Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram

2021-10-12T07:13:13Z

111.92.79.181:

{{Short description|Law college in Kerala}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2013}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox college
| name = Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram
| motto = Fiat Justitia Ruat Caelum
| type = Government College
| image = File:GLC Trivandrum Title Card.jpg
| image_size = 400px
| established = {{Start date and age|1875|df=yes}}
| students =
| principal = R. Biju Kumar
| affiliations = [[University of Kerala]]<br>[[Bar Council of India]]
| dean =
| city = [[Thiruvananthapuram]]
| state = [[Kerala]]
| country = [[India]]
| postcode = 695035
| coordinates = {{coord|8.5085|76.9427|type:edu|display=inline,title}} 
| pushpin_map =
| campus = Urban
| undergrad =
| postgrad =
| doctoral =
| other_name = GLC Trivandrum
| language = English
| website = {{URL|http://glctvm.ac.in/}}
}}
[[File:Entrance to the Govt Law College.jpg|thumb|Entrance to the college|alt=]]
'''Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram''' also known as '''GLC Trivandrum''' is one of the institutions imparting graduate and post graduate [[legal education in India]]. Affiliated to the [[University of Kerala]], it is the second law college in [[Kerala]] and one of the oldest law colleges in [[India]]. It was established in 1875 by the then Maharajah of the erstwhile [[Travancore|Princely State of Travancore]]. Notable alumni of the college including Judges of [[Supreme Court of India]] such as [[Fathima Beevi|Justice Fathima Beevi]], judges of High Courts, politicians, and academicians such as [[N. R. Madhava Menon]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://supremecourtofindia.nic.in/judges/bio/71_mfbeevi.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=28 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910061203/http://supremecourtofindia.nic.in/judges/bio/71_mfbeevi.htm |archive-date=10 September 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==History==

The government of His Highness [[Maharaja of Travancore]] on 31 January 1875 sanctioned "the Organisation of a Law Class in connection with His Highness College at [[Thiruvananthapuram]] to enable candidates from [[Travancore]] to present themselves for the Law Examination of the [[University of Madras]] and to encourage others to pursue the study of Law systematically". The order sanctioning the scheme directed that it shall be worked on the same lines as the Class attached to the Presidency College at Madras. Mr. W. E. Ormsby, [[Barrister]]-at-law, then a Judge of Sadur Court of [[Travancore]] was appointed Professor of Law in His Highness the Maharajas College. He opened the class on 9 February of the same year. In 1877, His Highness College was affiliated to the [[University of Madras]] in the Faculty of Law.

The class was thus continued till 1894 when in conformity with important alterations in the by-laws of the Madras University regarding the B.L. Degree Examination, the institution was re-organised on an entirely different footing. The Law Class which till then was working as a part of His Highness College and the Professors whereof were treated as members of that College was raised to the status of an independent College under the designation of "His Highness Maharaja's Law College, [[Thiruvananthapuram]]". A complete set of rules was also sanctioned by the Government for the control and regulation of work in the college. The rules prescribed the qualification required for the members of the teaching staff.

The Law College was maintained by His Highness Government and the management of the college was vested in the Principal acting directly under the orders of [[List of Diwans of Travancore|Dewan of Travancore]] till the end of 1908. In 1909 the College was placed under the Director of Public Instruction and in 1910 it was placed under the control of the High Court. With the inauguration of [[University of Kerala|University of Travancore]] in 1938, the College was transferred to the control and supervision of the University.

In August 1949 the college was shifted to Ernakulam to fit in with the new set up arising out of the integration of erstwhile [[Travancore-Cochin|State of Travancore- Cochin]] and the location of the High Court of the united State at [[Ernakulam|Eranakulam]]. In 1954 it was again brought to [[Thiruvananthapuram]], leaving at [[Government Law College, Ernakulam|Ernakulam a sister college]] and was housed in the current premises in the Highland Bungalow on the Barton Hill.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/heritage-walk-explores-barton-hill/article6923962.ece|title=Heritage Walk explores Barton Hill|date=23 February 2015|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> Under the University Act of 1957, the college was transferred to the control of Government of Kerala. In 1961 Government made the [[Thiruvananthapuram]] Law College a permanent institution.

