| NLSIU is drawing more and more applicants each year for all kinds of reasons but for those already enrolled, it's a bit perplexing to concretely identify the reasons that make this place worth the mention. Is it the trimester system model imported from foreign universities or is it the sampling of the 400-odd students who represent the wide diversity of cultures from all over the country and beyond. The campus being on the outskirts of Bangalore feels like an independent settlement by itself. The small size of the student community ensures that pretty much everyone is acquainted with everyone else. A direct consequence of that is the close-knit alumni community which will only grow more diverse in the coming years.
The much talked about academic regimen is centered around the routine classroom teaching with the actual 'rigour' limited to the time of term-exams or project-submissions, when almost the whole student population literally burns the midnight oil to give their papers in just before the prescribed deadlines. The substantive inputs that go into the preparation of these compulsory papers are of course variable with each student and also a function of the demands of the particular teacher concerned. Just like the functioning of Courts, the papers submitted are to be suitably tailored as per the liking or disliking and often the 'grasp' of the teacher concerned. For reasons of propriety it would be wrong to divulge the specifics of such individual preferences and capacities in a note like this meant for general public consumption.
The argument in support of the 'law-school' academic model is that the requirement of a compulsory paper in every subject ensures a minimal level of effort on part of students and that in itself sets the system apart from most conventional law-colleges. The more ambitious aim of such a system is of course to encourage widespread research into specialised areas but the actual fulfillment of this motive is limited to those who are either really keen or in pursuit of a presentable statement of curriculum vitae that would facilitate employment or admissions for further studies post-LLB. For all practical purposes the insistence on attendance and submissions does differentiate NLSIU from most undergraduate courses available in Indian colleges and together with the excellent library resources are reason enough for students to seek admission.
The overall experience to be gathered at Law school is such that it caters not only to the training of potential advocates or transaction lawyers but also serves as a good base for careers in areas like Journalism, International Relations, Civil Services, Management, Industrial relations and Academics among other things. Our alumni have already distinguished themselves in several occupations that on paper have nothing to do with legal practice. |
