CLAT (Common Law Entrance Test) is a five-year curriculum for students interested in pursuing a career in law after completing their secondary education.
“A law degree can open the door to a wide variety of occupations that other degrees may not,” it is noted.
The reason for this is that only law graduates are eligible to hold positions in the government’s three branches: legislature, executive, and judiciary. Others may hold important positions in the legislature and executive branch, but not in the judiciary. Apart from this, there are many other CLAT job opportunities for CLAT aspirants in the market.
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Given the numerous prospects that it provides, ‘law’ has emerged as one of the greatest career options after class XII. The National Law Schools’ emergence, their world-class education, and their annual national and international campus placements bore witness to this fact. A legal degree entails much more than being an advocate in a court of law. Beyond the courtroom, Law School graduates are currently pursuing some of the most intriguing professional possibilities available.
- Law Firms from India and Around the World
- Companies that provide consulting and advisory services
- Corporate Legal Departments and Multinational Corporations
- LPOs (Legal Process Outsourcing), etc.
Job Opportunities After CLAT Exam
Law graduates have a wide variety of exciting professional options. The CLAT exam is the first barrier to breach. With strong CLAT scores, one can gain admission to elite law schools and let the rest take care of themselves. As a result, achieving the highest possible CLAT score is the first, but most important, step in your legal career. The possibilities for a career in law are many, some of them are explained below;
1. ICLS (Indian Corporate Law Services)
The ICLS exam has traditionally been part of the Central Civil Services exam. To get a career in the Indian Corporate Law Services, you must pass the Civil Services Exam (held by UPSC). It is a highly regarded and sought-after employment path for law graduates. Similar Law Services employment can be found at the state level, and they all follow the same pattern of passing a state-wide exam.
2. Law Firms
Law firms are founded when a group of lawyers bands together to offer their legal knowledge to clients under one brand. In India, numerous law firms are flourishing. These law firms also participate in student placements on college campuses. Among the best law companies in India are Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co, Khaitan & Co, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, and Trilegal. These companies provide good compensation packages and hire people with relevant skills and expertise. For most law students, working with them is a “dream come true.”
Read More: How To Prepare For CLAT
3. Law Professor/Lecturer
Teaching is a career that never goes out of style. As a vocation, lecturer/professor is a fairly rewarding professional option. Law professors are in high demand as the demand and popularity of lawyers grow. Professors at the graduate level are well compensated and well recognized. So, if you enjoy teaching and passing on intellectual knowledge, this is a very appealing career path.
4. Corporate Sector Jobs
When it comes to employment, corporations are colossal. The demand for recruiting is growing in tandem with the rapid rise of these private companies. The majority of large corporations have their legal department. This means they’ll require lawyers to handle their company’s legal matters. As a result, this is another promising career path. Other industries, such as PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings) and banks, recruit lawyers in addition to the business sector.
5. Judiciary
Becoming a judge is obviously the best career choice after CLAT. The State Level Judiciary Exams must be passed to qualify as a judge. They are appointed as entry-level judges after passing the tests as a new law graduate. With time and expertise, one gradually becomes a High Court judge.
Aside from taking the judicial test, another way to become a judge is to work as an advocate. However, becoming an advocate before being appointed to the High Court may take longer than getting appointed through state-level court exams.
Read Also: How to Prepare for Judiciary Exam
CLAT Job Salary(Salary of Lawyers)
You have a wide range of professional opportunities after graduating from an NLU through CLAT exam, including corporate law firms, litigation, civil services, judiciary, social work, and so on. Let’s take a look at each one separately.
Average salary package after CLAT for different career options
Job Opportunities After CLAT Exam | Average CLAT Job Salary |
Corporate Law Firms | 10 to 15 Lakhs Per Year |
Litigation | 5 to 10 Lakhs Per Year |
Civil Service | Based on the Position |
Judiciary | 8 to 10 Lakhs Per Year |
Corporate law firms
Law companies such as Amarchand, AZB, Trilegal, Khaitan, and others hire graduates from NLUs with an average package of 12–16 lakhs per annum (for the top five NLUs). Magic circle law firms (firms from outside the United States) visit the top three NLUs to recruit students who can provide even more.
Litigation
Many students choose to pursue a career in litigation, which entails practicing law in a courtroom and litigating real-life disputes. The pay is minimal at first (2–4 LPA), but it slowly increases, and if you are talented enough, the sky is the limit. Some Supreme Court lawyers demand thousands of dollars for a single hearing.
Civil Services
Many law graduates pass the Civil Services test each year, allowing them to enter the IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and other government services. They are compensated following the current Pay Commission.
Judiciary
Students from NLUs who aim to be judges take the PCS-J test to become judges. An excellent salary of roughly 8–10 LPA is also available in the judiciary.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) Related to CLAT Job Opportunities
Q: Is it possible for me to become a judge directly After CLAT?
A: No, It's Not possible, to become a Judge you need to specific State Judiciary Exam.
Q: How is CLAT as a career?
A: If you enjoy reading a lot of material, spending hours on research, reasoning logically, and having the right disposition to be a lawyer, then go for it. The field of law is a fantastic one.
Q: What are the subjects offered in CLAT?
A: After you clear CLAT Exam following three programs from 22 top law national Universities based on your CLAT Score. 1. BA.LLB 2. BSc.LLB 3. Bcom.LLB