The Common Law Admission Test opens doors to 24 National Law Universities in India. In this article we will discuss the top 5 NLUs in India based on NIRF law ranking, courses they offer, placement record and other factors. Universities like the National Law School of India University, Nalsar University of Law, The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Gujarat National Law University and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University have been ranked as top 5 NLUs according to NIRF ranking 2024. Students can use their marks obtained in CLAT exam 2025 to apply to these institutions. Students are advised to read the entire article to get in-depth details on best NLUs in India, courses and other important details.
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Best NLUs in India |
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Courses offered | BA LLB, BBA LLB, LLM and more |
Mode of admissions | CLAT exam, followed by counselling |
Seats offered |
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The NLU stands for National Law University. The NLUs are an initiative by the Govt of India to offer legal education as per international standards. National Law Universities (NLUs) are to legal education what Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are to engineering and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are to management. There are a total of 26 NLUs in India. Here we will discuss the top 5 National Law Universities as per their ranks.
According to NIRF ranking 2024 law, the NLSIU Bengaluru has been ranked top on the list. With one of the highest seats available, this university offers admission in various courses like BA LLB, BSc LLB, LLM and more. The list of of best NLUs in India continues with Nalsar Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata, GNLU Gandhinagar, RMNLU Lucknow and others.
Name of the university | NIRF ranking 2024 |
1 | |
3 | |
4 | |
8 | |
20 |
Name of the university | Courses offered | Course fees |
NLSIU Bengaluru | Rs 13.57 lakhs | |
NALSAR Hyderabad | Rs 8.85 lakhs | |
WBNUJS Kolkata | NA | |
GNLU Gandhinagar | Rs 8.92 lakhs | |
RMLNLU Lucknow | Rs 9.50 lakhs |
Particulars | UG | PG |
Total number of students | 80 | 80 |
No. of students placed | 56 | 37 |
Median salary offered to students | Rs 16 LPA | Rs 8.40 LPA |
Number of students selected for higher studies | 15 | 12 |
Particulars | UG | PG |
Total number of students | 120 | 82 |
No. of students placed | 98 | 53 |
Median salary offered to students | Rs 16 LPA | Rs 7 LPA |
Number of students selected for higher studies | 12 | 7 |
Particulars | UG | PG |
Total number of students | 127 | 100 |
No. of students placed | 108 | 72 |
Median salary offered to students | Rs. 20 LPA | Rs. 10 LPA |
Number of students selected for higher studies | 19 | 12 |
Particulars | UG | PG |
Total number of students | 187 | 65 |
No. of students placed | 163 | 52 |
Median salary offered to students | Rs 16 LPA | Rs 6 LPA |
Number of students selected for higher studies | 12 | 11 |
Particulars | UG | PG |
Total number of students | 178 | 31 |
No. of students placed | 148 | 25 |
Median salary offered to students | Rs 7 LPA | Rs 7 LPA |
Number of students selected for higher studies | 26 | 2 |
The admission at National Law Univeristies are conducted through the CLAT exam. All the qualified candidates are admitted after the CLAT counselling is conducted.
Fill out the CLAT registration form
Appear in CLAT exam
The CLAT result is announced
Candidates apply for CLAT counselling
Consortium of NLUs release the CLAT merit list
Qualified students participate in CLAT counselling at their allotted institutions
Candidates secure their seats by paying the fees
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, most of the top NLUs offer internship programmes to allow the students to experience the professional field as they study. However, students are advised to contact the university officials for details on NLU internships.
A few of the best NLUs in India are NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata, GNLU Gandhinagar and RMLNLU Lucknow.
After the announcement of CLAT result 2025, candidates are required to fill out their NLU preference list and attend counselling sessions as per schedule provided by the consortium of NLU.
Many NLUs offer scholarships based on merit and the financial condition of the students. Candidates are advised to check individual university websites for details.
The NLU median salaries can range from Rs. 15 lakh to Rs. 16 lakh per annum depending on the university and placement opportunities.
When it comes to NLUs, some of the best NLUs in India like NLSIU has around 300 seats for BA LLB and NALSAR has about 132 seats.
Yes, NLU Delhi conducts its own entrance exam called AILET for admissions.
On Question asked by student community
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 an AIR of 9076 and EWS rank of 846 in CLAT 2026, getting a top NLUs is unlikely, which is why you didn’t get a seat in the first round. However, you still have some chances in lower-tier NLUs like NLU Odisha, NLU Assam, NLU Tripura, NLU Meghalaya,
Hello
With a CLAT 2026 score of 60.75, AIR 17,715, and OBC-NCL rank 3,347 as an out-of-Delhi candidate, getting a seat in the Faculty of Law, Delhi University is very unlikely. DU’s cut-offs for OBC candidates are usually much higher, even in later rounds. You should keep backup options like
Hello,
With AIR 10542 and OBC rank 1843, getting top NLUs is unlikely. However, you still have chances in newer or lower ranked NLUs like NLU Assam, NUSRL Ranchi, MNLU Nagpur/Mumbai, especially in later or vacancy rounds. Also consider good private law colleges as backup options.
Since you scored 8000 AIR in CLAT, getting into top NLUs may not be possible, so it is a good idea to look for affordable and good law colleges.
State government law colleges are usually low in fees, and have decent reputation. Some options include Government Law College, Mumbai, Faculty
Among top 100 Universities Globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2026
Excellent curriculum; an impressive range of electives, besides core law courses. Up to 100% merit scholarship on a first-come, first-served basis
Ranked #18 amongst Institutions in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in India for Academic Reputation by QS Rankings | 16 LPA Highest CTC
North India's Largest Educational Group | NIRF Ranked 87 | NAAC A+ Grade | Highest Package 1.6 Cr
NAAC A+ Accredited | Among top 2% Universities Globally (QS World University Rankings 2026)
Admissions open for B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), B.B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) and LL.B Program (3 Years) | School of Law, MRU ranked No. 1 in Law Schools of Excellence in India by GHRDC (2023)