- Tell us about your lifestyle being a Senior Legal Officer, Navaratna Company of Government of India.
It is indeed my privilege to work as Senior Legal Officer/Legal Advisor to ‘My Company’. Ever since I joined here, I have been getting exposure to versatile nature of jobs and assignments, getting in hand experience to different legal issues starting from application of Labour Laws, dealing with matters pertaining to contract and partnership firms, arbitration issues, conciliation, negotiation and other relevant areas which come before us. -CLAT PG
The feeling of defending a Central Government company cannot be compared and jotted down in few words through this interview, because of the enriching experience and guidance of senior level officers of the Company. For working as Legal Advisor to the Government Company is truly a satisfying work and a big accomplishment for me. This is further supplemented by the motivation and support received from the Head, Mentor and other supporting staffs of the Company. As far as lifestyle of Public Sector Undertaking is concerned, I must say that this job is best as it gives you lot of exposure to other extra co-curricular activities. In the span of one year in the company, I got multiple opportunities to hone my skills and talent, interacting with different people from different backgrounds, you get good networking. For those who are interested in sports or any literary other or artistic works, the company gives ample number of opportunities to showcase your talent at various National and International level.
LIVE VIDEO CLASSES FOR PSU ASPIRANTS
- What are your takes on CLAT PG 2018 mishap and the change of CLAT PG 2019 pattern and mode of exam?
I personally feel that, the old pattern of CLAT-PG containing subjective questions which was prevalent before 2015 was a good one. This year again the previous pattern of CLAT-PG has started and I believe those candidates who studied well in their LL.B time and have command over the basic concepts of different subject will surely achieve good score. The objective questions pattern of CLAT suffers from certain mechanical defects as any question can come and many things depends on your luck as well. However, if 50 marks out of 150 contain subjective questions, then it will help the candidates to balance the equilibrium. Anyone who has good writing skills and basic knowledge of the topic will surely achieve good scores in this year exam.
As far as mode of exam is concerned, it again depends on the system which has its own advantages and disadvantages. The only thing which I am concerned is of delay in declaration of results, as it faster in the online mode containing only objective questions which helps the students to look up for different other options based on their scores.
- What will you advise to the students regarding the preparation of 100 Objective Questions in CLAT PG?
I would rather call this year pattern to be the easiest and anyone who has carefully studied will achieve good score. The reason being that, out of 100 questions, 40 questions are from Constitutional Law, and rest 60 questions will come from Other Subjects which also includes Jurisprudence. Since Jurisprudence has always been an issue for all the CLAT-PG aspirants as 50 marks from Jurisprudence in the previous patterns played a key role in deciding the rank. Further, studying and remembering different schools of jurisprudence, works of different jurist and philosopher, and other concepts was not an easy game, it required continuous study and revision to memorise the things, which sometimes leads to confusion and mixing up the things.
However, if we see this year pattern, 60 questions from other subjects including jurisprudence makes the preparation easy and effective. Let’s presume that, 60 questions contains, 25 questions from jurisprudence, 10 questions from Criminal Law, 10 questions from Law of Contract and Law of Tort, 5 questions from International Law and Human Rights, and 5 questions from Intellectual Property Rights and other 5 questions from any other area of law. There may be slight difference also but if we compare it in a border way, it seems to be very easy patterns. So, questions from jurisprudence will be reduced by almost 50-55 percent in this year, hence anyone who will follow the proper strategy and do a selective study of the topics will come with very satisfying results.
I would suggest for Constitution to get a good command over Bare Act provisions especially Articles dealing with Fundamental Rights, DPSP, Fundamental Duties, President, Parliament, Governor, State, Centre State Relations, Panchayat and Municipalities, Emergency and Amendment provisions, Schedules, along with important amendments and case laws including the recent decisions of Supreme Court on Constitutional matters. Other subjects can be studied from any guide for LL.M preparation like A K Jain or Singhals. For Jurisprudence, books by V D Mahajan, N V Paranjape etc. can be used. I would also suggest the entire aspirant to solve as many MCQs you can solve before giving the exam.
- What is your take on Returning of Subjective Questions in CLAT PG?
I am always in favour of subjective questions. The reason is simple; the group of objective and subjective questions will surely help the candidates to balance their scores. Also, those candidates who have good writing skills will also benefit from this pattern and will be able to score in the top rank holders.
I am of the view that true ability of the candidate is checked through the writing skills and ability to analyse and frame the answers. Hence, it is a good opportunity for those who have literally worked hard in their 3 or 5 years in getting a Bachelor Degree in Law. As far as areas from where subjective questions can come, the candidates have to be very vigilant and for that purpose, questions from previous patterns of CLAT-PG can be analysed. However, in my view questions will be basically from Constitution, Jurisprudence, Indian Penal Code, Contract or other contemporary issues. The candidate can prepare important principles and doctrines of these subjects. I also think that CLAT authorities will give options in subjective questions.
So, the candidate should also work more on their writing skills and jotting down different topics on which questions can come. It again requires proper strategy and preparation.
- If you were a CLAT PG 2019 aspirant, how would you like to prepare yourself for 50 Marks Subjective Questions?
This is a good question, I believe. I have already touched many aspects of preparing for subjective question in the earlier questions. In addition to above, regular practice of writing on different topics and contemporary issues would have been mine strategy, because more we write, more we get to know about the topic. This also helps to creatively frame our answers.
- Notification of Only two PSU is out till date. The students are bit concerned about that. What would you like to suggest to them?
This is the most pertinent question which must be running in the mind of every CLAT-PG aspirants and I also understand the intensity of competition and tension in them. Since, India Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has notified vacancy of law officer on two grades which requires prior work experience and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) has also reduced the number of seats compared to last years. So, the fresh law graduates will not be able to apply for IOCL and in that case only option left with them would be ONGC. Hence, one will have to work very smartly to secure atleast amongst Top-20 rank holders to become eligible for ONGC interview.
Those who would not be able to make up in any PSUs’, I would rather suggest them to go for LL.M from the National Law Universities based on their area of interest for selection of specialisation subject. It opens your wings to wider career opportunities once you owe Master degree in Law. You will be eligible to NET_JRF exam and can also apply to various research centres in the field of law especially, Research Centres established by Government bodies. They pay well and you get exposure to different type of work and can make your network, which is equally important in the legal profession.
In addition to that, there are many other PSUs’ which conduct there independent exam for selection of law officer, you can keep track of them and based on recruitment notification you can apply. The syllabus of such PSUs’ is almost similar to the CLAT-PG syllabus.
- Any messages to CLAT PG 2019 PSU-aspirants?
My mantra of life founds its basis in the famous Shlok of Bhagavad Gita which was narrated by Krishna to Arjun i.e., “Karmanye Vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana”. Thus, one needs to be very optimistic while appearing for this exam. Also, one has to take care of his/her health and needs a much disciplined life throughout the period of exam. Hence, “your mental peace and physical health” is the basic structure for any given exam. So, make sure that you are taking out some time for doing yoga and meditation and eating healthy foods.
Strictly speaking, just study and read the entire subject with joy without being bothered about the results. Make up your mind in such a way that you are studying for your knowledge and not for any exam, and on the day of CLAT PG exam, just go to the centre and prove yourself. I assure you that you will become a warrior in this exam.
Apart from all these, I once again reiterate that; do not forget to revise continuously and solving of MCQs’ along with working on your writing skills. This really works in this exam. I success entirely depends on the number of times I revised through my notes and solved MCQ’s collected from different off-line and online sources.
With this, my best wishes are with all the CLAT/PSU aspirants of this year. May all forces be with you!
great info , good job