The Bar Council of India (BCI) has decided to scrap the one-year LL.M course which was introduced in India in 2013.
The post-graduate course in law leading to Master's degree, i.e LL.M has to be of two years spread over four semesters, the newly notified BCI Legal Education (Post Graduate, Doctoral, Executive, Vocational, Clinical and other Continuing Education) Rules, 2020 said.
"A Master Degree Program in Law of one year duration introduced in India in 2013(as per notification) by the University Grants Commission shall remain operative and valid until the Academic Session in which these Regulations are notified and implemented but not thereafter at any University throughout the country," the Rules state.
Further, a pass in three-year and five-year LLB will be compulsory for admission to LL.M course.
As per the Rules, a Master's degree in any specialized branch of Law offered in the Open System to any graduate, such as Business Law or Human Right, or International Trade Law without having LL.B./BA.LLB as the requisite entry level qualification shall not be designated as LL.M.
It can be designated in any other manner attracting the immediate attention of anyone that such a degree holder may not be a Law graduate, the Rules clarify.
The Rules will come into force from the date notified by the BCI.
The Rules further state that admission to LL.M will be through Post Graduate Common Entrance Test in Law (PGCETL) which is conducted by the BCI. Until the PGCETL is introduced the present system followed by respective Universities shall be followed. Once the BCI introduces PGCETL it shall be mandatory to admit the students from the merit list of the Test.
Introducing and running an LL.M. Program is the direct responsibility of a University and cannot be sourced out to any affiliating institutions, the Rules mandate.
Read Official Notice here:
