Delhi University 5-year LLB vs NLU Patna; Which is Better for CLAT 2025 Students?
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Delhi University 5-year LLB vs NLU Patna; Which is Better for CLAT 2025 Students?

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

Shubham BhakuniUpdated on 17 Mar 2025, 12:34 PM IST

Delhi University is one of the most popular universities accepting the CLAT 2025 scores. DU vs NLUs is one of the most debated topics among CLAT and comparisons are drawn. Delhi University is often grouped with tier 2 and tier 3 NLUs, as well as top non-NLUs. NLU Patna is one such NLU which is compared with Delhi University. Both DU and CNLU Patna offer 5-year LLB courses through CLAT 2025. Delhi University has a locational advantage whereas, CNLU Patna has a history of around 19 years in integrated LLB. Both these universities have their advantages. However, choosing one of them would require a detailed discussion. Read the complete article below for further discussion.

Delhi University 5-year LLB vs NLU Patna; Which is Better for CLAT 2025 Students?
Delhi University 5-year LLB vs NLU Patna; Which is Better for CLAT 2025 Students?

Why NLU Patna Vs Delhi University Comparison?

When it comes to tier 1 NLUs, there is enough clarity among students in accepting the admission offer. However, tier 2 or tier 3 NLU admission offers during CLAT counselling often raise questions if they should opt for a top non-NLU. With NLUs such as CNLU Patna, NLU Ranchi, or NLU Odisha, students are tempted to think about non-NLUs like Jindal Global University, GLC Mumbai or Delhi University. So, drawing a comparison between CNLU Patna and Delhi University becomes crucial for a better understanding of NLUs standing against top non-NLUs.

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Parameters of comparison

There are some parameters students should keep in mind while comparing law colleges. It makes the comparison more pointed and objective. The parameters should include specific indicators such as courses, location preference, alumni base, budget, programme outcomes and cut-offs. In the following section, we have discussed each of these parameters.

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  1. Courses

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Delhi University and CNLU Patna offer similar courses at the undergraduate level. Both universities are offering BA LLB and BBA LLB courses through CLAT 2025. While CNLU offers 69 seats in each of these courses, DU is offering 60 seats in each course.

  1. Location

DU has some great locational advantages. It is based in the National Capital Region, very close to the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India. Being one of the best multidisciplinary universities in the country, DU also has many learning opportunities beyond classrooms. Even from an internship and placement perspective, DU enjoys an ideal location.

CNLU Patna is less than 4 km from the Patna High Court. So, access to the courtroom is not an issue. However, it still lags behind DU in locational advantages.

  1. History and alumni

CNLU Patna is a dedicated law university. It provides a focused learning environment for law students. Delhi University has recently started 5-year LLB and it does have a good reputation. It is too early to talk about its legacy or alumni base. In comparison, CNLU Patna has relatively a wider alumni base.

  1. Budget

Both DU and CNLU Patna are government universities, expected to offer LLB at affordable costs. However, while DU charges approximately Rs. 2.0 Lakh per annum for 5 year LLB, CNLU would charge approximately Rs. 2.62 Lakh per annum. CNLU Patna is slightly more costly than DU and the fee increases by 5% every year.

  1. Programme Outcome — Placements

DU’s 5-year LLB program has yet to see its first graduating batch, so placement data is unavailable. If we take the reference of the 3-year LLB programme offered by DU, the placement numbers and packages are far less than any of the tier 2 national law universities. CNLU Patna is an established law university and has consistently provided placement records. The CNLU graduating batch of 2024 secured a median salary of approximately Rs. 10.41 Lakh per annum. From a batch of 137 students, 107 were placed, so the placement percentage is over 75%.

  1. Admission Cut-Offs

Finally, the CLAT cut-offs for DU and CNLU Patna are important indicators students must consider. Last year, the CNLU Patna admission opened at a CLAT rank of 790 for the general category and closed at AIR 1358. The Delhi University CLAT cut-off was around AIR 1100 for the general category. It went up to AIR 4,000 for OBC candidates.

Delhi University vs NLU Patna: Conclusion

  • DU has a better locational advantage for students looking to study in close proximity to the Supreme Court, Delhi High Court and Corporate houses.

  • CNLU Patna is a reliable option from an outcome perspective. The university has a decent placement record. DU 5-year LLB courses are yet to be tested from an outcome perspective.

  • DU is a top multidisciplinary university offering numerous learning opportunities outside classrooms. Whereas, CNLU Patna has a dedicated law focussed environment.

  • CNLU is slightly costly. However, given that it comes with an NLU tag and a good placement record, it is worth considering.

For students prioritizing location and interdisciplinary exposure, DU is an excellent option. However, those seeking a well-established law school with proven placement records might find CNLU Patna more suitable.

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Questions related to CLAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CLAT ?

Hello,

While NLUs are costly, you can still pursue government-funded law education through state-funded universities and their affiliated colleges that accept CLAT scores, such as institutes like Banaras Hindu University and Aligarh Muslim University.

I hope it will clear your query!!

It is always better to take the CLAT exam right after Class 12 if your goal is to build a career in law, because CLAT UG is specifically designed for admission into integrated five-year law programs like BA LLB, BCom LLB, or BBA LLB. Appearing after Class 12 saves you time, as you complete both graduation and law together in a single course. On the other hand, if you first complete graduation and then plan for law, you will not be eligible for CLAT UG but instead for CLAT PG, which is meant for admission into LLM programs. This path takes longer, because you first spend three or four years on graduation and then add another three years in an LLB program if you choose not to go for an integrated course. So, if you are already sure about pursuing law as your career, writing CLAT right after Class 12 is the smarter and time-saving option, while writing it after graduation makes sense only if you are considering higher studies in law or a shift in career later.

For CLAT, the most important topics are from  Legal Reasoning, Current Affairs & GK, the Indian Constitution, English Language, Quantitative Techniques and Logical Reasoning. For a brief detail you can go through the following link: https://law.careers360.com/articles/clat-important-topics

Thank You.

Hi dear candidate,

Both the colleges Maharaja Agrasen (MAIMS) or Gitarattan (GIBS) are affiliated to IP University and allows admission either by CLAT or IPU CET Law. Without either of these exams, your admission is NOT accepted there. You can try looking for management quota seats in these colleges if you have got good marks in 12th class.

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Hi dear candidate,

You can easily register yourself for CLAT exam by visiting the Consortium of NLUs official website and follow these steps:

  • Register yourself with your EMail ID, phone number and password.
  • Log in using OTP
  • Complete application form by entering details, selecting program (UG/PG) and uploading required documents mentioned there.
  • Then at last, review the application and pay the registration fees.
  • Download your confirmation slip.

Know the complete process at:

CLAT Registration 2026 (Started): Documents Required, Application Fee, Link, Steps to Apply

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