List of NLUs in India, Courses, Seats, Rankings, Fees and Accreditations

What Does NLU stands for?

NLU stands for National Law University. These universities were created to raise the standard of legal education in India to match global levels, similar to how IIMs and IITs are for management and engineering. Established under state legislations and recognized by the Bar Council of India (BCI), NLUs are single-discipline universities that provide integrated honors and law degrees. There are currently 26 NLUs in India.

What are the Entrance Exams for NLUs?

AILET and CLAT Exam Comparison

AILET and CLAT are two entrance exams for NLUs that have similarities and differences. CLAT focuses on testing reading and critical thinking skills, while AILET includes both comprehension and non-comprehension-based questions. Here's a comparison of these exams.

CLAT vs AILET UG Exam Pattern

Exam Features

CLAT UG

AILET UG

Exam mode

Offline

Test duration

2 hours

1 hour 30 minutes

Test subjects

English including Comprehension
Current Affairs including General Knowledge
Quantitative Techniques (Elementary Mathematics)
Legal Reasoning
Logical Reasoning

English Comprehension
General Knowledge and Current Affairs
Elementary Mathematics
Legal Aptitude
Logical Reasoning

Type of questions

Multiple choices questions (MCQs)

Total marks

150 marks

Marking scheme

1 mark for each correct answer

Negative Marking

-0.25 marks for each wrong attempt

-0.25 marks deducted for each wrong attempt

Language

English

CLAT vs AILET PG Exam Pattern

Exam Features

CLAT PG

AILET PG

Exam mode

Offline

Test duration

2 hours

1 hour 30 minutes

Test subjects

One question paper based on:

Sec A – Constitutional Law
Sec B - Contract, Torts, Criminal Law, International Law, IPR and Jurisprudence. and, other law topics and Contemporary Issues

Criminal Law
Constitutional Law
Law of Contract
Jurisprudence
Law of Torts
International Law

Type of questions

Both Objective and subjective

Only Objective questions

Total marks

150 marks

Marking scheme

1 mark awarded for each MCQ answered correctly

1 mark awarded for each question answered correctly

Negative Marking

0.25 marks deducted for each wrong attempt for MCQ

0.25 marks deducted for each wrong attempt

List of Top NLUs in India

NLU ranking is crucial for candidates selecting their preferred institute. According to the NIRF Law rankings 2024, NLSIU Bengaluru holds the top spot. Other universities in the top rankings include NLU Delhi, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata, GNLU Gandhinagar, NLIU Bhopal, RGNLU Patiala, RMLNLU Lucknow, NUSRL Ranchi, and NLUJA Assam.

National Law Universities Seat Intake

NLUs in India	NIRF Ranking 2024	NIRF Ranking 2023	Seats (UG and PG courses)
National Law School of India University, Bangalore	1	1	310 seats for UG and 100 seats for PG course
National Law University, Delhi	2	2	123 seats for UG (including Supernumerary seats) and 83 and seats for PG course (including Supernumerary seats)
National Academy of Legal Study & Research (NALSAR) University of Law, Hyderabad	3	3	132 seats for UG and 66 seats for PG course
The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata	4	4	132 seats for UG and 70 seats for PG course
National Law Institute University, Bhopal	14	14	102 seats for UG and 60 seats for PG course
National Law University, Jodhpur	8	8	120 seats for UG and 50 seats for PG course
Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar	6	6	172 seats for UG and 57 seats for PG course
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow	15	15	187 seats for UG and 33 seats for PG course
Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala	16	16	180 seats for UG and 60 seats for PG course
Chanakya National Law University Patna	-	-	132 seats for UG
National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi	26	26	120 seats for UG and 60 seats for PG course
National Law University Odisha, Cuttack	18	18	180 seats for UG and 46 seats for PG course
National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi	-	-	120 seats for UG and 50 seats for PG course
National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam	20	20	60 seats for UG and 40 seats for PG course
Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU) Visakhapatnam	28	28	120 seats for UG and 60 seats for PG course
The Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirapalli	-	-	120 seats for UG and 60 seats for PG course
Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai	-	-	100 seats for UG and 50 seats for PG course
Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur	-	-	120 seats for UG and 60 seats for PG course
Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad	-	-	60 seats for UG and 60 seats for PG course
Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla	-	-	180 seats for UG and 80 seats for PG course
Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur	-	-	120 seats for UG and 50 seats for PG course
Dr B R Ambedkar National Law University Sonipat, Haryana	-	-	120 seats for UG course
Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur	-	-	170 seats for UG and 90 seats for PG course
Sikkim National Law University, Gangtok	-	-	-
National Law University, Tirupura	-	-	120 seats for UG and 50 seats for PG course
GNLU Silvassa Campus	-	-	66 seats for UG and 33 seats for PG course
Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University, Prayagraj	-	-	60 seats for UG course

List of NLUs in India: NIRF NLU Ranking

The table below highlights the National Law Universities (NLUs) in India ranked by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) over the past years. It shows the consistent performance and ranking trends of the top NLUs.

