List of NLUs in India 2026: NIRF Ranking, Courses, Admission Process

List of NLUs in India 2026: NIRF Ranking, Courses, Admission Process

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Shubham BhakuniUpdated on 17 Dec 2025, 02:46 PM IST
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National Law Universities (NLUs) are the premier law schools in India and are seen as flagbearers of legal education. Currently, there are 26 NLUs in India. There is an off-campus of GNLU Gandhinagar known as GNLU Silvassa. RPNLU Prayagaraj is the latest entry in the list of NLUs in India, which started accepting admissions into BA LLB based on CLAT scores. The NLUs represent the second-generation reforms in legal education. The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bengaluru was the first NLU in India, established under the National Law School of India Act (Karnataka Act 22 of 1986).

This Story also Contains

  1. Law Courses Offered by Top NLUs in India
  2. Entrance Exams for NLUs
  3. Admission to NLUs through CLAT
  4. Admission to NLU Delhi through AILET
  5. NLUs Admission - Eligibility Criteria
  6. AILET Vs CLAT - A comparison
List of NLUs in India 2026: NIRF Ranking, Courses, Admission Process
List of NLUs

Out of 26 NLUs, 24 offer admissions through the Common Law Admission Test. NLU Delhi conducts its admission based on the All India Law Entrance Test. For NLU Meghalaya admissions, the university conducts its own entrance exam. CNLU Patna conducts its separate admission test for the LLM programme. Although RPNLU Prayagraj uses CLAT scores for its admission, it is not part of the centralised admission and counselling.

Almost all national law universities (NLUs) offer integrated LLB, LLM and PhD programmes. Some of the NLUs also offer various certification programmes. NLSIU Bengaluru and NLUO Cuttack are the only NLUs to offer a 3-year LLB programme for students who have completed their graduation. NLSIU Bengaluru offers admission to 3-year LLB through the National Law School Admission Test (NLSAT) which is conducted online. In this article, students can get the full list of NLUs along with various other related details, including law courses, admission process, seats, entrance exam, and cutoffs for NLUs.

Amity University-Noida Law Admissions 2026

Among top 100 Universities Globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2026

UPES Integrated LLB Admissions 2026

Ranked #18 amongst Institutions in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in India for Academic Reputation by QS Rankings | 16 LPA Highest CTC

You may also check: Top Law Colleges in India

NLU Full Form

The full form of NLU stands for National Law University. These universities were established to provide legal education in India on par with global standards. They are no less in status than IIMs and IITs are for management and engineering, respectively. Currently, there are 26 NLUs in the country. Read on to find out the list of NLUs in India rank-wise.

Top NLUs in India

NLU ranking is an important factor for candidates when deciding on their preferred institute. The Ministry of Education (MoE) publishes the NIRF law rankings every year. The top four NLUs in the NIRF rankings remain the same as last year. NLSIU Bengaluru is the best NLU in India that occupies the top spot in NIRF law rankings.

National Law Universities Seat Intake (Including NRI/FN/Supernumerary seats)

NLUs

UG Intake

PG Intake

NLSIU Bengaluru

315

126
NLU Delhi18080

NALSAR Hyderabad

132

66

WBNUJS Kolkata

196

102

NLIU Bhopal

207

65

NLU Jodhpur

148

80

HNLU Raipur

187

94

GNLU Gandhinagar

2024

67

GNLU Silvassa Campus

66

33

RMLNLU Lucknow

191

55

RGNUL Patiala

214

71

CNLU Patna

138( 69 seats each for BA LLB and BBA LLB

60

NUALS Kochi

78

70

NLUO, Odisha, Cuttack

180 (BA LLB 120, BBA LLB 60)

50

NUSRL Ranchi

201

67

NLUJA Assam, Guwahati

60

40

DSNLU Visakhapatnam

138

69

TNNLU Tiruchirappalli

120 (BA LLB 60 , B.Com LLB 60)

63

MNLU Mumbai

122

72

MNLU Nagpur

240 (BA LLB 120, BBA LLB 60, BA LLB (Adjudication and justicing 60)

60

MNLU Aurangabad

120 (BA LLB 60, BBA LLB 60)

