The LLB admissions in Kerala for both government and private colleges are based on entrance exams, followed by counselling and allotment. One of the major exams is CLAT and is considered by the majority of the institutes, including NLUs. The candidates interested in pursuing the course should have completed their graduation. Candidates eligible must review official notifications periodically and fulfill all admission formalities and document verifications within the time.
The Bachelor of Law course offered in Kerala intends to provide the complete knowledge of various subjects of law, like constitutional law, criminal law, law of contract, etc. The course is aimed at shaping analytical and logical reasoning skills required to build a successful legal career.
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Kerala LLB Eligibility Criteria
For admission to the LLB course in Kerala, the applicants need to fulfill academic and age requirements as set by the law colleges or universities. These requirements allow the candidates to have the required educational qualification and background in order to study law successfully.
- The candidates need to be a Bachelor's degree holder in any discipline from a recognized university.
- The candidates should have achieved a minimum aggregate percentage of 45-50% in the qualifying tests.
- There is generally no maximum age for entry to the programme, but there may be certain maximum ages in certain colleges.
- Aspirants belonging to reserved categories can be those eligible for relaxation in minimum marks and other eligibility criteria as per the rules of the state government.
Kerala LLB Entrance Exams
Entrance exams play a crucial role in the admission process for many law colleges in Kerala, helping to assess candidates’ aptitude and suitability for legal studies. While Kerala does not have a dedicated state-level entrance exam exclusively for Bachelor of Law programs, several institutions accept scores from national-level exams like CLAT. Additionally, some universities may follow merit-based admission depending on academic performance.
National Exams
Given below are the national-level entrance exams for Bachelor of Law admission in Kerala:
Kerala LLB Admission Process 2025
Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram, accepts students into its Bachelor of Law courses in accordance with merit and regulatory principles established by the Kerala University and the government of Kerala. Given below is a step-by-step description of the admission process:
- Applicants should first confirm whether they comply with the eligibility requirements recommended for the concerned LLB program.
- The college publishes a formal notification regarding admission with comprehensive guidelines, application schedule, and documents to be submitted.
- Interested applicants are needed to submit the online or offline application form within a decided time frame.
- The candidates are selected on the basis of aggregate marks obtained at the qualifying undergraduate degree level.
- Once applications are submitted, the college or Kerala University creates a merit list from the academic performance of the aspirants.
- Candidates who are selected are invited for document verification and counseling on the basis of rank in the merit list.
- Ultimately, candidates who complete all formalities and remit the admission fees are allocated seats and finalized for admission.
Documents Required
The documents mentioned below are required during the time of admission:
- 10th (SSC) mark sheet and passing certificate
- 12th (HSC) mark sheet and passing certificate
- Graduation mark sheet and degree certificate
- Domicile certificate (if applicable)
- Caste/category certificate (if applicable)
- Passport-sized photographs
- Identity proof (Aadhaar card, PAN card, or passport)
Students can pursue an Integrated LLB course directly after completion of 12th, Check BA LLB
Top LLB Colleges in Kerala
Given below is a list of the top LLB colleges in Kerala along with the annual fees of these institutes:
Kerala LLB Admission FAQs
Can students who are studying in non-Kerala boards be eligible to apply for LLB courses in Kerala law colleges?
Yes, students belonging to other than Kerala boards are entirely eligible to apply for LLB courses in Kerala, provided that they meet the educational qualification criteria laid down by the university or college. For the 5-year integrated LLB, the candidate must have cleared Class 12 from a known board (CBSE, ISC, or other state boards) and for the 3-year LLB, a bachelor's degree from a known university is taken into account. But students from other states need to undergo the domicile procedure of individual colleges, especially government law colleges, since preference at times may be given to Kerala state candidates at the time of seat allotment. Private colleges within Kerala, though, do not have usually any domicile restriction.
Is it possible to study LLB in Kerala without going in for CLAT or any national-level entrance exam?
It is entirely possible to get admission into most of the LLB colleges in Kerala without going in for CLAT or any other national-level entrance exam. All state government law colleges and private colleges of the state admit students on merit in entrance tests—Class 12 for 5-year LLB and graduation for 3-year LLB. For instance, popular institutions like Government Law College Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam have a merit admission system, controlled by Kerala University. Although CLAT is essential for admission in NUALS Kochi (a national law school located in Kerala), other law colleges do not necessarily require CLAT. This opens doors to students who do not wish to attempt entrance exams.
Is there any difference in the admission process between 3-year LLB and 5-year integrated LLB in Kerala?
The most significant difference lies in the applicant's eligibility and education history. The 5-year integrated LLB is meant for students who have completed higher secondary studies (10+2), and the course combines a bachelor's degree (e.g., BA, BBA, or BCom) with LLB. Admission is typically on the basis of marks obtained in 10+2, and candidates can apply directly from school. The 3-year LLB, however, is a postgraduate law course for those who already have a bachelor's degree in any field. Admission to both courses normally includes various merit lists, counseling, and verification stages, but educational streams and career schedules are quite different. They are offered in the majority of colleges, so the decision must be carefully considered by the current qualification.