The economic explanation would be that of different markets and different stakes. The historical appeal of older NLUs lies in their catering to well-paying, inflation-adjusted jobs in non-governmental positions such as corporate and the like. But obviously not everyone goes the same way. And so the professional explanation here would be that law, like all else in India, is feudal and where success is a function of tribal solidarity. Faculty of Law at DU alone admits more students to its LLB program than all NLUs combined. And that is happening today! So in the scheme of things, NLSIU is not capable of being as influential, in both numbers of alumni and their networks, as older law colleges and the chains of patronage that haunt the Court and the Bar, from district to High to Supreme when it comes to offices related to law in the state. Interestingly enough, quite a few from NLSIU have joined All India Services and Central Services through UPSC in a merit-based examination. That should tell you something.

As an aside, assuming the claim here is actually true, it would make little difference to the lawlessness of Indian governance if NLSIU/NLUs alumni were part of the state. It is a long standing conceit of elite institutions that their alumni can govern India better. But to paraphrase what the fellow said, everyone has a plan until the Indian state hits them.

I think the oldest NLSIU grads will be 53 or so. Still too young. Wait till 2030 and you will see the beginnings of the NLSIU monopoly in top positions. The golden era hasn’t begun yet. It will start in 2030 and peak till 2045, which is when other NLU grads will come in and compete.