How to Become a Lawyer in India: Step-by-Step Guide After 12th
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How to become a lawyer in India is a crucial question for many students who are completing their class 12th and seeking to pursue a career in the legal field. Law is one of the most respected and prestigious careers that offers high job opportunities and future growth. The Indian legal sector is large and promising; hence, the field provides endless opportunities.
As the demand for legal experts is increasing rapidly, it is important to know what specific steps, eligibility, exams, and courses you should pursue. Whether you want to work in a law firm or start in court, this guide will provide you with all that you need to begin your career.
Who is a Lawyer?
A lawyer is a trained legal professional who advises clients, prepares legal documents, and appears in court or legal proceedings. A lawyer deals with issues including property disputes, marriages, and criminal offences. Basically, a lawyer is a person who holds a law degree and has studied legal subjects.
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How to Become a Lawyer: Step-by-Step Guide
Here, we’re giving you a complete guide on how to become a lawyer, explaining legal course specialisations, eligibility criteria, entrance exams, and career paths.
Step 1: Choose any Stream in Class 12th
The first step in how to become a lawyer is completing your 12th grade. Students from all streams can apply for the law programme. There’s no stream restriction. The arts stream helps students to understand the humanities subjects, commerce helps in corporate law, and science helps to understand technology and cyber law.
Step 2: Understand Eligibility Criteria
- Class 12th from a recognised board.
- Students from any stream are eligible to apply.
- Must achieve at least 50% marks.
- No age limit.
Step 3: Choose a Law Programme
You need to choose the right law course. There are two specific law courses: the 3-year LLB programme or the 5-year integrated LLB programme. Here’s a comparison of both:
| Feature | 3-Year LLB Programme | 5-Year Integrated LLB Programme |
| Eligibility | Graduation in any stream | After Class 12 (any stream) |
| Duration | 3 Years | 5 Years |
| Course Structure | Pure law subjects | Combination of law + foundation subjects (BA/BBA/B.Com + LLB) |
| Ideal For | Students who decide to pursue law after completing their graduation | Students who want to start law early after 12th |
| Career Start Time | After 3 years of law school | After 5 years of integrated study |
| Age to Begin | Typically 20+ | Typically 17–18 |
| Focus | Deep dive into core legal subjects | Balanced focus on fundamentals + law |
| Popular Options | LLB (3 Years) | BA LLB, BBA LLB, B.Com LLB (5 Years) |
| Who Should Choose? | Those wanting a career switch or late decision-makers | Students with a clear interest in law early on |
| Recognition | Fully recognised by BCI | Fully recognised by BCI |
Step 4: Clear Entrance Exam
| Category | Entrance Exam | Purpose / Accepted By |
|---|---|---|
| CLAT | Admission to National Law Universities (except NLU Delhi) | |
| National Law Entrance Exams | AILET | Admission to NLU Delhi |
| LSAT–India | Accepted by many private law universities across India | |
| SLAT | Symbiosis Law School admissions | |
| University-Level Exams | CUET | Central Universities offering law programmes |
| Christ University Entrance Test | Christ University Law Admissions | |
| MH-CET Law | Law colleges in Maharashtra | |
| State-Level Exams | AP LAWCET | Law colleges in Andhra Pradesh |
| TS LAWCET | Law colleges in Telangana |
Step 5: Get Admission to a Law College
The fifth step of how to become a lawyer is taking admission to a law college. Please follow these simple steps:
- Visit the official website of a college.
- Apply online and fill in the required details.
- Submit essential documents.
- Pay the fee.
- Attend the interview or counselling session.
- Confirm your admission
Top Law Colleges
| College Name | Location | Key Features |
| Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) | Aligarh | Offers BA LLB, LLB, and LLM programs; known for academic excellence |
| Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU) | Lucknow | Offers combined LLB/LLM programmes; reputed faculty and strong research quality |
| Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU) | Lucknow | Known for strong placement records |
| Teerthanker Mahaveer University (TMU) | Moradabad | Offers BCI-approved curriculum; known for modern infrastructure and practical training |
| Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | Varanasi | Renowned faculty, strong academic history, and vibrant campus life |
Read More: Top Law Colleges in UP: Why TMU is a Preferred Choice for Law Aspirants
Step 6: Complete the Law Degree
During your law journey, you will study these major subjects that are crucial for how to become a lawyer in India after 12.
| Category | Topics / Activities |
| Major Law Subjects |
|
| Practical Learning |
|
Step 7: Complete Internships During Law College
Internships are the core part of becoming a lawyer. During your journey to becoming a lawyer, you are required to complete an internship so that you can gain real-world experience and exposure. Internships equip you with essential skills like problem-solving, communication, critical thinking, and drafting skills.
You can complete the internship under the government advocates, NGOs, district & high courts, law firms, corporate companies and legal research organisations. After completing an internship, there are very high chances for you to get a job.
Step 8: Learn Drafting & Court Procedure
Drafting is one of the most essential skills in the process of how to become a lawyer. It is the precise art of creating clear, legally sound documents like contracts, wills, and court filings. Law students are required to practise drafting:
- Legal notes
- Contracts
- Written Statements
- Petitions
- Affidavits
Step 9: Clear the AIBE
AIBE is also the most important certification step in the process of how to become a lawyer. AIBE stands for All India Bar Examination. After clearing the AIBE examination, you will receive a certificate of practice (CoP), which allows you to practice officially in Indian courts.
Step 10: Choose Yoth
There are a lot of career opportunities after completing your law journey, with high-paying job roles and a salary. Let’s take a look:
| Career Path | High Job Roles | Average Salary Range (India) |
| Corporate Law |
| ₹6 LPA – ₹30 LPA+ (Top firms can go ₹40–60 LPA) |
| Litigation |
| ₹3 LPA – ₹50 LPA+ (depends on experience & reputation) |
| Civil Services (Law Background) |
| ₹10 LPA – ₹30 LPA (plus govt perks) |
| Judiciary |
| ₹7 LPA – ₹25 LPA+ |
| Law Firms (Tier 1 & Tier 2) |
| Tier 1: ₹12 LPA – ₹50 LPA+ (Partners earn ₹1 Cr+) |
| Intellectual Property Law (IPR) |
| ₹6 LPA – ₹25 LPA+ |
| Cyber Law |
| ₹5 LPA – ₹22 LPA+ |
| Tax Law |
| ₹6 LPA – ₹28 LPA+ |
| Company Secretary + Law |
| ₹6 LPA – ₹30 LPA+ |
| Legal Process Outsourcing (LPO) |
| ₹4 LPA – ₹18 LPA |
| Academics & Research |
| ₹5 LPA – ₹20 LPA+ |
| Human Rights & NGOs |
| ₹3 LPA – ₹12 LPA |
Empower Your Legal Ambitions at TMU
Choosing Teerthankar Mahaveer University for pursuing your law studies provides you with a perfect balance of classroom learning and real-world experience. The university is one of the top law colleges in UP. It provides high-quality education, as it includes theoretical education and practical training.
BCI Approved Curriculum
The university offers a BCI-approved curriculum to students, which allows them to appear for the All India Bar Examination and become legal practitioners in India. The College of Law and Legal Studies of TMU prepares students with career-oriented knowledge and the necessary law skills.
Practical Exposure
TMU provides extensive law training to students through moot court sessions, legal aid clinics, internships, and extracurricular activities. TMU’s College of Law and Legal Studies provides students with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in legal studies. It provides additional support to students to engage in community service.
Modern Infrastructure
TMU has modern facilities and infrastructure to equip candidates with advanced knowledge and practical skills through modern classes and updated labs. As one of the top law colleges in UP, TMU provides students with moot court facilities ( a real court room environment), a legal aid clinic. The university has its own well-stocked library. The university campus also contains well-equipped hostels, a hospital, state of a art auditorium, a fitness centre, and a sports complex.
Accreditation and Approvals
Teerthanker Mahaveer University (TMU) has been awarded an 'A' grade by NAAC. The University also has some major accreditations and recognitions, like UGC (University Grant Commission) or BCI (Bar Council of India). As one of the top law colleges in UP, TMU is committed to delivering quality education and training.
Conclusion
If you are wondering how to become a lawyer, this guide, "How to Become a Lawyer in India: Step-by-Step Guide After 12th", will help you stay focused and updated with all the essential steps towards becoming a legal expert. Becoming a lawyer is a well-defined journey that starts with choosing the right course and ends with professional recognition through Bar Council enrolment.
FAQ
Q1. How many years does it take to become a lawyer?
Ans. Becoming a lawyer usually takes 5-6 years in India.
Q2. What is a lawyer's salary in India?
Ans. In India, the average yearly salary for a lawyer is around Rs. 5.70 Lakh to Rs. 7.86 Lakh.
Q3. How to become a lawyer after 12th?
Ans. The process of learning how to become a lawyer after 12th grade involves enrolling in a 5-year integrated law programme, clearing entrance exams (CLAT, AILET, etc.), completing the degree with 45%+ marks, registering with the State Bar Council, and passing the All India Bar Examination (AIBE). This path combines your undergraduate studies with law, taking about 5.5 years in total.
Q4. Is LLB enough to become a lawyer?
Ans. No, an LL.B. alone is not enough; you must also pass the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) and enrol with a State Bar Council to become a practising lawyer in India.
Q5. How to become a lawyer after a BSc?
Ans. The process of learning how to become a lawyer after a BSc includes you must enroll in a 3-year LL.B. programme after graduation, clearing entrance exams and after completing the LL.B., registering with the Bar Council and passing the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) to get your license to practice in India.
Q6. What skills are important in how to become a lawyer?
Ans. Communication, research, logical reasoning, writing ability, and confidence are essential skills in becoming a lawyer.
Q7. What is the first step in how to become a lawyer in India?
Ans. The first step in how to become a lawyer is completing your Class 12 and then enrolling in a recognised law program, such as a 5-year integrated LLB or a 3-year LLB after graduation.
Q8. What is the admission process involved in how to become a lawyer?
Ans. The admission process for how to become a lawyer involves entrance exams, counselling rounds, document verification, and college allotment.
