What led to the introduction of NLAT 2020? Reasons cited by NSLIU Bangalore

The current pandemic has changed the face of education drastically, while educational ministries and institutions struggle to keep it as feasible as possible. NLAT is a law entrance examination held for students wishing to take up the LLB course at the National Law School of India University, Bangalore- a premium law school in India. It is scheduled for 12th September this year . This law entrance examination has been introduced in an online mode through home-centres subject to the current pandemic of the COVID-19.

On September 3rd 2020, The National Law School of India University, Bangalore ‘completely disassociated’ itself with the CLAT ( Common Law Admission Test) Consortium and has specified that the Law school will only be accepting scores from the NLAT test conducted solely by the school.

On 6th September 2020, a press release was made by the NLSIU stating the withdrawal. This quick decision was made owing to the following reasons:

• LEGAL IMPACT: The new CLAT entrance examination pattern is in derogation of the bye-laws of the Consortium, which is deemed unfit by the NLSIU;
• DIFFERENCE IN OPINION: Another fall back was the discussion among the executive council to postpone the CLAT examination to 18th September , which apparently was not made unanimously. It has also been known that the Vice Chancellor of the NLSIU is an integral member of the board, which gives ignition to various speculations regarding the credibility of the present consortium;
• FEAR OF UNDERGOING A ‘ZERO YEAR: One of the major setbacks of complying with the CLAT is the administrative barrier and the fear of a ‘zero year’ for NLSIU. Since a trimester system of academic calendar is followed by the NLSIU, failing to complete admissions before the end of September would lead to a zero year for the institution;
• REJECTION OF ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS: According to the NLSIU , alternatives for conducting the law entrance examinations were submitted to the consortium. Some of the alternatives included conducting examinations in two phases, allowing NLUs to conduct individual examinations, which were rejected due to other reasons;

The NLSIU has also notified that it has withdrawn from CLAT consortium in all terms – administrative as well as executive. Following which, the Vice Chancellor of NLSIU who was also the Secretary-Treasurer in the General Body has withdrawn participation this year.

NLAT 2020 Important Highlights

Important Dates for NLAT 2020

NLAT 2020 Application Process

1. The application window has been opened from 3rd September to 10th September where the application form can be accessed online at the application portal of NLSIU ;
2. The following documents are required for the application :
   • A scanned copy of passport size photo;
   • A scanned copy of ID card approved by the Government of India;
   • Address of the candidate
   • Personal details
   • Academic records ;
   • Reservation information ;
3. The application fee for the examination is as follows :

4. Since the examination can be given at test-centres in selected cities, candidates must register for the same by notifying through email at info@testpanindia.com along with the following information :
   • Name of the candidate
   • Email ID of candidate
   • Phone number
   • Current city

The following agency can also be contacted for further information : Mr. Yogender Chauhan, Testpan India Pvt. Ltd., +91 7428461194.

NLAT 2020 Guidelines for PWD Candidates. Click Here

NLAT 2020 Syllabus & Subject Weightage

The NLAT will consist of a similar set of subjects as in CLAT for the entrance examinations this year. The subjects are :

1. English language
2. Logical reasoning
3. Legal reasoning
4. Current affairs ( Static questions included)
5. Quantitative aptitude

The per subject weightage of the NLAT 2020 will be as follows :

NLAT Syllabus and Paper Format for admissions at NLSIU

NLAT Exam Mode, Exam Centre & Requirements

The NLAT examinations 2020 which will be conducted on online mode has also been introduced in selected test-centres in various cities. Originally, the examinations could be accessed only through home-centres. After facing dissent from the candidates due to factors like availability of uninterrupted internet connectivity, specified electronic devices along with other specifications, the institution has decided to introduce 15 test-centres in selected cities where examinations will be conducted apart from the individual home-centres. Although certain technical requirements have been mentioned by the institution, the body has been working on relaxing these specifications to suit all sections of the candidates:

The examination body is working on reducing the required internet bandwidth, data access on various devices including the android and mac phones. Suitable proctoring algorithms are also being worked on, without lowering the integrity of the institution;

The scribe provision has also been enabled by the examination body which allows students with special needs upon presenting the required medical certificates to the institution.

Read  Technical Requirements to write NLAT 2020

How is NLAT different from CLAT in terms of Question Paper?

Although most of the question patterns are same for both the examinations, the following differences are :

NLAT vs CLAT Debate: Know the Difference between the two Law Entrance Tests

NLAT 2020 FAQs