Amity University, Noida Law Admissions 2025
Apply700+ Campus placements at top national and global law firms, corporates, and judiciaries
Rahul Palakurthy secured AIR 3 in CLAT 2024. A management graduate from IIM Calcutta, appearing for CLAT 2024 was part of his job. Rahul is a CLAT tutor at a private coaching institute in Bangalore. He appeared for the exam to test out the effects of the revised CLAT pattern and devise new strategies for the exam. Careers360 spoke to Rahul on his recent success and his experience as an educator. Here’s the interview.
CLAT 2025: College Predictor | Cut Off & Past Trends | Marks vs Rank
CLAT 2025: First Merit List Out - Download PDF
CLAT 2026: Best Books for CLAT Preparation | 10 Free Mock Tests | Syllabus
Hi Rahul, Congratulations on securing the third rank in CLAT 2024. What was the feeling when you first saw your rank?
I knew it’s going to be a pretty high rank. I had given CLAT before. I had an All India rank 15 last year. But that's not my objective (of appearing for the exam). My objective was to know how changes in test pattern affects us and what kind of attempts, time allocation and speed is required. These are the things that we teach and we would like to test out this part. We also have to prepare a provisional CLAT answer key after the exam. These are some of the reasons why I gave the exam. But yes, it’s a good feeling.
We know you are a teacher, but can you tell something more about your background?
I started off as a mechanical engineer, though I never worked as one. I did my management degree from IIM Calcutta in 1995-97. After that I worked briefly in the corporate sector for about five years. But I wanted to do something different. The standard corporate life wasn't something that I liked a lot.
So, I looked at education as an area of interest. Initially, I started by taking a franchise of a well known CAT coaching provider in Calcutta. It was reasonably successful. Later I started some education companies. One was called Vanguard Business School. However, this experiment didn’t turn out as well as we had expected.
Another company which I started was called Vistamind Education, which was acquired by Career Launcher. That’s how I came to Career Launcher. I take care of its operations at Bangalore and Mysore now.
What motivated you to appear for CLAT 2024?
There are a lot of factors. It was easier for students to accept me as a teacher for CAT, than for CLAT because I am an MBA myself. We wanted to make students understand that there are certain skill sets which are required for CLAT which may not be at all related to whether someone is a lawyer or not. That was one of the motivations.
Another motivation was that a good performance in the exam would add more weight to the strategy, tactics and mentorship I provide to my students, and hopefully, they would follow my advice better.
A third motivation was to keep in touch with the exam. The questions went down from 150 to 120. So, understanding what would be the right strategy and what would be the right cut off for the exam (was an objective).
What did you do differently this time than earlier attempts?
I did not do anything fundamentally different. There's a lot of experience I have with aptitude tests. What matters is adapting to the changes in the question paper.
For instance, the English section was extremely easy this year. So, scoring well in English is not the issue. The right strategy would be to score well in English at a rapid pace. You may have allocated 25 minutes to the section. But the moment you realise it’s an easy one, you up the pace and try to complete it in 15 and save 10 minutes which can become extremely useful.
GK had questions based on the given passage. Legal reasoning and quantitative techniques were also fairly easy. Logical reasoning was a bit tricky.
It was a high scoring-high attempt kind of a paper. With a higher number of attempts and good accuracy, one has a good chance. And thankfully that’s what I did this time.
How did you manage your time between teaching students as well as studying for yourself?
Honestly, I was not studying for myself. I make content and evaluate it in order to prepare for a class. I had to strategize on what is the best way to teach a particular concept in class. That was the only learning for me. I did not take any mocks but only went through the mocks to clear doubts for my students.
I read a lot so I stay well informed. This time GK was also easy. Had it been a bit tougher then perhaps I would not have got this rank.
Which section of the CLAT exam do you find most challenging for students?
This year, logical reasoning was the most difficult section because the questions were tricky where more than one choice appeared to be the correct answer. The toughest section in CLAT varies from year to year. Last year maths was the most challenging section. English and GK sections were also tricky. This year the sections were easy except logical reasoning.
What is your take on the revised CLAT exam pattern? Has it indeed made the exam more student friendly and less lengthy as the Consortium had said when it revised the exam pattern?
I personally do not believe that length of a paper should really be a concern. In most aptitude tests, students are not able to finish the tests. Attempting all the questions is not the objective either. It’s about time management where you pick the right questions to attempt and leave out the difficult ones.
I am not sure that making the paper easy was necessary. Even if that was the objective, it has not been done well. For instance, the English was too easy this time. It doesn’t test anything. In that sense, you lose sight of what you are testing. It’s also worrying that in such a high scoring paper, even half a mark becomes too critical which can cause a difference of 50 ranks. I would rather prefer, and so would most students who have prepared seriously, to have a slightly tougher paper.
