LLM stands for Master of Law and Criminal law is a specialization of LLM. LLM Criminal law is a 3-year postgraduate program that provides advanced knowledge of criminal justice, procedural laws, and substantive criminal laws. This course covers a wide range of topics related to criminal law and justice including Criminal law theory, Criminal procedure, Legal research, Legal writing, Legal analysis, Policy work.
For admission to LLM (Criminal Law), students must qualify CLAT PG, IPU CET, AILET PG, AIBE 19 or university level entrance exam. You need to score 80-85% in CLAT for admission to NLUs colleges. The CLAT examination will be scheduled in December 2025 (tentative). The Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test (IPU CET) is accepted for admission to the LLM program at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU). IPU CET exam will be held in the month of April. National Law University, Delhi conducts AILET PG in the month of December.
The top LLB recruiters are L&L Partners, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, ICICI Bank, Khaitan & Co, Trilegal, Argus Partners. And you will get jobs in various positions like Public Prosecutor, Defense Attorney, Corporate Criminal Defense Lawyer, Judges, Criminal Lawyer, Criminal Law Research, International Criminal Lawyer, War Crimes Prosecutor, Legal Researcher, Law Professor.
Students choose to study LLB Hons courses for various reasons as follows:
For admission in LLM courses you need to take an entrance exam CLAT PG, AILET PG, State level and other university level entrance exams. Also, for admission you need to clear entrance exam cutoff marks. Here some common and popular entrance exams are mentioned below with exams cutoffs and registration deadline:
Entrance Exam | Cutoff | Registration Deadline |
CLAT PG | GEN: 80-85+ OBC: 70-75+ SC/ST: 60-65+ | October 15, 2025 (Tentative) |
GEN: 100.25 GEN PwD: 96.25 EWS: 91.75 OBC-Non-Creamy Layer: 92.25 | November 18, 2025 (Tentative) | |
IPU CET | - | April 15, 2025 |
Varies University Wise | October 24, 2025 (Tentative) |
LLM (Criminal Law) full form is Master of Laws. The program is based on various specializations like Criminal law, Criminal procedure Evidence, Human rights law Comparative criminal law, International criminal law. The table below states the areas of specializations for LLM (Criminal Law):
Criminal law | Criminal procedure |
Evidence | Human rights law |
Comparative criminal law | International criminal law |
More than 600 colleges offer LLM Hons in India. For admission to this course, you need to clear an entrance as per your college's requirement. To study this course, you need to pay average ranges INR 40,035 - INR 3,00,000 some of the collages in India are mentioned below with their course fees:
Colleges | Entrance Exam Accepted | Course Fees | Eligibility |
Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) | Total fee per annum Rs. 3,93,500 | LLB; 50% (SC/ST/OBC; 45%) | |
Faculty of Law, University of Delhi | LL.M. Entrance Test; CUET PG | Total fee per annum Rs. 2k | LLB; 50% (SC/ST; 45%) |
Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) | Total fees per annum Rs. 2.10 Lakh | LL.B. Degree or any other bachelor's degree in law with (50%), (45% for SC/ST categories) | |
The National Law Institute University (NLIU) | CLAT | Total fees per annum Rs. 2.60 Lakh | Graduation from recognised university 50% (45% for reserved category) |
Symbiosis Law Admission Test (AIAT) | Total fees per annum Rs. 4.81 Lakh | Three- or Five-Year LL. B with at least 50%; [45% for SC/ST Candidates] | |
OP Jindal Global University | CLAT PG, JSAT Law Exam, LSAT India Examination, CUET PG examination | Total Fees per annum Rs. 3.50 Lakh | Must have a bachelor's degree in law from any university in India or abroad that is duly recognised under the law and by the regulatory authorities |
Renaissance University | Does not have specific entrance test | Total fees per annum Rs. 63k | A bachelor's degree in law with 50% (for SC/ST/OBC 45%) |
CLAT | Total fees per annum Rs. 1.64 Lakh | LL.B from University/Colleges/Institutions recognized by UGC with minimum 50% marks. |
The popular law entrance exams in India are CLAT PG and AILET PG, which are mandatory for admission into primarily public universities. Private institutes conduct their own examinations, personal interviews and sometimes rely on the national or state level entrance exams. The following are the steps to be kept in mind when applying for entrance exam-based admission:
For admission to this course, you must have certain eligibility. Here eligibility criteria and their requirements are mentioned below:
