When we talk about pursuing law as a career, the usual paths that come to mind are litigation, corporate law, or aiming for the judiciary. However, there's a world of opportunities beyond these well-known paths, especially when it comes to government jobs for LLB graduates. These positions not only offer stability and a respectable career but also provide a platform to contribute meaningfully to society through legal expertise.
This blog will provide you with some of the lesser-known yet highly respectable examinations and job opportunities available for law graduates:
1. RBI Grade B Legal Officer
One of the best options available is to appear for the exams conducted by RBI to appoint Grade B officers. The Grade B officer post is the most sought-after position related to banking jobs. The job of a Grade B officer is to handle currency issues and the manners in which they are regulated, ensure that the financial stability of the system is intact and handle the accounts of the Government and Central Banks.
Paper Pattern
- Paper 1 on General Knowledge of Law: Consists of objective (30 marks) and subjective questions (150 marks)
- Paper 2 on English: Descriptive type consists of 100 marks
Eligibility
A. To become an RBI Grade B Legal officer, a Bachelor's Degree in Law is required, along with a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent in the aggregate of all semesters.
B. At least two years of experience as an Advocate/Law Officer in the Legal Department of a large bank/financial institution /statutory corporation /company and/or legal associate etc
2. SEBI Grade A Legal Officer
Another great option is to apply for the SEBI Grade A exams, where all types of streams are required to perform different functions in the organization.
Work Area
- The SEBI candidates qualifying for the exam would have various departments to carry out the functions of SEBI.
- These functions could include approving the stock exchange, amending by-laws related to the same, inspecting the accounts, investigating malpractices within securities, suspending security trading of the stock exchange, etc.
Selection Process
Paper 1: MCQ questions from subjects like GK
Paper 2: Questions from legal aptitude
Paper 1: Descriptive Test for English to test drafting skills
Paper 2: Questions from the Legal stream
Eligibility
A. Mandatory Educational Qualification - Bachelor's Degree in Law from a recognized University/ Institute.
B. Desirable Experience - 2 years post-qualification experience as an Advocate (including as an associate in an Advocate’s or Solicitor’s Office or Law firm) after being enrolled under the Advocates Act, 1961.
3. JAG (Judge Advocate General)
An opportunity to join the army! After graduating from law, students can apply for the prestigious position held by the major general, who is the legal and judicial chief of the army. The country's army has a different branch consisting of legally qualified army officers.
Their major job is to provide legal help to the military in any manner that is required, specifically advising the officers posted in court martial on military-related laws.
Eligibility Criteria
- The age limit is 21 to 27 years.
- Min 55% LL.B Degree (3yrs/5yrs)
- Registered as an Advocate with BCI
- Selection for SSB interview based on online application
- Medical exam and Physical examination
Selection
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Selection is based on the SSB (Service Selection Board) procedure.
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1st shortlisting round is done by the Recruiting Directorate, Integrated HQ of MoD & final selection decision is done by the DG Recruiting.
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Then, the selected candidates are called for the SSB interview.
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The selection procedure consists of 2 stages based on the Psychological Aptitude Test.
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Candidates who qualify for the stages and are found to be fit medically by the Medical Board are selected in the order of merit.
4. PSU
Next on the list is PSU, i.e., Public Sector Enterprise, which comes under the Union Government's control and management. The Union Government owns more than 50% of the shares of the same, either by the Centre of the State.
The PSUs have their own method of recruiting candidates, where there are both legal and non-legal posts, but sticking to the legal posts, the appointment for the same is done through CLAT scores. However, the candidates have to apply specifically for the positions in every PSU they desire to work in individually, and the organization will announce a merit list that's purely marks-based.
Exam Pattern
- The new exam pattern will have comprehension-based questions in CLAT PG comprising 100 MCQs from subjects like constitutional law, jurisdiction, contract law, etc.
- The descriptive portion of the exam will have essay-type questions of 10 marks, and the aspirants will be given two essays.
Eligibility Criteria
If you want to learn about career opportunities in Law, then click on the link.
5. Judiciary
Next on the list is the judiciary. Something that every law student aspires to give a shot at least once in their lives! The Provincial Civil Services Judicial exam is the entrance for lawyers into the world of the judiciary and to be appointed as a member of the subordinate judiciary.
This appointment is made by the government of the state with the supervision of the high courts of their jurisdiction, and the candidate, with a training process that comes after qualifying for the exams and interview, is appointed as a judge.
Eligibility Criteria
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3 or 5 years of law degree is compulsory for candidates
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Min 21 years and max 35 years of age.
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The candidate should have been Registered as an advocate with BCI
Paper Pattern
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3 Stage Exam (Prelims, Mains Viva)
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Prelims (Basic Law subjects along with particular state laws also GK, English, and Computer Knowledge)
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Mains will consist of a test of basic laws, your writing skills and a test of knowledge (writing on social issues, legal issues, translation from Hindi to English and English to Hindi)
The exam is two-fold- prelims and mains. Then comes the interview, followed by the training.
6. Public Prosecutor
A very significant post is that of a public prosecutor, who is considered to be the agent of the state and who represents the interests of a large section of people, especially in the criminal justice system. This post is defined under section 24 of CrPc, which is responsible for prosecuting the accused as a duty of the state and not just the party that's aggrieved. Their major function is to scrutinize the various prosecution functions. The Centre or State government makes their appointments in consultation with the High Court.
Eligibility
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In order to qualify, the candidate must have completed at least a UG degree in law.
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LLM Graduates can also apply
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Should have cleared all the exams of his/ her degree and should have an aggregate score of at least 50-55% to be eligible for public prosecutor.
If you want to read about Top Government Exams in India, then click on the link.
7. UGC NET
Better known as the National Eligibility Test, it determines the eligibility of a candidate to appear for the post of assistant professor or Junior Research Fellowship award in Indian Universities. So, law students who are as good as teachers and can see themselves doing well in the profession can apply for the same.
Eligibility
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The candidate should have a Master's degree with a minimum of 55% marks from a UGC-recognized university only.
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Students appearing in the qualifying exam or waiting for the results can also apply. However, they are required to complete their PG within two years from the date of the UGC NET result.
Paper Pattern
Paper I: Questions would be generic in nature (100 Marks)
Paper II: Questions on Law Subjects like Jurisprudence, Administrative and Constitutional law etc (200 Marks)
If you want to read about Top Indian Government Exams after Graduation, then click on the link.