40% marks of MU LLB students will depend on attendance, conduct

The new 60:40 pattern — 60% marks for theory examination and 40% for internal tests — is likely to come into effect for all students of both the courses with the current semester examinations due in winter.

As many as 40% marks of Bachelor of Legislative Law (LLB) students who have opted for the three-year and five-year courses under the University of Mumbai (MU) will depend on internal evaluation by their respective colleges.

Mumbai University has introduced a 60:40 exam pattern for LLB students. (HT File)

As part of the internal examinations, the students will be evaluated on term work, participation in college activities, class tests, their attendance and conduct in the classroom.

The new 60:40 pattern — 60% marks for theory examination and 40% for internal tests — is likely to come into effect for all students of both the courses with the current semester examinations due in winter.

HT had reported that the internal tests are part of the new choice-based credit system (CBCS) curricula for law courses approved by the varsity academic council in June.

The change in examination pattern comes months after the university decided that all examinations except the final year ones of law courses will be conducted by the colleges — just like all the other undergraduate programmes.

However, the question papers for the theory tests will still be provided by the university and colleges will follow the common schedule set by the varsity.

Some students said this new pattern has scope for malpractices at colleges and will deteriorate the quality of legal education.

“The 60:40 rule gives too much arbitrary and discretionary power in the hands of individual colleges which shall not only disturb the standardisation of the university, but also lead to favouritism and victimisation,” said Ashutosh Paibhale, a law student and founder and managing director, eSquareMC, an education and management consulting firm.

Students Law Council, a city-based student group, has also opposed the decision. “The appalling thing which the varsity did was, they passed the circular just before the exams,” said Sachin Pawar, president of the organisation.