MU to introduce internal exams for law students

MUMBAI: The law students at the University of Mumbai (MU) affiliated colleges will now have to take internal tests at their colleges, in addition to their theory examination.

As part of the internal examinations, which will account for 40% of the total marks, the students will be evaluated on term work, participation in college activities, class tests and their attendance and conduct in the classroom. The new 60:40 pattern (60 marks for theory examination, 40 for internal tests) will likely come into effect for all the three-year and five-year Legum Baccalaureus (LLB) students from the upcoming winter examinations. The students are required to score at least 12 out of 40 marks in internal tests, 18 out of 60 in theory test and an aggregate

of 40 in both the examinations.

Some students and teachers have criticised this decision. “The law colleges don’t have sufficient staff for existing examinations, let alone internal tests,” said the principal of a law college in western suburbs.

This examination pattern is part of the new choice-based credit system (CBCS) curricula for law courses under MU. While the university’s academic council approved it in June, there has been no official communication to the colleges regarding the decision.

“The University Grants Commission (UGC) has prescribed CBCS for all the academic programmes. But, until now, MU had not adopted it for the law courses. After LLB, it will be adopted for Master of Laws (LLM) as well,” said Rashmi Oza, chairperson, board of studies for law.

Students Law Council (SLC), a city-based student group, has written a letter opposing the new pattern of evaluation. “It will lead to the deterioration of legal education,” said Sachin Pawar, president, SLC.