Academics Low (Not entirely, Read Ahead), Politics High!!

Now I will summarize everything here: Qualified and Experienced Teachers; but comparatively little exposure of students. Students though are active and create opportunities for themselves in various diverse fields like social work, NGOs, litigaton, corporate sector etc. However the thing to be pointed out that college management is not so efficient at times, because management is entirely reflected in the attitude of the current Head and Dean of the Faculty which keeps varying from person to person and their whims and fancies. The junior staff though is always willing to be helpful to students whenever needed A concluding tip: A little mingling with the college staff and management always helps (wink ;) )

I had passed my 10+2 in Science Stream; still, though I opted for a Law Course as my father is engaged in a field of law, not a private lawyer though. Allahabad University, though academically has degraded over a few years, however, there is this one-course B.A.LL.B. which has maintained its repute intact. LFAT is the name of the entrance test that one needs to qualify and be in merit list to ensure admission into the course. I had obtained 161.5 marks in the entrance test which was and is usually conducted in the 1st to 3rd weeks of May. I obtained 10th rank with my marks, however, recent cutoffs and merit list are higher. The prime reason for obtaining admission here for me was that I had not qualified for CLAT, and in Uttar Pradesh, B.A.LL.B. course of Allahabad University is next best after RMNLU and BHU.

The B.A.LL.B. (Hons.) course here at Allahabad University, is entirely focused on Judicial services and competitive exams like PCSJ, APO, etc. Therefore subjects are primarily traditional ones, those which are included in the syllabus of these competitive exams. However, even those aiming for corporate sectors will not be entirely disappointed as Company Laws, Law of Contract and International Laws are also well taught by experienced professors. Overall I would again emphasize that curriculum is less corporate directed and more competitive exams oriented.

No, the college does not provide internship on its own, one has to look for internship opportunities on its own. Seniors are the greatest help regarding helping juniors find best internship opportunities. As placement cell is dormant students will find little to no help in availing internships and must work on their own to avail good ones.

I recommend one must not expect much in respect of direct placements from the University as the course is largely competitive exams oriented. Placement Cell is currently dormant, I with aid of my colleagues had once attempted to bring it back to life, but students here themselves are little interested in placements and prefer appearing for judicial services of State and other competitive exams or start practicing in the Allahabad High Court.

There are 3 chief events that attract students from various other universities and colleges: The LEX-FEST (The annual cultural fest of college that attracts students from all over the Allahabad city); The LEX-MUN (All India MUN of Faculty of Law that attracts students from all over India) and Moot-Court Competition (which depending upon resources and interest of the organizing student body may be either inter-university (including All-India) or Intra-University only. There is one another much-hyped event of our B.A.LL.B. (Hons.) course exclusively 'The Congrego' which is an all batch musical party organized each year by the students of the institute at some prestigious hotel-halls of Allahabad entirely funded by students collectively.

Fee structure is perhaps the lowest in equivalent courses among other colleges. Annual fee is around Rs. 38000 currently. Hostel fees annually excluding mess is Rs. 10,000-15000/annum at present. Thus studying in a central university has its privileges in terms of money, though not underestimating the level of education ever.

Scholarships are provided to students securing 1st three ranks in each semester at B.A.LL.B. (Hons.) 1st rank: Rs.1000/month for 6 months 2nd rank: Rs. 800/month for 6 months 3rd rank: Rs. 500/month for 6 months

Allahabad University hostels had been for years known for Student Politics and few as 'IAS Factory' in the past. There also had been illegal possession of Hostel Rooms by few of such politically influenced students, say positive side of it or the negative one, of this influence of politics in hostels makes one develop his social personality to the fullest. One thing is for sure: "You can never pass-out as an introvert once you have been into one of Allahabad University Hostels". It will help you learn to communicate with people around you, to be social and grow yourself as a person. However influence of politics has several of its downsides too, as it negatively affects the environment of studies occasionally. However as of late from the year 2017, there has been much needed overhauling of the traditional set-up of the University hostels by the new VC and Allahabad HC. Now students will be required to leave the hostel rooms by the end of each session (year) and return with your belongings in the next session. Also earlier facilities and maintenance in hostel premises was never upto the mark, this will change for good now. Hostels are either on twin sharing basis or single occupancy, the later generally being for the senior students in a course. Mess is run mostly by students collectively, by hiring few cooks, in the mess area of hostel. As it is run by students collectively, food is prepared as per students demand and is hygienically clean. Important Note: Though there are around 10-15 hostels for boys alone and 5-6 for girls, because of thousands of students studying in University, hostel seats are still less compared to the necessity of them, so one needs to be meritorious to obtain a hostel seat generally. In case of not being able to obtain a hostel seat (though students pursuing B.A.LL.B. course in University generally are able to get hostel seats) there are PGs and private hostels everywhere around entire Allahabad at acceptable rates ranging from 3-4,000 to 10,000 per person per month on single or twin sharing basis with or without food.

The exam structure of Allahabad University comprise two mid term tests each semester(each of 15 marks),then project(ten marks) and a presentation( five marks) and a final semester exam in every subject(50 marks). There are also five marks reserved in each subject for class attendance so it becomes slightly hectic too and students are engaged in academics round the clock. You might find a lot of time to chill during the initial months of semester but subsequently after the first mid term tests the schedule of exams becomes slightly hectic.

As i mentioned earlier, one needs to qualify for LFAT entrance test of Allahabad University for admission to B.A.LL.B. (Hons) course here. Notification was released in month of March and entire process of filing up the form is online. The counsellings though is offline conducted at 'Pravesh Bhawan' of University on specified dates provided on the admissions website of the University. During admissions, the administration is neither too out of reach, nor too helpful, though Student Bodies (prospective candidates for Allahabad University Student Union elections, I was one such helping candidate and later won too.) are there to help those assembled there for obtaining admissions.

In traditional subjects like IPC, Criminal Laws, Constitution and Contract Laws we have a very experienced and knowledgeable faculty here. There had been times a few years ago when there were lines of students (because the classrooms were full) outside certain classrooms when few of these faculties were delivering their lectures. In other subjects like International Law, Corporate Laws etc. we have qualified faculty from prestigious institutions like ILI, BHU, however few of them may appear to lack in experience, but I assume its the case in each institution with newly appointed teachers. Though one appreciative quality about young faculties are that they are quite dedicated towards their profession and sincerely put efforts to upgrade the knowledge-base of their students and impart them necessary help.