For the legal aptitude section, the consortium says that prior knowledge of law is not required to answer questions. What is your opinion on that since we see questions on torts, contracts, marriage acts etc?
The consortium’s view is correct. Prior knowledge of law is not required. This is because the law and the legal principles involved are already given in the passage. The concepts that are going to be tested are already there. The questions test the ability to understand the given concept and apply it to a particular scenario.
But does it help to have legal knowledge? Yes. One is about the way of thinking about legal principles, another one is about being familiar with legal terminologies. Having legal knowledge makes one better on these two counts. It also improves speed.
The maths section carries roughly 10% weight. How difficult this section is in general for law aspirants.
Maths is only 10% of the paper, but it becomes a very important one in easy paper such as the one we had this year where even half a mark can make a big difference. The quants section requires you to be comfortable with numbers. It’s not higher order maths but basic arithmetic of class 8th or 9th level.
CLAT is stream neutral which is a point that needs to be highlighted. There’s a normal perception that only humanities students take up law, which is not correct. Students from any stream can appear for CLAT. The fact that humanities students have got top ranks in CLAT shows, maths is not tough, for non-maths students. So, don’t fear Math. Get comfortable with numbers and practise.
On general knowledge and current affairs, one of the CLAT toppers said this section can be handled by reading the given paragraphs only. What is your take on this or should students mug-up facts as they do for objective papers ?
Everything has to be seen in context. We are talking of CLAT 2024. The questions coming from memory were very less this time. Lot of answers were there in the passage or could be inferred from the passage. But this was not the case last year. So, we cannot extrapolate.
The GK section would not test very obscure facts or trivial events. The section mostly focuses on significant events in the last one or two years. But, students must go deeper into the history of these significant events. Questions can be asked from old facts which are still relevant today or connected to any current event. So, one must not assume that everything can be inferred from the passage itself. It would be a risky thing to do.
Any daily study time table you would prescribe for CLAT? What is the ideal time frame to prepare for CLAT?
There is no one answer that fits everyone. If a student at the beginning of 11th itself is clear that he wants to go for law, then why wait for second year. Ideally one should start early.
If a student is not good in a particular section and better in another one, then we adjust the time and increase the time for the weaker section. So, a lot of the preparation is in fact fine tuning.
It's like you want to prepare a player. If you have a basic player, then you teach the basic skill. If you have an advanced player already with you, then your job is really to optimise the performance, look at small mistakes that they're making and provide corrective action and so on.
One of your students Pradyoth Shah has secured the All India second rank in CLAT 2024. How was your rapport with him? Can you shed some light on the relationship you shared with him?
Let me start by saying that because of rank two and rank three coming, it developed as a story. But let me not in any way forget that there is a broader set of teachers who were involved in teaching and mentoring all students including Pradyot. There are probably teachers who contributed more than I did, so they should be recognized.
Talking about Pradyot, three things stand out - one is his clarity about his goals. Second was his supportive parents who were not from law background themselves but supported their son’s career choice from the start. And the third thing - is his humility and humbleness.
In my assessment, what probably worked for him is that he has the ability to stay calm under pressure. These are skills, not just for one exam. For life, this kind of attitude will really do good. So,expect great things from him.
Finally, what are your suggestions for upcoming CLAT aspirants?
The first thing I would say is, please don't underestimate the exam. It’s worrying for me because there's a lot of talk that it was a very easy exam. An easy exam doesn't mean that everybody got through. There are only limited seats.
Second, have goal clarity. Understand what career you are choosing. Nobody knows you better than anybody else. Talk to your parents about your aspirations, explain to them the reasons why you want to do law, why you're interested, why it fits with your strengths. If there is a fit with your skill and the profession and you also like the profession, then great. Once you decide, then start the prep.
Thirdly, pick a mentor, pick a system and follow it. Pick whoever you trust and stick with them. The students who study with you are again a very important component. If you have a group of students who are equally talented, equally hardworking,and motivated, they push each other and motivate each other.
Good morning ,
I hope you are doing well. As per your mentioned query, CLAT is not needed to get admission in Dhanbad college. As per the admission process of Dhanbad college the admission is comes under its own committee. So basically it is merit based.
To know in detail kindly go through the given link:
https://www.careers360.com/colleges/law-college-dhanbad/admission
Best wishes!
Hello Aspirant,
With an AIR of 11,588 in CLAT 2025 and the OBC (Women) category rank of 2,068, your prospects at the top NLUs are not too bright. However, referring to the previous years' trends, you may have some chances of getting into some of the new/low-ranked NLUs in OBC-Women category. You can consider:
Check this link: CLAT NLU Cut Off 2025
Hello Sushil,
You will be eligible to take the CLAT examination in December 2027.
