Recently got accepted by a Tier 1 NLU to teach. The pay is what you get after UGC. I'm working in a private university now, in a research role. The private university has said they might be willing to match + offer me more teaching roles. I've had chance to work on my PhD as well as some publications here.

Now, I'm also pursuing a PhD at this tier 1 NKU. Should I move or should I stay? What do you folks at Legally India think.

Please take up the formal teaching role asap, especially if you're getting the AP designation and scale pay. It would help you in your career in the long run. NLUs don't have huge teaching workload, so you'll have time to finish your PhD. Staying in the same institution as your guide can also help you wrap it up quickly.

NLUs have a huge teaching load. They also have a lot of admin work. Private has more support structures. NLUs also have some filthy competition because of faculty who are well settled there and dont enjoy new entrants. I ve seen few new professors being harassed by senior ones simply out of ego and insecurity. Everyone pushes work on tbe other. Also less freedom than privates. More permission for everything. Doing a phd full time and can see toxicity.

Especially if you are young - first take a rain check on if teaching is what you really want to do in the long run. Don't be in a situation where you suddenly decide to take up law practice later. It will be very difficult to shift since you won't have any actual work experience - and not many will take a chance on someone with only teaching experience. There is also a cap on what you can earn as an AP or P. Also - perhaps more importantly you can earn after a career of 20 years - your law firm / litigation peers will start earning in 5-10 years (even lesser). You should ideally have a good reason for signing up for less money and uncertain growth for life. There could be other things that academia could provide - that make it make sense for you.

Some would even argue that the ideal path for people who want to pursue higher education law teaching basically isn't in India. Shifting abroad is difficult, costly, makes you loose touch with family, filled with vast uncertainty - given the backlash in western countries towards immigration.

In your situation - Tier 1 NLUs might have the advantage of better international recognition - which might help you later (in India or abroad)- which most private universities will certainly lack. That said - make sure you are taking a well considered decision

Thanks for your inputs. If I was a bit younger, is have definitely tried this path. Unfortunately, it's a bit late to go for practice for me, with tried parents to take care of.

I have almost made the decision to take up the role at NLU now, even though I feel that this private university can give a much better international exposure in my field. The problem with international exposure is that I'm not inclined to go abroad.

Once again, many thanks for the inputs.