In 1962-63 a full-time Post-graduate course was introduced with M. L. Degree and LL.M was started in 1971. Three Year [[Bachelor of Laws|LL.B course]] was started from 1967-68 & Five Year [[Bachelor of Laws|LL.B.]] Course was introduced from the academic year 1984-85.

==Campus==
The Government Law College [[Thiruvananthapuram]] is housed in the Highland Bungalow of Mr. Barton, British [[Chief engineer|Chief Engineer]] of erstwhile Princely State of [[Travancore]]. Many new blocks were later added in the 5 acre beautiful green campus in the heart of the city.

==Academics==
===Admissions===
Admissions to both undergraduate and post graduate programs at the Government Law College Thiruvananthapuram are through a highly competitive entrance examination conducted by Commissioner for Entrance Examination, [[Government of Kerala]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cee-kerala.org/docs/llb5_2014/llb52014prospeoctus.pdf |title=Microsoft Word - 5 year LLB 2014-15 Prospectus |format=PDF |access-date=2020-01-31}}</ref>

===Academic programmes ===

'''B.A., LL.B (Integrated)'''

Government Law College [[Thiruvananthapuram]] offers an undergraduate five-year integrated [[Bachelor of Laws|LL.B.]] program which, upon completion, qualifies the student to sit for the bar to practice law in India.

This course is a double degree Integrated course comprising B.A (English) and LL.B degrees. The bachelor's degree in B.A. and Law shall consist of regular course of study for a minimum period of 10 Semesters in Five Years and shall consist of 14 papers in B.A. and 31 papers in Law.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cee-kerala.org/docs/llb5_2015/prospectus.pdf |title=Prospectus |publisher=www.cee-kerala.org |access-date=2020-01-31}}</ref>

'''LL.B (3 year Course)'''

Government Law College also offers a three-year [[Bachelor of Laws|LL.B.]] program which, upon completion, qualifies the student to sit for the bar to practice law in India.
The course of study for the [[Bachelor of Laws|bachelor's degree in Law]] (LL.B) shall consist of regular course of study for a minimum period of 6 semesters in three years and shall consist of 20 compulsory papers, 4 compulsory clinical papers and 6 optional papers in Law.

'''Masters in Law (LL.M)'''

Government Law College offers post graduate Law degrees in two lines of specialization: ''Criminal Law'' and ''Science, Technology and Law''. The normal duration of the [[Master of Laws|LL.M.]] programme shall be four semesters. Government Law College Thiruvananthapuram was one of the few colleges to run a [[Master of Laws|LL.M Programme]] in International Law.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cee-kerala.org/docs/llm2014/llm2014_pros.pdf |title=Microsoft Word - LLM 2014 Prospectus |format=PDF |access-date=2020-01-31}}</ref>

'''LL.M (Evening Batch)'''

Sanction accorded by Government of Kerala and orders issued to start a 20 student batch from 2015-16.

===Library===
Government Law College [[Thiruvananthapuram]] library is one of the oldest [[law library]] in the country. The spacious and magnificent College Library is an important resource center, primarily intended to provide [[Undergraduate education|undergraduate]] and postgraduate readers with the books they need for their studies. The Government Law College library is known for its rare collection of books and treatise on various subjects not limited to law. It holds over 27,000 books and 5000 periodicals. The library is fully automated, and book circulation is maintained through Library-cum-Identity Cards with the help of a barcode system.

