Criminal Law is a very popular law specialization in the Stream of Law. Criminal Law includes the rules, and regulations that define conduct which is prohibited by the law because it threatens as well as harms public safety and welfare. Criminal Law also lays down punishment that can be imposed on an individual or group of people break any law. Thus, Criminal Law deals with offences committed against the society or the state. Criminal Law is known to be one of the oldest branch of law. An individual pursuing this law specialisation interviews clients, interrogates witnesses, conducts trials, correlates proof/ findings, prepares a case for defending his/ her client and also examines as well as cross examines witnesses in court.
Candidates can pursue undergraduate (UG) as well as the postgraduate (PG) programmes in the field of Criminal Law. In UG level courses candidates need to pursue integrated law programmes in order to specialise in the field of Criminal Law whereas in a PG level law course aspirants can straight away specialise in Criminal Law. Some popular PG level courses offered in the field of Criminal Law are LLM in Criminal Law, LLM in Criminal and Security Law, LLM in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice and Administrative Law, LLM in Criminal and Business Law, LLM in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice, etc.
Apart from these degree programmes, candidates can also pursue diploma and certificate courses in the field of Criminal Law. Some of these popular courses are Certificate in Criminal Litigation and Trial Advocacy, Post Graduate Diploma in Criminal Law, Post Graduate Diploma in Criminal Justice and the likes.
Top Colleges:
In India there are many colleges and universities that provide Criminal Law as a specialization in the stream of Law. Some of the top most Universities and Colleges that provide Criminal Law as a specialization are as follows:
Highlights:
This section highlights all the details about the course level, Course duration, admission process, fees, the average salary, and also top recruiters.
| Course Level | U.G, P.G, and P.G.Diploma |
|---|---|
| Duration | U.G (3 Years), P.G (3 Years) and P.G. Diploma (1 year) |
| Admission Process | Entrance and Counselling |
| Examination Type | Semester wise |
| Course Fees | P.G - 1 lakh to 4 lakhs, U.G - 10,000 to 2 lakhs AND P.G. Diploma 10,000 to 2 lakhs. |
| Average Starting Salary | 3 lakhs to 15 lakhs ( Sometimes Compensation depends on the Significance of Case) |
| Top Recruiters |
AZB & Partners, J Sagar Associates, Khaitan & Co, Luthra & Luthra, Trilegal,Desai & Diwanji, Singhania & Partners,Titus & Co, Wadia Ghandy & Co, Lakshmi Kumaran & Sridharan, Economic Laws Practice, Vaish & Associates, Ministry of Home Foreign Affairs, Colleges and Universities, Criminal Tribunals etc. |
Eligibility:
This eligibility section contains the details of courses, eligibility, and entrance conductin for applying for the course.
| Course | Duration | Eligibility | Entrances |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.A. L.L.B | 5 Years | 10+2 with 50 % - 55 % | AILET, CUSAT, LSAT, AIBE, KIITEE |
| L.L.B | 3 Years | Graduation in any discipline with 50% - 55% or Completed the Integrated L.L.B degree | CLAT, AILET, CUSAT, LSAT, AIBE, KIITEE |
| L.L.M | 3 Years | Graduation in Law with 50 % - 55% and Some universities and colleges ask for 12 - 24 months of Professional experience in the field | CLAT P.G, AILET P.G, ILICAT P.G, IPU CET P.G |
| Post graduate and Diploma in Law | 1 Year |
graduate in any discipline from recognized college or university with a minimum score of 45-50%. Some Universities and Colleges even demand Graduation in Science and it related subjects |
AILET, CUSAT, LSAT, AIBE, KIITEE |
Top Recruiters
Some of the Top Recruiters are mentioned below:
- Amarchand and Mangladas
- Luthra and Luthra
- AZB and Partners
- Jyothisagar and Associates
- Kaithan And Co.
- Trilegal
- Allen and Overy
- Linklaters
- Amarchand Mangaldas
- AZB & Partners
- J Sagar Associates
- Khaitan & Co
- Luthra & Luthra
- Trilegal
- Desai & Diwanji
- Singhania & Partners
- Titus & Co
- Wadia Ghandy & Co
- Lakshmi Kumaran & Sridharan
Admission Process
For L.L.B
Admission is done either on the basis of marks obtained by candidates in qualifying degree or through a relevant entrance test. Students who are in the final year of their graduation can also apply for entrance tests conducted for Admission.
There are various entrance tests conducted for admissions in India. On the other hand, candidates also get direct admission to the same. A list of entrance exams for admission to the course has been mentioned below:
- CLAT
- LSAT
- AILET
- TS- LAWCET
For L.L.M
Admission to L.L.M Criminal Law course is based on the candidate’s performance in a relevant national, State, or university- level entrance exam, followed by rounds of group discussion and personal interview, wherein the candidate’s aptitude for the course is assessed.
