Choosing between Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMNLU), Lucknow, and National Law University Odisha (NLUO), Cuttack, is a strategic decision for CLAT aspirants. While both institutions are well-established within the legal community, they support distinct career paths. RMNLU, founded in 2005, has become a leading institution for students aiming for civil services and litigation. Whereas NLU Odisha, founded in 2009, is recognised for its strong mooting culture and higher median placement packages, making it a preferred choice for corporate law.
The choice between these two law schools depends more on their specific institutional strengths than on their general ranking. Most students choose NLUs for corporate careers, but the culture in Uttar Pradesh makes RMNLU a hub for those aiming for the judiciary and civil services. NLUO has a better ranking in NIRF 2025 law and higher median salaries. RMNLU provides a more affordable education (approx. Rs 2.05 lakhs per year) and is higher in student preference for its affordability and judicial services.
Year | RMNLU Lucknow | NLU Odisha |
2025 | 21 | 15 |
2024 | 20 | 26 |
2023 | 21 | 30 |
2022 | 17 | 25 |
2021 | 15 | 18 |
NLUO’s NIRF position of rank 15 in 2025 is largely driven by its Teaching, Learning & Resources (TLR) score of 80.87. NLU Odisha’s TLR score in NIRF 2025 is significantly higher than RMNLU’s 60.35. TLR measures the quality of the academic foundation, focusing on faculty-student ratios, faculty qualifications, and the utilisation of financial resources.
However, RMNLU consistently performs better in Graduation Outcomes (GO), scoring 85.37 against NLUO’s 58.72 in 2025. GO measures success in ensuring that students complete courses on time and achieve career goals, such as placements, higher studies, or entrepreneurship. The high GO score suggests RMNLU students have higher success rates in clearing exams and competitive goals post-graduation.
Category | RMNLU (BA LLB) seats | NLUO (BA LLB) seats | NLUO (BBA LLB) seats |
Unreserved / General (All India) | 80 | 45 | 22 |
OBC / SEBC (State) | 43 | 14 | 7 |
Scheduled Caste | 34 | 20 | 10 |
Scheduled Tribe | 3 | 27 | 14 |
EWS (State) | 9 | - | - |
NRI / NRI Sponsored / PIO | 20 | 10 | 5 |
Foreign National | - | 4 | 2 |
Kashmiri Migrants / Pandits | 2 | - | - |
Total Intake | 191 | 120 | 60 |
Head of Fees | RMNLU Lucknow | NLU Odisha |
Admission Fee | Rs 10,000 | Rs 12,000 |
Tuition Fee (Gen/SC/ST/OBC) | Rs 1,25,000 | Rs 1,32,000 |
Utility Charges / Facilities Fee | Rs 60,000 | Rs 97,520 |
Hostel Accommodation | Included in Utility | Rs 30,000 |
Refundable Caution Money / Deposits | Rs 10,000 | Rs 20,000 |
Total Annual (Year 1) | Rs 2,05,000 | Rs 2,91,520 |
For the 2026-27 academic year, NLUO, with annual fees of Rs 2,91,520, is approximately 42% more expensive than RMNLU (Rs 2,05,000). A crucial detail is that RMNLU includes Hostel Accommodation within its utility charges, whereas NLU Odisha charges an additional Rs 30,000 specifically for the hostel.
Year | University | Round 1 (opening rank) | Round 2 (closing rank) | Round 3 (closing rank) |
2026 | RMNLU Lucknow | 411 | 776 | - |
NLU Odisha | 459 | 832 | - | |
2025 | RMNLU Lucknow | 461 | 755 | 780 |
NLU Odisha | 469 | 1007 | 1013 | |
2024 | RMNLU Lucknow | 410 | 733 | - |
NLU Odisha | 591 | 1147 | - | |
2023 | RMNLU Lucknow | 432 | - | - |
NLU Odisha | 504 | - | - |
The CLAT cutoff data shows that RMNLU Lucknow remains the higher-priority choice for CLAT top-rankers. Over the last four years, RMNLU has maintained its opening rank between 410 and 461, consistently closing its third round within the top 800 rankings. In contrast, while NLUO also has closing ranks between 459 and 591 in the first round, it doesn't show stability in later rounds and extends beyond the 1000-1100 ranking by the final rounds.
Academic year | No. of students graduated | Students placed | Median salary of placed graduates | Students selected for higher studies |
2023-24 | 171 | 158 | Rs 7.00 LPA | 0 |
2022-23 | 174 | 148 | Rs 7.00 LPA | 26 |
2021-22 | 178 | 106 | Rs 6.55 LPA | 20 |
2020-21 | 176 | 104 | Rs 5.00 LPA | 11 |
2019-20 | 176 | 18 | Rs 4.50 LPA | 122 |
Over the last five years, RMNLU has maintained a high placement rate, placing a majority of its graduating batch. For the 2023-24 academic year, RMNLU achieved a 92.4% placement rate, with 158 out of 171 graduating students securing job offers. While RMNLU showcases a high placement rate, the median salary has remained stagnant, ranging from Rs. 4 to 7 LPA over five years.