Since you will be giving your Class 12 board exams in February 2027, you will not be eligible for the CLAT held in December 2026. CLAT requires candidates to either have passed or be appearing in the Class 12 examination in the same academic year of admission.
Important points:
CLAT is conducted in December for admission in the next academic year.
You must have completed or be appearing in Class 12 by the year of admission.
Since your Class 12 boards are in 2027, your valid CLAT attempt will be in December 2027.
You should prepare accordingly for the CLAT 2027 attempt.
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries, feel free to share your questions with us, and we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you, and I wish you all the best in your bright future.
Hii,
No, you cannot use CLAT to gain admission to Banaras Hindu University (BHU) for a B.A.LL.B. For admission to the B.A.LL.B program, BHU administers its own entrance exam, known as CUET UG (Common University Entrance Test-Undergraduate).
Therefore, you must take CUET UG rather than CLAT if you wish to enroll in BHU's B.A.LL.B program. National Law Universities (NLUs), not BHU, use CLAT for admission.
you have a good chance to get admission into some of the better Tier 3 NLUs. These offer academic programs and opportunities to explore various fields of law, including corporate law, constitutional law, and international law. Some of the Tier 3 NLUs have growing reputations and offer a balanced mix of academics and practical exposure, which can help you build a solid foundation for your legal career. Choosing the right college will also depend on your preferences for location, campus facilities, and specializations, so researching these factors alongside your rank will help you make a well-informed decision
A lawyer advises clients on legal matters, represents them in court, and drafts legal documents. They work in various fields like criminal, corporate, or family law. Key skills include communication, research, and analytical thinking. To become a lawyer in India, one must complete a law degree, clear entrance exams, register with the Bar Council, and pass the All India Bar Examination.
Are you searching for a civil lawyer job description? A civil lawyer is a law professional who deals with disputes that come under civil law. Civil law is applicable to issues related t property and business disputes, family disputes, and torts. A tort can be defined as a civil wrong that causes the other person harm or injury. A Civil lawyer handles disputes regarding personal injury, family relationships, real estate, and employment. A career as a civil lawyer requires working with government entities and business institutions.
Individuals in the human rights lawyer career path are legal professionals responsible for advocating for people whose inherent dignity has been violated and who have suffered a lot of injustice. They take cases to defend the human rights of minorities, vulnerable populations, the LGBTQI community, indigenous people and others.
A criminal lawyer is a lawyer who specialises in the field of crimes and punishments. Individuals who have been accused of committing a crime are guided by a criminal lawyer. Bail bond hearings, plea bargains, trials, dismissal hearings, appeals, and post-conviction procedures are all part of his or her work. Criminal law is the body of law that describes criminal acts, governs the arrest, prosecution, and trial of offenders, and defines the sentences and correctional options that are available to criminals.
Family lawyers are required to assist a client in resolving any family-related problem. In general, family lawyers operate as mediators between family members when conflicts arise. Individuals who opt for a career as Family Lawyer is charged with drafting prenuptial agreements to protect someone's financial interests prior to marriage, consulting on grounds for impeachment or civil union separation, and drafting separation agreements.
A cyber lawyer handles legal issues related to the internet, such as cybercrimes, data breaches, and online privacy. They prepare legal documents, represent clients in court, and advise businesses on cybersecurity compliance. The career requires a law degree, specialisation in cyber law, and strong tech knowledge.
An immigration lawyer is responsible for representing the individuals (clients) involved in the immigration process that includes legal, and illegal citizens and refugees who want to reside in the country, start a business or get employment.
A Government Lawyer represents the government in legal matters, provides legal advice to officials, drafts legislation, and prosecutes or defends cases. The role requires strong research, communication, and analytical skills. To pursue this career, one must obtain an LLB, pass the Bar Exam, gain court experience, and apply for government positions. Career progression includes roles from junior to senior government lawyer.
700+ Campus placements at top national and global law firms, corporates, and judiciaries
NAAC A+ Grade | Among top 100 universities of India (NIRF 2024) | 40 crore+ scholarships distributed
Ranked #28 amongst Institutions in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in India for Academic Reputation by QS Rankings | 16.6 LPA Highest CTC | Last Date to Apply: 29th May
NAAC A+ Grade | Ranked No.1 Private University in India (QS World University Rankings 2025) | 5000+ Placements
Ranked #1 Among all Private Indian Universities in QS Asia Rankings 2025 | Scholarships worth 210 CR
Internship Opportunities in leading Law Firms, Industry, Governmental Departments and NGOs