ILS Law College in Pune, one of the country’s prominent law institutes, is eagerly working towards obtaining university status by the upcoming academic year. Professor Deepa Paturkar, the officiating principal, confirmed that they have already submitted an application to the authorities and the state government for permission to upgrade the college into a university. If approved, ILS Law College will become the first law university in Maharashtra.
Founded in 1924, the institute has a rich history and has played a significant role in legal education. Initially affiliated with Bombay University, the campus was located at the Amphitheatre of Fergusson College. To differentiate it from other law colleges in the city, it was named ILS Law College in 1980.
Prof Dr. Deepa Paturkar Principle mentioned that the application was submitted approximately seven months ago, and the college has diligently addressed all the queries raised by the authorities. The approval of the state government would mark a historic milestone for ILS Law College, elevating its status to that of a university.
Nanasaheb Gharpure, the founder principal and honorary secretary of ILS Law College, played a crucial role in its establishment. The Saraswati Building, which now houses the college’s library, conference hall, and administrative offices, was constructed after overcoming several challenges. The library stands out as one of the best in the country, boasting a collection of 55,000 books, periodicals, and subscriptions to numerous Indian and foreign journals, along with access to 13 online legal databases. The college’s infrastructure further expanded with the construction of the Laxmi Building, featuring an auditorium and classrooms, as well as a sports complex equipped with cricket and tennis courts, a swimming pool, and a gymnasium.
As ILS Law College embarks on its centenary year celebrations, Prof Paturkar expressed her optimism about the future. She emphasized that the next century holds immense opportunities to shape young minds, foster innovation, and make a positive impact on society.
The rich history of the Indian Law Society’s Law College traces back to 1902, when the visionaries JR Gharpure and PB Singhe aimed to establish a systematic approach to legal education. The New Law Class, Bombay was initiated in 1903, eventually leading to the establishment of a regular law college affiliated with a university. Gharpure conducted classes at the Fergusson College Law Class, but the institution faced disaffiliation from the University of Bombay within a few weeks.
On March 4, 1923, the Indian Law Society was inaugurated, with Dr Sir Narayan Rao C Chandawarkar serving as its first president. Following preparatory efforts, the law college officially commenced its operations on June 20, 1924, under the banner of the Indian Law Society. Initially known as Poona Law College, the society acquired 154 acres of land, and in 1935, the foundation stone of the iconic Saraswati Building was laid by Srinivas Shastri.
With its rich heritage and dedication to legal education, ILS Law College is poised to make significant strides by obtaining university status, providing a transformative educational experience for future generations of law students.