Noted academician and alumnus Prof. (Dr.) [[N. R. Madhava Menon|N.R. Madhava Menon]] promised handing over his collection of books to the college library, during his speech at the 140 years celebration of the college in March 2015.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/advocate-of-law-for-140-years/article7034373.ece|title=Advocate of law, for 140 years|date=26 March 2015|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref>

===Research Block===
Research Center<ref>{{cite web|url=http://research.keralauniversity.ac.in/images/Download/law_college_approval_order.pdf |title=Law College approval order |publisher=research.keralauniversity.ac.in |access-date=2020-01-31}}</ref> in Law status has been accorded to Government Law College [[Thiruvananthapuram]] by the University of Kerala. The college has requested for the formation of a chair named ''Malloor Govinda Pillai Chair on Criminal Law'' . A proposal for formation of ''Justice K.K Mathew Chair on Constitutional Law'' is also pending with the government.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.livelaw.in/glc-thiruvananthapuram-accorded-research-centre-status/|title=GLC Thiruvananthapuram accorded research centre status|first=Nebil|last=Nizar|date=15 November 2013|website=www.livelaw.in}}</ref>

[[N. R. Madhava Menon|Prof. (Dr.) N.R. Madhava Menon]] announced in March 2015 that he would be available to guide the research programmes at the college.<ref name="auto"/>

==Student life==
===Hostel===
The Hostel Block inaugurated by the then President of India, Shri.[[Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed|Fakaruddin Ali Ahmed]] as a men's Hostel<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Authorities-shut-down-Government-Law-College-mens-hostel/articleshow/16872947.cms|title=Authorities shut down Government Law College men’s hostel | Thiruvananthapuram News - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref> is now converted as a Women's Hostel. The admission is made by the Warden for students from second year of study onward. The male students are now accommodated in a separate block at University Hostel for Men at [[Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram]].

===Moot Court Competition===
Government Law College [[Thiruvananthapuram]] hosts an annual national level moot court competition- All India Moot Court Competition for [[V. R. Krishna Iyer|Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer]] Trophy.

Over the years, Government Law College [[Thiruvananthapuram]] team excelled in various national level moot court competitions. Including winning the XV All India Moot Court Competition 2012 for Adv. T. S. Venketeswara Iyer Memorial Ever Rolling Trophy conducted by Govt. Law College, Ernakulam Moot Court Society. Winning multiple best memorial awards and individual awards.

===Quizzing===
The Government Law College quizzing team is well known in the quizzing circuits of Kerala. They brought glory to [[University of Kerala]] by bagging the First Runner Up trophy in the 2013 National Youth Festival held at [[Kurukshetra]] in [[Haryana]]. The team also got First Prize in South Zone Inter-University Youth Festival held at Bangalore in 2013.
The Quiz Club hosts quiz within the college from time to time.

===National Service Scheme===
The [[National Service Scheme]] is an Indian government-sponsored programme under the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Government of India. Government Law College [[Thiruvananthapuram]] has two NSS Units. In 2012, ''Best Programme Officer'' of N.S.S. for [[University of Kerala]] was awarded to Assistant Professor K. Hareendran of Government Law College [[Thiruvananthapuram]]. The [[National Service Scheme|N.S.S.]] unit has been actively involved in many social service activities in rural area<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/lending-a-helping-hand/article4385946.ece|title=Lending a helping hand|first=Athira|last=M|date=6 February 2013|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> and has organised many legal aid and legal literacy programs in addition to forest conservation, environmental protection and blood donation camps

===Student Publications===
Government Law College Thiruvananthapuram magazine is brought out annually by the college union. The Student Editor is chosen by an electoral college consisting of all students of the college, and the Staff Editor is ''nominated'' by the Staff Council headed by the college Principal. [[N. R. Madhava Menon|Dr. N.R. Madava Menon]] was the student editor during 1954-55.

Internal Quality Assurance Cell (I.Q.A.C.) is soon coming out with a student edited in-house journal devised to escalate the quality and to upsurge the academic talents of the student community. The Student Law Journal is aimed for the promotion of reading, writing and research among students and act as a powerhouse in outsourcing the craft and in optimizing the quality of the student community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://glctvpm.com/college/iqac.shtml|title=GLCT - IQAC|website=glctvpm.com}}</ref>

