![Hidayatullah National Law University - [HNLU]](https://img.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/logos/1496135826lawe1.jpg?h=71.7&w=71.7&mode=stretch)
Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur is a National Law University established in 2003 under the Hidayatullah National Law University Act, 2003, by the Government of Chhattisgarh. It is one of 24 National Law Universities in India and is a member of the Consortium of NLUs, which administers CLAT for all NLU admissions. HNLU is the premier law institution of Chhattisgarh and the only NLU in the state.
As per NIRF Law 2025, HNLU Raipur is ranked 22nd among law institutions in India.
HNLU occupies a 66-acre eco-sensitive campus at Sector 40, Uparwara, Atal Nagar-Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The campus features four residential complexes with air-conditioned dining halls, a Learning Resource Centre, sports courts, and campus-wide Wi-Fi. The university funds moot court participation at a budget of INR 1 crore annually and operates 25 Research Centres under five Schools of Excellence.
- HNLU Raipur offers the following law programmes:
- BA LLB (Hons.): 5 years, 180 seats, admission via CLAT-UG
- LLM: 1 year, specialisations in Corporate Law, Environmental Law, Intellectual Property Rights, and Technology Law, admission via CLAT-PG
- PhD in Law: minimum 3 years
The total BA LLB (Hons.) fee under General Quota is INR 9,30,000 for five years. LLM fee is INR 1,60,000 for one year. Hostel accommodation is available for all students at INR 15,000 per year.
As per NIRF 2026 data, 82 BA LLB and 61 LLM students were placed in the most recent cycle, with a median salary of INR 16.5 LPA.
HNLU Raipur Admission Dates 2027
CLAT 2027 registration is currently open for the 2027-28 batch at all National Law Universities including HNLU Raipur. The exam is conducted once a year in December by the Consortium of NLUs. Both CLAT-UG (for BA LLB) and CLAT-PG (for LLM) follow the same exam date.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CLAT 2027 Registration Opens | August 3, 2026 |
| CLAT 2027 Registration Closes | October 31, 2026 |
| CLAT 2027 Exam Date | December 6, 2026 |
| CLAT Registration Portal | consortiumofnlus.ac.in |
| HNLU Official Website | hnlu.ac.in |
The table below shows the entrance test and programme details for the 2027-28 cycle at HNLU Raipur.
| Programme | Exam | Intake | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA LLB (Hons.) | CLAT-UG | 180 seats | 5 years |
| LLM | CLAT-PG | As per notification | 1 year |
| PhD in Law | University entrance test | Limited seats | Minimum 3 years |
HNLU Raipur Courses and Fees
HNLU Raipur offers three law programmes: the integrated BA LLB (Hons.) at the UG level, LLM at the PG level across four specialisations, and a research-track PhD in Law. All admissions are merit-based through CLAT, with no management quota.
| Course | Duration | Eligibility | Total Fees (General Quota) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA LLB (Hons.) | 5 years | 10+2 with min 45% (40% for SC/ST), valid CLAT-UG score | INR 9,30,000 |
| LLM (Corporate Law / Environmental Law / IPR / Technology Law) | 1 year | LLB or equivalent, valid CLAT-PG score | INR 1,60,000 |
| PhD in Law | Minimum 3 years | LLM or equivalent research qualification | INR 3,40,000 (minimum) |
The BA LLB fee of INR 9,30,000 breaks down as INR 2,10,000 in Year 1 and INR 1,80,000 per year for Years 2 to 5. NRI quota candidates pay INR 26,86,720 for the full five-year BA LLB programme. Hostel accommodation costs an additional INR 15,000 per year for both boys and girls.
HNLU Raipur Admission Process
HNLU Raipur does not conduct any independent entrance exam or separate counselling. All seats in BA LLB (Hons.) and LLM are filled exclusively through CLAT scores and the Consortium of NLUs centralised counselling process. No management quota or direct admission route exists at HNLU.
BA LLB (Hons.) Admission
- Eligibility: 10+2 or equivalent with minimum 45% marks (40% for SC/ST candidates)
- Age: No upper age limit (Supreme Court ruling, 2019 onwards)
- Entrance: Valid CLAT-UG score from the Consortium of NLUs
- Seat allocation: CLAT Consortium centralised counselling with choice-filling and allotment rounds
- Categories: All India Unreserved (AI-UR), Chhattisgarh Domicile Unreserved (CG-UR), SC, ST, OBC, NRI, Foreign National
- Chhattisgarh domicile candidates claiming reservation must hold a valid CG domicile certificate and caste certificate issued by Chhattisgarh
CLAT-UG cutoffs at HNLU Raipur for the General category typically fall in the range of 80 to 90 marks (out of 120), placing it among the mid-tier NLUs in the CLAT merit list. Exact closing scores vary by year and category.
