NLU Ranking 2024: 10 NLUs you must include in your CLAT 2025 preference list
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NLU Ranking 2024: 10 NLUs you must include in your CLAT 2025 preference list

Ongoing Event

CLAT Application Date:01 Aug' 25 - 31 Oct' 25

Mirza Farhan BaigUpdated on 11 Sep 2024, 12:47 PM IST

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.

This Story also Contains

  1. Top 10 NLUs Rank Wise - NIRF Law Ranking 2024
  2. Top 10 NLUs with the highest placements
  3. What are the top 5 NLUs most preferred by students?
NLU Ranking 2024: 10 NLUs you must include in your CLAT 2025 preference list
10 NLUs you must include in your CLAT 2025 preference list

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.

Top 10 NLUs Rank Wise - NIRF Law Ranking 2024

Order of Preference

Name

City

NIRF Rank

1

National Law School of India University

Bengaluru

1

2

Nalsar University of Law

Hyderabad

3

3

The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences

Kolkata

4

4

Gujarat National Law University

Gandhinagar

8

5

Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University

Lucknow

20

6

National Law Institute University, Bhopal

Bhopal

21

7

National University of Study and Research in Law

Ranchi

22

8

The Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law

Patiala

24

9

National Law University, Cuttack

Cuttack

26

10

National Law University and Judicial Academy

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.

Top 10 NLUs with the highest placements

Preference order

Name

CityNIRF RankPlacements (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

What are the top 5 NLUs most preferred by students?

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.

Top 5 NLUs by Cut-Offs

NLUCut-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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Which is the top-ranked NLU in the NIRF Law ranking 2024?
A:

The top-ranked NLU as per NIRF Law ranking 2024 is NLSIU Bangalore.

Q: What is the median placement package for a 5-year LLB at NLSIU Bangalore?
A:

The median package for NLSIU is Rs. 16 LPA.

Q: Can I use CLAT score for NLU Delhi admission?
A:

No, CLAT scores are not accepted for admission to NLU Delhi. Instead, you can appear in the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET).

Q: Which are the top 5 NLUs in the ranking?
A:

The top 5 NLUs are NLSIU Bangalore, NLU Delhi, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata and GNLU Gandhinagar.

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Questions related to CLAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CLAT ?

Right now there is no official e-guide for CLAT 2026 released by the Consortium of NLUs. They usually provide sample questions and model papers closer to the exam, but not a complete guide at this stage.

You can still prepare using free study material available online. Many websites provide free downloadable PDFs, mock tests, and previous year papers that will help you understand the pattern and practice important topics.

If you want a structured book, there are two good options. The Oswaal CLAT & AILET guide has past year solved papers, topic-wise questions, and mock tests. The Arihant CLAT Conqueror book has more than 3000 practice questions with solutions. Both are helpful depending on whether you prefer solved papers or more practice questions.

Hello,

Here is the link where you will get CLAT Question Paper solution : CLAT 2024 Question Paper with solutions

Hope it helps !

Hello,

For your question, the answer is the examination date for the CLAT is likely Sunday, December 7, 2025. Also, for your info, the application period is began  on August 1, 2025, and continues till October 31, 2025.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Hello Ayush

The CLAT 2025 results were announced on May 17, 2025 after a revision as per Supreme Court's directions. The initial results were declared in December 2024 but due to court directions and result revisions, the final results were declared in the month of May 2025.

To know more about CLAT: CLAT by CAREERS360

Hope this answer helps! Thank You!!!

Got it! You want to connect with a student from NLSIU to ask some questions about CLAT preparation. I don’t have the ability to connect you directly with students, but I can help you in two ways.

First, I can guide you with strategies, tips, and resources that NLSIU students often use for CLAT preparation, so you get insights similar to talking to a current student.

Second, I can suggest online communities or forums where current law students, including NLSIU students, discuss CLAT preparation. You can post your question there and get direct replies. Examples include WhatsApp groups, Telegram groups, or Reddit communities like r/CLATPrep.