The Bar Council of India offers to conduct Common Law Entrance Test (CLAT) for law school admissions

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has proposed to conduct the Common Law Entrance Test (CLAT) for admissions to law schools. Currently, the exam is conducted by the Consortium of NLUs on a rotational basis. The BCI has stated that this arrangement among the national law universities lacks statutory recognition and that it, as the sole interested statutory body in the field of legal education, should have a role or supervision in the admission test.

BCI’s proposal for CLAT

In its affidavit, the BCI proposes to constitute a body of experts through its Legal Education Committee to hold CLAT. The committee will include sitting and former Hon’ble Judges, noted educationists of legal education, and eminent jurists. The BCI asserts that it has the experience and mechanism in place to conduct the entrance/admission test for law courses in various languages, similar to the All India Bar Examination (AIBE).

Support for conducting CLAT in regional languages

The BCI has supported a public interest litigation seeking the conduct of CLAT-UG 2024 in not only English but also other regional languages mentioned in the eighth schedule of the Constitution. The Consortium of NLUs had previously stated that CLAT involves more translation issues compared to AIBE. However, the BCI argues that conducting CLAT in regional languages will provide more citizens with opportunities to pursue law as a career.

Ensuring a level playing field

The PIL filed in the Delhi High Court states that CLAT examination does not provide a level playing field to students whose educational backgrounds are rooted in regional languages. Taking the exam only in English language is considered arbitrary, discriminatory, and a violation of Articles 14 and 29(2) of the Constitution of India. The BCI emphasizes that no deserving candidate should be excluded from CLAT due to a lack of English language proficiency.

Upcoming hearing and significance

The matter is scheduled for a hearing on October 06 before a division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad. This case highlights the ongoing debate regarding language proficiency and access to educational opportunities in India, particularly in the field of law.

Summary:

  • The Bar Council of India proposes to conduct the Common Law Entrance Test (CLAT) for law school admissions.
  • Currently, the exam is conducted by the Consortium of NLUs, but BCI argues that it lacks statutory recognition.
  • BCI suggests constituting a body of experts through its Legal Education Committee to hold CLAT in various languages.
  • BCI supports conducting CLAT in regional languages to provide equal opportunities for citizens.
  • A public interest litigation has been filed seeking the conduct of CLAT-UG 2024 in regional languages.
  • The PIL argues that CLAT’s English-only format is arbitrary and discriminatory.
  • The case highlights the debate on language proficiency and access to educational opportunities in India.

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