Law courses gaining favour with students
Lovleen Bains
Doraha, August 6
Of late, the law courses are gaining popularity among admission seekers. All three major universities of the state — Panjab University, Chandigarh; Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, and Punjabi University, Patiala, including their campuses, regional centres and affiliated colleges — have witnessed a considerable rise in the number of aspirants interested in joining law courses. The aspirants believe that legal studies can provide them with a diverse range of career options apart from traditional legal practice.
The ascending graph in registrations can also be attributed to refusals being encountered by Indian students seeking admission abroad. Dr Bimal Deep Singh, Head, Department of Law, GNDU, Amritsar
Dr Bimaldeep Singh, Head and Associate Professor, Department of Law, GNDU, Amritsar, says that studying law — a professional course — opens up a number of avenues for the students. “There has been a stupendous increase in the number of students seeking admission to law courses for numerous reasons. The most obvious being the wish join the judicial services. The image of judicial officers as independent and transformative individuals fascinates the young minds. Further, as the students are becoming increasingly aware of their rights, litigation has become another favoured option among the young aspirants. The corporate, banking and insurance sectors after liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation too are offering lucrative opportunities,” he added.
“The ascending graph in registrations can also be attributed to refusals being encountered by Indian students seeking admission abroad. The plight of medical students in Ukraine and other international developments can a factor contributing to the rise. A sensible student is also looking at it from the perspective of the New Education Policy (NEP) , for a professional degree would save him/her two precious years. The availability of drafting, editing tools, case law and legal material in a digital way has removed the inhibition of costly libraries needed to begin the practice,” said Dr Bimaldeep Singh, who also engages students in Supreme Court and High Court internship activities besides organising lectures, workshops and moot courts to enable them gain expertise before they graduate.
Navneet Kaur Arora from the University Institute of Legal Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, who has been teaching in law institutes for more than two decades said that the legal profession affected every aspect of human life and the integrated degree of law provided ample opportunities to students. “Litigation is the most preferred and popular choice among students apart from judicial and civil services and working as legal experts in corporate firms, business and non-business institutes or opting for the teaching profession. Politicians too need legal experts,” Arora added.
“In the recent past, the number of girls taking admission in law courses is increasing rapidly. Both parents and students feel secure as the courses prepare them for all kinds of competitive exams. The thorough knowledge imparted through social sciences and law disciplines is extensive. During the course, students get opportunities for internship, exposure to legal aid clinics, moot competitions, debates, parliamentary debates and various other activities it a perfect package for students,” Arora said.
Rattan Singh from the University School of Legal Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, was of the view that law offered multiple avenues to students both in India and abroad. “Every year, many students qualify the PCS Judiciary exam. Judiciary is the best job for girls. Employment opportunities for law students are increasing in private and public sectors, so the admission seekers prefer gaining expertise in law courses rather than any ordinary degree,” Dr Rattan Singh added.
