CLAT Results Conversation with the Topper NLSIU favourites LST continues their top performance

Bar&Bench News Network On May 31, 2010 - 11:45am

Common Law Admission Test results were announced on Saturday. 16,350 students had appeared for the exam, which was conducted on May 9, 2010. 11 Law Schools participated to choose students through CLAT. The results were announced in less than 3 weeks, with Pragya Vats leading the ranks with 165 marks out of 200.

Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) results were announced on Saturday.16,350 students had appeared for the exam, which was conducted on May 9, 2010. 11 Law Schools participated to choose students through CLAT. The results were announced in less than 3 weeks, with Pragya Vats leading the ranks with 165 marks out of 200.

Detailed rankings of students under several categories are available here.

Some facts and statistics about CLAT 2010:

Approximately 1,000 seats are available in total, across 11 law schools of which 670 seats are in the general merit category. The exact number is still under debate as most schools have reservation under several categories;
In the general merit category, the difference in marks between the first rank and the 100^th rank was only 17 marks. The difference between the first rank and the 670^th rank was only 29 marks;
55 out of the top 59 students in the general merit category chose National Law School of India University, Bangalore (NLSIU), 2 students each chose National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkatta and NALSAR University of Law,Hyderabad
Out of top 100 ranks, 46 candidates were women;
58 students with disability appeared for the CLAT exam;
Earlier, in the event of a tie in the CLAT exam, 12^th standard examination results were considered to decide the fate of the candidates. However, this year, a new system of ‘tie-score’ has been introduced under the legal aptitude section. In the event of a tie in the overall rankings, the ‘tie-score’ will be the determining factor.

Annual estimates indicate that nearly 300,000 students join several law schools and universities across India. Only a very small percentage of students joining law schools or universities attempt CLAT. There are several reasons for the low turnout for the CLAT exam, including visibility of CLAT as an exam and availability of adequate information and promotion of CLAT. The CLAT organizing committee is considering various forms of promotion measures to increase this number.

Experts believe that CLAT will see an increased number of students in the coming years. In a direct comparison, about 250,000 students pursue Common Admission Test (CAT), the entrance exam for the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM) for approximately 1,500 seats.

Coaching centers for CLAT have mushroomed in almost all parts of the country. LST, one of the oldest law school tutorials has consistently coached students who are admitted to top law schools. Career Launcher acquired LST, originally started by a group of law students from NLSIU. This year LST has bettered its tally and continues its top performance in coaching aspiring law students. 20 out of the top 20 students and 78 out of the top 100 belong to LST.

We spoke to Abhas Singh, the National Anchor of LST on the reasons behind the success of LST. Abhas said:

People at LST: Ever since its inception, alumni of top law universities in India have been associated with LST and made LST a synonym for preparation for law entrance exams in India.

Pan - India presence: Unlike our competitors who are present in and focused on a couple of cities / regions, LST is a pan-India institution. We have more than 70 centers spread across more than 50 cities in India – from Agartala to Rajkot and from Jammu to Thiruvananthapuram. In view of the steady increase in the number of candidates taking law entrance exams, (number of students taking CLAT and other law entrance examinations has been increasing at a rate of about 20% on a year-on-year basis) it has become extremely important for every serious law aspirant to know where he or she stands among thousands of other law aspirants.

Quality of Course-material: Our course material is aimed at assisting students in developing conceptual clarity. We endeavor to strike a balance between volume of information and illustration of concepts. Very recently, a comprehensive review of the material has been concluded and these changes will be reflected in the material for 2010-2011.

Service: We have taken the classrooms online – students from LST centers across India submit their queries online using the Virtual Classroom feature and we strictly adhere to a deadline of 48 hours, irrespective of a weekend or a public holiday, for answering every such query.

Earlier this month, NLU Delhi announced its results. NLU Orissa also announced its results on Saturday for the 90 seats available at this new law school. NLU Delhi and Orissa conducted separate entrance examinations for students and are not a part of CLAT. Pragya Vats continued her excellent spell even at the NLU Orissa entrance exam topping the charts.

