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National Law School of India University (NLSIU) is a public autonomous university established under the National Law School of India Act (Karnataka Act 22 of 1986). It was the first National Law University in India, with its first undergraduate batch entering in 1988. NLSIU is a pioneer of the five-year integrated law degree in India. The Chancellor is the Chief Justice of India, and the university was established through collaboration between the Bar Council of India, the Karnataka government, and the legal academia. NLSIU is recognised by UGC and the Bar Council of India (BCI).
As per NIRF Law 2025, NLSIU is ranked 1st in India with an overall score of 82.97. This is the seventh consecutive year NLSIU has held the top rank in NIRF Law.
The 23-acre campus is located at Nagarabhavi, Bengaluru, Karnataka. It functions as a fully residential campus for students from across India.
- BA LLB (Hons.): 5-year flagship integrated law programme, 310 seats, INR 22.93 Lakhs (General), via CLAT
- LLB (Hons.): 3-year post-graduation law programme, INR 15.57 Lakhs, via CLAT PG
- BA (Hons.): 3-year social science undergraduate programme, INR 13.91 Lakhs, via NLSAT
- LLM: 1-year programme in 6 specialisations (Business Law, Commercial Law, Criminal Law, Human Rights, Technology Law, Public and Private International Laws), INR 5.44 Lakhs, via CLAT PG
- Master of Public Policy (MPP): 2-year interdisciplinary PG, INR 10.50 Lakhs, via NLSAT
- Master of Business Law (MBL): 2-year part-time professional programme, INR 1.13 Lakhs, via NLSAT
- Ph.D (Law): minimum 3 years, INR 2.05 Lakhs for the first 3 years, NLSIU entrance
The total fees for the flagship BA LLB (Hons.) are INR 22,92,600 for the 5-year programme under the General category. LLM fees are INR 5,44,000 for 1 year across all specialisations.
NLSIU offers an institutional fee waiver scheme for students with limited family income, alongside government scholarship support under NSP, EBC, and Karnataka state scholarship schemes.
As per NIRF 2025 placement data, the median CTC for BA LLB (UG) graduates placed was INR 16 LPA. The median CTC for LLM (PG 1-year) graduates placed was INR 7 LPA. A total of 147 students were placed in the 2024 placement cycle.
NLSIU Admission Dates 2027
Admissions to the 2027-28 academic session at NLSIU are governed primarily by CLAT 2027 for the BA LLB and LLB programmes. The CLAT 2026 admissions (for the current 2026-27 batch) concluded in June 2026. CLAT 2027 registration is expected between July and October 2026, making the next cycle currently active.
| Admission Event | Status (2027-28 Cycle) |
|---|---|
| CLAT 2026 (Current Batch) | Completed. Counselling concluded June 2026 |
| CLAT 2027 Registration Opens | Expected July to October 2026 (Currently active window) |
| CLAT 2027 Examination | Expected November to December 2026 |
| CLAT 2027 Counselling (CSAS NLU) | Expected January to February 2027 |
| CLAT-PG 2026 (LLM Next Cycle) | Expected August to December 2026 |
| NLSAT (LLB 3-yr / BA / MPP / PhD) | Check nls.ac.in for next NLSAT window |
For NLSAT-governed programmes, NLSIU conducts its own entrance test independently of the CLAT Consortium. Dates and registration windows differ from CLAT. The table below shows the Course-Wise Exam Accepted at NLSIU.
| Course | Exam Accepted | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| BA LLB (Hons.) 5-year | CLAT UG (Consortium of NLUs) | 10+2 any stream, minimum 45% (40% for SC/ST) |
| LLM 1-year (6 specialisations) | CLAT PG | LLB/LLB Hons degree, minimum 50% |
| LLB (Hons.) 3-year | NLSAT | Bachelor’s degree, minimum 45% |
| BA (Hons.) 3-year | NLSAT | 10+2 any stream, minimum 45% |
| Master of Public Policy (MPP) | NLSAT | Bachelor’s degree in any stream, minimum 50% |
| Master of Business Law (MBL) | NLSAT | LLB degree or equivalent, working professional preferred |
| Ph.D (Law) | NLSIU Research Entrance Test | LLM or equivalent PG law degree, minimum 55% |
NLSIU Courses and Fees
NLSIU offers programmes at every stage of legal education, from UG law through doctoral research. The flagship BA LLB (Hons.) is the most sought-after law degree in India. Total fees range from INR 1.13 Lakhs (MBL, 2 years) to INR 22.93 Lakhs (BA LLB General, 5 years).
