🧭 1. Introduction

The Law Commission of India is a premier advisory body established by the Government of India to recommend reforms in laws and ensure they align with the current social, economic, and political needs of the country.

It plays a crucial role in legal reform, codification, and modernization of India’s judicial framework. The Commission is non-statutory and non-constitutional, functioning under the Ministry of Law and Justice (Department of Legal Affairs).

As of 2026, the 22nd Law Commission is active, chaired by Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi (Retd.), with a focus on simplifying legal procedures and suggesting reforms in criminal, civil, and constitutional laws.

🪜 2. Composition & Structure

The Law Commission is reconstituted every few years by the Government of India. Its composition typically includes:

Position	Designation
Chairperson	Retired Supreme Court Judge / Chief Justice of a High Court
Full-Time Members	2
Part-Time Members	3–5
Member-Secretary	Senior officer from Legal Affairs Department
Research Staff	Legal scholars, researchers, and administrative officers

⚖️ Each Commission is constituted for a fixed tenure (generally 3 years) and submits detailed reports to the government on various legal issues.

📘 3. Functions & Objectives

The Law Commission’s main objectives include:

Reviewing existing laws to identify obsolete or outdated provisions.
Recommending new laws to meet modern social and economic conditions.
Codification and consolidation of existing laws to improve accessibility.
Suggesting reforms in judicial administration for efficiency and transparency.
Examining issues of public importance referred by the government.
Encouraging legal education and research for policy improvement.
Preparing draft legislation when required by the Ministry of Law & Justice.

📚 4. Major Reports & Recommendations (Highlights)

Report No.	Year	Subject
262nd	2015	Death Penalty – Suggested abolition for all crimes except terrorism-related offences.
267th	2017	Hate Speech – Recommended stronger provisions to curb online hate.
271st	2018	Human DNA Profiling Bill – Drafted framework for forensic usage.
277th	2018	Wrongful Prosecution – Recommended compensation system.
280th	2023	Sedition Law (Section 124A IPC) – Suggested reforms balancing free speech & national security.
281st	2023	BNS, BNSS & BSA Draft Review – Studied new criminal law bills introduced in Parliament.

💼 These reports form the foundation of future legal reforms and often influence Parliament’s legislative process.

🪞 5. Law Commission Recruitment & Career Opportunities

The Law Commission occasionally invites applications for internships, research fellowships, and contractual positions.

Common Roles

Research Associate (Law)
Legal Consultant
Data Analyst / Policy Researcher
Intern (Law Students)

Eligibility (Typical)

Educational Qualification: LL.B. / LL.M. / Ph.D. in Law or related discipline.
Experience: Preference to candidates with prior research or judicial experience.
Mode of Application: Through official Law Commission notification or Ministry of Law & Justice circulars.

📢 Note: Recruitment notifications are published only on the official website of the Law Commission of India or the Department of Legal Affairs (lawmin.gov.in).

🎯 6. Importance for Law Aspirants & Exam Preparation

Understanding the Law Commission of India is crucial for aspirants of:

Judicial Services (PCS–J, HJS)
UPSC Civil Services (Law Optional)
CLAT PG / AILET PG
UGC NET Law

Key Areas to Study for Exams:

Composition & Functions of the Law Commission
Recent Reports & Recommendations
Role in Criminal Law Reforms
Relationship with Parliament & Judiciary
Constitutional Status and Limitations

💡 7. Preparation Tips for Law Commission Topics

✅ Study the latest reports published on the official website.
✅ Make short notes on important commissions and their findings.
✅ Follow Ministry of Law & Justice notifications for new references.
✅ For UPSC & PCS–J, prepare 2–3 examples from recent Law Commission reports.
✅ Stay updated with parliamentary debates where Commission recommendations were cited.

🔗 8. Useful Official Resources

🏛️ Official Website (Law Commission of India): https://lawcommissionofindia.nic.in
📄 Latest Reports & Publications: https://lawcommissionofindia.nic.in/reports.html
📘 Internship / Recruitment Notices: https://lawcommissionofindia.nic.in/internship.html
📰 Ministry of Law & Justice (Parent Department): https://lawmin.gov.in

Law Commission of India - iPleaders

⚖️ Law Commission of India 2026 – Structure, Role, Functions & Recruitment Guide 🏛️