Some of the major entrance examinations conducted in India for admission to L.L.M. in Criminal Law are listed here:
- CLAT PG
- AILET PG
- ILI CAT
- IPU CET
For B.A. L.L.B
The admission process for this course is to take the entrance exams. Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is one of the renowned entrance examination organized by National Law Universities (NLUs) to offer admission in the NLUs. Admission procedure of every college is different.
Some of them conducts their separate entrance test for granting admission:
- AILET
- LSAT
- AIBE
- KIITEE
- CUSAT
For Post Graduate and Diploma in Law:
Admission is done either on the basis of marks obtained by candidates in qualifying degree or through a relevant entrance test. Students who are in the final year of their graduation can also apply for entrance tests conducted for Admission.
There are various entrance tests conducted for admissions in India. On the other hand, candidates also get direct admission to the same. A list of entrance exams for admission to the course has been mentioned below:
- LSAT
- AILET
- CUSAT
Syllabus:
For L.L.B:
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| Labour Law | Family Law-2 |
| Family Law-1 | Law of Tort and CPA |
| Criminal Law | Constitutional Law |
| Law of Contract-1 | Professional Ethics |
|
Optional Papers (Anyone) a. Trust, Women and Law b. Criminology c. International Economics Law |
|
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
| Law of Evidence | Property Law including the transfer of Property Act |
| Arbitration Conciliation and Alternative | Jurisprudence |
| Human Rights and Evidence Law | Practical Training- Legal Aid |
| Environmental Law | Law of Contract |
|
Optional Papers(Any one) a. Comparative Law b. Law of Insurance c. Conflicts of Law d. Intellectual Property Law |
|
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
| Civil Procedure Law | Code of Criminal Procedure |
| Interpretation of Statues | Company Law |
| Legal Writing | Practical Training- Moot Courts |
| Land laws and other local laws | Banking Laws and Negotiable Instruments Act 1881 |
| Administrative Laws |
For Post Graduation and Diploma in Law:
| Criminal Justice System |
| Indian Penal Code |
| Criminal Justice Processes |
| Criminal Justice Administration |
| Challenges to Criminal Justice System |
| Criminal Justice Research and Advocacy |
| Project |
For Integrated L.L.B
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| Legal Method | Law of Contract 1 |
| Law of Trots 1 | Law of Trots 1 |
| History of legal and constitutional Development | Criminal Law 1 |
| Political Science | Political Science 2 |
| English | English 2 |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
| Law of Contracts 2 | Law of Property |
| Family law 1 | Family law 2 |
| Criminal Law 2 | Law of Property |
| Sociology 1 | Economics and Law 2 |
| Sociology 2 | |
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
| Jurisprudence 1 | Jurisprudence 2 |
| Constitutional law 1 | Constitutional Law 2 |
| Administrative law | Clinic 1 (ADR) |
| CPC & Law of Limitation | International law |
| Law of Evidence | Labour Law |
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
| Corporate Law 1 | Corporate law 2 |
| Environment Law | Taxation Law |
| Intellectual Property Law | Cyber Law |
| Banking Law and Negotiable Instruments | Clinic 2 |
| Seminar Course 1 | Seminar course 2 |
| Semester 9 | Semester 10 |
| International Trade Law | Law of Insurance |
| Judicial Process and Interpretation Statutes | Human Rights, International Humanitarian & Refugee law |
| Clinic 3 | Clinic 4 ( Court Management and Practical Training) |
| Seminar Course 3 | Seminar 5 |
| Seminar Course 4 | Seminar 6 |
For L.L.M
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| Theories of Law | Banking Law |
| Research Methodology | Corporate Jurisprudence |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
| Legal Concepts | Corporate Law |
| Legislative Process | Life and Fire Insurance |
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
| Judicial Process | Competition Law |
| Law of Intellectual Property 1 | Consumer Law |
Skills Required
Various skills required for a better career for the students in this field. These are the basic primary skills that are required for Criminal Law.
- Confidence
- Good at collecting information/ data
- Good at analyzing public policies impacting criminal justice
- Ability to work in a team
- Good at reading charts & graphs
- Critical Thinking
- Ability to debate
- Good decision making skills
- Leadership skills
- Ability to manage stress
- Good observational skills
- Problem solving ability
- Good presentation skills
- Persuasiveness
- Interest in Research
- Interest in detail
- Ability to assimilate as well as analyse facts
- Interest in technology
- Good writing ability
- Unbiased
- Good convincing power
- Fluency and clarity of speech
- Mental and physical stamina\
- Intellect
- Good judge of situation/people
Top Entrances
Various law exams are conducting for admission to a law program. Criminal Law is one of the major law programs in this field. Some of the top entrances to consider for a degree in Criminal law are as follows:
Career Prospectus
Criminal Law is the oldest branch of Law. There are various career options in this field. A student who pursues criminal law can make a career in this field as Government Advocate, Government Pleader, Public Prosecutor, Lecturer, Standing Counsel, etc. Here we discussed some job profiles, salary, and job description.
