NLSIU Bangalore Admission 2026: Dates, Process & Fee Structure

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, has opened admissions for the 2026-27 academic session, offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs. As India’s premier law school, NLSIU provides courses like BA LLB (Hons.), 3-Year LLB, LLM, MPP, and PhD, with admissions through competitive entrance exams such as CLAT and NLSAT. This guide covers the eligibility criteria, admission process, seat matrix, and fee structure, helping aspiring law students understand how to secure a place at one of the country’s top legal institutions.

NLSIU Bangalore Admission 2026 Important Dates

Prospective candidates must stay updated with the following timeline for the 2026 admission cycle:

NLSIU Bangalore Admission Process

The NLSIU Bangalore Admission Process varies depending on the level of the program. While the flagship 5-year BA LLB (Hons.) and 1-year LLM programs utilise the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), other professional degrees use the university's independent entrance test, NLSAT.

• CLAT-Based Admissions: Managed by the Consortium of NLUs for BA LLB (Hons.) and LLM.

• NLSAT-Based Admissions: Conducted by NLSIU for the 3-Year LLB, MPP, and PhD programs.

NLSIU Bangalore Admission for BA LLB (Hons.)

The 5-year integrated NLSIU Bangalore Admission for BA LLB (Hons.) is the university’s most sought-after program.

• Eligibility: Candidates must have passed 10+2 or equivalent with a minimum of 45% marks (40% for SC/ST).

• Entrance Exam: Selection is based purely on the merit list of the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT-UG).

• Seat Matrix: For 2026, the total intake is 310 seats.

NLSIU Bangalore Admission for 3-Year LLB

The NLSIU Bangalore Admission for 3-Year LLB (Hons.) is open to graduates from any discipline.

• Eligibility: A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with at least 45% marks (40% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD). Final-year students are also eligible to apply.

• Entrance Exam: Candidates must clear the NLSAT-LLB, which consists of Part A (MCQs) and Part B (Subjective/Essay).

• Seat Intake: There are 120 seats available for the 3-Year LLB program.

NLSIU Admission for LLM

The NLSIU Admission for LLM is for law graduates looking to specialize in various legal fields.

• Eligibility: An LLB degree or equivalent with at least 45% marks.

• Entrance Exam: Admission is granted through the CLAT-PG examination.

• Intake: The university offers 120 seats for LLM specializations in the 2026-27 session.

NLSIU Admission for MPP (Master’s in Public Policy)

The NLSIU Admission for MPP is a two-year interdisciplinary program focused on the intersection of law and public policy.

• Eligibility: Graduates from any discipline with a minimum of 45% aggregate marks (40% for reserved categories).

• Admission Procedure: Selection is made through the NLSAT-MPP entrance test.

• Total Seats: The maximum intake for the MPP program is 60 students.

NLSIU Bangalore Admissions for PhD (Law / Interdisciplinary)

For advanced research, NLSIU Bangalore Admissions for PhD (Law / Interdisciplinary) are conducted annually.

• Eligibility: A Master's degree in Law or relevant Social Sciences/Humanities with at least 55% marks.

• Selection Process: Candidates must clear the NLSAT-PhD written test, followed by a research proposal evaluation and interview.

• Intake: There are 4 seats each for PhD (Law) and PhD (Interdisciplinary).

NLSIU Bangalore Fee Structure 2026-27

The following table outlines the provisional annual fees for various programs at NLSIU:

Note: Fees include tuition, facilities, and housing where applicable, but are subject to final ratification by the University Governing Bodies.

How to Apply for NLSIU Bangalore Admission 2026?

Follow these steps for NLSIU Bangalore Admission 2026 through the NLSAT portal:

1. Registration: Visit nlsatadmissions.nls.ac.in and register with basic details.

2. Fill Application: Log in and enter personal, academic, and contact information.

3. Upload Documents: Provide scanned copies of your photograph, signature, ID proof, and a 2-page CV.

4. Fee Payment: Pay the application fee—₹2,500 for General/EWS and ₹2,000 for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD.

5. Submit: Complete the process before the deadline of March 23, 2026.