| Course | Duration | Total Fees (General) | Admission Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA LLB (Hons.) | 5 years | INR 22,92,600 | CLAT UG |
| LLB (Hons.) | 3 years | INR 15,56,800 | CLAT PG |
| BA (Hons.) | 3 years | INR 13,90,600 | NLSAT |
| Master of Public Policy (MPP) | 2 years | INR 10,50,400 | NLSAT |
| LLM (Business Law / Commercial Law / Criminal Law / Human Rights / Technology Law / International Laws) | 1 year | INR 5,44,000 | CLAT PG |
| Master of Business Law (MBL) | 2 years (part-time) | INR 1,13,000 | NLSAT |
| Ph.D (Law) | Minimum 3 years | INR 2,05,000 (first 3 years) | NLSIU entrance |
The BA LLB (Hons.) fee for NRI students is INR 27,00,000 over 5 years. For SC/ST domestic students, the total fee is INR 22,87,700, with the only difference being a slightly lower other-fee component in Year 1. Tuition fees are identical across General and reserved-category domestic students at NLSIU. The LLM specialisation chosen does not change the fee structure.
NLSIU Admission Process
NLSIU uses two admission routes: CLAT (run by the Consortium of NLUs) for BA LLB and LLM programmes, and NLSAT (NLSIU’s own test) for LLB 3-year, BA (Hons.), MPP, and MBL. Ph.D admissions run through a separate NLSIU Research Entrance Test.
BA LLB (Hons.) Admission
- Eligibility: 10+2 in any stream, minimum 45% aggregate (40% for SC/ST). No upper age limit as per Supreme Court direction
- Total seats: 310 seats including 10 Karnataka supernumerary seats
- Process: CLAT rank determines admission. The Consortium of NLUs conducts up to 5 rounds of centralised seat allotment. NLSIU has no management quota
- Cutoff context: CLAT 2026 General closing rank was AIR 110. Over the past three years, the General closing rank at NLSIU has stayed between AIR 90 and AIR 120. EWS closing rank: AIR 692. OBC (NCL): AIR 1,527. SC: AIR 3,148. ST: AIR 3,365
- Horizontal reservation: 30% of seats in each vertical category are reserved for women. PwD candidates hold 5% horizontal reservation
LLM Admission
- Eligibility: LLB degree with minimum 50% aggregate
- Exam: CLAT PG (conducted by the Consortium of NLUs)
- Specialisations: Business Law, Commercial Law, Criminal Law, Human Rights, Technology Law, Public and Private International Laws
- Process: CLAT PG rank-based merit list, seat preference form, confirmation at NLSIU
LLB 3-Year, BA (Hons.), and MPP Admission
These programmes are filled through NLSAT, NLSIU’s proprietary entrance test. NLSAT is conducted separately from the CLAT calendar. Eligibility varies by programme: LLB (Hons.) requires a bachelor’s degree with 45% marks, BA (Hons.) requires 10+2 with 45%, and MPP requires a bachelor’s degree in any stream. Check nls.ac.in for the current NLSAT registration window.
Ph.D Admission
Ph.D admissions at NLSIU require an LLM degree or equivalent PG law degree with minimum 55% marks, followed by clearing the NLSIU Research Entrance Test and a personal interview. Successful candidates may apply for UGC JRF and institutional fellowships to fund their research tenure.
NLSIU Placements
NLSIU holds the strongest placement record among all National Law Universities in India. As per NIRF 2025 placement data, 147 students were placed in the 2024 cycle. The median CTC for BA LLB (UG) graduates placed was INR 16 LPA. The median for LLM (PG 1-year) placed graduates was INR 7 LPA, with 77 out of 90 PG 1-year students securing placements.
NLSIU graduates enter top-tier law firms, investment banks, consulting firms, regulatory bodies, and public interest legal organisations. The top-package cohort joins Elite-1 law firms (AZB, Khaitan, Cyril Amarchand, Trilegal) at INR 22 to 25 LPA at the associate level. The mid-pack cohort joins Tier-2 firms, in-house legal teams, and financial institutions at INR 10 to 18 LPA.
| Career Pathway | Placement Metric (2024) |
|---|---|
| BA LLB graduates placed | 70 students, Median INR 16 LPA |
| LLM graduates placed | 77 out of 90, Median INR 7 LPA |
| Total placed | 147 students |
Confirmed top recruiters include AZB and Partners, Khaitan and Co, Argus Partners, Deutsche Bank, ICICI Bank, and KPMG. NLSIU also produces a significant number of graduates who choose judicial service, civil services (IAS/IPS), academia, and public interest litigation roles, which are not captured in campus placement counts.
