much needed reforms

1. Legal Education
Introduction Current Scenario
L
egal Education as an aspect of professional Institutions: As in 2006, there were roughly 750
education has assumed considerable significance, institutions in India imparting legal education.
not only in terms of the historical utility of law in Of these, 153 were government institutions
society but also in the current context of globalisation. and 586 were private institutions. There were a
Legal education is a vital link in the creation of total number of 11 National Law School Universities
knowledge concepts as well as in the application of such (NLSUs).
concepts in society. The need for trained law personnel
in academia, litigation, corporate practice, government Enrolment: In 2005-06, there were 3.36 lakh students
and civil society has increased significantly over the enrolled in legal education in India, accounting for 3.05 per
last few years and it is estimated that the demands for cent of the total enrolment in higher education. Further,
such trained personnel will rise far more exponentially a total of 936 students were admitted to the NLSUs in
in the years to come. There is therefore a need to 2006.
articulate a clear long term vision on legal education
in India.
Figure 25: Number of institutions teaching law (2006)
800
749
700
586
600
500
400
300
200
153
100
11
0
Total Government Private NLSU
Source: Bar Council of India
192 National Knowledge Commission

2. Figure 26: Total enrolment in law
Percentage of total enrolment in higher education Total enrolment in law
4.5 272000
4 270000
3.5
268000
3
266000
2.5
264000
2
262000
1.5
260000
1
0.5 258000
0 256000
1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-2000 2000-01
Source: University Development in India, 1995-96 to 2000-01, UGC
Figure 27: Total number of law graduates admitted to the Bar
50,000
46,438
45,000
40,000
33,657
35,000
30,000 28,268
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
2002 2003 2004
Source: Bar Council of India
Report to the Nation 193