NLUs in India

Some major reasons why NLUs stand out among the competition include:

• Every reputable organization visits NLUs to recruit students, therefore placement is among the best.
• NLU graduates are frequently given preference at law firms. NLU's brand recognition alone is enough to land a position at a prominent law firm.
• NLU students have very strong networks that might be advantageous in terms of networking and professional success.

In this article, we'll discuss the top NLUs in the country. Recognized by students and our experts at LST. Find links for pages of each top NLU below, with details like curriculum, degrees offered, fees, and more.

List of NLUs in India

The table given below lists the NLUs in India and NIRF ranking for 2023 and 2022.

Law programs offered in NLUs

The NLUs of India offer a wide variety of UG and PG courses for law. A list of all the law programs is given below.

CLAT and AILET Exam Pattern

Both CLAT and AILET have different exam patterns. Candidates must be well versed in the number of questions, sections in the exam, total time, etc to perform well in the exam. The exam pattern for both entrance exams is given below.

Here are a few factors that you must consider while doing so:

Eligibility Criteria for NLU Admissions

The eligibility criteria for NLU admission for both UG and PG courses are given below.

Eligibility Criteria for UG admission

• Candidates who have passed or are in  Class 12 qualifying exams are eligible to apply for NLU admissions. Provided they show their certificate at the time of admission.
• General/OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI category candidates must get at least 45 percent in the qualifying examination.
• SC/ST category candidates are allowed a 5% reduction in the minimum qualifying marks, requiring them to acquire at least 40% in the Class 12 qualifying test.

Eligibility Criteria for PG admission

• Candidates seeking admission to LLM programs at NLUs must hold an LLB degree or its equivalent from a recognized legal institution or university.
• General/OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI category candidates must have at least 55% in their qualifying law degree.
• SC/ST category candidates must have at least 50% or an equivalent grade in their law degree.
• Candidates in the last year of their legal degrees can also apply.

NLUs Admission Process

Admission to any National Law University is done via the Common Law Admission Test i.e. CLAT. However, NLU Delhi does not accept the CLAT score rather it accepts AILET (All India Law Entrance Test) ranks to offer seats in law programs offered by it.

The step-wise admission process of these institutions is given below:

• Take CLAT/AILET
• Students are shortlisted for NLUs based on their test score/rank and the merit list of the specific institute. Several merit lists are made public.
• Once the results (ranks) are out, and the students have opted for their desired NLU, the counseling process begins, followed by the first semester in college.

Note:

AILET this year will be conducted on December 8, 2024.

CLAT this year will be conducted on December 1, 2024. 

Now let’s look at the top six of the NLUs one by one.

1. NLSIU Bangalore

NLSIU Bangalore was founded in 1986 as a result of a collaboration between the Bar Council of India, Bangalore University, the Government of Karnataka, The Karnataka Bar Council, and the Judiciary, and is credited for ushering in a new age of legal education in India.

A National Entrance Test was used to select the first class of students in 1988. Beginning in 2008, NLSIU Bangalore began accepting applications based on the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), the first edition of which was held in 2008 by NLSIU (the first NLU).

NLSIU Bangalore is also commonly referred to as the “Harvard of the East”.

NLSIU Bangalore Programs Offered:

Below are the programs offered by NLSIU Bangalore

NLSIU Bangalore Placements

Placements in both UG and PG courses are provided by NLSUI Bangalore.

Top Law Firms

Top Companies

Click here to read detailed information about NLSIU Bangalore.

2. NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad

The National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University of Law, founded in 1998, is India's second National Law University. NALSAR is regarded as one of the top National Law Universities in India, with students admitted from all around the country through CLAT. 

It is consistently ranked as one of the top two National Law Universities in any legal school rankings including NIRF. Until 2012, NALSAR was driven by mandated courses; however, following a re-evaluation in June 2012, it transitioned to a credit-based system in which a student must obtain 200 credit points to get their degree.

NLASAR Courses Offered

Here are the UG and PG courses offered by NLASAR.

NALSAR Placements

Top-tier law firms and specialized companies—both Indian and international—corporate houses, Public Sector Undertakings, and regulatory authorities have consistently recruited from NALSAR in prior years. It is one of the best legal schools in the country, with an average income of over 15 lacs. On day one of the 2019 class, more than 30 students were hired by renowned legal firms/corporations.

Click here to see detailed information on NALSAR Hyderabad.

3. NLU Delhi

NLU Delhi was founded following the passage of The National Law University, Delhi Act, 2007 (Delhi Act 1 of 2008). The University's principal goal is to develop and deliver comprehensive and multidisciplinary legal education that is socially relevant.

NLU Delhi strives to promote legal and ethical ideals, as well as the rule of law and the purposes established in the Indian Constitution, through this education.