NLUs in India	NIRF Ranking 2024	NIRF Ranking 2023
National Law School of India University, Bangalore	1	1
National Law University, Delhi	2	2
National Academy of Legal Study & Research (NALSAR) University of Law, Hyderabad	3	3
The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata	4	4
National Law Institute University, Bhopal	21	18
National Law University, Jodhpur	-	-
Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar	8	7
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow	20	21
Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala	24	20
Chanakya National Law University Patna	31	-
National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi	38	-
National Law University Odisha, Cuttack	26	30
National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi	22	24
National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam	27	28
Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU) Visakhapatnam	-	-
The Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirapalli	-	-
Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai	31	-
Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur	34	-
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	-	-
Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University, Prayagraj	-	-
New NLUs in India
National Law University, Tirupura (Admissions on Hold for academic year 2023)	-	-
GNLU Silvassa Campus (w.e.f. 2023)	-	-

List of NLUs in India: Law Courses Offered

The National Law Universities offer a variety of law courses including 5-year integrated LLB, 3-year LLB, LLM, and PhD programs. Below is the list of law programs offered by NLUs.

Law Programs Offered by NLUs

NLUs in India offer a range of UG and PG law programs, including BA LLB, BBA LLB, BCom LLB, BSc LLB, and specialized LLM courses like Corporate Law and Constitutional Law. Some NLUs also provide unique programs such as Master of Public Policy and MBA courses, enhancing the scope of legal education.

UG Courses	PG Courses
BA LLB (Hons.)	LLM
BBA LLB	LLD
BCom LLB	PhD in Law
BSc LLB	PG Diploma in Urban Environmental Management and Law (NLU Delhi)
BLS LLB	Post Graduate Diploma in Tourism and Environmental Law (NLU Delhi)
3-year LLB	Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Law and Policy (NLU Delhi)

Some NLUs, like NLSIU Bangalore, also offer Master of Public Policy, Certificate courses in various law disciplines, and MBA courses.

Full List of NLU Courses

From BA LLB to specialized LLM programs in areas like Corporate Law and Intellectual Property, NLUs cater to various interests and career paths in the legal field, ensuring comprehensive education and specialization opportunities.

NLU	UG Law Program	PG Law Program
CNLU Patna	BA LLB	-
GNLU Gandhinagar	BA LLB, BCom LLB	LLM in Comparative Public Law/Systems of Governance, Research Methods and Legal Writing, Law and Justice in a Globalizing World
GNLU Silvassa Campus	BA LLB	LLM
HNLU Raipur	BA LLB	LLM in Research Methods and Legal Writing, Comparative Public Law/Systems of Governance, Law and Justice in a Globalizing World
MNLU Aurangabad	BA LLB	-
MNLU Mumbai	BA LLB	LLM in Corporate & Commercial Law, Constitutional & Administrative Law, Criminal & Security Law
MNLU Nagpur	BA LLB	LLM in Corporate and Commercial Laws, Intellectual Property Laws, Constitutional Law, Personal Laws, Energy and Telecommunication Laws
NLU Assam	BA LLB	LLM in Corporate and Commercial Laws, Intellectual Property Laws, International Law, Environmental Law, Constitutional Law, Personal Laws, Human Rights Law
NLU Delhi	BA LLB	LLM
NLU Hyderabad	BA LLB	LLM in Corporate Commercial Laws, Criminal Law, Family Law, Intellectual Property, International Trade and Business Law, Legal Pedagogy and Research, Public Law and Legal Theory
NLU Jabalpur	BA LLB	LLM
NLU Jodhpur	BA LLB, BSc LLB	LLM in Corporate Laws, IPR Laws
NLU Kochi	BA LLB	LLM
NLU Lucknow	BA LLB	LLM in Constitutional and Administrative Law, Corporate Law, Criminal and Security Law, International Law
NLU Meghalaya	BA LLB, BBA LLB, BS LLB	LLM
NLU Odisha	BA LLB, BBA LLB	LLM in Corporate Law & Commercial Law (CCL), Constitutional Law
NLU Ranchi	BA LLB	LLM in Intellectual Property Rights, Corporate and Commercial Law, Constitutional and Administrative Law
NLU Shimla	BA LLB, BBA LLB	LLM in Constitutional Law, Criminal Law
NLU Sonipat	BA LLB	-
NLU Trichy	BA LLB, BCom LLB	LLM in Corporate and Securities Laws, Intellectual Property Laws, Natural Resources Law
NLU Visakhapatnam	BA LLB	LLM in Legal Aspects of Commercial Transactions, Corporate Securities Laws, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Law, Information Technology and Commercial Law, Investment and Trade Law, Infrastructure Law
NLUO	BA LLB, BBA LLB	LLM in Corporate and Commercial Law, Intellectual Property Rights, Constitutional and Administrative Law
NLSIU Bangalore	BA LLB	LLM in Business Laws, Human Rights Law
NLIU Bhopal	BA LLB	LLM in Intellectual Property & Business Law, Constitutional and Administrative Law, Human Rights and Criminal Law
NLUT Agartala	BA LLB	LLM
NUJS Kolkata	BA LLB, BSc LLB	LLM in Corporate and Commercial Law, International Law, Criminal and Security Laws
RGNUL Patiala	BA LLB	LLM in Business Law, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, International Law

