Admissions to LLB in the state of Maharashtra are carried out by the State Common Entrance Test Cell using MH CET Law entrance exam, solely for 5-year and 3-year LLB respectively. These programs are provided by the state government, aided and private law colleges of the state. The process of application includes the candidates meeting the criteria of eligibility—10+2 for the 5-year course and a bachelor's degree for the 3-year course. The process of application is done through online mode, and the candidates must register themselves, take the MH CET Law exam, and undertake the centralized admission process depending on their marks.
LLB is a professional law course with in-depth study in law principles, Indian judiciary system, constitutional law, and other divisions of law like criminal, civil, corporate, etc. The 5-year integrated course is suitable for Class 12 passed candidates, and the 3-year course is suitable for any stream graduates. Admission is made on merit in the MH CET Law exam, followed by a centralised counselling session, document verification, and seat allotment to the colleges under Maharashtra.
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Maharashtra LLB Eligibility Criteria
Applicants seeking admission to LLB courses in Maharashtra must meet the eligibility criteria set by the State CET Cell. These are slightly different for both the 3-year and 5-year LLB courses. The eligibility criteria depend on academic qualifications, category, and nationality.
- For the 5-year LLB course, candidates must have passed 10+2 (HSC) or an equivalent examination from a recognized board with a minimum of 45% marks for General, 42% for OBC/SBC, and 40% for SC/ST candidates belonging to Maharashtra.
- The applicants should have a bachelor's degree in any field with a minimum of 45% marks for General, 42% for OBC/SBC, and 40% for SC/ST candidates from Maharashtra to apply for the 3-year LLB course.
- Final-year students (of HSC or graduation, depending on the course) are also eligible to apply, provided they meet the required marks at the time of admission.
- There is no upper age limit for either the 3-year or 5-year LLB entrance exams.
- Only Indian citizens are eligible for government and aided colleges, but NRI/OCI/PIO applicants can apply for institute-level seats in private law colleges.
Maharashtra LLB Entrance Exams
The Maharashtra LLB entrance exams, officially known as MH CET Law, are state-level entrance tests conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra. These exams are held annually for admission to 3-year and 5-year LLB programs offered by government, aided, and private law colleges across the state. Apart from that, some national-level exams are conducted for LLB admissions, details of which are given below:
National Exams
Given below are the national-level entrance exams for LLB admission in Maharashtra:
State Exams
Given below are the state-level entrance exams for LLB admission in Maharashtra:
Maharashtra LLB Admission Process 2025
Maharashtra LLB admission is similar for most of the colleges; however, the admission process of Government Law College (GLC), Mumbai, is mentioned below. The college is affiliated with the University of Mumbai and offers 3-year LLB and 5-year LLB courses. Admission to GLC is very competitive and through merit basis mainly on the MH CET Law entrance exam Maharashtra, conducted by the Maharashtra State CET Cell.
- Ensure that you are eligible as per the criteria—having 10+2 passed for the 5-year LLB or a bachelor's degree for the 3-year LLB, with a minimum specified marks according to your category.
- Apply for the MH CET Law exam online within the official application period released by the Maharashtra State CET Cell.
- Sit for the MH CET Law entrance test on the exam date scheduled.
- Check your result and merit rank on the Maharashtra CET Cell's official website.
- Get registered for the centralised counselling process for seat allotment.
- Attend counselling and complete the document verification process by submitting all the documents needed (educational, category, and domicile).
- Choose your preferred colleges during counselling and complete the seat allotment.
- Remit the admission fee for the allotted seat within the specified time.
- Submission of original documents and a fee receipt to the Government Law College, Mumbai, for confirmation of admission.
- Attend the orientation program and start your classes as per the academic calendar.
Documents Required
The documents mentioned below are required for the Maharashtra LLB admission:
- 10th (SSC) mark sheet and passing certificate
- 12th (HSC) mark sheet and passing certificate (for 5-year LLB)
- Graduation mark sheet and degree certificate (for 3-year LLB)
- MH CET Law admit card and scorecard
- Domicile certificate (if applicable)
- Caste/category certificate (if applicable)
- Passport-sized photographs
- Identity proof (Aadhaar card, PAN card, or passport)
Top Colleges for LLB in Maharashtra
Given below is a list of the top colleges in Maharashtra that offer the LLB course:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a candidate from another state apply for admission to LLB under MH CET Law in Maharashtra?
Yes, candidates from other states can apply for MH CET Law in Maharashtra, but they are eligible for general category seats or All India quota, subject to the college policy. Maharashtra state domicile candidates are eligible for reservation privileges and relaxation of cutoff marks, and hence the non-resident candidates might have to face tougher cutoffs. Moreover, some government colleges give preference to residents of Maharashtra state. Other state candidates need to study very carefully the eligibility and seat reservation policy of the concerned college before applying.
Is it necessary to clear the MH CET Law exam to apply for admission to all Maharashtra law colleges?
While MH CET Law is the primary entrance test for the majority of government and aided law colleges in Maharashtra, a few private institutions and universities consider national-level test scores such as CLAT, LSAT India. Nevertheless, to secure admission in renowned government law colleges such as Government Law College Mumbai or Maharashtra National Law Universities, clearing MH CET Law is usually a must.
Is there any direct admission or exemption to LLB courses in Maharashtra?
Direct admissions or exemption from the entrance test are not common but possible in some private law colleges giving management quota or institute-level admissions. Such seats come with higher fees. Exemption may also be provided by some colleges to applicants on outstanding academic or sporting records, but these are exceptions and must be officially verified by the college authorities.
How does the domicile condition affect LLB admissions in Maharashtra?
Domicile status is a significant factor in LLB admissions in Maharashtra, particularly in government and aided colleges. Maharashtra domicile applicants have the benefit of reservations, lower cutoff marks, and preference in seat allotment. Valid domicile certificates should be furnished by candidates during document verification. Non-domicile applicants can also apply but might have to fight for few All India quota seats with higher cutoffs and perhaps higher fees.
In what way are the 3-year and 5-year LLB admission processes different in Maharashtra?
The significant difference lies in course duration and eligibility. The 5-year LLB is an integrated 10+2 course, and the candidates must pass the Higher Secondary Certificate examination. The 3-year LLB requires a bachelor's degree in any subject. Admission to both the courses typically takes place by clearing MH CET Law, though application forms, eligibility, and counselling vary slightly. Students who are younger are directly admitted to the 5-year course after school, whereas graduates are admitted for professional legal education to the 3-year course.
If the candidate fails to clear the MH CET Law exam, are there any other chances to secure admission in LLB in Maharashtra?
If the candidate fails to clear the MH CET Law exam, options are to sit for private law colleges that accept national-level entrance exam marks such as CLAT, LSAT India, or their own admission criteria. Some universities have lateral entry or diploma-to-degree routes, though these are few. Students can opt for studying in law colleges elsewhere in the state of Maharashtra or integrated law courses in other states where admission requirements are not so competitive. One should do proper research and apply long in advance to such alternative colleges.
