What is CLAT?
CLAT ( Common Law Admission Test ) is one of the most famous and competitive Law
Entrance Tests in India, If you're a student studying in School and want to
pursue law from the best law schools in the country you have to consider CLAT or
AILET to get into any one of the 24 NLUS around the nation.
So, what's wrong with CLAT?
CLAT is the largest law entrance in the country and one of the biggest drawback
of this exam is the entrance test fee, which is ₹4000/- or 50-60$ I would
consider this as a lot of money for a student to spend on a single entrance
test, and If you want to consider all of the NLUS (top law schools) you have to
appear for CLAT and AILET both which sums up the amount to around 7.5k INR.
The affordability of entrance tests for aspiring engineers or doctors is
significantly lower compared to the exorbitant charges imposed by the
consortium. While some may contend that the consortium operates autonomously, it
is important to note that examinations like JEE, NEET, or CUET are under direct
governmental control. Additionally, the majority of National Law Universities (NLUs)
benefit from domicile and various reservation policies, as they were established
by the state. Hence, it is perplexing why the consortium insists on imposing
exorbitant fees for a single entrance test, conducted once a year, which does
not even encompass all the NLUs. Such a pricing structure raises critical
concerns regarding accessibility and fairness within the system.
The question arises as to the precise cost associated with the examination
proceedings. Considering the utilization of traditional pen and paper-based
tests, specifically, those administered on OMR sheets, and even the conduction
of computer-based examinations such as MHCET, which incur a modest fee of 800
INR, and Jamia Law Entrance (also OMR-based akin to CLAT and AILET) charging a
fee of 700 INR, one cannot help but question the rationale behind the
consortium's pricing structure.
The "Common" Law Entrance Test, may not be as accessible to Indian students as
its name suggests. One of the significant contributing factors to this issue is
the excessive entrance test fee. Even if a student somehow manages to afford the
application fee, the overall fee structure remains prohibitively expensive.
While several NLUs do provide financial aid and education loans, the high fee
structure can discourage aspiring law students from lower middle-class
backgrounds, impeding their pursuit of legal education from NLUs. This disparity
raises concerns regarding equal opportunities and inclusivity within the field
of law.
So, what's the fuss about excessive fees?
High form fees for CLAT can create several problems, including:
- Limited Access:
High form fees can act as a barrier to entry for financially disadvantaged
students, limiting their access to the law school entrance test. This can
result in a lack of diversity in the student body, as students from lower
socio-economic backgrounds may be discouraged from applying due to the high
cost.
- Inequality of Opportunity:
High form fees can contribute to inequality of opportunity, as students who
can afford the fees may have an advantage over those who cannot. This can
create an unfair advantage for wealthier students, regardless of their
actual aptitude or potential for success in law school, leading to an uneven
playing field.
- Reduced Pool of Applicants:
High form fees may discourage potential candidates from applying to law
school, resulting in a reduced pool of applicants. This can negatively
impact the quality of applicants and limit the school's ability to attract
top talent, resulting in a less competitive and diverse student body.
- Financial Burden:
High form fees can place a significant financial burden on students and
their families, especially if they are already facing financial constraints.
This can lead to additional stress and financial strain, potentially
discouraging students from pursuing their dream of attending law school.
- Missed Talent:
High-form fees may result in talented and deserving students who cannot
afford the fees being deterred from applying, leading to a loss of potential
talent in the law school. This can result in a less diverse and less
talented student body, impacting the overall quality of education and
opportunities for all students.
- Ethical Concerns:
High-form fees may raise ethical concerns, as they can be perceived as
exploitative or unjust, particularly if the fees are disproportionately high
compared to other entrance tests in the country. This can impact the
reputation of the law school and raise questions about its commitment to
fairness and inclusively.
In summary, high form fees for a law school entrance test can create barriers
to access, limit diversity, contribute to inequality of opportunity, and raise
ethical concerns. It is important for educational institutions to consider the
potential problems associated with high form fees and take steps to ensure that
the entrance test is accessible, inclusive, and promotes fairness and equity.
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