Top Job profiles
| Job Profile | Salary | Job Description |
|---|---|---|
| Government Advocate | 3 Lakhs - 6 Lakhs | Government lawyers advise government members on a variety of legal issues including legislation on tax, environment, discrimination, employment and justice |
| Government Pleader | 4 lakhs - 8 lakhs | A Pleader shall be responsible for seeing that receipts are furnished to a client for all sums of money received by himself or by his clerk on his behalf. Courts in which a pleader can practice. Notice to be given on taking up employment or engaging in trade or business |
| Public Prosecutor | 6 lakhs - 10 lakhs | A Public Prosecutor is an officer of the court helping in the administration of justice. It is clear from the fact that the main duty of the Public Prosecutor is to help the court in finding the facts of the case. The Public Prosecutor must be impartial, fair and honest. He must act on the directions of the judge |
| Criminal Law Practitioner |
2 lakhs - 8 lakhs They have a fixed rate depending on the significance of the case |
Criminal Lawyers (also known as Criminal Defense Lawyers) defend individuals who have been accused of committing a crime. They conduct research, analyze cases, and present their findings in court in an effort to gain the defendant's freedom or negotiate a plea bargain or settlement |
| Lecturer | 3 lakhs - 8 lakhs | Lecturers teach higher education students and monitor their progress, tutoring them if needed. They conduct research, prepare lectures and oversee examinations. They also are expected to write scholarly papers and oversee research budgets |
| Standing Counsel | 3 lakhs - 7 lakhs | Legal Counsel oversee the legal aspects of our business. The Legal Counsel is responsible to safeguard the reputation by guaranteeing that the company strictly follows law guidelines and give legal advice to management about all relevant issues. |
FAQ's
Q: What is Criminal Law?
A: Criminal Law is a very popular law specialization in the Stream of Law. Criminal Law includes the rules, and regulations that define conduct which is prohibited by the law because it threatens as well as harms public safety and welfare.
Q: Who are the top recruiters in this field?
A: Some of the top recruiters are mentioned below:
- Amarchand Mangaldas
- AZB & Partners
- J Sagar Associates
- Khaitan & Co
- Luthra & Luthra
- Trilegal
Form re information see the recruiters section.
Q: What are the job profile associated with criminal law?
A: Some of the job profiles associated with criminal law are as follows:
- LECTURER
- CRIMINAL LAW PRACTITIONER
- STANDING COUNSEL
For more job profiles see the career section.
Q: What is the course duration for P.G. Diploma in Law?
A: The course duration for P.G. Diploma is 1 year.
Q: What are the top entrances for Criminal law?
A: Some of the top entrances are mentioned below:
- CLAT: Common Law Admission Test
- AILET: All India Law Entrance Test
- CUSAT: Cochin University of Science and Technology
- LSAT: Law School Admission Test
- AIBE: All India Bar Examination
- KIITEE: Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Entrance Examination
Q: What is the difference between L.L.B and Integrated L.L.B?
A; The major difference between L.L.B and Integrated L.L.B is that L.L.B is done after graduation and B.A. L.L.B is done after 10+2.
Q: Is it compulsory for students to give entrance examination for the admission into Different colleges under this course?
A: Yes, it is compulsory for the students to give entrance examination for being eligible for the admission process in this course.
Q: What are the skills required in this field?
A: Some of the skills required in this field are as follows:
- Confidence
- Good at collecting information/ data
- Good at analysing public policies impacting criminal justice
- Ability to work in a team
- Good at reading charts & graphs
- Critical Thinking
- Ability to debate
- Good decision-making skills
For more information look into the skills section.
Q: What are the top colleges in Criminal law?
A: Some of the top colleges are mentioned below;
- National Law School of India University
- Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
- Nalsar University of Law
- Symbiosis Law School
- National Law University
For more details see the top colleges tab.
Q: If a student has done 10+2 in arts can he/she opt for Criminal law as a career?
A: Yes, students who have done 10+2 in arts are eligible for Criminal law but they do have to appear some entrances for being eligible for the admission process.
Q: What is the experience period required for LLM degree in Criminal Law?
A: Students need at least one year of experience for LLM in Criminal Law.