NLUs Admission 2025 Eligibility Criteria

Here are the eligibility criteria for admission to law programs across 26 National Law Universities (NLUs) under the CLAT Consortium. NLU Delhi has separate criteria outlined in its admission notification. Basic eligibility remains consistent across NLUs:

Criteria	Details
Age limit	No age limit
Detailed eligibility criteria	For CLAT - CLAT eligibility criteria; For NLU Delhi - AILET eligibility criteria
Educational qualification	Integrated LLB: Class 12 or equivalent; LLM: LLB degree (3-year or integrated LLB)
Minimum marks required in qualifying exam	Integrated LLB: 45% (40% for SC/ST candidates); LLM: 50% (45% for SC/ST candidates)

For more specific eligibility details, candidates should refer to the official websites of respective NLUs and entrance exams.

NLUs Fee Structure

The fee structure for National Law Universities (NLUs) in India varies across institutions and programs, typically ranging between INR 1-3 lakhs per year for undergraduate courses like BA LLB and INR 13,000 to 3.43 lakhs for postgraduate programs like LLM. The fees include components such as tuition, admission, library, hostel, and mess charges, along with refundable deposits. NLU Delhi, for instance, charges approximately INR 1.86 lakhs annually for its BA LLB program, while other NLUs like NLSIU Bangalore and NLU Jodhpur have fees averaging INR 82,620 to INR 2.49 lakhs per year. Scholarships and fee concessions are available for eligible students.

CLAT 2025 Important Links
Best GK Books for CLAT 2024 Preparation	50 Important Legal Maxims For CLAT 2024
CLAT 2024 Final Answer Key (9th Dec)	CLAT Admission Process 2024

List of NLUs in India FAQs

What is an NLU?

NLU stands for National Law University, which are prestigious law schools in India. There are currently 26 NLUs, with NLSIU Bengaluru being the first and considered the best among them.

Which are the top 5 NLU?

The top 5 National Law Universities (NLUs) in India are National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bangalore, ranked first, followed by National Law University (NLU) in Delhi, ranked second. The National Academy of Legal Study & Research (NALSAR) University of Law in Hyderabad is ranked third, The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBUJS) in Kolkata is fourth, and National Law University in Jodhpur is ranked fifth.

Is 4000 a good rank in CLAT?

A CLAT rank of 4000 is generally not considered high enough for securing admission to one of the top NLUs. However, candidates from reserved categories may still have a chance to secure admission to NLUs with a rank of 4000.

Which is the most expensive NLU?

The most expensive NLUs are National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru, NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad, and National Law University (NLU) in Delhi, which have the highest fees among all the law universities in India.

Which is the fastest growing NLU?

NLUO, or National Law University Odisha, is recognized as the fastest growing among the National Law Universities (NLUs) in various aspects such as academics, moot performances, placements, and infrastructure development. Notably, NLUO inaugurated the largest law library in Asia in 2023, highlighting its rapid expansion and development within the legal education sector.