AICLET

Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Wednesday stated legal education is not just about churning out professionals for the bar and the bench but also about developing citizens who are devoted to the values of liberty, equality and fraternity.

Opening the first Professor (Dr) N R Madhava Menon memorial lecture here on 'Legal and Justice Education @2047: An Agenda for 100 years of Independence', the CJI emphasized making access to law and justice not a privilege for some but a reality in everyday life for all citizens.

Supreme Court judge Justice Surya Kant, the speaker at the lecture, stated that the study of law should never be conducted in ivory towers, separated from the actual plight of society and it should rather be grounded in the experiences of people that it aims to serve.

Justice Kant stated that to democratize legal education, "we need to shatter the elitist barriers that have crept over time.".

Speaking at the gathering, the CJI added, "In my opinion, legal education is not just about creating professionals for the bar and the bench.

It is about raising citizens who are dedicated to the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity.".

" He added that the path to 2047 has to be anchored to the core values that over the years have shaped legal education, including professional competence, social justice, technological innovation and an unshakeable belief in the ideals of the Constitution.".

In the matter of access to law and legal education, CJI Gavai stated that for too long now, geographical, economic and linguistic divides have been formidable barriers, keeping vulnerable and marginalised citizens away from courts and legal institutions.

"Economic disadvantage usually results in even when there are legal remedies available, they become unaffordable to the ones who need them most," he said, going on to add that if law has to be really a tool of empowerment, then removing these barriers is necessary.

Legal education needs to be reimagined by increasing its reach through technology, encouraging teaching in regional languages, consolidating legal aid and developing entry points for first-generation learners, the CJI said.

"By doing so alone, we can guarantee that access to law and justice turns into a lived experience for all citizens of this Republic rather than being an exclusive privilege of the few," he stated.

The CJI, while drawing attention to the issue of ethics in legal education, stated that law schools have a significant responsibility to instill in each student a genuine respect for constitutional ideals.

He also emphasised creating research institutions to analyse the emerging area of law.

"Now, let me, however, add a note of caution.

The five-year integrated law programme and the National Law School model have undoubtedly been transformative and successful in many respects.

Yet, one of the recurring criticisms is that the model has, perhaps unintentionally, channelled a majority of its graduates towards careers in the corporate sector," CJI Gavai said.

"The voices and views of our subcontinent, informed by histories of colonialism, economic inequity and profound struggles for equality, cannot be at the periphery of global legal discussion," he added.

The CJI stated the real strength of a legal professional does not necessarily reside in a grasp of the law, but in the application of that knowledge in the service of justice, in the defense of democracy and in remaining unbendingly committed to constitutional values in adversity.

Addressing the lecture, Justice Kant discussed three core pillars -- legal education modernisation, instilling it with values and ethics, and democratising access to all. 

"Our National Law Universities, which were once models of meritocracy and innovation, currently suffer from severe faculty deficiencies.

The vision of community lawyering and Gram Nyayalayas is still mostly a pipe dream.

And the exorbitant expense of legal education increasingly restricts access to a privileged minority – undermining actual inclusivity," he said.

Justice Kant opined that law is not a subject to study; it is the actual foundation upon which society is established and nourished.

In the context of legal education modernization, he argued first and foremost that we need to do away with the old perception of law universities as enhanced high schools.

He urged including interdisciplinary learning into the very infrastructure of legal education.

Justice Kant averred that there should be an acceptance by the legal education of "digital-first" pedagogy, not convenience-driven, but as a necessary prerequisite for justice in the future.

"In the world today, all areas of the practice of law are being more and more involved with technology, but far too many law schools remain wedded to older approaches to learning, not responding to the new powers at hand that are already reshaping the profession," he said, and in 2047, the machine can help, but the human must respond.

Justice Kant stated that legal education modernisation calls for foresight and getting students ready to meet the future head on.

"Unfortunately, somewhere in the process, we have lost sight of this basic but profound reality — that the study of law should never be conducted in ivory towers, out of touch with the real struggles of society.

It needs to be grounded instead in the lived realities of the people that it is trying to serve," he said.

He added legal aid clinics need to be made a necessary and mandatory component of every law school's curriculum.".

"Meanwhile, the expense of studying even the most well-known law schools is pricing out the dream of legal study from thousands of capable and enthusiastic students from poor backgrounds," Justice Kant added.

Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell has released an additional institutional-level admission round for the applicants who want to get admitted into law (three year and five year), Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd), Master of Physical Education (MPEd), Master of Education (Med), and Bachelor of Education (Bed) courses on account of disruptions caused by heavy rains and floods in the entire state. The additional round will be held from October 3-5.