Bar & Bench spoke to Pragya Vats, the topper of CLAT exam:

Background: I am originally from Ranchi, but since my parents are in a transferable job, I completed my 12^th standard from Maldives where I took the London International – A level exam.

Law as a career: I made up my mind that I want to be a lawyer when I was in the 10^th standard. None of my family members are lawyers, but my parents always encouraged me and are the real driving force. I was neither interested in physics nor biology and therefore, both engineering and medicine were not really an option for me.

Preparation for the exam: Since I was based in Maldives, I had opted for LST’s correspondence material. When I came back to India earlier this year, I attended the one-month crash course at LST and that was really helpful. Along with LST, I also took online mock tests from Sriram Law Academy. I took as many tests as possible and that gradually increased my performance. LST’s course material was very helpful for the legal aptitude section.

Advice for future CLAT aspirants: The most important thing is to have a certain level of proficiency in every subject. This year General Knowledge and vocabulary were the most difficult parts. Mathematics section was relatively easy.

CLAT is only a glimpse of the competitive legal world that these students are going to be a part of – there is a long road ahead, and our best wishes to those pursuing this wonderful career.

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Comments

congrats pragya

May 31, 2010 - 12:17pm

Congrats to the topper. Your insights should help the future students. I think our parents should stop focussing on engineering and medicine alone. Law is the new 'in' thing and our parents have to realize that.Also, how do we improve the CLAT numbers. CLAT organizing committee has to advertise even in rural places and not limited to urban centers alone. Please let them use the Government platforms like department of education to advertise this.

Gunjan

June 1, 2010 - 8:13pm

The comments section is a humble welcome to the CLAT students. It is only a reflection of what you people are getting into. Most lawyers are very bitter and law school prepares you for that- see John Doe's comments. Good luck and welcome to this dirty world.

Guest

June 2, 2010 - 7:01am

@ John Doe: "When NALSAR has been trouncing NLS in almost everything for the past 2 years ... " Really? Then how come NALSAR hasn't been able to attract McKinsey for recruitment like NLSIU? Can you say the same for Rhodes?

john doe

June 2, 2010 - 10:40am

Hey noida whoever. Do you think attracting McKinsey for recruitment is a criteria to assess superiority. What if tomorrow McKinsey decides to come to NLU Delhi, then would you be open to accept you are worse off than them? Come on dodo, these things are preferences of respective companies, NLSIU undoubtedly has a first mover advantage, and that cant be ignored. So if McKinsey has been taking people at a regular basis, i guess they are satisfied with whatever they are getting :P Also, the first mover advantage is true as a reason for the comparatively higher number of rhodes scholars from NLSIU. Its sad, but its a classic case of the former champion being ousted by someone who is younger, stronger and faster, its sad if thought from your perspective, but then start facing up to reality noida guest.

Guest

June 2, 2010 - 1:44pm

@John Doe: What I do think is guys at McKinsey at much smarter than people like you who try to pass off smartass comments as facts - preferences of recruiters are not based on thin air - that too when there's no alumnus/ alumna of NLSIU occupying a senior position at the firm. FYI, McKinsey started recruiting from NLSIU not more than five years ago. By Rhodes, I referred to the outcome in course of past 2 years. As to the situation being described " ... as a former champion being ousted by someone who is younger, stronger and faster .." it is you who needs to do some reality check, not me. I won't dignify idiotic comments from a megalomaniac (who describes CLAT topper as 'not so bright') with a reply.

john doe

June 2, 2010 - 2:48pm

Hey noida guest, you say that McKinsey has been recruiting from NLSIU for the past five years and still there is no one who is occupying a senior position. Were all of them duds like you that they got kicked out in no time??!!! Looks like it. I guess its time you stopped replying with your idiotic comments because evidently you are [Edited] yourself and your institution with your stupid replies!!

Guest

June 2, 2010 - 3:40pm

@ John Doe: Thanks for giving me the reason to carry on with replying. What you've mentioned speaks volumes about your level of 'knowledge' - go visit McKinsey website and gather information about graduate recruitment and promotions and what most people do after spending a couple of years with McKinsey. Till then, stop spewing bullshit. As to me [Edited] .... I am doing quite well for myself and for my institution - don't need a certificate from an ignorant [Edited] like you.

