM
Top Colleges for LLM
| College | Syllabus |
|---|---|
| Guru Gobind Singh Indraprashtha University | Syllabus |
| Parul University | Syllabus |
| VIT School of Law, Vellore | Syllabus |
| Christ University | Syllabus |
| Amity University | Syllabus |
| Jamia Millia Islamia | Syllabus |
| Kalinga University | Syllabus |
| Alliance University | Syllabus |
| Banaras Hindu University | Syllabus |
| ICFAI Law School | Syllabus |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on LLM Career
Q. Why is LL.M. popular course?
Q. What are the specialisations offered in LL.M.?
- Commercial Laws
- Constitutional and Administrative Laws
- Energy Laws
- Environmental Laws
- Labour Laws
- Maritime Laws
- Intellectual Property Laws
- Criminal Laws
Q. What are the popular colleges offering LL.M.?
- Banaras Hindu University
- Aligarh Muslim University
- Delhi University
- Calcutta University
- Jamia Millia Islamia
- Utkal University
- KIIT School of Law
- Siksha O Anusandhan University
- Amity University
- Christ University
- ICFAI University
- UPES
Q. What is the eligibility for pursuing LL.M.?
Q. What is the application of LL.M. course?
Q. What are the various core subjects offered under LL.M.?
- Research Methodology
- Law and Justice in Globalising World
- Comparative Legal Systems
Q. What is the course curriculum for LL.M.?
Q. What are the various elective subjects offered under LL.M.?
Q. What is the fee structure for LL.M.?
- NALSAR- INR 2 lakh
- NLUD- INR 1.5 lakh
- GNLU- INR 1.6 lakh
- Indian Law Institute- INR 95,000
- Faculty of Law, Delhi University- INR 6000
- WBNUJS- INR 1.6 lakh
- Jamia Millia Islamia- INR 10,000
Q. What is Executive LLM program?
Q. What are the common entrance exams for LL.M.?
Popular LL.M. Specializations
Popular Specializations
- Criminal Law
155 Colleges
- Corporate Law
125 Colleges
- Constitutional Law
118 Colleges
- Intellectual Property Law
77 Colleges
- Business Law
61 Colleges
- Commercial Law
60 Colleges
- International / International Trade Law
49 Colleges
- Administrative Law
44 Colleges
- Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law
36 Colleges
- Security & Investment Law
32 Colleges
Popular LL.M. Colleges in India
Popular Private LL.M. Colleges in India
LL.M. Applications open. Apply Now
LL.M. Applications open till Jan 21, 2025. Apply Now
LL.M. Applications open. Apply Now
Most Popular Courses
Popular Courses
- LL.M in Corporate and Commercial LawSOA University - Siksha 'O' Anusandhan
- Master of Law (LL.M.)ILS Law College
- LLM in Corporate LawChanderprabhu Jain College of Higher Studies and School of Law
- Integrated (L.L.B. Hons.)M.D.U. Centre For Professional and Allied Studies, Gurugram
- Master of Law (LL.M.)RDVV - Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya
- LL.M. in Intellectual Property & Technology LawO.P. Jindal Global University
- LL.M. in Dispute ResolutionO.P. Jindal Global University
News & Updates
Jan 3, 2025
Jan 3, 2025
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 days ago
The "better" degree for lawyers – an LLM or an MBA – depends heavily on their career goals. An LLM (Master of Laws) is a specialised law degree that deepens a lawyer's expertise in a specific legal area like international law, tax law, or human rights. It is ideal for lawyers who want to become subj
G
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 4 days ago
Yes, Nishtha, you can pursue an LLM in Canada after completing an LLB in India. Here's the process:
Eligibility:
- A recognised LLB degree from India.
- Minimum academic percentage (generally 60%-70%).
- English proficiency tests like IELTS (6.5-7.5) or TOEFL (90-100).