Academic year | No. of students graduated | Students placed | Median salary of placed graduates | Students selected for higher studies |
2023-24 | 158 | 77 | Rs 14.00 LPA | 10 |
2022-23 | 177 | 87 | Rs 14.50 LPA | 11 |
2021-22 | 172 | 47 | Rs 9.00 LPA | 17 |
2020-21 | 179 | 34 | Rs 6.00 LPA | 3 |
2019-20 | 111 | 48 | Rs 8.40 LPA | 6 |
Median salary of placed graduates at NLU Odisha shows a massive jump over the years, from Rs 8.40 LPA in 2019-20 to Rs 14.00 LPA in 2023-24. NLUO’s median pay peaked at Rs 14.50 LPA in the 2022-23. While NLUO’s median package is double that of RMNLU’s in 2023-24, its campus placement rate remains lower. The placement rate for the 2023-24 cycle stood at 48.7% (77 out of 158 students). Higher studies remain consistent for NLUO students, with about 6% to 10% of the batch opting for higher studies annually.
RMNLU is situated in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh. This location offers an advantage for students focusing on litigation due to its proximity to the Allahabad High Court (Lucknow Bench). NLU Odisha is located in Cuttack, the judicial capital of Odisha, which houses the Orissa High Court, providing similar geographic benefits for those interested in the state's legal hub.
While NLU Odisha is slightly more isolated from a major metropolitan centre than RMNLU, the university stands out in other ways. NLUO is famous for having built one of the most competitive Moot Court cultures in the country. Driven by a highly active Moot Society, NLUO maintains a competitive environment through Internal University Moot Court Competitions (IUMCC). This prepares students for prestigious international platforms, such as the NLUO Bose & Mitra & Co. International Maritime Arbitration Moot.
RMNLU, established in 2005, has a strong alumni network. Many of the RMLNLU’s graduates are in the Indian judicial services and hold powerful positions in the Indian courts. This is reflected in the university’s Graduation Outcome (GO) score of 85.37, which shows that its students are highly successful in clearing exams like the PCS-J (Judicial Services). While RMNLU attracts recruiters like Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas and AZB & Partners, it also sees high recruitment from Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
Choosing between RMNLU Lucknow and NLU Odisha (NLUO) ultimately depends on a candidate’s specific career trajectory. For the Judiciary and Civil Services, RMNLU Lucknow is the ideal choice due to its location in the state capital and a culture deeply rooted in administrative and judicial preparation. With a significantly lower fee structure, it offers a higher Return on Investment (ROI) for students focusing on long-term competitive exams rather than immediate corporate roles. Furthermore, while Tier 1 and Tier 2 law firms visit both campuses, RMNLU is often placed better due to its superior internship opportunities, with 92.4% placement rate.
For Corporate Law and high-value placements, NLU Odisha holds the upper hand. Despite a lower placement percentage (48.7%), its median salary of Rs 14.00 LPA is double that of RMNLU’s. Its Rank 15 in the NIRF 2025 law rankings, and a dominant mooting culture makes it the preferred destination for students targeting Tier-1 law firms and international maritime arbitration.
As per student preference and cutoffs, CLAT data shows that top-rankers consistently prefer RMNLU, with opening ranks starting at 411 compared to NLU Odisha’s 459. RMNLU’s stability in closing ranks suggests it remains a higher-priority institution for the general category. If candidates are seeking affordability and a high placement probability (92.4%), focused on litigation or public service, they should choose RMNLU Lucknow. However, if they are willing to pay for superior academic infrastructure (TLR score 80.87) and aim for top-tier corporate salaries, NLU Odisha is the better strategic fit.
On Question asked by student community
Since you have not specified your category, I will answer for all categories. A CLAT rank of 38169 (typically 40-45 marks) makes admission to top NLUs difficult. For General candidates, chances are nil. Even for OBC, SC, and ST categories, admission is primarily possible only through state domicile quotas or
After the CLAT results are declared, candidates participate in a centralised online counselling process managed by the Consortium of NLUs. Eligible candidates register on the official portal, submit their NLU preference list , and pay a counselling fee. Seat allotment happens across multiple rounds based on rank, category, and preferences,
Hi, you can apply for admissions in Nirma University, NFSU Ahemdabad, Alliance, IPU University and affiliated instiutes (in case you are reserved category candidates), UPES Dehradun, BITS Law School etc.
Start preparing for CLAT by first understanding the exam pattern and syllabus, which includes English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. Make a simple daily routine and begin with basics read newspapers regularly for current affairs, practice comprehension passages for English and legal sections, and solve basic
Hello,
With a CLAT AIR of 33599 and SC category rank of 2103, and being a Delhi domicile, your chances at IP University (GGSIPU) are moderate to good, especially in later counselling rounds.
Based on previous year trends, some IPU-affiliated law colleges have closed at higher SC category ranks, so
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