Greetings, everyone. I am currently contemplating applying for the CLAT PG examination with the intention of pursuing an LLM program at OP Jindal, specifically focusing on Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR). However, I have encountered some hesitation, as I have heard that placement opportunities might be somewhat uncertain, and I am keen to avoid taking unnecessary risks. I would be immensely grateful if anyone could offer some insightful advice regarding whether or not I should pursue an LLM. Furthermore, if the consensus is that I should proceed, I would appreciate recommendations on which institutions offer strong placement prospects for LLM graduates, particularly those specializing in Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)

I really dont know how many different ways it needs to be said. An LLM is only for you if you want academia and maybe research. It makes little to no sense paying fat fees to do an llm and taking yourself out of the working world for a year or two hoping it will get you "placement". JGLS has a tough enough job placing its BA/BBA/Bcom llb cohort. You will be very far down the list of priorities. This is more or less the case in every indian university. If you want a better job than what you can get right now- spend two years working your ass off with a senior who will likely not pay you much instead and build a name for yourself. thats time thats much better spent if you eventually want to end up in industry.

You cannot make up for an undergraduate degree from a so-so institution by getting an llm from your nls/nalsar/nujs/jgls/nlud etc. It just doesnt work like that in the industry. Work ex will carry a lot more weight. Understand that partners and PAs and SAs more often than not do not have an LLM themselves. They dont know what the degree is or how its supposed to make you more hire-able. Its as foreign to them as surgery is to a psychiatrist.

If you want to do academia- go for it. Do the LLM. If you want to work abroad- get into the fanciest possible llm programme in UK/US and you might end up with a job at the end of it. Maybe some government posts require an LLM. But otherwise- stay in the workforce.

Let me share my experience. I am a graduate of a tier 1 NLU. I did an LLM abroad and it helped me a lot. Apart from the experience of studying at a good international university (which you will not get anywhere in India) my LLM helped me secure a job at a niche law firm in India, followed by a very good in-house job at a top MNC. I was interviewed by the GC of this MNC, who is based abroad. I’m pretty sure having an overseas degree helped my selection. I don’t wish to give away my details, but let’s just say that my job is one that a lot of people would love to have.

I see a lot of scepticism, even hate, on LI against those doing an LLM abroad, for some reason. Sure, maybe it doesn’t work if your goal in life is to be a partner at CAM. But there are also other rewarding careers in law and there are also people who have benefited from an LLM abroad.

advanced degree from a reputed university abroad will help your chances to get hired anywhere at all.Think HYS+Columbia+certain NYU and Berkeley programs and oxbridge. But that is not what the question is asking. the question is asking about an ADR LLM from jgls. I have yet to meet a person who will affirmatively say that degree helped them get jobs they otherwise wouldnt in industry. Any indian llm just doesnt have the same value at all.

Thanks for this, it's a helpful response. But not precisely what was being asked for, I think. This was asking about an Indian LLM. But yours seems like a much more common sense perspective than a lot of hate on LI, which, regardless of the main focus of the discussion, is a good thing.

You could have done that even if you didn't do an LLM. Plenty of people do it. Work experience will always triumph Degrees. Also, the fact that you did an LLM "abroad" is the key factor, not everyone has the financial capacity to study abroad. So the Indian LLMs have no value other than academic necessity. If they're scrapped like MPhil or like other degrees now, if they allow you to pursue a PhD directly after a UG, many would opt that. Moreover, LLM in specialised areas are a different thing. If you do an LLM in taxation , definitely it would help you secure a job. But an LLM in consti, criminal, HR, IL will only help your academic or research career. You can get a good job with one year of experience over one year in a normal INDIAN LLM degree.

You've said it yourself, your overseas degree helped you selection. Not everyone gets that opportunity. So they have to stick to an LLM in India, which is not valuable compared to a one year in practical whether in litigation or even tier 3 firms. So, the above commenter is correct. The only sure-shot route is acadmia.

Thank you so much. Though if i have to say being in a tier 1 NLU also helps. I don't have that privelege. Also no instead of being a Partner in a firm my goal is to gain experience in law firms and become an arbitrator finally. Though it's not exactly stable as parties choose arbitrators.