Application Process:
- Choose universities l
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 4 days ago
Law graduates from India who wants to do LLM in International Law, can pursue their career in International organisation such as United Nations agencies, International Court of Justice, World Trade Organization, and International Monetary Fund.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
For getting admission in the LLM program, you have to visit the official website of the college or the website of Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University for obtaining the application form. Online application forms will be issued and you would have to submit the following documents for the applicatio
H
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Campus Law Centre (CLC) at the University of Delhi is a prestigious institution for pursuing a Master of Law (LLM). Delhi University is recognised as an 'Institute of Excellence' by the UGC. Further, the university is listed among the country's most prestigious educational institutions. Candidates c
M
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
Campus Law Centre LLM course requires candidates to have complete a three or five-year LLB degree from the University of Delhi or any other Indian or Foreign University recognised as equivalent by DU with at least 50% aggregate (45% aggregate for OBC-NCL/ PwD/ CW and 40% aggregate for SC/ ST) or equ
T
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
Campus Law Centre, Delhi University accepts CUET PG entrance exam score for admission in Master of Law (LLM). The universities participating in CUET will release their cut offs of CUET PG for admission on their official websites.Kindly refer to the official website of Campus Law Centre, University
N
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
Campus Law Centre DU LLM admission is subject to a valid score in the CUET PG exam. Candidates are required to apply for the entrance exam. The CUET PG 2025 application process for the academic session 2025-2026 will start in the last week of December 2024, tentatively by NTA, the exam conducting bo
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Candidates can check the step-by-step process mentioned below:
Step 1: Visit the official CSAS portal of DU and register as a new user.
Step 2: Fill out the preferences of the Campus Law Centre and desired course combinations.
Step 3: There is a one-time CSAS 2025 application fee that students are requ
P
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
No, there is no offline method of application at Campus Law Centre LLM course. All the candidates must apply through the centralised entrance exam's official website, i.e., the official websites of CUET PG exam. After the COVID years and after the introduction of CUET PG for admission to CLC and oth
N
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
Campus Law Centre, Delhi University offers a total of 73 seats for its Masters of Law (LLM) programme. The seats are only offered to students who has a valid score in the CUET PG exam. Further, the seats are allocated as per the availability of seats for each category students.
I
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
Yes, there are seat reservation for LLB course at Campus Law Centre Delhi Unversity. The seats are allocated as per the reservation policy adhered by Central Government Policies. More than 70% of seats are reserved for various reserved category students. A breakup for the same is mentioned in the be
R
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
Both Symbiosis Law School (SLS) Hyderabad and Symbiosis Law School (SLS) Nagpur are good options to pursue an LLM. However, SLS Hyderabad is generally considered a better option because of its ranking and facilities. SLS Hyderabad is ranked #1 Law School in India & South Asia by QS-World University
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
No, its not at all mandatory to give CLAT to become a lawyer. Candidates can enroll in Law courses offered by various universities and colleges to pursue UG and PG law courses. However, those who wish to take admission in one of NLUs except NLU Delhi will have to appear for Common National Admission
M
Beginner-Level 4
Answered a week ago
Here are some of the best LLM in Criminal Law government colleges in India:
College | Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
INR 65,000 | |
INR 1.2 L | |
INR 70,000 - 1.4 L | |
INR 1.1 L - 1.15 L | |
INR 17,400 - 1.25 L |
Note- This information is sourced from the official website/ counselling body and may vary.
N
Beginner-Level 4
Answered a week ago
You need to complete LLB from a recognised university with minimum 45 to 50 percent aggregate or as mentioned by the university. Plus, It's benificial to take elective courses related to Criminal Law in your law graduation.
K
Beginner-Level 4
Answered a week ago
The LLM Criminal Law scope is vast and diverse, as you can go in litigation, Corporate, Academics, NGOs, and also work under government by providing services to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate, or other law enforcement agencies. Moreover, You can also conduct research
N
Beginner-Level 4
Answered a week ago
Yes, getting a specialisation in Criminal Law through an LLM can open paths to advanced career opportunities. These could be legal professionals with expertise in criminal law, in demand in various sectors, including litigation, academia, law enforcement, corporate compliance, and human rights advoc
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
LLM in Criminal Law is a postgraduate course which is designed to provide advanced knowledge and expertise in criminal justice, procedural laws, and substantive criminal laws.
This specialisation teaches legal professionals to analyze and understand complex legal scenarios and play their part meaning
N
Beginner-Level 4
Answered a week ago
Candidates who want to pursue the LLM course have to appear for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) or the admission test accepted by law schools. Another one is AILET LLM, which is conducted by National Law University, Delhi for admissions into LLM courses.
V
Beginner-Level 4
Answered a week ago
Kent University UK LLM admission requirements are given as follows:
- A first class or upper second class honors degree in Law or relevant subject or an equivalent international degree is required. For Indian applicants, a 3-4 year bachelor's degree is required. For courses that require a 2:1, minimum
G
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 weeks ago
The number of students placed during LLM placements over the past three years are presented below:
Particulars | LLM Placement Statistics (2021) | LLM Placement Statistics (2022) | LLM Placement Statistics (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
Total students | 37 | 36 | 38 |
Students placed | 1 | 5 | 6 |
Students opted for higher studies | 1 | 1 | 1 |
S
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 weeks ago
The median package offered to LLM students over the past three placement drives is presented below:
Particulars | LLM Placement Statistics (2021) | LLM Placement Statistics (2022) | LLM Placement Statistics (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
Median package | INR 4.8 LPA | INR 6 LPA | INR 6 LPA |
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 weeks ago
The key highlights of NLU Ranchi LLM placements 2023 as compared with 2022 and 2021 are presented below:
Particulars | LLM Placement Statistics (2021) | LLM Placement Statistics (2022) | LLM Placement Statistics (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
Median package | INR 4.8 LPA | INR 6 LPA | INR 6 LPA |
Total students | 37 | 36 | 38 |
Students placed | 1 | 5 | 6 |
Students opted for higher studies | 1 | 1 | 1 |
D
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 weeks ago
As per the NIRF report 2024 of NLU Ranchi, the number of LLM students placed over the past three years is presented below:
Particulars | LLM Placement Statistics (2021) | LLM Placement Statistics (2022) | LLM Placement Statistics (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
Total students | 37 | 36 | 38 |
Students placed | 1 | 5 | 6 |
Students opted for higher studies | 1 | 1 | 1 |
S
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 weeks ago
NLU Ranchi LLM average package data is not released. As per the NIRF report 2024, the median package offered during LLM placements over the past three years are presented below:
Course | Median Package (2021) | Median Package (2022) | Median Package (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
LLM | INR 4.8 LPA | INR 6 LPA | INR 6 LPA |
P
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 weeks ago
The number of students placed over the past three years during LLM placements over the past three years is presented below:
Particulars | LLM Placement Statistics (2021) | LLM Placement Statistics (2022) | LLM Placement Statistics (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
Total students | 53 | 65 | 55 |
Students placed | 8 | 12 | 0 |
Students opted for higher studies | 3 | 9 | 0 |
C
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 weeks ago
The median package offered during NUALS Kochi LLM placements over the past three years is presented below:
Particulars | LLM Placement Statistics (2021) | LLM Placement Statistics (2022) | LLM Placement Statistics (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
Median package | INR 10.12 LPA | INR 10.50 LPA | 0 |
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
The placement trend recorded during NUALS Kochi LLM placements over the past three years is presented below:
Particulars | LLM Placement Statistics (2021) | LLM Placement Statistics (2022) | LLM Placement Statistics (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
Median package | INR 10.12 LPA | INR 10.50 LPA | 0 |
Total students | 53 | 65 | 55 |
Students placed | 8 | 12 | 0 |
Students opted for higher studies | 3 | 9 | 0 |
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 weeks ago
As per the NUALS Kochi NIRF report 2024, the key highlights of NLU Kochi LLM placements over the past three years are presented below:
Particulars | LLM Placement Statistics (2021) | LLM Placement Statistics (2022) | LLM Placement Statistics (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
Median package | INR 10.12 LPA | INR 10.50 LPA | 0 |
Total students | 53 | 65 | 55 |
Students placed | 8 | 12 | 0 |
Students opted for higher studies | 3 | 9 | 0 |
S
Beginner-Level 5
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