Criteria | Requirements |
Education Qualification | You need to complete class 12 from any stream and need to complete LLB. |
Marks Requirements | You need 50% marks in your class 12 and 45-50% marks in LLB or relevant graduation degree. |
Entrance Exam | CLAT, State level exams, AILET, IPU CET and other university level exams. |
Age Limit | Minimum age limit is above 20 years. |
LLM (Criminal Law) is a 3-year course with 6 semesters. These 6 semesters have different subjects. Here semesters wise syllabus are mentioned below:
LLM (Criminal Law) semester wise syllabus |
Semester 1: Theories of Law Research Methodology |
Semester 2: Banking Law Corporate Jurisprudence |
Semester 3: Legal Concepts Legislative Process |
Semester 4: Corporate Law Life and Fire Insurance |
Semester 5: Judicial Process Law of Intellectual Property 1 |
Semester 6: Competition Law Consumer Law Law of Intellectual property 2 |
To study this course, you can get scholarships as per your academic merit and academic performance. Many colleges offer scholarships as per colleges requirements. Some of the colleges with scholarships are mentioned below:
Scholarships | Eligibility | Award |
Lajpat Rai Law College SWAMI VIVEKANANDA SCHOLARSHIP (SVMCM) | Minimum 60% Marks required for all students | INR 12,000 Per Year |
Lovely Professional University scholarships | You should have score 98% or above marks in 12th board exam | INR 84000 of tuition fees (per semester) |
Amity University Merit Scholarship | 90% - 94.9% aggregate in CBSE/ ISC Board of Class XII. | 50% of Tuition fees |
Chandigarh University merit scholarships | Students need to get good marks in all semesters at least 70-79% marks | 30% of tuition fees |
After LLM (Criminal Law), you can get jobs in various positions like Public Prosecutor, Defense Attorney, Corporate Criminal Defense Lawyer, Judges, Criminal Lawyer, Criminal Law Research, International Criminal Lawyer, War Crimes Prosecutor. Here some job role, recruiters and salary are mentioned below:
University Name | Jobs Role | Top Recruiters | Average Salary |
National Law School of India University (NLSIU) | Public Prosecutor, Defense Attorney, Corporate Criminal Defense Lawyer, Judges, Criminal Lawyer, Criminal Law Research, International Criminal Lawyer, War Crimes Prosecutor, Legal Researcher, Law Professor | L&L Partners, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, ICICI Bank, Khaitan & Co, Trilegal, Argus Partners | Highest package: INR 19.5 LPA Median Salary: INR 13 LPA |
Faculty of Law, University of Delhi | Indus Law, KPMG, HDFC BANK, Link Legal, Touchstone partner, Godrej, P&A Law office | NA | |
Symbiosis Law School | AZB & Partners, Tatva Legal, Crawford Bayley & Co, Luthra & Luthra, Mulla & Mulla & Craigie, Pheonix Legal, Blunt & Caroe | Highest Salary INR 19.5 LPA |
LLM (Criminal Law) is 3 years postgraduate degree that provides advanced knowledge of criminal justice, procedural laws, and substantive criminal laws. For admission to this degree, you must take an entrance exam CLAT PG, AILET PG, IPU CET, state level exam, and other university entrance exams. After completing this course, you can make your career as a Criminal Lawyer.
Ans: If you are considering the possibility of studying a Master of Law program, then you should make sure that it is worth your time and investment. An L. LM. degree can be an incredibly beneficial educational experience, one that opens countless doors for further career growth and professional development.
Ans: Master of laws in Business Law Studies, Master of laws in Administrative Law Studies, Master of laws in National Law Studies, Master of laws in Economic Law Studies, Master of laws in Jurisprudence, Master of laws in Human Rights Law Studies, Master of laws in Technology Law Studies.
Ans: LLM Criminal Law is a 3-year course. This course takes admission based on entrance exams like CLAT, AILET, IPU CET, State level entrance exam
Ans: If you're interested in corporate law, an LLM in Corporate and Commercial Law would be ideal. For those leaning towards criminal law, an LLM in Criminal Law would be the way to go. If you aim to specialize in constitutional or human rights law, an LLM in Constitutional Law or Human Rights Law would suit you best.
Ans: There are many jobs available in the field of LLM after completion. The students can opt for Teaching or research jobs. The salary is also good when compared with the other jobs. Many people in the field of law practice LLM to get a specialization in their area of expertise.
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