Lok Sabha Question No. 1610 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Nationalisation of Law Universities
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Unmesh Bhaiyyasaheb Patil, Heena Vijaykumar Gavit, Sujay Radhakrishna Vikhepatil, Krishna Pal Singh Yadav, Rita Bahuguna Joshi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE

## DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS

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## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1610 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 10 th  FEBRUARY, 2023

## Nationalisation of Law Universities

## 1610.  DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

SHRI UNMESH BHAIYYASAHEB PATIL:

DR. HEENA GAVIT:

DR. SUJAY RADHAKRISHNA VIKHE PATIL:

DR. KRISHNA PAL SINGH YADAV:

PROF. RITA BAHUGUNA JOSHI:

## Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  nationalize  the  National  Law Universities in the country and if so, the details  thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  introduce  any  new scholarships  for  the courses in law studies in the country;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  worked  out  any  plan  having  provisions  for introducing students towards the research sector of law and justice and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government  also proposes to introduce schemes to  make internships a more engaging and holistic experience for students and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) :  The  National  Law  Universities  (NLUs)  have  been  established through respective State enactments and the Central Government has no role in the matter.
- (b) :  Besides  'Merit  cum  Means'  scholarship, financial  aid  to  law students, to support their education are provided by  the  Central Government  as well as the State Governments. Also, scholarship to students belonging to different categories including SC/ST and physically disabled students are

sanctioned  through  various  Central/State  Government  schemes. Education loans on very easy terms to students are also provided through various State Government schemes. There is no proposal under consideration of the Central Government to introduce any new scholarships for the courses in law studies.

- (c) & (d) : The curriculum of  the  Law  Universities are drawn up by them. The nature and the format of the syllabus besides theoretical classes on various laws and jurisprudence also include interdisciplinary  research,  clinical  courses,  internships  etc.  The structure  of  the  academic  year  at different  Universities  are designed in such way that allows students to undertake research and internships  for  the purpose of gaining professional practical experience, thereby inculcating a holistic  understanding of the law in students. Further, the internship component seeks to ensure that students  obtain  an  insight  into,  and  are  afforded  maximum exposure to the workplace by facilitating students to take internships with judges, senior advocates, law  firms, international organisations,  NGOs,  PSUs,  corporate  houses,  commissions, ministries,  state  departments  etc.  The  Central  Government  also organizes internship programme  for law students with the purpose  to  acquaint  them  and  enhance  their  capacity  in  the working  of the Government,  in  the  field of research and referencing  work,  legal  advice in  various  specialized  fields  of law such as constitutional and administrative law, finance sector laws, economic laws, labour laws, conveyancing, arbitration and contract law etc.