60

HPNLU Shimla

138

128

DNLU Jabalpur

134

57

DBRANLU, Sonipat, Haryana

120

-

NLUT Agartala

60

50
NLU Meghalaya--
RPNLU Prayagraj60-

Top NLU List Rank Wise 2025

NLU NameNIRF Ranking 2025
NIRF Ranking 2024NIRF Ranking 2023NIRF Ranking 2022NIRF Ranking 2021NIRF Ranking 2020
NLSIU Bangalore111111
NLU Delhi222222
NALSAR Hyderabad333433
WBNUJS Kolkata444546
GNLU Gandhinagar587867
NLU Jodhpur---1085
NLIU Bhopal272118151417
RMNLU Lucknow21
2021171511
RGNUL Patiala-2420181610
NLUJA Kamrup352728242016
NLU Odisha, Cuttack152630251814
CNLU Patna1731----
NUALS Kochi-38----
NUSRL Ranchi302224---
DSNLU Visakhapatnam-39----
NLU Trichy------
MNLU Mumbai2831
---
MNLU Nagpur------
MNLU Aurangabad------
NLU Shimla34-----
NLU Jabalpur------
HNLU Raipur------
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University------
GNLU Silvassa------
NLU Tripura------
NLU Meghalaya------
RPNLU Prayagraj------

Law Courses Offered by Top NLUs in India

The national law universities offer 5-year integrated LLB, 3-year LLB, LLM and PhD courses. Candidates may check the list of law programmes offered by NLUs below.

Law Programmes offered by NLUs

UG CoursesPG Courses

BA LLB (Hons.)

LLM

BBA LLB

LLD

BCom LLB

PhD in Law

BSc LLB

PG Diploma in Urban Environmental Management and Law (NLU Delhi)

BLS LLB

Post Graduate Diploma in Tourism and Environmental Law (NLU Delhi)

Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Law and Policy (NLU Delhi)

Some NLUs such as NLSIU Bangalore also offer Master of Public Policy, Certificate courses in various disciplines of law, and MBA courses.

NLU Courses Full List

NLUUG Law ProgrammePG Law Programme

NLU Delhi

BA LLB

LLM

NLSIU Bangalore

BA LLB

LLM

1. Business Laws

2. Human Rights law

NLU Hyderabad

BA LLB

LLM

Specialisation in Corporate

Commercial laws;

Criminal law;

Family law;

Intellectual property;

International trade and business law;

legal pedagogy and research and public law and legal theory

NLIU Bhopal

BA LLB

LLM

Intellectual Property & Business Law;

Constitutional and Administrative Law;

Human Rights and Criminal Law

NLU Jodhpur

BA., LL.B.

B.SC., LL.B.

LLM

Corporate Laws

IPR Laws

NUJS Kolkata

BA LLB

BSc LLB

LLM1.

Corporate and Commercial Law

International Law

Criminal and Security Laws

HNLU Raipur

BA LLB

LLM

Research Methods and Legal Writing

Comparative Public Law/Systems of Governance

Law and Justice in a Globalizing World

GNLU Gandhinagar

BA., LL.B.

B.Com.LL.B.

LLM

Comparative Public Law/Systems of Governance

Research Methods and Legal Writing

Law and Justice in a Globalizing World

NLU Lucknow

BA LLB

LLM

Constitutional and Administrative Law

Corporate Law

Criminal and Security Law

International Law

RGNUL Patiala

BA LLB

LLM

Business Law

Constitutional Law

Criminal Law

International Law

CNLU Patna

BA LLB

-

NLU Kochi

BA LLB

LLM

NLU Odisha

BA., LL.B.

B.BA., LL.B.

LLM

Corporate Law & Commercial Law (CCL)

Constitutional Law

NLU Ranchi

BA LLB

LLM

Intellectual Property Rights

Corporate and Commercial Law

Constitutional and Administrative Law

NLU Assam

BA LLB

LLM

Corporate and Commercial Laws;

Intellectual Property Laws;

International Law;

Environmental Law;

Constitutional Law

Personal Laws;

Human Rights Law

NLU Visakhapatnam

BA LLB

LLM

Legal Aspects of the Commercial Transactions

Corporate Securities Laws

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Law

Information Technology and Commercial Law

Investment and Trade Law

Infrastructure Law

NLU Trichy

BA., LL.B.

BCom LL.B.

LLM

Corporate and Securities Laws

Intellectual Property Laws

Natural Resources Law

MNLU Mumbai

BA LLB

LLM

Corporate & Commercial Law

Constitutional & Administrative Law

Criminal & Security Law

MNLU Nagpur

BA LLB

LLM

Corporate and Commercial Laws;

Intellectual Property Laws;

Constitutional Law;

Personal Laws;

Energy and Telecommunication Laws

MNLU Aurangabad

BA LLB


NLU Shimla

BA., LL.B.

B.BA., LL.B.