NLS Grad

June 2, 2010 - 7:16pm

@ John Doe and Guest: Guys, there's no point arguing. Those interested in knowing facts will talk to the appropriate people and find out for themselves - one's opinions (no matter how vehement) won't change facts. It's a fact that McKinsey recruits from NLS and like graduates from IITs/ IIMs; most of such people move on - joining Investment Banks, Private Equity Firms, Companies and even NGOs. At the same time 'Guest' needs to acknowledge that NALSAR has done really well of late - whether one considers NLSIU to be better than NALSAR should be left to him/her.

john doe

June 2, 2010 - 9:14pm

Hey useless [edited] from noida, the fact that i have made you shed reason and resort to use of language which actually speaks volumes about your knowledge and your institution!!!! You should heed the NLS grads advise and stop getting screwed around for nothing!!Its actually lot of fun screwing you and your institution!! Both are miserable [edited]!!

Guest

June 2, 2010 - 10:26pm

" ... go visit McKinsey website and gather information about graduate recruitment and promotions and what most people do after spending a couple of years with McKinsey ..." : While I did use the language a screwball, ignorant, idiot like you deserves, I did not shed reason. NLS Grad's advice is equally applicable to you (btw, he did endorse my version about Mc) - idiots like you're simply incapable of 'screwing' me and my institution - try this on someone else you miserable megalomaniac :) What a waste of time arguing with a smartass idiot - be happy in ignorance, you idiot.

Princess

June 2, 2010 - 11:58pm

Can the dude from Noida and John Doe from Persia please stop bickering.If you have graduated from a law school, you belong to the same fraternity ....so get real and stop this NLSIU vs NALSAR rant.Grow up!

Vinay

May 31, 2010 - 7:18pm

Why do most CLAT toppers choose NLS, Bangalore? I thought other law schools are equally competitive. Is there a real difference in the product that comes out of Bangalore and other law schools?

NLS Grad

June 3, 2010 - 8:44am

I second 'Princess: White House' - high time you guys stopped venting your emotions - it's been quite sometime since your comments became irrelevant to this post. Peace!!

john doe

June 3, 2010 - 3:32pm

Hey noida guest, you spoke like a true loser. Actually idiots of your caliber dont need to shed reason because you dont have any in the first place, courtesy your institution! I think you enjoy being [Edited], must have become a habit. Its sad watching you being [Edited] over again and again. I suggest if you expand your limited vocabulary if you want to retort effectively, evidently your institution never taught you this!!!! :)

Mary Jane

June 3, 2010 - 7:32pm

Fight....fight....fight..fight..fight.fight.fightfightfighfigfight!!!:D

Hammerstein

June 3, 2010 - 10:50pm

This is such a silly debate! We have to realise that our priority should not be to choose the so called best colleges but the college that brings out the best in us! For example, this year I gave the CLAT and secured a top 10 rank. I chose a different college other than Bangalore. This doesn't mean that Bang is bad! This simply implies that I felt that the institution I chosewould bring out the very best in me.

Hammerstein

June 3, 2010 - 10:55pm

There are also a few advantagesthe so called top 3 have.Bang-first off the block advantage, good nfrastructure and brilliant studentsHyderabad-brilliant students, good infra and moot court kingsKolkata- brilliant students, best faculty amongst all, stupendous location

NLS Grad

June 4, 2010 - 12:05am

John Doe: Let the readers decide on who's more reasonable. Even assuming the 'Guest' from Noida is a loser (and is indeed from NLSIU as he purports to), you can't paint everyone (from NLSIU)with the same brush. Btw, when did this become a test of vocabulary (that too, of expletives)? Whoever edits comments on this site - please don't approve any comments from either of our worked up participants on this post - it's an earnest request.

john doe

June 4, 2010 - 12:52am

Hey NLS grad, i am not painting everyone from NLSIU as losers, rest assured. And, nothing here is a test of vocab, read carefully nls grad and what i meant is for effective retorts 'it helps' to have a wider vocab, not necessarily expletives. Also no one here seeks your opinion as to how and what is to be allowed as site content here. :)

TechnoLawyer

June 4, 2010 - 11:58pm

I don't understand the brouhaha around the National Law Schools. They are in fact the symbols of the decay in legal education in India and the Bar Council's refusal to acknowledge it. World over, three year law courses are the norm and five year law courses are seen as a second rate option. But in India we have made a five year law degree as the symbol of legal education. A Law course requires maturity and diversity in backgrounds like an MBA course but due to its insecurity the Bar Council has kept professionals from other fields out of the legal profession in India, keeping it as a domain of the rich and the well-connected.

