CLAT PG 2021 : PREPARATION STRATEGY

My dear friends,

Some of you have asked me about CLAT PG preparation strategies. Therefore I am sharing how I would approach this exam.

The exam dates are nearing and choosing the right sources for reading is the most difficult but a rewarding task. I may not have the best preparation strategy however, I may help you take a thoughtful, systematic approach towards preparing for this exam. I might be reiterating some of the things you already know to give you a reminder.

Also, please remember preparation for this exam can be as easy as knowing what we studied in law schools and recent developments in law. Simply put, you do not need preparation but attempt :P

Here is a step-by-step guide to clearing this exam. Please remember it is not a recipe of success in exam but my thoughts on approaching this exam.

Step-1: WHY LLM?: There might be various reasons of choosing LLM. But this choice must be coupled with choice of investing time in reading and doing research to nurture your skills in the area you specialise in. So, when you choose to read and research during the course you are expected to show some enthusiasm towards reading and understanding the law and recent developments in law in the entrance exam.

We all know competitive exams are not about knowing the subjects in depth or perfectionism.

Some of us aim to get a PSU job through CLATPG too.

Step-2: KNOW THE SYLLABUS: Syllabus and Question paper analysis is a must before appearing for any competitive exam. You are now introduced to a new pattern and you have access to last year paper, sample papers and NLAT Exam papers. So, try to read and attempt those questions without doubting your abilities. Do not worry if you get a low score. It is just to know the difficulty level and dominating subjects in the paper. For 2020, it was a constitution dominated paper and is likely to be dominated by it this year too.

Step-3: STRENGTHEN WHAT YOU ALREADY KNOW: Have a basic understanding of subjects listed in the syllabus like Public International Law , Criminal Law, Administrative Law. Do not try to take a know-all approach on those subjects as you would be learning about them during your lifetime. For e.g., there are subjects like Taxation, Criminal law, Family Law etc. You are not expected to possess the knowledge of taxation like a Chartered Accountant or a Tax Practitioner. Threshold of knowledge required for this exam is looking back to LLB Course and retaining some key aspects, landmark cases associated with it only.

A thorough knowledge of Constitution and jurisprudence might help you ace this exam.

TIP: For administrative law reading doctrines like doctrine of proportionality, doctrine of legitimate expectation etc. might be sufficient.

Step-4: Read the recent judgments and other developments in law: Being aware of recent developments in law like:

•  TOPICS IN DISCUSSION AND CONTROVERSY IN THE LEGAL AND POLITICAL REALM: E.g.: Maratha judgment, Cryptocurrency Regulation, TATA-Cyrus Mistry Case, Central Vista case, Tribunal’s ordinance, new IT Rules, Bail Jurisprudence etc.
• CASES WHERE CONSTITUTIONAL VALIDITY OF AN ACT WAS CHALLENGED: E.g.: Manish Kumar v. Union of India where constitutional validity of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Act, 2020 was challenged, constitution bench cases etc.
• LANDMARK CASES RELATED TO RECENT DEBATES: Recently, suspension of labour laws, Sedition law, preventive detention, death penalty, privacy, Judicial overreach, reservation etc.
• LANDMARK CASES OR LEGAL CLASSICS: We all have come across certain cases in law school which are classical and a ‘must know’ for all of us. E.g.: Kesavananda Bharati Case, S.R. Bommai Case, Shreya Singhal Case etc. For this you can look for the 64 cases prescribed for the AOR (Supreme Court) Exams. I believe these cases are quintessential for any person stepping in the legal field or appearing for competitive exams. They help us learn how a legal reform takes shape and how law is interpreted. Also, it opens gateways for developing reasoning skills.

CATCH TIP: Try identifying areas which require legal reform especially in recent debates.

Step 5: APPROACHING JURISPRUDENCE: There are as many opinions as the number of people holding them and thus it become more important to develop one’s own capacity for critical thought on a subject. To emphasise further you must read Nigam Nuggehalli sir’s thought-provoking 'Letter to law students' shared on LinkedIn.

However, many law schools and 'we the law students' ignore this aspect of knowing nature of laws and legal systems, understanding approaches to law and morality , law and justice etc. I prefer reading jurisprudence from classic texts like that of Dias. For revision, Legal Theory by Ian McLeod (Palgrave Macmillan) is the book I found useful. It is a 238-page book helpful for us, law students.

Let's not make reading jurisprudence mechanical or rote learning.

I also read Lloyd’s Introduction to Jurisprudence by Michael Freeman which helped me in my LLM course too. However, you may choose to skip reading for now and read this someday in future

Do not panic if you get the name of jurist in question paper which you never heard about. After reading these texts, understanding passage would be quite easy and there are very less probabilities to miss knowing about a jurist asked in exam.

TIPS:

·        If you do not like memory-based tests, this exam is for you. It only checks basic understanding and interpretation of law.

·        Read the primary texts of judgments and not confine yourselves to blogs, opinions, and case comments. Eventually you might someday master the art of reading judgments.

·        You can make a case of the day notes where you make your important points to remember from the judgment for the recent and landmark cases. Yes, you still have time to do that!

·        Follow updates from LiveLaw, BarandBench, SCCBlog etc.

·        Revise what you read. Discuss with your friends who are preparing for this exam. Peer learning is a very important aspect of life.

·        Test yourselves! Do not fear the test, we learn most quickly through some brain exercises.

2021 may be the last year to pursue one-year LLM in India due to the notification issued by the BCI. Moreover, I have observed that pandemic is taking a huge toll on us. We while preparing for a competitive exam drive ourselves crazy with stress due to uncertainty about career, life, and health.

Nonetheless we should always remind ourselves that, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest”.

Please remember that you are much more than what your CV reflects. So, stop worrying about not clearing the exam before or after the exam. You can be a brand yourself by showing your uniqueness. I strongly believe everyone is unique and through the knowledge one acquires in the process, one can achieve milestones.

Be dedicated, devoted, and determined. (3Ds in life).

Do share your strategies, recommendation of books in the comments!

All the best!

(I am currently pursuing LLM from National Law School of India University, Bangalore)