LLM

Constitutional Law

Criminal Law

NLU Jabalpur

BA LLB

LLM

NLU Sonipat

BA LLB

-

NLU Meghalaya



BA LLB

BBA LLB

BS LLB

LLM

GNLU Silvassa Campus

BA LLB

LLM

NLUT Agartala


BA LLB

LLM

RPNLU MeghalayaBA LLB-
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NLU Admission Process

The NLU admission process consists of the candidates first appearing for a law entrance exam. Shortlisted candidates are then required to attend the counselling and seat allotment process. The steps in the NLU admissions are given below.

  • Complete the registration for the entrance exam
  • Appear for the exam and obtain a valid score
  • Register for the counselling process
  • Publication of merit list by the NLU/ Consortium
  • Complete admission formalities such as document verification and payment of admission fee
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Entrance Exams for NLUs

There are two law entrance exams for admission to national law universities (NLUs). The first one is the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) organised by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs). It is a common entrance exam for admission to 23 national law universities (NLUs). The second is the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) of the National Law University Delhi. It is important to note here that NLU Delhi is not a member NLU of the CLAT Consortium, so the CLAT scores are not accepted by it. NLU Meghalaya also conducts its exams namely MEG UAT and MEG PAT for its UG and PG admissions respectively.

CNLU Patna also conducts a separate admission test for the LLM programme. The university’s UG programme is offered through CLAT.

Admission to NLUs through CLAT

The Common Law Admission Test or CLAT is one of the most popular law entrance tests. It is conducted offline, in pen and paper format, across the country. The application form for CLAT is typically released in July and the entrance exam is conducted in the first or second week of December. The consortium tries to complete its admission process before May. The first week of August is the time when most of the NLUs commence their classes.

Admission to NLU Delhi through AILET

The NLU Delhi’s entrance examination, AILET, is also an offline-based examination conducted across the country. The application form of AILET is released for BA LLB, LLM and PhD programmes, around August. The exam is conducted in December and the classes start in the first week of August.

Name of NLUEntrance Exam
Consortium NLUsCLAT
NLU DelhiAILET


NLUs Admission - Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for admission to law programmes are the same across all 22 national law universities under the CLAT Consortium. NLU Delhi specified its eligibility criteria separately in its admission notification. Even though the basic eligibility criteria remain the same for admission across NLUs. Here are the details of NLU's eligibility criteria.

NLUs admission eligibility criteria

CriteriaDetails

Educational qualification

  • Integrated LLB - Class 12 or equivalent

  • LLM - LLB degree (3-year or integrated LLB)

Minimum marks required in qualifying exam

  • Integrated LLB - 45% (40% in case of SC/ST candidates)

  • LLM - 50% (45% in case of SC/ST candidates)


Age limit

No age limit

Detailed eligibility criteria

For CLAT - CLAT eligibility criteria

For NLU Delhi - AILET eligibility criteria

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AILET Vs CLAT - A comparison

One can find many similarities and differences in CLAT vs AILET comparison. CLAT is essentially a comprehension-based test designed to examine the reading and critical thinking skills of the aspirant. AILET on the other hand is a mix of both comprehension and non-comprehension-based questions. Here is a brief analysis of these two NLU entrance exams.

CLAT and AILET - An overview of the pattern

CategoryCLATAILET

Duration

2 hours

2 hours

Mode

Offline mode

Offline mode

Type of Questions

Multiple Type Questions (MCQs)

Questions will be asked from given passages

Multiple Type Questions (MCQs)

Comprehension-based questions will be given in English and Legal aptitude sections

Number of Questions

CLAT UG - 120 MCQs

CLAT PG - 120 questions

AILET BA LLB/LLM - 150

Total Marks

UG - 120 marks

PG - 120 marks

AILET BA LLB/LLM - 150

Marking scheme

Each question will carry 1 mark. 0.25 marks to be deducted for an incorrect answer.

Each question will carry 1 mark. 0.25 marks to be deducted for an incorrect answer.

Language

English

English

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CLAT vs AILET - Comparison of syllabus and test structure

The syllabus of the AILET and CLAT exams are more or less the same. Both entrance tests are known for testing the necessary skills required for pursuing law. However, there are some differences between CLAT and AILET as well. For example, AILET has a test structure based on both comprehension-based questions as well as simple objective questions. In CLAT, however, almost the entire test paper will be based on comprehension-based passages of 300-450 words, making it a lengthy paper. Candidates may check the details of the CLAT and AILET test structure below.