NLU Delhi: Programs Offered

Listed below are the various programs offered by NLU Delhi. The programs offered by the university are affiliated with UGC(University Grants Commission) and BCI (Bar Council India).

NLU Delhi Placements

NLU Delhi attracts top law firms, corporate houses, PSUs, and government organizations to its campus recruitment process. Some of the top recruiters at NLU Delhi include Trilegal, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Khaitan & Co, AZB & Partners, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, Wipro, ICICI Bank, Bajaj Finance Limited, Tata Croma, BHEL, IOC, SAIL, NTPC, TRAI, GSPC, NMDCL, MMTC, SEBI, and ONGC.

NLU Delhi graduates also pursue careers in academia, civil services, judicial services, and entrepreneurship.

Click here to read more about NLU Delhi.

4. The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata (WBNUJS)

The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS) was founded in 1999 under the WBNUJS Act (West Bengal Act IX of 1999) and has been assigned an NIRF grade of 4 for 2021. The Chancellor of the University and Chairman of the General Council is the Chief Justice of India.

 NUJS offers an extensive library with books and journals spanning a wide range of subjects, including law, social sciences, and humanities. The University also includes a Legal Aid Clinic, which provides legal aid to persons who would otherwise be unable to access the legal system through different ways, as well as clinical education for students.

Programs Offered by WBNUJS

Below are the programs offered by WBNUJS.

WBNUJS Placements

WBNUJA is one of the top law schools in India, and its placements are consistently among the best in the country. In the 2022-2023 placement season, NUJS reported a median salary of INR 16 LPA for undergraduate students and INR 10 LPA for postgraduate students.

Some of the top recruiters at WBNUJS include Trilegal, Khaitan & Co, SAM, CAM, and other law firms, as well as Wipro, ICICI Bank, Bajaj Finance Limited, Tata Croma, BHEL, IOC, SAIL, NTPC, TRAI, GSPC, NMDCL, MMTC, SEBI, and ONGC.

Click here to see detailed information about WBNUJS.

5. NLU Jodhpur

NLU Jodhpur is a premier national law university located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. It was established in 1989 by the Government of Rajasthan as a residential university for legal studies and research. The university is accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with an 'A' grade and is ranked among the top law schools in India.

NLU Jodhpur has a well-equipped library with a vast collection of books, journals, and other resources. The university also has a state-of-the-art moot court hall and a legal aid clinic. The university provides its students with a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, cultural programs, and student clubs.

It has produced many distinguished alumni who are now working as lawyers, judges, bureaucrats, and academicians. The university has a strong alumni network that provides support and guidance to its students and graduates.

NLU Jodhpur Courses Offered

Below are the programs offered by NLU Jodhpur.

NLU Jodhpur Placements

National Law University Jodhpur (NLUJ) consistently ranks among the top law schools in India for placements. In the 2022-2023 placement season, NLUJ reported a median salary of INR 18 LPA for undergraduate students and INR 12 LPA for postgraduate students.

NLUJ attracts top law firms, corporate houses, PSUs, and government organizations to its campus recruitment process. Some of the top recruiters at NLUJ include Trilegal, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Khaitan & Co, AZB & Partners, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, Wipro, ICICI Bank, Bajaj Finance Limited, Tata Croma, BHEL, IOC, SAIL, NTPC, TRAI, GSPC, NMDCL, MMTC, SEBI, and ONGC.

Click here to see detailed information about NLU Jodhpur.

6. GNLU Gujarat

The Gujarat National Law University Act of 2003 established GNLU Gujarat in 2003. The university offers a large library with over 35,000 books and legal reports, as well as a subscription to 150 current periodicals, newspapers, reference books, and e-books. 

It includes extensive resources in the field of law as well as other related topics such as Management, Sociology, Science and Technology, History, Economics, and English Literature. GNLU provides a forum for activities such as mooting (which is highly strenuous), article writing, research paper writing and presentation at conferences, and client counseling.

GNLU Gujarat Courses Offered

Below are the programs offered by GNLU Gujarat.

GNLU Gujarat Placements

Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) has consistently delivered impressive placement results. With a strong focus on legal education and rigorous training, GNLU's graduates have been sought after by top law firms, corporate houses, and government agencies. The university's dedicated placement cell ensures that students are well-prepared for the job market, facilitating a smooth transition into the legal profession.

GNLU reported a median salary of INR 15.4 LPA for undergraduate students and INR 4.2 LPA for postgraduate students. Some of the leading recruiters at GNLU include Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, Wipro, ICICI Bank, Bajaj Finance Limited, Tata Croma, BHEL, IOC, SAIL, NTPC, TRAI, GSPC, NMDCL, MMTC, and SEBI.

Click here to see detailed information about GNLU Gujarat.

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