One-Year LLM in a fix as UGC prescribes minimum period of 2 years for LLM Courses

On July 5, 2014, UGC, as a major setback for the Law Schools which had been prompt in introducing the one-year LLM Programme, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 22 (3) of University Grants Commission Act, 1956, specified the nomenclature and duration of 129 degrees, thereby, prescribing 2 years to be the minimum period of LLM degree. It was also specified that any failure to comply with the instructions of the Notification would amount to prohibition of the defaulting University/Affiliated College from offering  any course for the award of unspecified degree. Regarding the Integrated and Dual Degree Programmes, including the various integrated law degrees such as B.A. LL. B, the Universities have been instructed to act judiciously and cautiously while introducing the said courses and that an Integrated/Dual Degree Programme will be made permissible only if there is no compromise on any course requirement viz. duration, number of papers, intensity of courses, teaching/learning hours, credits etc. If the Integrated/Dual Degree Programmes intend to offer two separate degrees with an option of an interim exit or lateral entry, the duration of the integrated/ Dual Degree Programme must not be less than the duration equal to the sum total of the prescribed duration of the two degrees. Universities who have introduced Integrated/Dual Degree Programmes are strictly instructed for not diluting the standards as prescribed in the Regulations. University are strictly prohibited to confer any degree in violation of the provisions of this notification.