NLSIU Rankings
NLSIU is the top-ranked law school in India and holds the NIRF Law rank 1 for the seventh consecutive year as of 2025. Its score of 82.97 in NIRF Law 2025 places it significantly ahead of second-ranked NLU Delhi.
| Ranking Body | Category | 2025 Rank |
|---|---|---|
| NIRF | Law | 1 (Score: 82.97) |
NLSIU does not participate in NIRF Engineering, Management, or University categories as it is a single-discipline law institution. The Chancellor of the university is the Chief Justice of India, a distinction shared only with other National Law Universities.
NLSIU Scholarships
NLSIU offers a combination of institutional and government scholarships for eligible students.
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Fee Waiver Scheme | Family income below the NLSIU threshold | Partial to full tuition fee waiver |
| Central Government Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST) | SC/ST candidates, applied through NSP portal | Covers tuition and maintenance allowance |
| EBC Scholarship (Economically Backward Class) | Non-reserved category students with family income below EBC threshold | Partial fee support |
| Karnataka State Scholarship | Karnataka domicile students in eligible categories | As per Karnataka Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship scheme |
| External Fellowships | Merit and eligibility-based external awards | Ashoka Fellowship, Dr. Ambedkar Fellowship, bar association scholarships |
The NLSIU Fee Waiver Scheme is the primary source of financial relief for domestic students from limited-income backgrounds. Applications are submitted through the Financial Assistance form at nls.ac.in at the time of admission.
NLSIU Campus and Infrastructure
The NLSIU campus covers 23 acres in Nagarabhavi, Bengaluru, Karnataka. The campus is fully residential, with a central library, moot court hall, seminar rooms, and specialised legal research centres. Nagarabhavi is a western suburb of Bengaluru, 15 km from MG Road, with metro connectivity improving accessibility.
The library at NLSIU is one of the largest law libraries in India, housing over 50,000 volumes and comprehensive access to legal databases including Manupatra, SCC Online, LexisNexis, and Westlaw. Separate hostel blocks for male and female students are part of the residential campus. The campus also hosts regular moot courts, debate competitions, and the NLSIU Journal editorial offices.
NLSIU vs NLU Delhi vs NALSAR Hyderabad
Aspirants who score in the top 500 ranks in CLAT compare NLSIU with NLU Delhi (NIRF Law 2025: rank 2) and NALSAR Hyderabad (NIRF Law 2025: rank 3). All three are National Law Universities governed by state legislation and CLAT-based admissions.
| Parameter | NLSIU, Bengaluru | NLU Delhi | NALSAR, Hyderabad |
|---|---|---|---|
| Established | 1986 | 2008 | 1998 |
| NIRF Law 2025 | 1 (Score: 82.97) | 2 | 3 |
| CLAT 2026 General Closing Rank | AIR 110 | AIR 120 to 200 (as per historical data) | AIR 200 to 400 (as per historical data) |
| BA LLB Fees (5 years, General) | INR 22.93 Lakhs | INR 18 to 22 Lakhs (as per official website) | INR 18 to 20 Lakhs (as per official website) |
| BA LLB Seats | 310 | 120 | 180 |
| Campus Location | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Dwarka, New Delhi | Shameerpet, Hyderabad |
NLSIU’s 7-year-consecutive NIRF rank 1 and its history as India’s first NLU give it an edge in employer perception and alumni network strength. NLU Delhi’s location in the national capital is a practical advantage for litigation and government internships. NALSAR offers a slightly larger batch at lower fees. All three are among the top targets for CLAT aspirants nationwide.
NLSIU FAQs
Ques. What CLAT rank is required for NLSIU Bangalore?
Ans. The CLAT 2026 General category closing rank at NLSIU Bangalore was AIR 110 in the final round. Over the past 3 years, the General closing rank has stayed between AIR 90 and AIR 120. EWS closing rank was AIR 692, OBC (NCL) AIR 1,527, SC AIR 3,148, and ST AIR 3,365 in 2026. Aspirants should target well within these thresholds as cutoffs vary each cycle.
Ques. What is the total fee for BA LLB at NLSIU Bangalore?
Ans. The total fee for BA LLB (Hons.) at NLSIU Bangalore for General category students is INR 22,92,600 for the complete 5-year programme. NRI students pay INR 27,00,000. SC/ST students pay INR 22,87,700. The tuition component is identical across General and reserved domestic categories at INR 15,91,000 over 5 years.
Ques. Is NLSIU NIRF rank 1 in law?
Ans. Yes. As per NIRF Law 2025, NLSIU Bangalore is ranked 1st in India with a score of 82.97. It has held the top position in NIRF Law for seven consecutive years.
