The premise of the question is partially false. It assumes that there is some logical, foolproof way - like exam technique in certain academic contexts - to make friends. It fails to account for the inherent (1) unpredictability of environments (when you start at university or at a workplace, are you lucky enough to land up among friendly coursemates/colleagues? is the environment you are at conducive to friendships, social and intellectual growth - for example, does your university have good mooting and competition participation culture, or are your workplace leadership people good? if the environment has a reputation for being friendly, why might or might it not change? even if the environment is largely friendly, what if you land up being taught or managed by somebody who is toxic or with toxic colleagues?); (2) the subjectivity and changing nature of the human condition and individual human beings; (3) limitations imposed by your own circumstances (for example, have you chosen to leave your home city when it comes time to start university); and (4) the possibilities of stuff that is beyond your control happening (think of the COVID pandemic). Sure, some techniques - putting yourself out there a bit more, using the techniques of a good conversationalist to draw people out (going from smalltalk about the weather to more intense topics), forming friendships based on hobbies (joining running groups, for example), deciding whether you are the type who would prefer to know ten friends well or 150 friends superficially - work better than others, but none are perfect, and none are likely to work in all circumstances. To add to the complexity, if you have a minority protected characteristic (particularly disability), some of the standard techniques may not apply to you, or you may need to either (i) work harder at some techniques than your nondisabled counterparts; and/or (ii) navigate some unique social challenges to even get onto the playing field (e.g., if you are starting university, getting your parents to take the foot off the accelerator when you move into university accommodation and doing things more independently). However, again, you might have this protected characteristic and get everything right, yet you don't end up making friends. So reflect on that assumption and rethink the wording, you might be able to come up with a better question.

So hii! I've got a rank of 51x in the General Category. Now here's the thing.

1. Not sure if I'll land up at either GNLU/NLIU.

2. Best T2 for me would be HNLU

3. I'm planning to prepare again.

4. I'm also considering NUJS B.Sc. LL.B. but I'm not sure if I can do that for 5 years as I don't have a science background.

Now!

Hnlu is hectic, NUJS is not. Kolkata is better to prepare again as it being in the city, but if things don't work out well I would be left with a course which I'm not 100% confident about.

If things go south, according to me, I'll be in a better position at HNLU. However HNLU wouldn't give me much room to prepare again.

What should I do?

Cos big4 hires lawyers as a part of their tax litigation teams (idt mostly and dt in some cases). Plus, if I'm not wrong, EY often recruits from certain colleges to join their risk consultancy teams (lpo). More often than not, sometimes people want to switch jobs either from a Big4 to any Tier firm or vice versa.

What are the immediate non law firm career prospects from someone who studies and LLM with a focus on PIL? Asking particularly with respect to the USA and Singapore. Are there graduate research positions or long term fellowships that unis in these places offer to fresh grads, before they get to their PhD years? How long does it take until you can join as an associate professor at unis in these countries?

I need some real, structured advice on how to go through this, and I'd be grateful for any help/advice. Thanks in advance!

Regards,

A completely clueless law student who really wants to be in this space

hii, i completed my schooling in 2023. in school i did not know what i truly want to do but after spending some time with myself i realized i want to do law. by the time i realized it was already september then i prepared for clat but couldn't do it. solely because i underestimated the exam. gave clat 2025 again but again couldn't make it. i want to give clat 2026 for the last time. i am already 20 and by the time if i clear the exam i'll be 21 when i join a NLU [if it happens]. i am still not sure but i would like to use other people's experience to decide on this situation. i don't want to make some harsh decision just because it was my dream and it really excites me. i really want to go to a top NLU and be happy, live the whole journey , full 5 years and be there. not just go to a college for the sake of it i want to live it

25 year old software developers can get 60lpa plus ESOPs in Bangalore. Do you know any 25 year old lawyer making that without nepotism?

Sure you can say the software developer went to a top IIT or something, but know anyone from any Indian top law school even around that ballpark?

I see people I’m interning with have way more experience in internships and at T1’s compared to me, it scares me because idk if I can compete with them.

I have to get a PPO and if I don’t I’ll end up without a job because my college does not have placements per se.

Do you guys have any tips on how I can convert my internships to a job when I have very little corporate law experience.

Luxury car brands annual service costs at least through the authorised service centres are quite high. Same story for spare parts and genuine accessories. As such, the overall cost of ownership is quite high compared to a Toyota or a Hyundai. For example, to me, spending Rs. 2 lakhs on maintenance and part replacements in any year does not seem prudent. But, of course, if you can afford all that easily, go for it.

Also, in a lighter vein, there used to be an old wisdom that you should not be over-dressed when compared to your bosses and seniors. May be it applies to cars, too.

You'll be fine. Keep learning and stand your ground and self respect even when you are pushed around by the people you are apprehensive about. Don't fall into the lifestyle inflation trap, look after your health, have solid savings and a good bond with family and friends. Good people do make it, and we need more middle class kids like us up there. All the best!

They offer you a consultant position when you switch from a lower-tier firm and they are not sure which level will justify your work, after end of that financial years they'll assess you and place you accordingly.
I was switching from inhouse to Tier 1, I had almost a year of experience and they offered me a consultant position, on my enquiry they told me that we were not sure if I was a good fit for an A0 or A1, so they wanted me to work as a consultant till next appraisal cycle ad then would have promoted to A1/A2, based on my performance. On the pay front, they were paying me what they were paying to their A0.

Do you know what fertile means?

Yes, no recruiter is concerned with a CLAT rank within the cohort itself, but there's still merit to making it to a better NLU. NUJS's high CLAT ranks is literally one of the main reasons it's still standing. Having a NUJS tag without as much merit does not mean much at all.

Best of luck with your eventual recruitment season!

SA1 pay across M&A teams of all T1s

1. CAM SA1 = 34.5 LPA fixed + 12 bonus

2. SAM SA1 = 36 LPA fixed + 13-14 bonus

3. S&R SA1 = 37.5 LPA fixed + 12 bonus

4. Trilegal SA1 = 37.5 LPA fixed + 14-15 bonus

5. JSA SA1 = 32 LPA fixed + 10 bonus + 8% billsharing

6. KCo SA1 = 36 LPA fixed + 15 bonus

7. AZB SA1 = 37 LPA fixed + 12 bonus

8. Induslaw SA1 = 28 LPA fixed + 8-10 bonus

9. Luthra SA1 = 28.5 LPA fixed + 10-11 bonus

10. Saraf SA1 = 31 LPA fixed + 10 bonus

Perhaps rightly so, because there’s nothing much to celebrate and plenty to mourn. From stalwarts like Madhava Menon, BS Chimni and MP Singh as VCs to Ishwar Bhat and NK Chakrabarty (who is overstaying after his tenure has ended). 😢 From the country’s top legal luminaries in the governing body, to a bunch of mediocre political lackeys.

And, of course, let’s not forget the students. The present generation is completely disinterested in improving the college and only concerned about grade inflation and placements.

Take my 2 cents advise - I am a recent graduate from NLUO.
The University "used" to be one of the fastest-growing among the NLUs. But in today's time, it is marred by a shortage of experienced faculties. The academic council is unaware or chooses to be ignorant about the ground reality of the students - results in half-baked academic curriculum. The whole semester would be messed up. Every day, you wake up to new guidelines, new allotted classrooms, attendance issues and so on and so forth.
In my last semester, 3 veteran faculty members are leaving already. They used to be the founding members of NLUO. Not because they are nearing their retirement age, but due to the sheer politics of VC and her management.
But it comes with some benefits though. NLUO will give you the freedom you always wanted. No Cap. But it comes with some cost (you will figure out once you go there)
The alumni network is being reworked for better holistic development. Students are given the freedom to excel in their own ways. It's package. A Pandora's box. And worthwhile living.

Bhai, NLUO mat aana. There's no flexibility or life here. Please don’t get swayed by past glory or old news. Batch of 2025 had a tough time, 2026 is struggling, and there’s a big possibility 2027 will face the same. People do litigation from NLU Lucknow, but they also manage to get law firm placements from there. There's life in Lucknow at least.

Just like we don’t feel like watching movies/shows after exams etc., would you also experience the same lack of joy in travelling/eating out/ having fun every day if you had no job? I mean on paper everybody says “god i wish i had no job but the money kept coming in somehow”, im just trying to assess if that’d be fun? If yes, tell me honestly , if not , tell me that honestly too. Pls answer only if u have enough money to take a trip to any city in the world and any restaurant without looking at the price RIGHT NOW (monthly income of 20-25 lakhs) without thinking, otherwise dont answer pls. I only want to hear from people who are currently where I want to be financially. If you have tried not having a job and travelling/doing bakchodi for months in a row and u still werent bored, tell me that too.

Hey, in case of Boys' Halls of Residence:
1. Mostly first years, except for 8 odd people, get either a Cubicle (single-sharing room in a 4-cubicle room) or bunk beds in the Warden's House. PwD candidates get a single room. Also, every one of us has to go through a bunk bed once in five years, and it would be either in the first or second year.
2. You get a bed, a table, and a cupboard. Then the AC and its remote.
3. Not in the first year.

Honestly from a learning perspective its one of the best law firms in Indian (only labour and employment vertical). As suggested by many corporate is a joke. But ELB practice is really good, the ELB partner is an ex-partner of big firms like TRILEGAL, Majumdar & Majumdar, Fox& Mondal and is also one the first tech lawyers in India. ELB clientele also includes few of the big shots. I remember as an intern I got to work for multiple fortune 500 companies.