BA LLB Degree – Complete Guide
The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws (BA LLB) is a five-year integrated law program that combines humanities with legal studies. It is one of the most popular choices among students aspiring to build a career in the legal field. The course equips students with knowledge of law, social sciences, and legal practices while enhancing their critical thinking, analytical skills, and advocacy abilities.
Whether you aim to become a lawyer, judge, legal advisor, or corporate legal consultant, a BA LLB degree opens the door to numerous opportunities in the legal sector. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about the BA LLB degree, including its eligibility, admission process, syllabus, top colleges, fees, career scope, and job prospects.
What is a BA LLB Degree?
The BA LLB is a five-year integrated undergraduate program in law that blends Arts subjects like Political Science, Sociology, History, and Economics with Law subjects such as Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Civil Law, and Corporate Law.
Unlike the traditional 3-year LLB program, where students first complete graduation and then pursue law, BA LLB integrates both courses, saving students an extra year. It is regulated by the Bar Council of India (BCI) and is offered by top law schools and universities across India.
Why Choose a BA LLB?
Choosing a BA LLB degree comes with several benefits:
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Saves one academic year compared to a 3-year LLB.
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Offers a balanced curriculum covering Arts and Law.
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Opens doors to multiple career options in litigation, judiciary, corporate law, and public policy.
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Prepares students for judicial services, civil services, and legal research.
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Provides opportunities for internships with law firms, NGOs, courts, and companies.
Eligibility Criteria for BA LLB
To apply for a BA LLB degree in India, candidates must meet the following requirements:
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Educational Qualification: Must have completed 10+2 from a recognized board.
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Minimum Marks: Usually 45% marks for General / OBC candidates and 40% marks for SC / ST candidates.
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Age Limit: As per the Bar Council of India (BCI), there is no upper age limit.
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Entrance Exams: Admission to top colleges usually requires clearing CLAT, AILET, LSAT, SLAT, or university-specific entrance exams.
BA LLB Admission Process 2025
The admission process for BA LLB varies from college to college. There are two primary methods:
1. Entrance Exam-Based Admission
Most top law universities admit students through national-level and state-level entrance exams, such as:
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CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)
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AILET (All India Law Entrance Test)
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LSAT India (Law School Admission Test)
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SLAT (Symbiosis Law Admission Test)
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MHCET Law (Maharashtra)
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AP LAWCET / TS LAWCET (Andhra Pradesh & Telangana)
After clearing the entrance exam, candidates are called for counseling, seat allotment, and document verification.
2. Merit-Based Admission
Some private universities and state law colleges grant admission based on 12th-grade marks. However, these colleges may have limited seats compared to entrance-based universities.
BA LLB Course Duration & Structure
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Duration: 5 years (10 semesters)
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Course Type: Integrated UG + Law degree
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Mode of Study: Full-time, regular
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Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts + Bachelor of Laws
Each academic year is divided into two semesters, and students must complete theoretical papers, practical training, internships, and moot court exercises.
BA LLB Syllabus & Subjects
The BA LLB syllabus combines arts subjects with law papers. Below is a general overview of subjects taught during the five years:
First Year
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Legal Methods
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Political Science
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History of India
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Sociology
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English & Communication Skills
Second Year
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Law of Contracts
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Constitutional Law I & II
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Economics
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Family Law I & II
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Environmental Law
Third Year
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Criminal Law (Indian Penal Code)
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Labour & Industrial Law
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Property Law
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Human Rights Law
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Jurisprudence
Fourth Year
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Company Law
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Administrative Law
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Taxation Law
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Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
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Moot Court Exercises
Fifth Year
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International Law
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Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
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Cyber Law
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Professional Ethics
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Drafting, Pleading & Conveyancing
Note: Exact subjects may vary depending on the university, but the Bar Council of India mandates a standard legal curriculum.
Top Entrance Exams for BA LLB 2025
If you want to join a reputed law college in India, you must clear one of these entrance exams:
| Exam Name | Conducting Body | Exam Date (Expected) | Top Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLAT 2026 | Consortium of NLUs | Dec 2025 | NLUs across India |
| AILET 2026 | NLU Delhi | Dec 2025 | NLU Delhi |
| LSAT India | Pearson VUE | Jan 2026 | Jindal, UPES, Amity |
| SLAT 2026 | Symbiosis University | May 2026 | Symbiosis Law School |
| MHCET Law | Govt. of Maharashtra | Jun 2026 | GLC Mumbai, ILS Pune |
Top Colleges Offering BA LLB in India (2025)
Here are some of the best law colleges offering BA LLB programs in India:
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National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore
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National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad
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National Law University (NLU), Delhi
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WBNUJS, Kolkata
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Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar
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Symbiosis Law School, Pune
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Jindal Global Law School, Sonipat
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Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi
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Government Law College (GLC), Mumbai
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ILS Law College, Pune
Fees for BA LLB Course
The fee structure varies depending on the type of college:
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National Law Universities (NLUs): ₹2.5 Lakh – ₹3.5 Lakh per year
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Private Law Colleges: ₹1.5 Lakh – ₹3 Lakh per year
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Government Law Colleges: ₹20,000 – ₹60,000 per year
Scholarships are also available for meritorious students and those from economically weaker sections.
Career Opportunities After BA LLB
After completing a BA LLB degree, students can explore a wide range of career paths:
1. Litigation & Advocacy
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Appear in courts as a practicing lawyer.
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Work under senior advocates or start your own practice.
2. Corporate Law
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Join legal departments of MNCs, startups, and private companies.
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Handle mergers, acquisitions, contracts, and compliance.
3. Judiciary
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Appear for Judicial Services Exams to become a Judge or Magistrate.
4. Legal Advisors & Consultants
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Provide legal advice to individuals, businesses, NGOs, and governments.
5. Government Services
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Appear for UPSC, SSC, or State PSC exams.
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Work in departments like CBI, ED, SEBI, RBI, and Law Ministries.
6. Academics & Research
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Pursue LLM and Ph.D. to become a law professor or legal researcher.
Salary After BA LLB
Salary depends on the job profile and experience level:
| Job Profile | Starting Salary | Experienced Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer / Advocate | ₹3 LPA – ₹6 LPA | ₹10 LPA – ₹20 LPA |
| Corporate Lawyer | ₹5 LPA – ₹8 LPA | ₹15 LPA – ₹25 LPA |
| Judge / Magistrate | ₹7 LPA – ₹12 LPA | ₹20 LPA – ₹30 LPA |
| Legal Advisor | ₹4 LPA – ₹7 LPA | ₹10 LPA – ₹18 LPA |
| Law Professor | ₹5 LPA – ₹8 LPA | ₹12 LPA – ₹20 LPA |
Future Scope of BA LLB
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Pursue LLM (Master of Laws) for specialization.
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Prepare for Judicial Services to become a Judge.
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Join corporate firms as legal managers.
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Explore opportunities in international law firms.
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Start your own law practice or consultancy.
Conclusion
The BA LLB degree is a gateway to a successful legal career in India. With the increasing demand for legal professionals in corporate sectors, judiciary, litigation, and policymaking, this program offers immense opportunities for growth. If you are passionate about law, justice, and advocacy, pursuing a BA LLB can be your first step toward a rewarding and impactful career.
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