
List of NLUs in India 2025 is helpful for aspiring law students. NLUs in India are recognized as the top legal education institutions in the country. As of 2025, there are 25 NLUs, and they admit students to integrated undergraduate programs (like BA LLB) as well as postgraduate programs (LLM).
These universities conduct admissions through CLAT. They offer strong placement opportunities and a wide range of specializations. NLSIU Bengaluru continues to be in the first position, followed closely by NLU Delhi and NALSAR Hyderabad.
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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.
The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2026 has ranked the top law colleges in India based on various parameters. These rankings consider multiple parameters, including teaching, learning resources, research, professional practices, graduation outcomes, and outreach activities. Here are the NIRF Law Ranking 2026: NLU Positions:
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NIRF Law Ranking 2026: NLU Positions |
|
|
NLU Institute |
NIRF Ranking 2026 |
|
National Law School of India University, Bangalore |
1 |
|
National Law University, Delhi |
2 |
|
National Academy of Legal Study & Research (NALSAR) University of Law, Hyderabad |
3 |
|
The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata |
4 |
|
Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar |
5 |
|
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur |
6 |
|
National Law Institute University, Bhopal |
27 |
|
National Law University, Jodhpur |
- |
|
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow |
21 |
|
Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala |
- |
|
Chanakya National Law University Patna |
17 |
|
National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi |
- |
|
National Law University Odisha, Cuttack |
15 |
|
National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi |
30 |
|
National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam |
35 |
|
Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU) Visakhapatnam |
- |
|
The Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirapalli |
- |
|
Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai |
- |
|
Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur |
28 |
|
Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad |
- |
|
Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla |
34 |
|
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 |
- |
Here is a comprehensive list of NLUs in India. Along with their NIRF rankings, the seat allocation for undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) courses is also given here:
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List of NLUs in India |
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|
NLUs in India |
NIRF Ranking 2026 |
Seats for UG courses |
Seats for PG Courses |
|
National Law School of India University, Bangalore |
1 |
310 |
100 |
|
National Law University, Delhi |
2 |
123 seats for UG (including Supernumerary seats) |
83 (including Supernumerary seats) |
|
National Academy of Legal Study & Research (NALSAR) University of Law, Hyderabad |
3 |
132 |
66 |
|
The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata |
4 |
132 |
70 |
|
Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar |
5 |
172 |
57 |
|
National Law Institute University, Bhopal |
27 |
102 |
60 |
|
National Law University, Jodhpur |
- |
120 |
50 |
|
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow |
21 |
187 |
33 |
|
Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala |
- |
180 |
60 |
|
Chanakya National Law University Patna |
17 |
132 |
- |
|
National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi |
- |
120 |
60 |
|
National Law University Odisha, Cuttack |
15 |
180 |
46 |
|
National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi |
30 |
120 |
50 |
|
National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam |
35 |
60 |
40 |
|
Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU) Visakhapatnam |
- |
120 |
60 |
|
The Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirapalli |
- |
120 |
60 |
|
Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai |
- |
100 |
50 |
|
Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur |
28 |
120 |
60 |
|
Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad |
- |
60 |
60 |
|
Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla |
34 |
180 |
80 |
|
Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur |
- |
120 |
50 |
|
Dr B R Ambedkar National Law University Sonipat, Haryana |
- |
120 |
- |
|
Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur |
- |
170 |
90 |
|
Sikkim National Law University, Gangtok |
- |
- |
- |
|
National Law University, Tirupura |
- |
120 |
50 |
|
GNLU Silvassa Campus |
- |
66 |
33 |
|
Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University, Prayagraj (RPNLU) |
- |
60 |
- |
National Law Universities offer comprehensive courses designed to build strong legal foundations while preparing students for professional practice or research.
Undergraduate Programs (UG):
NLUs primarily offer 5-year integrated courses like BA LLB (Hons.), BBA LLB (Hons.), B.Com LLB (Hons.), and B.Sc LLB (Hons.). These programs combine law with humanities, management, commerce, or science subjects to provide a holistic legal education.
Postgraduate Programs (PG):
LLM programs typically span 1 year and offer specializations including Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Corporate Law, Environmental Law, and International Law.
Doctoral Programs:
Ph.D. in Law and research fellowships are available for students interested in academic research or policy analysis.
Diploma and Certificate Courses:
Some NLUs also offer short-term programs in niche areas like Cyber Law, Intellectual Property Rights, Human Rights, and Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Admission to NLUs is done through the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) as the entrance exam for most universities. Both UG and PG programs have a structured admission timeline and eligibility criteria.
Common Law Admission Test (CLAT): It is conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities for admissions to UG and PG programs in participating NLUs.
Eligibility: Candidates must have passed 10+2 or equivalent with a minimum percentage (varies by university).
Application Process: Online registration, followed by the entrance exam, and counselling for seat allocation.
CLAT PG: For admission to LLM programs.
Eligibility: LLB or equivalent degree with a minimum percentage (varies by university).
Application Process: Online registration, followed by the entrance exam, and counseling for seat allocation.