PhD Law - Course, Eligibility, Admission, Fees, Exam, Syllabus, Jobs, Salary

Ph.D in Law is a doctoral-level programme in legal studies that span three to six-year duration. The curriculum focuses on providing knowledge of the constitutional law of India, legal theory, international law, and various other specialisation and types of law. Candidates with an LLM degree are eligible to apply for these programmes, provided they meet other eligibility as well.

Ph.D is always the preferable choice of candidates interested in pursuing a career as an academician or researcher. UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR NET (including JRF), and GATE are some of the popular PhD Law entrance examinations. Several universities in India offer Ph.D. in Law courses, among them; JNU, JMI, and Delhi University are well regarded.

Highlights - PhD in Law

PhD in Law Eligibility Criteria

There is no fixed PhD Law eligibility criteria and it varies across institutions. Generally, a master's degree with minimum marks, along with the passing marks in the entrance exam is required. The minimum marks and entrance exams are not static and universities or colleges hold the right to modify them. The PhD Law eligibility criteria are provided below.

• Candidates must have an LLM or equivalent degree with a minimum of 50 per cent marks from a recognised university.

• All candidates should complete the pre-PhD course first.

• Final-year students can also apply for the course, provided they submit all the documents at the time of admission.

• For reserved category candidates, the minimum required marks are 45 per cent.

Doctorate Degree in Law Admission Procedure

The admission process for each course can be found on the official website of the provider colleges. Public colleges have a more rigid PhD in Law admission process as compared to private colleges. Below, we have listed the PhD Law application procedure as followed by most universities.

• Candidates must pass the required national-level or university-specific entrance exam; UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR NET, GATE, GLAET, or other university-level exam.

• They can apply for the course through the official websites of their respective colleges.

• Candidates who clear the cutoff of respective colleges will be invited to the next rounds.

• For most colleges, personal interviews and group discussions are part of the next round.

• The final selection of candidates will be based on their overall performance and total seat intake.

• Selected candidates need to pay the course fees and submit the required documents to confirm the selection.

Doctorate of Law Entrance Exams

Ph.D. is the highest level degree one can pursue in any specialisation and interested candidates need to go through various exams to gain admission to well-reputed institutions. Below, we have listed important PhD Law entrance exams that facilitate admission to the best colleges in India.

UGC-NET: UGC-NET stands for University Grants Commission–National Eligibility Test and it is facilities twice a year in June and December. It is conducted by the National Testing Agency and provides candidates with the position of Assistant professor in universities across the country as well as with a Junior Research Fellowship.

• UGC NET Eligibility Criteria

• UGC NET Preparation Tips

• UGC NET Syllabus

• UGC NET Exam Pattern

UGC-CSIR NET: UGC-CSIR NET stands for University Grants Commission-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research National Eligibility Test and it is conducted by the National Testing Agency. It facilitates admission to Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) programmes across various universities in India. Candidates clearing this exam are eligible to become an assistant professor in any Indian university.

• CSIR UGC NET Eligibility Criteria

• CSIR NET Exam Pattern

• CSIR NET Syllabus

• CSIR NET Cut-off

PhD in Law Cutoff

The PhD in Law cutoff is published by providers colleges annually and it depends on various factors. These factors include the difficulty level of the exam, total seat intake, and number of applicants. Also, in public colleges, reservation plays an important role in determining the PhD Law cutoff.

Generally, the cutoff of the reserved category is less compared to general category candidates. Colleges release their PhD Law cutoff for respective entrance exams on their official website, some days after the exam.

Doctorate in Law Degree Skills

A doctorate of law course equips students with various skills such as advanced research, analytical and critical thinking. Expertise in a specific legal area and staying ahead of current legal developments are essential for success in the field. The following listed PhD Law skills are beneficial for candidates during their curriculum, although not mandatory.

• Critical Thinking

• Legal Research

• Academic Writing

• Strong Communication

• Presentation Skills

PhD in Law Syllabus

The PhD Law curriculum is of three to six years duration and divided into six to twelve semesters respectively. The first semester provides techniques and tools for legal research followed by the necessary skills for conducting research in the second semester. Below, we have compiled the PhD Law subjects taught at GGSIPU Delhi.

PhD Law Fees

The governing body of the institution determines the course fees and includes tuition fees, admission fees, security deposit, and other service charges. The PhD Law fees vary across institutions and public colleges generally have low fees compared to private colleges. The average PhD Law fees range from Rs. 16,800 to Rs. 6.25 lakhs, depending on the choice of college.

PhD Law Degree Scope

A PhD in Law offers diverse career paths, including academia, legal research, policy analysis, and consulting. It provides expertise in specialised areas of law and opens doors to roles in universities, think tanks, government agencies, and international organisations. Graduates can also explore international opportunities if they have specialised in international law.

Career Options after PhD Law

After graduating with a doctoral law degree, candidates can find employment in both the public and private sectors offering high-paying job roles. Below are some of the most pursued PhD in Law job roles.

Judges: Judges preside over legal proceedings, and interpret and apply the law. They impart decisions or verdicts based on the evidence presented in court.

Legal Advisors: Legal advisors are individuals with high expertise in law and related subjects. They are hired by the government, large companies, and other organisations for legal advice.

Academicians: Academicians are professionals whose primary work involves teaching and research activities. They are specialists in any one subject and are hired by colleges and universities.

Researchers: Researchers are individuals who conduct research and investigate topics of their interest or specialty. They work for any private organisation, government department, or university or conduct their own research.

Lawyers: Lawyers are professionals with high legal knowledge and they can also be called attorneys, solicitors, counsellors, or barristers. They represent their clients in legal proceedings before courts.

Top Recruiters

Many recruiters in India, both private and public, hire professionals with legal expertise for various roles. Graduating from top law schools will provide students with worthy job roles and a high salary package, allowing them to pursue careers in India as well as abroad.

• Hester Bioscience Ltd

• SEBI

• JAG

• Reliance

• Khaitan & Co

• Canara Bank

• Tata Group

• All India Judicial Service

Benefits of Studying PhD Law Degree

A PhD in Law allows students to explore a specific legal area and opens doors to a career in academia, allowing them to teach, publish research, and contribute to the advancement of legal knowledge. Students will develop strong research skills, critical thinking, and analytical abilities that are valuable in various professional areas.

This legal doctorate degree offers a global perspective on legal issues, especially if students’ research involves international or comparative law. It also equips students with diverse career paths in legal consulting, government advisory roles, think tanks, NGOs, and international organisations.

PhD Law Salary

Various legal PhD Law job roles are available in the current job market, as all organisations sought after professionals with legal knowledge. Below, we have provided the average PhD in Law salary for respective job roles.

Source: Payscale

List of Top Ph.D. in Law Colleges in India with Fees

Hundreds of law schools and universities offer legal PhD, each having its own eligibility and application process. Below, we have compiled the list of top PhD Law colleges in India, as per the NIRF ranking.

Top Private Ph.D. in Law Colleges in India with Fees

Among top providers, several private institutions have established themselves on the list. These institutions offer excellent academic and placement records, along with other facilities. More information on these institutions is provided in the table below.

Top Government Ph.D. in Law Colleges in India with Fees

Government colleges or universities that offer PhD in Law are available in most states in India. In the following table, we have highlighted the best government PhD Law colleges in India, along with their total course fees.

A PhD in law involves in-depth research, academic writing, and the development of expertise in the legal area. This coursework generally involves project, thesis, exams, and collaboration with faculty members. However, it is essential to check the curriculum and requirements first with the institution before applying.