Candidates applying for CLAT 2024 are required to give admission preference to national law universities (NLUs) while filling out the application form. Making a CLAT NLU preference list is one of the most important, yet less discussed. Under the old NLU admission system, an option to give admission preferences to NLUs was available only after the declaration of CLAT results allowing the students to select NLUs based on their rank/marks. This would have helped the students make more informed decisions regarding their higher education.
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However, the new CLAT 2025 admission process requires the candidates to provide NLU preferences even before the exam is conducted, with no option for modification during the counselling. As the scores of Common Law Admission Test scores are not available at the time of the application process, students are required to give admission preferences randomly. This puts the students in a fix and often results in them getting lower ranked NLU despite having a higher rank in CLAT.
Regarding the NLU preferences, the students have their priorities. Some may have the clarity to go after top-ranked NLUs, while some may look at the other aspects such as fees, placements, proximity to hometown/home state etc. The CLAT rank, which is not available at the time of the application process, remains constant in all cases and is the biggest determinant of seat allocation in NLUs.
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To simplify this, we have 10 NLUs arranged in the order of preference and can be referred to by the candidates while filling out the application form.
The term “preference” can be subjective, so, we have two popular parameters — first, ranking in the NIRF 2024 law school, and second, the placement records of the NLUs which is one of the most important factors largely overlooked in NIRF.
Order of Preference | Name | City | NIRF Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | National Law School of India University | Bengaluru | 1 |
2 | Hyderabad | 3 | |
3 | Kolkata | 4 | |
4 | Gandhinagar | 8 | |
5 | Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University | Lucknow | 20 |
6 | National Law Institute University, Bhopal | Bhopal | 21 |
7 | Ranchi | 22 | |
8 | Patiala | 24 | |
9 | National Law University, Cuttack | Cuttack | 26 |
10 | Kamrup | 27 |
A cursory look at the top 10 NLUs listed in NIRF given above shows that many of the prominent NLUs with better placements are either ranked lower or missing from the list. For example, NLU Bhopal which has a median placement package of Rs. 16 LPA is ranked below RMNLU Lucknow. NLU Cuttack ranked 26th in NIRF has a median salary package of Rs. 14.5 LPA much higher than many other law schools ranked above in the list. NLU Jodhpur, a tier 1 NLU and one of India's most popular law schools doesn’t even participate in NIRF Law school ranking. So, a more refined list of top NLUs should consider the placement aspect too. Here we have rearranged the top 10 NLUs in the order of placements.
| Preference order | Name | City | NIRF Rank | Placements (LPA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences | Kolkata | 4 | 20 LPA |
2 | National Law School of India University | Bengaluru | 1 | 16 LPA |
3 | Nalsar University of Law | Hyderabad | 3 | 16 LPA |
4 | Gujarat National Law University | Gandhinagar | 8 | 16 LPA |
5 | National Law Institute University, Bhopal | Bhopal | 21 | 16 LPA |
6 | National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) | Kochi | 38 | 15 LPA |
7 | National Law University, Cuttack | Cuttack | 26 | 14.5 LPA |
8 | Maharashtra National Law University Mumbai | Mumbai | 31 | 14 LPA |
9 | Chanakya National Law University | Patna | 31 | 10.4 LPA |
10 | National University of Study and Research in Law | Ranchi | 22 | 10 LPA |
Over the years, there has been a remarkable consistency when it comes to preferences given to NLUs by the students. NLSIU Bangalore which is considered very good in all parameters remains the most preferred NLU. Over 90% of the top 100 candidates in the CLAT exam prefer to go to NLSIU Bangalore every year. The candidates who fail to secure admission to NLSIU prefer NALSAR Hyderabad followed by WBNIJS Kolkata, NLU Jodhpur and GNLU Gandhinagr. Here is the preference order for the top 5 NLUs as per the preference given by students.
| NLU | Cut-off rank for General category | |
|---|---|---|
NLSIU Bangalore | 102 | 114 |
NALSAR Hyderabad | 167 | 177 |
WBNUJS Kolkata | 279 | 260 |
NLU Jodhpur | 379 | 383 |
GNLU Gandhinagar | 464 | 462 |
The top 5 NLUs are NLSIU Bangalore, NLU Delhi, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata and GNLU Gandhinagar.
The top-ranked NLU as per NIRF Law ranking 2024 is NLSIU Bangalore.
The median package for NLSIU is Rs. 16 LPA.
No, CLAT scores are not accepted for admission to NLU Delhi. Instead, you can appear in the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET).
Hello,
Yes, you can take part in CLAT counselling even if you passed through a supplementary exam. But make sure you have your final passing marksheet or result before the admission process starts.
Most colleges will ask for proof that you have passed your Class 12 before giving final admission. So, if your result comes out in time, you won’t face any problem.
Hope it helps !
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national-level entrance exam for law programs in India. As a Class 12 student, you're eligible to take the exam if you meet the minimum percentage requirements: 45% for general category and 40% for SC/ST.
Exam Pattern:
- Mode: Offline (pen-and-paper test)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Questions:120 multiple-choice questions
- Subjects: English Language, Current Affairs & GK, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques
- Marking Scheme: 1 mark for correct answers, -0.25 marks for incorrect answers
Subjects and Weightage:
- English Language (20%):Comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and verbal reasoning
- Current Affairs & GK (25%): Awareness of current events and general knowledge
- Legal Reasoning (25%): Understanding legal principles and rules
- Logical Reasoning (20%): Logical and analytical reasoning skills
- Quantitative Techniques (10%): Mathematical operations and problem-solving
Preparation Tips:
- Start early to cover all topics thoroughly
- Practice regularly with mock tests to familiarize yourself with the exam format and timing
- Utilize resources like CLAT study materials and online platforms for structured preparation
- Join study groups to share knowledge and stay updated
Coaching and Study Materials:
- Consider joining CLAT coaching after your 12th board exams, unless you're a self-study expert
- Use recommended study materials like "Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis for English, "Lucent's General Knowledge" for GK, and "Manorama Yearbook" for current affairs
*Eligibility and Application:*
- Check the official CLAT website for application deadlines and process
- Ensure you meet the minimum percentage requirements and have a valid ID proof
and passport-sized photographs.
For more information CLAT 202 6
Hello,
In Vijayawada, several institutes offer CLAT coaching alongside intermediate studies. Here are some options:
1. Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy
2. Abhyaas LawPrep
3. T.I.M.E. Institute
4. Career Launcher
5. IMS Victory Academy
Hope it helps !
The CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) syllabus includes five main sections: English Language, Current Affairs including General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. For preparation, some recommended books are *Word Power Made Easy* by Norman Lewis for English, *Lucent’s General Knowledge* for GK, and *Manorama Yearbook* for current affairs. For Legal Reasoning, *Universal’s Guide to CLAT & LLB* is useful, while *A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning* by R.S. Aggarwal helps with reasoning. For Quantitative Techniques, *Quantitative Aptitude* by R.S. Aggarwal is a good choice. Regular mock tests and previous years' papers also enhance preparation.
Hello aspirant,
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) was conducted on 1 December 2024 and the Consortium released results on 7 December 2024.
However, due to legal proceedings that are underway, candidates should keep their eyes on the Consortium for a finalised result and admission process.
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