NLUs List in India: Admission, Courses, Ranking
NLUs are popular and prestigious law colleges in India, so if you are looking for the List of NLUs in India, then you have come to the right place. Find out the NLUs list in India along with the admission process from this article.
The National Law Universities, also known as NLUs are prestigious law schools in India. There are at present, 26 NLUs in India and the top-ranked NLU is NLSIU Bangalore. Law aspirants wondering how to become a lawyer have to appear for the CLAT exam (Common Law Admission Test) to get into one of the NLUs. Those aiming to get into NLU Delhi must appear for a separate law entrance exam, known as the AILET exam as the CLAT score is not accepted at this law school. Students looking for the list of NLUs in India need to read this article and understand the admission process, courses offered and related information. Out of the 26 NLUs, there is an off-campus for GNLU Gandhinagar known as GNLU Silvassa. Apart from CLAT and AILET, no other law entrance exam is accepted for admission to the NLUs. Students can, however, understand the difference between CLAT, AILET and LSAT so if they are not able to succeed in AILET or CLAT, they can have LSAT as a backup.
NLUs like NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR and NLU Delhi are considered the flag bearers of legal education in India. These law colleges produced some of the best lawyers in the country. NLSIU Bangalore is the first NLU that was established in India in 1986. These institutes offer integrated LL.B, LL.M and PhD courses to law aspirants. New NLUs have been introduced in recent years and NLU Meghalaya conducts its admissions through different entrance exams and CNLU Patna conducts its separate admission test for the LLM course. Law aspirants can get detailed information about the list of NLUs in India from this article.
List of NLUs in India: Admission
Law aspirants have understood that admission to the NLUs will be done through the CLAT score and for NLU Delhi, it will be through the AILET score. So, when the CLAT and AILET application forms are released, students have to fill up and submit the form before the deadline. Both these entrance exams are conducted once every year and around the same time of the year. National Law University is considered to be one of the most prestigious colleges for law in India.
Please note that the National Law School of India University, Bangalore accepts NLSAT scores for admission to many of its law courses including 3-year LL.B (Hons.), Master’s Programme in Public Policy, PhD (Law) and PhD (Interdisciplinary). For the 5-year integrated courses and LL.M courses, NLU Bangalore continues to accept CLAT scores. Get to know the admission process for the list of NLUs in India and the entrance exam accepted.
Admission to NLUs through CLAT
CLAT or Common Law Admission Test is considered one of the popular law entrance exams in India. Every year the Consortium of the NLUs conduct the CLAT exam for admission to the 5-year undergraduate and post-graduate law courses. The integrated law courses offered through CLAT are BA LL.B, BBA LL.B, B.Com LL.B and B.Sc LL.B. The exam is conducted offline in pen and paper mode. CLAT exams are now conducted in the month of December mostly. After the exams are conducted, the Consortium of NLUs will release the release CLAT result and the cutoff for every category of students. Based on the marks obtained in the CLAT examination, students will get admission to one of the NLUs. Students looking out for the list of top NLUs should aim to get good scores so that they can get admitted to top NLUs.
Admission to NLU through AILET
AILET or All India Law Entrance Test is a national-level law entrance exam conducted for admission to NLU Delhi and other private law colleges. The exam is held in offline mode for a duration of 120 minutes. NLU Delhi does not consider CLAT scores, so it conducts a different law entrance exam for law aspirants. The exam is conducted for admission to the undergraduate and postgraduate law courses. Like CLAT, AILET is also competitive, which means students aiming to get into one of the law schools among the list of top NLUs have to clear the cutoff score.
