No Age Limit for CLAT 2018 as Supreme Court Reinstates Law Candidate Eligibility

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2018 is set to see an important change in its eligibility criteria, particularly regarding age. The Supreme Court of India has made a landmark decision by reinstating the eligibility of applicants above the age bar that had been previously set. This is a crucial development for law aspirants across the country, providing enhanced opportunities in pursuing legal education.

Supreme Court's Decision and its Impact

On March 3, 2017, the Supreme Court passed a stay order on the Bar Council of India's (BCI) notification, which had earlier capped the age for law aspirants seeking admission in integrated five-year law courses. The BCI's notification stated that students above 20 years of age were not eligible for seeking admission to these courses. The Supreme Court clarified that no age limits can be applied to those aspiring to study law in India.

CLAT Age Limit Reforms in Historical Context

The age limit for law aspirants has been a contentious issue for several years. Till 2014, the age restriction was set at 20 years for candidates from the General Category. However, this cap was removed in 2015 and 2016. A new rule was introduced in 2017, but as of the time of the court's decision, it has been lifted. Hence, in 2018, the age criteria for CLAT applicants is unrestricted.

CLAT Website Notice

The official CLAT website has officially recognized this change with an update on its Notice Regarding Age Relaxation. The notice says that candidates above 20 years of age in the General Category and above 22 years of age in Reserved Categories can now apply for the CLAT-2018. Key points from the notice include:

Students who are above 20 years of age in the UR/NRI/NRI Sponsored category and above 22 years of age in the SC/ST/OBC/SAP category as of July 1, 2017, are eligible for applying to the Under-Graduate Courses in CLAT-2017. Candidature and admission of such applicants will be subject to the final decision of the Supreme Court in the writ petition. The stay order by the Supreme Court means that any law aspirant can fill the CLAT application form, irrespective of age.

Supreme Court's Ruling

A bench of Justices SA Bobde and L Nageswara Rao expressed clear dissatisfaction with the interim measure taken by the BCI to raise the age limit. They emphatically ruled that no age limit should apply to law aspirants seeking to study LLB.

Impact and What This Means for Aspirants

The removal of the age limit marks a significant shift in the eligibility criteria for CLAT. It broadens the pool of candidates who can apply for law courses, enabling a wider range of law students to pursue their career aspirations. This decision by the Supreme Court is likely to encourage more students from diverse backgrounds to take up the challenging path of law.

For students considering their options, the key takeaway from this decision is the removal of any barriers based on age. They can now focus on their academic preparations and other requirements without worrying about age restrictions. This development is likely to uplift the spirit of many ambitious candidates who could previously be discouraged by age-related barriers.

The legal landscape in India is ever-evolving, and such changes are well-aligned with the country's vision of inclusive education. As the Supreme Court continues to play a pivotal role in shaping these reforms, aspiring law students can look forward to a brighter, more accessible future in the legal field.

For more detailed information and updates on the CLAT, aspiring candidates are advised to visit the official CLAT website regularly or follow official channels for any last-minute changes or clarifications.

Keywords: CLAT, Age Limit, Supreme Court