According to the CET cell, a few students were unable to obtain admissions in the regular institutional rounds due to flood-affected conditions. Besides that, a few of the candidates were also harassed due to mistakes or omissions in their admission forms, i.e., marks for entrance exams like Class 12, undergraduate or postgraduate degrees.

So that students do not lose their academic opportunities, the CET cell has made the decision to permit correction in admission forms and offer a last chance to take part in the institutional-level admission process. In the additional round, students will even get the opportunity to choose colleges of their choice.

"Due to the floods and rains in the state, and also on technical grounds, many students were not in a position to seek admission for law, BPEd, MPEd, MEd and BEd-MEd courses. The additional round has been planned so that no one remains behind. We request students to make use of this opportunity," CET cell Commissioner Dilip Sardesai said.a

Students seeking a future-proof career option are choosing courses like cyber law, cyber security and more. A  career in cyber law is indeed lucrative due to the rapidly growing digital ecosystem and increasing dependency on AI, tech, and the internet. To the passionate individuals in the field of law who are eager to safeguard the digital sphere, the opportunities of cyber law in 2025 and further business and government across industries provide a wide range of high-growth prospects.

What Is Cyber Law?

Cyber law deals with legal matters involving the internet, electronic communication, online business, data security, and investigating crimes such as hacking, fraud, and data breaches. With the globalisation of the digital world, good legal frameworks and professionals are essential in protecting individuals, organisations and governments.

Why choose a Career in Cyber Law?

The online world is expanding at lightning speed. All businesses, including banks and health care industries, rely on technology, and online fraud, hacking and identity theft are increasing. As AI emerges, emerging legal issues demand skills in privacy, intellectual property, compliance, and accountability of autonomous systems (such as AI bots and drones). Additionally, India frequently amends its cyber laws; recent legislations are tougher data privacy (DPDP Act 2024-25), cryptocurrency regulations, and regulations on the use of AI and IoT devices.

Who can pursue cyber law? 

• Students of law schools who desire to specialize in high-growth areas of technology.
• Any graduate in any stream who wishes to specialise in digital law.
• Technical specialists who may want to get into legal and technical training.
• In case you are interested in digital rights, privacy and internet safety, cyber law will make you both challenged and satisfied.

How to build a Career in Cyber Law?

• Clear Class 12: any stream is good, but computer science or legal studies may assist.
• Pursue Law Degree: Take a 5 year combined BA LLB/BBA LLB post 12 th or a 3 year LLB post graduation.
• Take a Law Entrance Exam: CLAT, AICLET, AILET or LSAT India-based Law colleges.
• Specialise in Cyber Law: Choose courses, seminars or qualifications in cyber law and IT Act classes during your law degree.
• Join Internships/Workshops: Gain experience through internships with law firms, tech companies, or government agencies working in digital privacy, cybercrime, or intellectual property.

Major Job Roles and Salaries

Top recruiters include Wipro, Infosys, Deloitte, Tech Legis, Grow Up Technologies, S&R Associates, and both public and private law enforcement agencies 

Key Skills Needed

• Knowledge of IT Act, 2000 and amendments.
• Powerful research, analytical and advocacy skills.
• Technology expertise: AI, data analytics, the fundamentals of digital forensics.
• Kept abreast of the cybercrime and the digital privacy policies.

How is AI reshaping cyber law?

• The legal research and decision-making are now supported by AI tools.
• Digital forensic tools and AI are utilized by law enforcement to quickly identify threats and process digital evidence.
• New roles such as Legal Technologist, AI Compliance Officer, and Legal Data Analyst are emerging, which are a combination of law and technology.

Latest Trends and the Future

• The hot issues today in Indian cyber law are data privacy, AI responsibility, cryptocurrency regulation, and IoT laws. 
• The need for specialists in cyber law is rising annually, and the employment opportunities in the respective field are projected to increase by more than 20%.
• There are plenty of opportunities of international exposure and distance opportunities, and so it is a versatile and future-proof career option.

To sum up, cyber law is not limited to courtrooms. Career paths in this field range from law firms and IT companies to startups, policy advisories, and NGOs. With scams, data leaks, and AI-driven threats news becoming the headlines almost every day, cyber law professionals are in high demand. Thus, a career in cyber law is a good choice.

India has its own "Harvard", National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore, the country's first NLU and also the holy grail for law hopefuls in the nation. NLSIU was established in 1987 and started a new tradition of legal education by sacrificing the traditional lectures-based courses and adopting an inter-disciplinary and practice-oriented approach.

