The Chief Justice of India, D Y Chandrachud, has expressed reservations about the current selection process for students at National Law Universities, particularly the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), stating that it may not always identify individuals with the “right ethos.” He made these remarks during the inauguration of the first academic session at the India International University of Legal Education and Research (IIULER) in Goa, which is an initiative of the Bar Council of India Trust-PEARL FIRST (BCIT-PF).
Justice Chandrachud emphasized that IIULER should aspire to become a hub for cutting-edge research and should establish a system that fosters inclusivity among its student body. He questioned the effectiveness of entrance exams like CLAT in admitting all deserving candidates, highlighting that the ability to crack CLAT does not necessarily equate to possessing the right ethical and moral values for a legal career.
He urged the vice-chancellor and faculty of IIULER to prioritize value-based legal education for students from diverse backgrounds. While recognizing the importance of resources in providing quality education, the Chief Justice emphasized that the education system should not be structured in a way that excludes students who cannot afford it.
Additionally, he encouraged the inaugural batch of students to maintain a spirit of curiosity and inquisitiveness in their studies.
In attendance at the event were several dignitaries, including Supreme Court judge Justice P S Narasimha, who serves as the university’s chancellor, SC judge Justice B R Gavai, Attorney General R Venkataramani, and Bombay High Court’s Chief Justice Dipankar Dutta.
Professor Srivdhya Ragvan, the vice-chancellor of the university, also shared her vision, highlighting India’s potential to disrupt the global legal sector, just as it did in the field of Information Technology. Justice Narasimha emphasized the need for high-quality legal writing and qualitative law books in the country, emphasizing the importance of establishing institutions of excellence focused on research to provide data-driven insights on various legal subjects.