==Notable alumni==
{{alumni|date=January 2018}}

===Judiciary===
* [[Fathima Beevi]], former judge, [[Supreme Court of India]], first female SC judge
* [[K. K. Mathew]], former judge, Supreme Court of India
* [[Cyriac Joseph]], former judge, Supreme Court of India
* [[P. Habeeb Mohamed]], former judge, [[Kerala High Court#Judicial system in the Kingdom of Travancore|The High Court of Travancore]] (princely state)
* [[N. Anil Kumar]], Judge high court of kerala
* [[C. S. Dias]], Judge High Court of Kerala
===Legislature===
* [[A. Sampath]], [[Indian Parliament|Former Member of Parliament]]
* [[P. T. Chacko]]
* [[N.K. Premachandran]], Member of Parliament
* [[Jose K. Mani]], Member of Parliament
* [[M. I. Shanavas]], Member of Parliament
* [[M. B. Rajesh]], Former Member of Parliament
* [[R. Sankara Narayanan Thampi]], first speaker of [[Kerala Legislative Assembly]]
* [[K. M. Seethi]], former speaker of Kerala Legislative Assembly
* [[N. Sakthan]], former speaker of Kerala Legislative Assembly
* [[T.V. Rajesh]], member of Kerala Legislative Assembly
* [[P. C. Vishnunath]], Former member of Kerala Legislative Assembly

===Government===
* [[C. Achutha Menon]], former Chief minister of Kerala
* [[Ramesh Chennithala]], former Home Minister, [[Government of Kerala]]
* [[Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan]], former Sports Minister, Government of Kerala
* [[M. Vijayakumar]], former Minister of Law, Government of Kerala
* [[R. Sankar]], former [[Chief minister of Kerala]]
* [[P. K. Vasudevan Nair]], former Chief minister of Kerala
* [[C. Kesavan]], former Chief minister of [[Travancore-Cochin]] (princely state)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/feature/feyr98/fe0898/f0308982.html |title=Info |publisher=pib.nic.in |access-date=2020-01-31}}</ref>
* [[M. N. Govindan Nair]], former minister, Government of Kerala
* [[T. M. Jacob]], former minister, Government of Kerala
* [[Mathew T. Thomas]], former minister, Government of Kerala
* [[G. Sudhakaran]], former minister, Government of Kerala
* [[E. Ahamed]], former [[Minister of State]], External Affairs<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160507171931/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-04-09/news/48999744_1_government-law-college-glc-aam-admi-party ]</ref>
* [[Kodikunnil Suresh]], former Minister of State, Labour
* [[Mullappally Ramachandran]], former [[Minister of State]], Home Affairs

===Other===
* [[Abdul Sathar Kunju]] (1963 Batch), [[Indian Police Service]] officer and Ex-[[Kerala Police]] Chief
* [[Malayattoor Ramakrishnan]], former IAS officer and award-winning writer
* [[Resul Pookutty]], [[Academy Awards|Oscar]] award winner
* [[Bheeman Raghu]], actor and politician
* [[Anoop Menon]], actor, script writer
* [[Shankar Ramakrishnan]], actor, script writer
* [[Karamana Janardanan Nair]], Actor
* [[K. M. Mathew]], former Chief Editor, [[Malayala Manorama]]
* [[N. R. Madhava Menon]], founder of [[National Law School of India University]], N.U.J.S. and N.J.A.

==Popular culture==
[[Shaji Kailas|Shaji Khailas]] directed and [[Renji Panicker|Ranji Panicker]] scripted, [[Suresh Gopi]] starring block buster film [[Thalastaanam|Thalasthanam]] revolves around the politics of Government Law College [[Thiruvananthapuram]].

Shooting also took place in Government Law College for [[K. Madhu]] directed [[Jayaram]] starring movie [[Randam Varavu]].

== See also ==
* [[Government Law College, Ernakulam]]
* [[Kerala Law Academy Law College]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]]
* [[University of Kerala]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.glctvpm.com}}

[[Category:Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram| ]]
[[Category:Law schools in Kerala]]
[[Category:Colleges in Thiruvananthapuram]]
[[Category:Colleges affiliated to the University of Kerala]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1875]]
[[Category:1875 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Academic institutions formerly affiliated with the University of Madras]]

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Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram