What After CLAT 2023

 

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity,” says the Bible (Ecclesiastes 3). Nothing could be further from the truth for CLAT entrance exam-preparing students. The time for preparation is almost over and now it is the time for selecting the right National Law University (NLU) of one’s choice.

Or let us put it in another way – make a decision on where one would like to go and what are the ideal options. It is a question of the best legal career path and nothing should be left to chance.

The time for preparation is over - does not mean that candidates appearing for CLAT 2023 should shut their books and study material completely. Just a final brushing and a little bit of unwinding is perfect as D-Day approaches.

Oh yes, the latter is important! Any parent and any teacher or mentor will suggest the same. Relax and do not take any unwanted stress. Enter the exam hall with a cool mind!

Move to the next step -

Coming back to the selection of the right NLU, let us decide how to go about it. The All India ranking of CLAT NLUs is on the basis of several criteria like placements, infrastructure, student calibre etc. The latest ranking for 2022 has been released by the National Institute of Ranking Framework (NIRF) and the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). The first ten in ascending order are –

 

1.      NLU Bangalore

2.      NLU Delhi

3.      National Academy of Legal Study & Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad

4.      The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata

5.      NLU Bhopal

6.      NLU Jodhpur

7.      NLU Gandhinagar, Gujarat

8.      Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya NLU, Lucknow

9.      National University of Law Patiala

10.  NLU Patna

NLU Bangalore has been ranked in the top spot since 2020 with NLU Delhi in the second place

Please note that these rankings do not include the Law colleges that come outside the CLAT selection list. There are private law colleges that may claim good rankings as well but from a viewpoint of a CLAT-appearing student, it need not be considered.

So, what exactly is option preference? Well, by giving their desired option of NLU, the CLAT consortium will take due consideration of the same at the time of admission. If a student has a high score, then accordingly, he or she has a better chance of getting a seat in an NLU of their choice. Students lower on the scorecard may have to take the seat as given to them.

It is necessary however for all CLAT participants to note one thing. Do not select a college of lower ranking on the assumption that he or she can only avail a seat from there. Sometimes it may happen that higher-ranked NLUs may have unexpected seat availabilities. This may be due to some candidates opting for other law colleges of their choice. They may even go for a different career path.  In such scenarios, students with almost equal or even slightly less scores may get the advantage of a higher-ranked NLU. This is because the CLAT selection board automatically gives these candidates the seats in the higher ranked NLUs due to their preference marking of a higher ranked NLU.

 

So why unnecessarily become a victim of ill luck? Always give preference according to rankings. Anyhow every CLAT aspirant-students puts extensive effort in months and years of training. Many even forsake a year of their graduation- life in order to ensure entry into India’s most prestigious law universities. Obviously, the efforts should yield the desired results.

 

About JobSecura:

We are always there to guide all legal career-interested students to the best options. More than 2000 students have passed out after studying in Kerala’s most prestigious and oldest law entrance coaching centre. They are present in many Government Law colleges, NLU and premium Law colleges of India.  At JobSecura it is not just classroom study but also mentoring career guidance and counselling from the best law entrance coaching specialist people.