Whereas Harvard Law School has produced presidents, Nobel laureates, and Supreme Court judges, NLSIU also boasts no less impressive an alum list. Among them are Supreme Court judges and High Court judges, senior counsels, top managing partners of India's top law firms, policy strategists, scholars, and even politicians who determine the fate of the nation.

The Harvard analogy is not so much prestige-oriented—though it would otherwise so appear—it's a reaction to the way NLSIU transformed India's legal world. It set the standard for all other NLUs to keep pace, created a competitive arena with CLAT (Common Law Admission Test), and is still the rank-holders' favorite every year.

With its global alumnus network, pioneering course syllabus, and limitless pursuit of academic excellence, NLSIU has emerged as the epitome of legal education. If the West's apogee of legal education is Harvard Law School, NLSIU Bangalore is unmistakably India's answer—the law school that continues to redefine, shape, and inspire the East's future of law.

The Tamil Nadu government on Monday submitted a review petition in the Supreme Court requesting that its September 1 directive mandating all in-service teachers to clear the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) within two years of joining be reconsidered, School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi informed reporters in Tiruchy yesterday, Tuesday, September 31.

The minister said the review petition challenged the Supreme Court order and grounds of relation, highlighting that retrospective effect of the mandatory TET rule would adversely affect 3.28 lakh teachers who had over five years of service remaining and about 67,000 close to retirement, The New Indian Express adds.

If the experienced teachers are declared to be unqualified or made to retire, it will leave schools empty in tens of thousands of schools, threatening the future of millions of children," he cautioned.

He further stated that the state was also considering the option of implementing special legislations in the next Assembly session to safeguard teachers and avoid disruption to the school education system.

Referring to the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) statement of August 23, 2010, exempting teachers appointed prior to the date from the TET requirement, Poyyamozhi said the state has asked that this exemption be continued.

"We have requested clarification that pre-2010 appointees should be eligible for promotion, and TET prospectively only for new appointments and promotions on or after 2010," he added.

The minister underlined that the government would implement the Supreme Court order unchanged and it could lead to an unprecedented deficit of more than four lakh teachers, which the state could not fill within two years. 

Such a situation, he asserted, would endanger rural, hilly, and disadvantaged children's right to education who have no other option but government schools.

In India, Law aspirants favor National Law Universities (NLUs). When a student is thinking of studying at an NLU, one should know the advantages as well as the possible obstacles of studying there. Here are the key advantages and disadvantages of attending an NLU that will allow students to make a better choice regarding law education.

Pros of Studying in NLU

Quality Legal Education

NLUs have one of the best law programs in India, experienced faculty, a good curriculum and prescribed teaching methods. It focuses on both theory and practical skills in order to provide a good grounding in law.

Great Placement Opportunity.

NLUs are well-linked with the leading law firms, corporate houses, government legal departments, and NGOs. Good placement support is offered by many NLUs allowing students to get internship opportunities and employment offers in reputed organisations.

Infrastructure and Resources.

Most NLUs have modern libraries, moot court halls, and access to legal databases. These resources support students in their studies and research work.

Diverse Peer Group

Entry into NLUs is very competitive and it relies on the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). Students all around India have an opportunity to study in one place, this creates a diverse student community and adds to the learning experiences.

Focus on Practical Learning

NLUs give a lot of importance to activities like moot court competitions, internships, and workshops. These help students gain real-world experience and prepare them well for their future legal work.

Cons of Studying in NLU

High Competition and Pressure.

Admission in NLU is very difficult. Students may be subjected to stress by the competition. Also, coursework may be strenuous.

Low Curriculum Flexibility.

The curriculum at NLUs is quite structured, which means there are fewer options to choose electives or explore subjects outside law. This might limit students who want to study other areas alongside law

Relocation and Adjustment

There are numerous NLUs in small towns or cities. Students might experience difficulty adjusting in new locations particularly beyond their homes and large urban centres.

Differences in Quality Among NLUs.

Faculty, infrastructure and placement vary significantly across different NLUs. The quality of resources and opportunities available to some NLUs might not be as good as in the best ones, which will influence the overall experience.

Fee Structure

Though generally more affordable than private colleges, some NLUs may still have fees that could be a concern for students from less privileged backgrounds.

There are numerous positive points in studying in an NLU, such as high-quality education, good internship opportunities, and placement opportunities, whereas there are also such negative aspects as intense competition and the problem of adjustment. These benefits and drawbacks must be well considered by students according to their individual preferences and career objectives in order to decide the most appropriate way to study law.