CLAT Exam: How should the test change?
The Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, recently questioned the importance of the CLAT exam in assessing a student's ability and its relevance in finding candidates with the right ethos for law.
According to VC Vivekanandan, vice chancellor of Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur, conducting tests can bring out the value of a system one subscribes to, but is it possible to test the right ethos for a student who is yet to comprehend social sophistication?.
CLAT and ethos discussion
Several law school alumni and academics agree that there is too much emphasis on passing the exam rather than assessing the aspirant's values. There is also a perception that students who do not attend National Law Universities will not become good lawyers, which shifts the emphasis away from the importance of principles and ethics and toward simply cracking the entrance exam and getting a seat at a reputable college.
"Our society focuses on intelligence rather than integrity," said Manwendra Kumar Tiwari, an associate professor at Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU) Jabalpur. To make lawyers realize their responsibilities in building a strong society we the NLUs teachers, and students must come together".
According to Supreme Court lawyer Tarun Gupta, the new generation of lawyers is focused on financially lucrative corporate practices.
He said that there are a lot of changes seen in the profession in the last 10 years with the entry of corporations in the field. There is a shift from lawyers wanting to voice out weaker sections to lawyers wanting to accumulate luxuries for themselves.
Before and after the introduction of CLAT
CLAT was introduced in 2008 to simplify the selection process for students at National Law Universities across the country. Previously, each university had its assessment methods for selecting students, and these methods differed from one another.
Anas Tanwir, an alumnus of Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University (RMLNLU), joined the course in 2007, before CLAT was introduced, and is now an advocate on record, Supreme Court stated that NLUs was established to bring to the forefront the best lawyers who are ready to help the needy. However, the cost of acquiring a law degree has increased over time.
He also stated, "Students take out loans to study, and once the course is completed, their primary focus is on repaying the loan."
He also stated "Students take out loans to study, and once the course is completed, their primary focus is on repaying the debt, which forces them to work for corporations. Lawyers gaining experience under senior lawyers are either paid less or not paid at all ".
CLAT and Barriers
Students who took the CLAT exam acknowledged that the exam may not be the best way to select students. The UG exam is computer-based and entirely in English, putting aspirants who do not speak English at a disadvantage.
According to Zutshi Coaching, the exam is held in tier one and tier two cities, putting students from smaller cities at a disadvantage.
Once an aspirant passes the CLAT exam, the university fees are exorbitant. The examination was successful in removing some barriers, but others remain.
Tanwir believes that making education more accessible and affordable should be the top priority.
Vivekananda proposed three ways to make education more inclusive and open:
1. Including a social sciences course in BBA and B. Com programs.
2. Providing practical and diverse internship opportunities that are not limited to law firms.
3. Pro Bono should be a vital component of evaluating and assessing students' capabilities.
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