Faculty of Law University of Calcutta BA+LLB Review By Arnisha Das

One of the most prestigious national institutes offering law programs (like, B.A.LLB, LLMs, & PHDs), the Department of Law, University of Calcutta has an enriching & glorious history of creating stalwarts who were parts of the bold & empowering national movements in the pre-independence era.

The course chosen by me is the 5-years integrated B.A.LLB course (UG) after completing by Higher Secondary (Class 12th) board examination. There is a BA.LLB entrance exam (CULET-UG) conducted by Calcutta University governing body in the month of July or August. The cut-off is 120 seats in this college. To clear that, one must try to secure a rank between 1 to 500 students. If there is reservation, then it may go up to 800-900th rank on case to case basis. The admission process is also smooth and all formalities are done in the first month of admission.

To tell about the fees, it has one of the most affordable fee structure for aspiring lawyers coming from different backgrounds of life. The fees in the first year itself, including tuition fees, library fees, registration fees & miscellaneous comes to a modest amount of 1895 rupees. After that, the charges for each semesters stay under 800 rupees. In addition, there are scholarship available for economically weaker section or minority communities. There is no mention of any fully funded scholarship, as generally the whole amount of five years does to surpass 12000 rupees, which makes it unique than other expensive law colleges across the country.

The classes by the college professors are satisfactory. Additionally, there are visiting lecturers who also takes really nice and informative classes. The faculty comprises of national scholars and gold medalists ensuring that the students gets to interact with the enlightened minds. During the pandemic, the classes were in online mode, but the faculty members were very promising and took each classes very sincerely in online mode. They guided us and supported us in being accustomed to the exceptional format of ongoing classes and solved our doubts online through fruitful discussions. Once, the class started offline they interacted with each student nicely and inspired us to take challenges with a positive attitude. In the final year, students are given practical experience through court visits and moot court competitions, making us equipped to step into the dynamic legal world.

Basically, there is a placement cell that is formed by the senior alumni of the college who coordinate internships & interviews on behalf of college. There isn't any strict formula of placement though, every student has their own connections also, which gradually lands them good placements be it under law firms or the chambers of senior advocates. Other than that, students opt for LLMs or master's in law for specialisation which makes them further capable for recruitment. Most notably, there have been massive performance of our students in the judiciary exam of West Bengal, among the topmost rankers of which were from our college. Apart from that, there are many proficient scholars working in different courts and the Supreme Court of the country enhancing the supremacy of the institution.

Hostels are one of the impressive facilities of the college with both boys' and girls' hostels present. The distance of the hotels are within walking distance from the college. Students who are residing at least 60 kilometres away from college are eligible to avail the hostel facilities. The hostel rooms are cozy and accomodative. There are shareable rooms provided to year first to fourth year students and in the final year, each student are given individual rooms. There is an open area for outdoor games (like, badminton, basketball, etc.) and also a common room for indoor ganes (like, carom, chess, etc.). The Fees are under 2000 rupees per year and the food cost is 1500/- per month. Overall, the hostel staffs are friendly and co-ordinate in case of need.

The campus facility is amazing. The classrooms are big and can accomodate enough students, but the college intakes only 120 students each year. There is a law library which has almost all the necessary books required by the students in their course. Students need to make library cards at the outset of their enrollment in the college. The library staffs are very friendly and co-ordinate in finding necessary books. There is a seminar hall, where important conferences and occassions take place. The ladies toilet is clean are hygienic. The common room has pleasant facilities like badminton court and college fests are organised in that room. There is a moot court room for law students and legal aid cell. The lift of the building is quite spacious and security guards are also fine.

Overall, the campus life is very mindful. There are different clubs and committees for students. There are moot court committee, debate committee, magazine committee, journal and seminar committee, ADR commitee, cultural committee and academic committee. They are overall student-run committees and the administration also helps to organise different events whenever required. All the committees work for student growth and prosperity to make the college life exciting and memorable. Students join any committee of their choice and have a holistic and knowledgeable experience engaging in there.