Also Read:Top LLB Courses in India and their Admission Process & Fees
List of NLUs in India
The competition for getting into one of the NLUs of India is challenging but not impossible. As mentioned, most of the National Law Universities accept CLAT which is usually conducted online. We have curated this section stating the list of NLUs in India and the list of law courses in India offered by these NLUs. Before looking at the fee structure, you must know that the NLU admission fee comprises certain components:
- Tuition fee
- Admission fee
- Infrastructure and development fee
- Library, ID card, examination fee, basic amenities fees
- Sports, gym, medical, internet, electricity, moot court charges
- Hostel facilities, mess deposit
S.No. | Name of the University | Location (State) | BA LLB (Hons) Annual Fees | LLM Annual Fees | Establishment Year |
1. | Bangalore, Karnataka | INR 3,27,815 (First Year) INR 3,23,815 (First Year) (SC/ST) | INR 3,27,815 (General) INR 3,23,815 (SC/ST) | 1986 | |
2. | Kolkata, West Bengal | INR 3,06,400 | INR 1,78,000 | 1999 | |
3. | Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh | INR 2,65,150 | INR 2,30,150 | 1997 | |
4. | Jodhpur, Rajasthan | INR 3,00,000 | INR 2,28,000 | 1999 | |
5. | Hyderabad, Telangana | INR 2,62,000 (General) INR 2,56,000 (SC/ST) | INR 1,75,000 (General) INR 1,69,000 (SC/ST) | 1998 | |
6, | Gandhinagar, Gujarat | INR 2,58,000 (First Year) | INR 2,62,200 | 2003 | |
7. | Raipur, Chattisgarh | INR 2,10,000 (First Year) | INR 1,60,000 | 2003 | |
8. | Kochi, Kerala | INR 2,24,000 (approx) (UG) | INR 1,63,000 (approx) | 2005 | |
9. | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | INR 1,68,000 (First Year) | INR 1,03,000 | 2005 | |
10. | Patiala, Punjab | INR 2,21,000 (First Year) | INR 1,73,000 | 2006 | |
11. | Patna, Bihar | INR 2,28,470 (First Year) | INR 1,61,000 | 2006 | |
12. | Cuttack, Odisha | INR 2,01,000 | INR 1,41,000 | 2009 | |
13. | National University of Study and Research in Law Ranchi | Ranchi, Jharkhand | INR 2,45,700 (First Year) + Mess Fee | INR 2,19,500 + Mess Fee | 2010 |
14. | Guwahati, Assam | INR 2,44,000 (First Year) (UG) | INR 2,11,500 | 2009 | |
15. | Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh | INR 2,09,000 (First Year) | INR 1,89,000 | 2008 | |
16. | Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu | INR 2,17,500 (First Year for General/ SC/ ST) INR 1,17,500 (First Year TN’s SC/ ST) | INR 1,68,500 INR 1,13,500 (SC/ ST) | 2012 | |
17. | Mumbai, Maharashtra | INR 3,56,250 (All India) INR 3,23,436 (Maharashtra Domicile) | INR 2,62,200 INR 2,50,650 | 2014 | |
18. | Nagpur, Maharashtra | INR 2,60,000 | INR 2,18,000 | 2014 | |
19. | Shimla, Himachal Pradesh | INR 2,35,500 (UG) (1st Year) | INR 1,86,500 | 2016 | |
20. | Aurangabad, Maharashtra | INR 3,04,214 (All India) INR 2,57,712 (Maharashtra Domicile) | INR 1,97,825 (resident) INR 1,72,869 (non-resident) | 2017 | |
21. | Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh | INR 2,93,100 | INR 2,93,100 | 2018 | |
22. | Sonepat, Haryana | INR 1,87,000 | - | 2012 | |
23. | National Law University, Delhi | New Delhi | INR 3,65,000 | INR 3,65,000 | 2008 |
24. | National Law University, Tripura | Tripura, Agartala | INR 1,81,000 per annum | INR 1,51,000 per annum | 2022 |
25. | Gujarat National Law University, Silvassa Campus | Silvassa, Gujarat | INR 2,58,000 (1st year fees) | INR 2,62,000 (total fees) | 2022 |
26. | National Law University Meghalaya | Shillong, Meghalaya | INR 8,75,000 (total fees) | INR 3,50,000 (total fees) | 2022 |
27. | Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University, Uttar Pradesh | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh | INR 3,50,000 | - | 2023 |
Note: The Consortium of NLUs have also decided to set up a campus in Dehradun, Uttrakhand soon. As far as the seat matrix or the number of seats available in law courses offered at NLUs in India is concerned, please check the details of the colleges accepting CLAT scores here.
