CLAT Application Date:01 Aug' 25 - 31 Oct' 25
The Common Law Admission Test is the gateway to the elite National Law Universities (NLUs) in India such as NLSIU Bengaluru and NALSAR Hyderabad. However, in case of a low score in CLAT, candidates also prefer non-NLUs and private law colleges instead of opting for low-ranked NLUs. There are over 60+ colleges that accept CLAT 2025 scores. Candidates can also appear for other law entrance exams. In this article, let’s look at the top 5 non-NLUs students prefer over NLUs.
The table given below provides the list of the top 5 non-NLUs that many students prefer over low-ranked NLUs in the Common Law Admission Test.
College Name | City |
Symbiosis Law School, Pune | Pune |
Delhi University | Delhi |
Banaras Hindu University | Varanasi |
Sonipat | |
Government Law College, Mumbai | Mumbai |
Let’s look at the top 5 colleges one by one in detail.
SLS Pune is the topmost non-NLU in the NIRF law rankings 2024 and ranks at the 5th place. SLS Pune conducts the Symbiosis Law Admission Test for admitting students into its BA LLB (Hons.) and BBA LLB (Hons.) programmes. By appearing for SLAT, law aspirants can secure admission into other Symbiosis law schools at Noida, Hyderabad, and Nagpur as well.
SLS Pune
Particulars | Details |
Courses offered | BA LLB (Hons.) and BBA LLB (Hons.) |
Accepted entrance exam | |
Seats | BA LLB (Hons.) 120 BBA LLB (Hons.) 180 |
NIRF Ranking | 5 |
Delhi University conducts the DU 5-year LLB admissions through CLAT. It has been offering BA LLB (Hons.) and BBA LLB (Hons.) programmes from 2023-24 onwards.
DU 5-year LLB
Particulars | Details |
Courses offered | BA LLB (Hons.), BBA LLB (Hons.) |
Accepted entrance exam | Common Law Admission Test |
Seats | 60 seats each in BA LLB/B.Com LLB |
NIRF ranking | - |
Banaras Hindu University offers BA LLB programmes through CUET BA LLB 2025. Candidates who have a valid score in CUET UG law exam can apply for BHU BA LLB admissions.
BHU 5-year LLB
Particulars | Details |
Courses offered | BA LLB |
Accepted entrance exam | |
Seats | Maximum seas 74 |
NIRF ranking | 25 |
JGLS is one of the top private law colleges in India. From the academic year 2025-26 onwards, JGLS is conducting JGLS LNAT 2025 admissions based on scores obtained in LNAT UK to admit students into its 5-year LLB programmes. Earlier, the institute accepted LSAT scores.
JGLS 5-year LLB Admissions
Particulars | Details |
Courses offered | BA LLB (Hons.), BBA LLB (Hons.), B.Com LLB (Hons.) |
Accepted entrance test | JGLS LNAT UK |
Seats | BA LLB 300, BBA LLB 300, BCom LLB 180 |
NIRF ranking | - |
GLC Mumbai is one of the top law colleges in Maharashtra. The law institute offers BA LLB programmes at its aided division and self-financing division through the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test Law conducted by the CET Cell Maharashtra.
GLC Mumbai 5-year LLB
Particulars | Details |
Courses offered | BA LLB, BBA LLB |
Accepted entrance test | MH CET law 2025 |
Seats | BA LLB (Govt Division) 180 BA LLB (self financing division) 60 |
NIRF ranking | - |
On Question asked by student community
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:
Know the complete process at:
CLAT Registration 2026 (Started): Documents Required, Application Fee, Link, Steps to Apply
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