Allahabad HC: No age limit for CLAT, directs that two 21-year-olds can sit exam

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Thursday, 1 May 2014 By Legally India Pre-law student

The Allahabad high court on Tuesday directed GNLU Gandhinagar to allow two 21-year-old Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2014 aspirants to appear in the entrance exam, noting that the Bar Council of India (BCI) has already scrapped the upper age limit of 20 years for taking the exam.

The petitioners Kanha and another applicant, who had crossed the age of 20 by 28 days and 120 days, had claimed that their online application to appear in CLAT 2014 was not being accepted because even though the BCI had scrapped the age limit of 20 in a 28 September 2013 notification, the “computer data [had] not been upgraded”.

Justice MK Gupta in his order stated:

“Learned counsel for the petitioners in support of her contention has drawn the attention of the Court towards Notification dated 28.09.2013 by Bar Council of India (S.A. 1), which specifically mentions that in view of various decisions by different High Courts, the prescription of age limit of 20 years vide Rule 11 is unconstitutional and against the principles of natural justice and therefore, the said Rule is being withdrawn.

In view of the above, the petitioners, who are stated to be beyond 20 years merely by 28 and 120 days respectively, would be entitled to appear in the CLAT 2014 examination, provided they fulfill other eligibility parameters.”

Gupta directed GNLU to either allow Kanha and the other petitioner to appear in the CLAT if they present the order’s copy to the university within one week , or to show cause by 8 May why it wouldn’t allow them to appear in the entrance.

He fixed 8 May as the next date of hearing.

Photo by arquera

Comments

Doubt? 1 May 2014, 10:46

+10 -5

Can people who are above 20 apply now?

Guest 1 May 2014, 13:27

+29 -8

A good move indeed though it is not clear whether this means 40 year olds can take the CLAT. Would it also change demographics in batches? 55 year old 4th year student dates 19 year old 2nd year ???

Guest Room 1 May 2014, 16:05

+22 -8

Or, 22 year old 5th year dates 60 year old 1st year ;)

Rofl 5 May 2014, 05:26

+10 -7

What an idea! Many of us may want to head back to lawschool - is there any bar on double BA, LLB? I think I'll write CLAT 2015 to go and spend a couple of years in lawschool again. Will get a court order of necessary :D

pi 1 May 2014, 17:22

+14 -2

should age really matter? if a person cracks clat and wants to join a nlu what is the harm?

Wrote CLAT on time 2 May 2014, 02:10

+8 -3

It makes a huge difference to the dynamics of the class.
In an undergraduate situation, I want to be surrounded by persons of my age in class and in my hostel room.
As it is, the LLM-LLB divide is quite massive across NLUs. An upper age limit is needed.

pi 2 May 2014, 06:56

+6 -0

this was the same argument given by those opposed to the whole IDIA project; also people with more life experience would bring in more diversity to the class discussion; comparative example in uk mature students are welcomed rather than shunned in ug courses it is difficult for them to cope with youngsters but i never found them to be a 'burden'

Bigot hater 6 May 2014, 05:54

+3 -1

Are you aware that JD students in US lawschools are from various age groups?

How does age matter? Because you want to be surrounded by people your age!
What's the logic? None, except your personal wishes!
What's the effect of following your logic? We remain closed in our mindset!

gururajan 2 May 2014, 06:20

+1 -1

In Tamilnadu, the issue of age ceiling for law college admission is entirely different from the rest of India. Tamilnadu is the only state in which law college admission is denied to students of 30 years & above for 3 year B.L. course and 20 years & above for 5 year B.L.Courses which is the great injustice done to those students, who have no other go but to study in Andhra, Karnataka states. Those people are also denied enrolment since June 2013 citing a PIL in Madurai bench of Madras highcourt even though no stay or injunction is issued to this effect. Punjab & Haryana high court division bench struck down this age ceiling rule of Rule 28 of BCI Edcn rules 2008 in 17.11.2011 and BCI also withdrew this age ceiling rule 28. Despite all these, the writ petitioner obtained interim order for non enrolment or cancellation of enrolment of advocates ruining the career of so many advocates, brought them into the lengthy, time consuming judicial processes of remedy. Whether BCI, Tamilnadu bar council take steps to protect the interest of new advocates through correct legal steps.

kamlesh kaushik 20 Jul 2014, 09:38

+0 -0

will there be some changes in clat 2015 age limit ?

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