The National Law Universities (NLUs) in India are among the most prestigious law schools, offering undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programs in law. Admission to NLUs is primarily through the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). Here’s a comprehensive guide to the list of NLUs in India, their admissions process, eligibility criteria, available courses, fees, and seat intake.
1. National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore
- Admissions Process: Through CLAT for UG and PG programs.
- Eligibility: 10+2 with 45% (40% for SC/ST) for UG, LLB for PG.
- Courses: BA LLB (Hons), LLM, MPP, PhD.
- Fees: Approx. ₹3.2 lakhs per year for UG, ₹1.76 lakhs for LLM.
- Seats: 240 for BA LLB, 75 for LLM.
2. National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad
- Admissions Process: Based on CLAT scores.
- Eligibility: 10+2 with 45% marks for UG, LLB for PG.
- Courses: BA LLB (Hons), LLM, PhD.
- Fees: Approx. ₹2.55 lakhs per year for UG, ₹1.32 lakhs for LLM.
- Seats: 132 for BA LLB, 66 for LLM.
3. National Law University (NLU), Delhi
- Admissions Process: AILET (All India Law Entrance Test), not through CLAT.
- Eligibility: 10+2 with 45% for UG, LLB for PG.
- Courses: BA LLB (Hons), LLM, PhD.
- Fees: Approx. ₹1.9 lakhs per year for UG, ₹1.38 lakhs for LLM.
- Seats: 110 for BA LLB, 81 for LLM.
4. The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata
- Admissions Process: CLAT-based admission.
- Eligibility: 10+2 with 45% for UG, LLB for PG.
- Courses: BA LLB (Hons), LLM, PhD.
- Fees: Approx. ₹2.44 lakhs per year for UG, ₹1.44 lakhs for LLM.
- Seats: 132 for BA LLB, 100 for LLM.
5. National Law University, Jodhpur (NLU Jodhpur)
- Admissions Process: Based on CLAT scores.
- Eligibility: 10+2 with 45% for UG, LLB for PG.
- Courses: BA/BBA LLB (Hons), LLM, MBA (Insurance), PhD.
- Fees: Approx. ₹2.96 lakhs per year for UG, ₹1.5 lakhs for LLM.
- Seats: 104 for BA/BBA LLB, 50 for LLM.
6. Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar
- Admissions Process: CLAT-based.
- Eligibility: 10+2 with 45% for UG, LLB for PG.
- Courses: BA/BBA/BCom/BSc LLB (Hons), LLM, PhD.
- Fees: Approx. ₹2.04 lakhs per year for UG, ₹1.53 lakhs for LLM.
- Seats: 180 for UG, 57 for LLM.
7. Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Patiala
- Admissions Process: Based on CLAT scores.
Eligibility: 10+2 with 45% for UG, LLB for PG.
Courses: BA LLB (Hons), LLM, PhD.
Fees: Approx. ₹2.21 lakhs per year for UG, ₹1.1 lakhs for LLM.
Seats: 180 for BA LLB, 60 for LLM.
8. Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur
- Admissions Process: CLAT-based admission.
- Eligibility: 10+2 with 45% for UG, LLB for PG.
- Courses: BA LLB (Hons), LLM, PhD.
- Fees: Approx. ₹2.16 lakhs per year for UG, ₹1.25 lakhs for LLM.
- Seats: 180 for UG, 60 for LLM.
9. Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU), Lucknow
- Admissions Process: CLAT-based admission.
- Eligibility: 10+2 with 45% for UG, LLB for PG.
- Courses: BA LLB (Hons), LLM, PhD.
- Fees: Approx. ₹1.35 lakhs per year for UG, ₹1.13 lakhs for LLM.
- Seats: 178 for UG, 24 for LLM.
10. National Law University and Judicial Academy (NLUJA), Assam
- Admissions Process: CLAT-based admission.
- Eligibility: 10+2 with 45% for UG, LLB for PG.
- Courses: BA LLB (Hons), LLM, PhD.
- Fees: Approx. ₹2.1 lakhs per year for UG, ₹1.35 lakhs for LLM.
- Seats: 60 for UG, 30 for LLM.
Admissions Process at NLUs
The admissions process at most NLUs follows the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), except for NLU Delhi, which conducts its own exam (AILET). Here’s the step-by-step process:
- CLAT Registration: Candidates need to register online on the official CLAT website.
- Application Submission: Fill in personal details, upload required documents, and pay the application fee.
- CLAT Exam: The exam is conducted offline with multiple-choice questions for UG and a mix of MCQs and descriptive questions for PG.
- Result Declaration: CLAT results are announced online, with candidates able to check their scores.
- Counseling Process: Based on CLAT scores, candidates participate in centralized counseling for seat allocation in NLUs.
- Admission Confirmation: After counseling, selected candidates need to confirm their admission by paying the required fees and submitting relevant documents.
General Eligibility for NLU Admissions
- UG Courses: Candidates should have completed 10+2 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 45% marks (40% for reserved categories). The minimum age limit has been removed as per recent rules.
- PG Courses: Applicants must have an LLB degree (either 5-year integrated or 3-year LLB) with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for reserved categories).
Courses Offered at NLUs
- Undergraduate Programs: BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), BSc LLB (Hons), BCom LLB (Hons).
- Postgraduate Programs: LLM with specializations in constitutional law, criminal law, corporate law, international law, etc.
- Doctoral Programs: PhD in law and interdisciplinary areas.
Fees and Seats Overview
- Fees: The annual fees for NLUs generally range between ₹1.5 lakhs to ₹3 lakhs, varying based on the institution and course.
- Seats: The total number of seats for the undergraduate program across NLUs varies between 60 to 240, while for LLM, the seat intake ranges from 24 to 100.
Conclusion
The NLUs are among the most prestigious law schools in India, with high-quality legal education, experienced faculty, and strong placement records. With diverse courses, flexible eligibility criteria, and affordable fees, these institutions offer excellent opportunities for aspiring law students. By excelling in the CLAT, candidates can secure a place in one of the top NLUs and lay the foundation for a successful legal career.