CLAT Vs AILET: Syllabus and Test structure

ParticularsCLATAILET
Mode of examOfflineOffline
Duration2 hours2 hours
SectionsEnglish, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning,English, Current Affairs, GK
Type of questionsMCQs
No. of questons120150
Marks120150
Marking scheme1 mark per question
0.25 negative marks for every wrong answer
1 mark per question
0.25 negative marks for every wrong answer


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NLUs Fee Structure

For undergraduate law programmes, the annual fees of NLUs range from 1.5 lakh per annum to 2.62 lakh per annum. While, in the case of LLM programmes, the annual fees range from 1.13 lakh to 1.89 lakh. In top-ranked NLUs, the annual fees tend to be higher due to the various facilities offered by them in addition to regular classes. Candidates may check the details of NLU fee structure from the quick links given below.

Fees in NLUs

ParticularsDetails
NLU feesNLUs fee structure 2024

Top Universities in India

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is full form of NLU?
A:

The full fom of NLU is National Law University. 

Q: What are the law programmes offered by national law universities in India?
A:

The NLUs offer 3-year LLB, 5-year LLB, LLM, PG Diploma courses, PhD in Law, and several other programmes.

Q: Which is the best NLU in India and What rank is required for NLSIU Bangalore?
A:

According to NIRF ranking by the Government of India, NLSIU, Bangalore is the top law school in India. It is followed by NLU Delhi, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata in the ranking list. 

Q: Why NLU fees are so high?
A:

National Law Universities are self-financing institutes which are not funded by the government. This makes them to charge high fees to provide better infrastructure and learning facilities. 

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

NLSIU Bengaluru, NLU Delhi, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata and GNLU Gandhinagar are the top 5 NLUs in India.

Q: Which are the top 10 NLUs in India?
A:

The top 10 NLUs in India are NLSIU Bengaluru, NLU Delhi, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata, GNLU Gandhinagar, NLIU Bhopal, RGNLU Patiala, RMLNLU Lucknow and NUSRL Ranchi and NLUJA Assam.

Q: Which NLU has highest fees?
A:

NLSIU Bengaluru has the highest fees.

Q: Is NLU a private or government college?
A:

NLUs are government institutions.

Q: How many National Law Universities in India are in India
A:

At present, there are 26 national law universities in India. 

Q: How can I get admission to the top National Law Universities in India?
A:

Admissions to NLUs are offered through entrance tests. You can appear in Common Law Admission Test which is accepted by 24 NLUs. Or, you can also appear in All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) for admission to National Law University Delhi. NLU Meghalaya conducts MEG UAT and MEG PAT for its UG and PG admissions.

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Questions related to CLAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CLAT ?

Hello,

The link to the list of colleges according to your rank is attached herewith. You can access the mock test paper, previous year question paper, preparation tips, cutoffs and results on the website of  careers360. The details about the colleges are also uploaded on the website.

https://law.careers360.com/articles/clat-2026-college-predictor

Thank you.

Hello,

No, with a CLAT rank of 9515, it does not offer any admission to the University School of Law and Legal Studies.

As per the stats provided, USLLS BA LLB (Hons) lists the OBC category entries from 4600 to 5600 ranks.

For further clarifications visit

https://www.careers360.com/colleges/university-school-of-law-and-legal-studies-new-delhi/cut-off

Hope it helps with your query. Good luck.

Hello,

For your mentioned rank, the top elite law universities are constrained to be limited, especially when the chance is fairly divided among reserved category people.

But apart from CLAT rank, NRI admissions have some different processes.

Some NLUs handle counselling with required eligibility and quotas. The counselling registration window is open until December 27, 2025. You can apply to know through them. Because even missing application deadlines will lessen your eligibility.

NRI admissions regarding CLAT can be applied directly with the major required document proofs.

Cutoffs to 10,000 are being allotted after regular rounds for counselling, but the course fee for this will be 10-20 lakhs per annum only if the candidate is either of these: NRI, OCI, or PIO.

For further clarifications check the official portal

Consortium of  (https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/clat-2026/) NLUs.

Hope it helps with your query. Good luck.

Hello,

Here is your CLAT 2026 Rank-Wise College List - Available NLUs in your rank range. I am providing you the link. Kindly open and check it out.

https://law.careers360.com/articles/clat-2026-rank-wise-college-list

I hope it will help you. For any further query please let me know.

Thank you.

Hello,

With an OBC category rank of 2796 and All India Rank (AIR) 15163 in CLAT 2026, your chances of admission into a National Law University (NLU) are moderate too low for the top NLUs, but you may still secure a seat in some of the newer or lower-ranked NLUs depending on the cutoffs and counselling rounds.

For more access mentioned link below:

https://law.careers360.com/articles/nlu-cutoff

Hope it helps.