Ques. What is the placement record at NLSIU Bangalore?
Ans. As per NIRF 2025 placement data, 147 students were placed in the 2024 cycle. The median CTC for BA LLB graduates was INR 16 LPA and for LLM graduates was INR 7 LPA. Top recruiters include AZB and Partners, Khaitan and Co, Argus Partners, Deutsche Bank, ICICI Bank, and KPMG.
Ques. Does NLSIU have a management quota?
Ans. No. NLSIU Bangalore has no management quota. All BA LLB and LLM seats are filled through CLAT Consortium centralised counselling. NLSAT-route programmes (LLB 3-year, BA, MPP, PhD) are filled purely on merit. There is no direct admission or discretionary quota of any kind at NLSIU.
Ques. What programmes can be taken at NLSIU without CLAT?
Ans. The 3-year LLB (Hons.), BA (Hons.), Master of Public Policy (MPP), and Ph.D programmes at NLSIU are filled through NLSAT, NLSIU’s own entrance test, and not through CLAT. The MBL is also filled through NLSAT. Only BA LLB (5-year) and LLM (1-year) require CLAT and CLAT PG scores respectively.
Ques. How many seats are there in NLSIU BA LLB?
Ans. NLSIU offers 310 seats in the BA LLB (Hons.) programme for the 2026-27 batch. This includes 121 General seats, 81 OBC (NCL), 54 SC, 27 ST, 27 EWS, and 10 supernumerary seats for Karnataka domicile candidates. A 30% horizontal reservation for women applies within each vertical category.
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NLSIU does not use CUET UG for admission to its 5-Year BA LLB (Hons.) or 3-Year LLB (Hons.) programmes. It admits students through:
Tthe National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bangalore has not officially released detailed placement statistics for the 2024 graduating batch
NLSIU releases its application forms for undergraduate and postgraduate law programs in line with the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) schedule, as it uses CLAT for admissions.
NLSIU Bangalore accepts the application form online. The application process to apply for admission are as follows:
NLSIU Bangalore has various courses available with different admission criteria. Click here to get the course wise admission criteria of NLSIU Bangalore.
A candidate for admission to the LL.B. (Hons.) Degree Course shall have:
Academic Requirement:
Any person holding a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized national or international University is eligible to apply to the programme. Applicants in the General Category should have graduated with an aggregate of not less than 45% of total marks. Applicants in the SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PWD Category should have graduated with an aggregate of not less than 40% of total marks. Students in the final year of their Bachelor’s degree are also eligible to apply. However, their final offer of admission shall be contingent upon successful completion of their Bachelor’s degree with the minimum aggregate marks specified above.
Entrance Exam:
They must qualify National Law School Admissions Test (NLSAT-LLB)
A candidate for admission to the L.L.M. Degree Course shall have:
Academic Requirement:
Entrance Exam:
They must qualify CLAT (Common Law Admission Test).
The total fee for the BALLB course for the SC/ST is INR 4.09 Lakhs. You must have passed the Higher Secondary School Examination (10+2) system or an examination equivalent thereto securing in the first attempt, not less than 50% (45% in the case of SC / ST candidates and persons with disability) in the aggregate from recognized board. They must qualify for CLAT (Common Law Admission Test).
Yes, there is 3 years LLB course available in NLSIU Bangalore. The course is offered in honors mode.
Candidates applying for admission in this program should have passed Graduation from a recognized university. The total fee is INR 50,500. Interested candidates can apply online on the official website
The entrance exam viz. CLAT for admission to NLSIU Bangalore is scheduled for Decemer 3rd 2024 for the session of 2025.
No, as of now the college NLSIU Bangalore doesn’t conduct workshops, however it does conduct orientations before you join the course.
Admissions are ongoing for the Master in Public Policy at the National Law School of India University dated from 29 Dec - 24 Feb 2024. Admission to the NLSIU Bangalore MPP program is based on the NLSAT-MPP exam and interview conducted by the university.
NLSIU Bangalore Admission 2024 will be done through the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). CLAT 2024 First Round Seat Allotment List has been released and the fee payment window is open till January 02. Interested candidates must pay the fee online
CLAT, AILET, and LSAT are national-level LLB entrance exams.
You have to take the CLAT exam for admission into the LLB course at the National Law School of India University.
The admission and tution fees for reserved category is 60% less than that of the regular fee structure.
Check here for the Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) From NLSIU Bangalore
You can check out the fee structure of the course at the page NLSIU Bangalore Courses & fees.
You need to appear for NLSAT examination and have to pass it with valid scores for taking admission to 3 years LLB.