ABHISHEK

June 7, 2010 - 8:01pm

I AM IN CATEGORY OF EXTENDED MERIST LIST IN CLAT. I WANT TO TAKE ADMISSIONS IN ANY GOVT LAW COLLEGE. I AM UNABLE TO KNOW THAT MY ADMISSION IS POSSIBLE OR NOT. PLEASE CONFIRM THAT.

saurabh raman

June 8, 2010 - 8:35pm

hey clat heads and deans of universities...could you dignitarians please overlook the reservations policies...the eligible students are missing by so close scores...and if u can"t at least increase no. of seatswhat say guys

Varun

May 31, 2010 - 7:25pm

It is interesting why the 4 out of 59 did not choose NLSIU.Good reporting with CLAT toppers interview.

Law School Grad

June 9, 2010 - 3:46pm

@ TechnoLawyer: Professionals from other fields can always pursue a 3 year LLB. You're wrong in assuming that students enrolling on five year law courses hail from 'rich and well connected' families - you need to visit a NLU or speak to a NLU student before believing asserting this. In most other countries a 3 year law course is the only option available and it is incorrect to assume that a five year integrated degree is considered a second rate option abroad - if that were the case, number of students from NLUs would not have been recruited by foreign law firms (year after year) nor would have NLU students succeeded in getting renowned scholarships for studying abroad - Rhodes, Erasmus Mundus etc. It's perfectly alright to have different opinion on an educational model but care needs to be taken in voicing such differences to ensure that these are based on facts.

CLAT Guru

June 13, 2010 - 10:20am

I do not see anything wrong with a five year law degree as long as the only quality students are enrolled via an entrance test.Other degrees like BBA, BCA etc failed because people assumed that they will go on to complete MBA / MCA afterward. However, most of them failed to get through a decent entrance test for MBA / MCA.

vijayeswari

June 18, 2010 - 12:51pm

i attempted clat 2010 i secured 10096 rank.can i get seat in any law colleges

navneet

June 26, 2010 - 7:45pm

"i attempted clat 2010 and i got 112 marks. which colleges can i get seat in ? "

navneet

June 26, 2010 - 7:49pm

"i attempted clat 2010 and i got 112 marks. which colleges can i get seat in ? "

Gokul

June 28, 2010 - 9:25pm

Please suggest guide lines for law entrace...how do i have to go about this? Presently i am doing 12-ISC board.

atul prakash

June 29, 2010 - 3:53pm

my DATE OF BIRTH is 17/09/1991 and I belong to general category.Can i write CLAT 2011 papers.

a n venkatesh d...

July 9, 2010 - 9:51pm

what is the portions for this exam?

Shrey

July 25, 2010 - 11:00am

What is the number of applicants taking CLAT?

shivpriya

July 27, 2010 - 10:52am

i attempted clat 2010 and i secured 117 marks.my rank was 3358 in general criteria.can i get seat in any law college

john doer

June 1, 2010 - 3:33pm

It is flawed reporting at its best. No one in their sane mind would choose NLS on this date when NALSAR is around. When NALSAR has been trouncing NLS in almost everything for the past 2 years, there is no reason to choose NLSIU. Evidently, the topper is not so bright.:P

ISHWAR GARG

August 7, 2010 - 6:49pm

contact mr. ishwar garg on 9996910713 for all kinds of help in CLAT-2011.ALSO CONTACT FOR ADMISSION GUIDANCE IN MBBS,MBA,B.TECH,MD,MS IN TOP INDIAN COLLEGES.(ishwargarg11@gmail.com)