Also Read:Law from NLU Vs Non-NLU - Pros and Cons
List of NLUs in India: Ranking
We have presented the list of NLUs in India based on the NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) ranking that will help students who want to pursue a legal career in India. Based on the NIRF 2023 ranking, we have created the table below:
List of Top NLUs | NIRF 2023 Ranking |
National Law School of India University, Bangalore | 1 |
National Law University, New Delhi | 2 |
Nalsar University of Law, Hyderabad | 3 |
The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences | 4 |
Gujarat National Law University | 7 |
National Law University, Jodhpur | - |
National Law Institute University, Bhopal | 18 |
The Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala | 20 |
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow | 21 |
National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi | 24 |
National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam | 28 |
National Law University, Cuttack | 30 |
Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Visakhapatnam | - |
Chanakya National Law University, Patna | - |
The Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirapalli | - |
Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai | - |
Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur | - |
Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad | - |
Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla | - |
Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur | - |
Dr B R Ambedkar National Law University Sonipat, Haryana | - |
Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur | - |
National Law University, Tripura | - |
Gujarat National Law University, Silvassa Campus | - |
National Law University Meghalaya | - |
Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University, Uttar Pradesh | - |
List of NLUs in India: Eligibility Criteria
The students who wish to be a part of the student community at one of the National Law Universities of India will have to clear the CLAT examination for the year. There is no age limit as such for applying for the CLAT, nor is there a limit to how many times you can appear for the CLAT exam.
The eligibility criteria for being able to appear for CLAT is different for both UG and PG admissions.
- NLU Eligibility for UG Courses: Students wishing to pursue an undergraduate law course would require to have cleared their 12th. Only the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes have been given concession in terms of the aggregate marks that they would need for the selection process, i.e. 45% for the General category including OBCs and Specially Abled Persons (SAP) and 40% for the SC/STs.
- NLU Eligibility for PG Courses: In case, a student wants to get admission for a post-graduate subject, the student will have to ensure that they have a degree of some sort from the Bar Council of India stating that the student has completed his/her degree in LL.B (3 or 5-year law course) or any course of the equivalent degree. Just as before, the SC/ST have an allowance in terms of the aggregate marks they would need for the postgraduate degree, i.e., 55% for the unreserved category and 50% for the SC/ST category.
If you are looking forward to preparing for the CLAT exam, here is a list of the best coaching institutes for CLAT that you can check out to ace the law entrance exam.
Also Read:Career Options that Law Graduates/ Lawyers Can Opt for Other Than Being a Lawyer
List of NLUs in India: Law Courses Offered
The NLUs offer a list of integrated law courses in India, postgraduate courses and doctoral courses. Law aspirants now know the list of NLUs in India but they should also know the courses offered to the students. Below are the undergraduate, post-graduate degree courses, PhD and other diploma courses offered at NLUs.
- BA LLB course
- BA LLB (Hons.) course
- BBA LLB course
- B.Sc LLB course
- B.Com LLB course
- LLM course
- PhD in Law course
- PG Diploma in Urban Environmental Management and Law (NLU Delhi)
- Post Graduate Diploma in Tourism and Environmental Law (NLU Delhi)
- Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Law and Policy (NLU Delhi)
List of NLUs in India: Seat Matrix
Law aspirants have got an idea of the list of NLUs in India and now they should know the seats offered by these law schools. The seat matrix for the 5-year LL.B and LL.M courses offered by various NLUs through the CLAT exam is as follows:
Name of the NLU | 5-year LL.B Seat Intake | LL.M Seat Intake |
National Law School of India University, Bangalore | 300 | 120 |
National Law University, New Delhi | 120 | 80 |
Nalsar University of Law, Hyderabad | 132 | 66 |
The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences | 132 | 100 |
Gujarat National Law University | 172 | 57 |
National Law University, Jodhpur | 120 | 50 |
National Law Institute University, Bhopal | 202 (BA LL.B 134, B.Sc LL.B 68) | 60 |
The Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala | 180 | 60 |
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow | 169 | 48 |
National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi | 134 | 60 |
National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam | 60 | 40 |
National Law University, Cuttack | 180 (BA LL.B 120, BBA LL.B 60) | 50 |
Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Visakhapatnam | 138 | 69 |
Chanakya National Law University, Patna | 138( 69 seats each for BA LL.B and BBA LL.B | 60 |
The Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirapalli | 120 (BA LL.B 60, B.Com LL.B 60) | 60 |
Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai | 100 | 50 |
Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur | 120 (BA LL.B 60, BBA LL.B 60) | 60 |
Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad | 120 (BA LL.B 60, BBA LL.B 60) | 60 |
Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla | 120 (BA LL.B 60, BBA LL.B 60) | 80 |
Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur | 120+14 Supernumerary seats | 50 |
Dr B R Ambedkar National Law University Sonipat, Haryana | 120 | - |
Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur | 180 | 90 |
National Law University, Tripura | 60 | 50 |
Gujarat National Law University, Silvassa Campus | 172 | 57 |
National Law University Meghalaya | 60 | - |
Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University, Uttar Pradesh | 60 | - |
Apart from the list of NLUs in India, other top 10 private law colleges in India are well-recognised and sought-after for UG as well as PG law courses. After qualification in the field of law, there are bright chances that you can bag some of the highest-paying jobs in the field of law.
