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

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

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on May 14, 2024 05:25 PM IST | #Ph.D

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.

This Story also Contains
  1. Highlights - PhD in Law
  2. PhD in Law Eligibility Criteria
  3. Doctorate Degree in Law Admission Procedure
  4. Doctorate of Law Entrance Exams
  5. PhD in Law Cutoff
  6. Doctorate in Law Degree Skills
  7. PhD in Law Syllabus
  8. PhD Law Fees
  9. PhD Law Degree Scope
  10. Career Options after PhD Law
  11. Top Recruiters
  12. Benefits of Studying PhD Law Degree
  13. PhD Law Salary
  14. List of Top Ph.D. in Law Colleges in India with Fees
  15. Top Private Ph.D. in Law Colleges in India with Fees
  16. Top Government Ph.D. in Law Colleges in India with Fees

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

Particulars

Values

Degree Name

Ph.D. in Law

Degree Type

Doctoral

Degree Duration

3 to 6 years

Entrance Exams

UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR NET, GATE

Eligibility Criteria

Master’s degree

Admission Process

Entrance test

Fees for the entire duration

Rs. 16,800 to Rs. 6.25 lakhs

Average Salary

Rs. 7.84 LPA

Job Profiles

Judge, Legal Advisor, Academician, Researcher, Lawyer

Top Recruiters

Hester Bioscience Ltd, SEBI, JAG, Reliance, Khaitan & Co, Canara Bank, Tata Group

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.

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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.

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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.

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.

Semester 1

Legal Research and Methodology I

Philosophy of Law

Research Ethics And Technical Writing

-

Semester 2

Legal Research and Methodology II

Contemporary Dynamics in Law

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.

Job Profile

Average Salary

Judge

Rs. 12.12 LPA

Legal Advisor

Rs. 6.07 LPA

Academician

Rs. 10.05 LPA

Researcher

Rs. 7.72 LPA

Lawyer

Rs. 7.84 LPA

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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the duration of a Ph.D. in Law programme?

The Ph.D. in Law programme spans a duration of three to six years.

2. What are the key areas of focus in the Ph.D. in Law curriculum?

The curriculum emphasises constitutional law, legal theory, international law, and various specialisations and types of law.

3. Who is eligible to apply for a Ph.D. in Law?

Candidates with an LLM degree or an equivalent master's degree with a minimum of 50 per cent marks are eligible.

4. What are the popular entrance exams for a Ph.D. in Law?

UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR NET (including JRF), and GATE are some of the popular entrance exams for Ph.D. in Law.

5. How is the admission process for a Ph.D. in Law conducted?

Candidates must pass a national-level or university-specific entrance exam, followed by personal interviews and group discussions in some cases. The final selection is based on overall performance and total seat intake.

6. What are the potential job profiles for PhD in Law graduates?

Graduates can pursue careers as Judges, Legal Advisors, Academicians, Researchers, and Lawyers.

7. What is the average salary for PhD in Law graduates?

The average salary varies depending on the job profile, ranging from Rs. 6.07 LPA for Legal Advisors to Rs. 12.12 LPA for Judges.

8. Can final-year students apply for a Ph.D. in Law?

Yes, final-year students are eligible to apply for the Ph.D. in Law programme, provided they submit all required documents at the time of admission.

9. Are there any reservation criteria for Ph.D. in Law admission?

Yes, in public colleges, reservation plays a role in determining the cutoff, with generally lower cutoffs for reserved categories compared to the general category.

10. What are some of the top recruiting organisations for Ph.D. in Law graduates?

Top recruiters include Hester Bioscience Ltd, SEBI, JAG, Reliance, Khaitan & Co, Canara Bank, Tata Group, and All India Judicial Service.

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A Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) is the highest academic degree you can earn in most fields. To apply for a PhD, you usually need to have a master’s degree in a related subject, although in some cases, students with a 4-year undergraduate degree or those who have cleared NET/JRF or GATE can also apply. The PhD program involves deep research , writing a thesis or dissertation , and working closely with a guide or supervisor. It can take 3 to 6 years to complete. Most universities in India conduct entrance exams and interviews for PhD admissions. It’s ideal for those who want to become researchers, professors, or experts in their field.

A Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) is the highest academic degree you can earn in most fields. To apply for a PhD, you usually need to have a master’s degree in a related subject, although in some cases, students with a 4-year undergraduate degree or those who have cleared NET/JRF or GATE can also apply. The PhD program involves deep research , writing a thesis or dissertation , and working closely with a guide or supervisor. It can take 3 to 6 years to complete. Most universities in India conduct entrance exams and interviews for PhD admissions. It’s ideal for those who want to become researchers, professors, or experts in their field.

PhD is the highest level of academic qualification you can achieve. If you really enjoy learning, researching, and going deep into a specific subject it's a very good option for you . A PhD focuses more on research, writing a thesis , and contributing something new to your field. It’s a great choice if you dream of becoming a professor, researcher, or expert in your subject area.
To be eligible for a PhD in India, you generally need a Master’s degree in a relevant subject with at least 55% marks. If you belong to categories like SC, ST, or OBC, you might get a relaxation of 5%. Some universities are also now accepting candidates who have completed a 4-year undergraduate degree along with a 1-year postgraduation, as per the new education policy (NEP 2020).
Most universities conduct their own entrance exam for PhD admission, some popular national-level exams include UGC NET/JRF for arts, humanities, and social sciences, CSIR NET for science subjects, and GATE for engineering or technical fields. Many universities also conduct their own entrance tests like DUET , JNUEE (JNU), or BHU RET .
The admission process usually starts by applying online on the university’s website where you want to apply. After the entrance exam, there is often an interview round where you talk about your research interest. If selected, you’ll be assigned a guide or supervisor throughout your research journey. A PhD usually takes around 3 to 6 years, depending on your pace and what subject you have chosen.
All the best !





PhD in Education usually takes 3 to 5 years to complete. The total fees depend on the type of university.

If you choose a government or public university like DU, JNU, or BHU, the fees are low. Tuition fees are usually between Rs 6,000 to Rs 15,000 per year. Including other charges like exam, library, and lab, the yearly cost may be between Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000.

In private universities, the fees are higher. The first-year fees can be around Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 2,95,000. The total cost for the full course may go up to Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.

So, public universities are more affordable. Also, many government universities offer fellowships like UGC-NET JRF and CSIR to support PhD students.

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