If you want to take admission or apply to any of the desired Law colleges, you can use the Common Application Form or call the toll-free number 1800-572-9877. In any case, our admissions experts will help you throughout the process. If you have any questions, please post them in the Q&A section.
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FAQs
What is the list of NLUs in India?
There are at present, 26 NLUs in India and the best NLU is NLSIU Bangalore. The other NLUs are NLU New Delhi, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata, Gujarat National Law University, NLU Jodhpur, National Law Institute University Bhopal, NLU Patiala, NLU Lucknow, NLU Ranchi, NLU Assam, National Law University Cuttack, NLU Visakhapatnam, NLU Patna, NLU Tiruchirapalli, NLU Mumbai, NLU Nagpur, NLU Aurangabad, NLU Shimla, NLU Jabalpur, NLU Haryana, NLU Raipur, National Law University, Tripura, Gujarat National Law University, Silvassa Campus, NLU Meghalaya and NLU Uttar Pradesh.
What is the admission process to the list of NLUs in India?
Law aspirants should know that admission to the list of NLUs in India is done through the CLAT score and for NLU Delhi, it will be through the AILET score. Both these entrance exams are conducted once every year and around the same time of the year.
What are the courses offered by the list of NLUs in India?
The courses offered by the list of NLUs in India are BA LL.B, BA LL.B (Hons.), BBA LL.B, BSc LL.B, B.Com LL.B, LL.M, PhD in Law, PG Diploma in Urban Environmental Management and Law, Post Graduate Diploma in Tourism and Environmental Law, Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Law and Policy, etc.
Which NLUs have made their place in the NIRF ranking list?
The NLUs that have secured their place in the NIRF ranking list are National Law School of India University Bangalore, National Law University New Delhi, Nalsar University of Law Hyderabad, The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Gujarat National Law University, National Law Institute University Bhopal, The Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law Patiala, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University Lucknow, National University of Study & Research in Law Ranchi, National Law University and Judicial Academy Assam and National Law University Cuttack.
How is admission to the list of top NLUs conducted through CLAT?
CLAT is a popular law entrance exam in India. Every year the Consortium of the NLUs conduct the CLAT exam for admission to the 5-year undergraduate and post-graduate law courses. The exam is conducted offline in pen and paper mode. Based on the marks obtained in the CLAT examination, students will get admission to one of the NLUs.
Do other law colleges accept CLAT scores apart from NLUs?
Yes, there are lots of other law colleges apart from NLUs that accept CLAT scores. These law colleges are government as well as privately owned. The Consortium of NLUs conducts the CLAT exam year. Other than NLUs the next best law school is SLS Pune.
Can I get admission to NLU without CLAT?
All NLUs, except NLU Delhi, accept the law entrance exam of CLAT for selecting students. If you seek admission to NLU Delhi, you will have to appear for AILET. For admissions, NLSIU Bangalore conducts its own entrance exam called NLAT. However, it is mandatory to appear for CLAT for admission to any other NLU.
How tough is AILET than the CLAT exam?
The total number of seats offered through the AILET exam is much less compared to CLAT, hence it makes the exam more competitive and tough. Through the AILET exam, law aspirants can get admission to the 5-year BA LL.B (Hons.) or 1-year LL.M course.
Which is the best NLU among the list of NLUs in India?
Among all NLUs, the top positions are given to NALSAR Hyderabad, NLSIU Bangalore, WBNUJS West Bengal, and NLU Delhi. These are the NLUs that were established earlier and have featured in almost all the rankings consistently.
How many NLUs are there in India?
There are 26 NLUs (National Law Universities) now in India. Out of the 26 NLUs, there is an off-campus for GNLU Gandhinagar known as GNLU Silvassa. Some new NLUs have also been established in 2022 and 2023.