LLM Admission
- Eligibility: LLB (3-year or 5-year) or equivalent with minimum 55% marks
- Entrance: Valid CLAT-PG score
- Specialisations: Corporate Law, Environmental Law, Intellectual Property Rights, Technology Law
HNLU Raipur Placements and Career Outcomes
Law graduates from HNLU Raipur pursue careers across litigation, corporate law, judiciary, policy, and academia. The university’s Placement and Internship Committee coordinates campus recruitment drives and internship placements with law firms, corporate legal departments, and government bodies.
As per NIRF 2026 data, 82 BA LLB graduates and 61 LLM graduates were placed in the most recent reporting cycle. The median salary for placed graduates stands at INR 16.5 LPA. Graduates join tier-1 and tier-2 law firms, government ministries, public sector units, and international organisations.
| Career Pathway | Details |
|---|---|
| Corporate Law Firms | Tier-1 and tier-2 law firms in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore. Typical packages INR 12 LPA to INR 20 LPA |
| In-House Legal | Corporate legal departments at listed companies and MNCs |
| Judiciary and Civil Services | District judiciary, state PCS-J, UPSC Civil Services |
| Litigation | High Courts and District Courts in Chhattisgarh and adjoining states |
| LLM / Further Studies | LLM abroad at Texas A&M and other partner universities |
HNLU allocates an annual budget of INR 1 crore for fully funded student participation in national and international moot court competitions, which significantly strengthens the legal research and advocacy profile of graduating students for law firm placements.
HNLU Raipur Rankings
HNLU Raipur holds an established position among mid-tier National Law Universities in NIRF Law rankings. It has also maintained a consistent showing in India Today NLU-specific surveys over five consecutive years.
| Ranking Body | Category | 2025 Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIRF | Law | 22 | Ministry of Education, Government of India |
| India Today | NLU Rankings | 5th among NLUs (2021 to 2025) | Five consecutive years |
HNLU Raipur Campus and Infrastructure
HNLU Raipur is located on a 66-acre eco-sensitive campus at Sector 40, Uparwara, Atal Nagar-Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh, adjacent to the Jungle Safari reserve. The campus has purpose-built residential complexes for all students, with individual rooms assigned from second year onwards and shared accommodation in the first year.
All four residential complexes feature air-conditioned dining halls with multi-cuisine menus. The Learning Resource Centre holds extensive physical and digital law collections. Sports facilities include basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts, plus a gym and playgrounds. Campus-wide Wi-Fi connectivity is available. HNLU also extends a Health Shield initiative offering free medical insurance up to INR 1 lakh per student.
The university operates 25 Research Centres organised under five Schools of Excellence, covering areas such as environmental law, technology law, corporate law, constitutional law, and international law. A visiting international faculty programme (H-VISA) was launched in 2025 to bring foreign law scholars to campus. International exchange agreements are in place with Texas A&M School of Law and other institutions.
HNLU Raipur vs RGNUL Patiala vs CNLU Patna
CLAT aspirants targeting mid-tier NLUs with scores in the 80 to 95 range commonly compare HNLU Raipur with RGNUL Patiala (Punjab) and CNLU Patna (Bihar), all of which share a comparable NIRF ranking band and CLAT cutoff range.
| Parameter | HNLU Raipur | RGNUL Patiala | CNLU Patna |
|---|---|---|---|
| Established | 2003 | 2006 | 2006 |
| NIRF Law 2025 Rank | 22 | Comparable band | Comparable band |
| Campus Area | 66 acres | Smaller campus | Smaller campus |
| BA LLB Intake | 180 seats | 120 seats | 120 seats |
| BA LLB Fees (General) | INR 9,30,000 | Comparable range | Comparable range |
| LLM Specialisations | 4 | Available | Available |
| Moot Court Budget | INR 1 crore annually | Available | Available |
HNLU’s larger intake of 180 seats gives it a broader alumni network and typically draws more diverse campus recruiter interest than smaller NLUs with 120-seat intakes. RGNUL Patiala holds an advantage in proximity to Delhi NCR legal market. CNLU Patna serves the Bihar-Jharkhand-UP litigation cluster. HNLU’s campus scale, the INR 1 crore moot court fund, and Research Centres under five Schools of Excellence distinguish it from other mid-tier NLUs.
HNLU Raipur FAQs
Ques. What is HNLU Raipur NIRF ranking?
Ans. As per NIRF Law 2025, HNLU Raipur is ranked 22nd among law institutions in India. In India Today NLU-specific surveys, HNLU has been ranked 5th among all NLUs for five consecutive years from 2021 to 2025.
Ques. How do I get into HNLU Raipur BA LLB?
Ans. Admission to BA LLB (Hons.) at HNLU Raipur is exclusively through CLAT-UG, conducted by the Consortium of NLUs. There is no management quota or direct admission. Candidates must register at consortiumofnlus.ac.in, appear for the CLAT exam, and participate in centralised counselling. CLAT 2027 registration is open from August 3 to October 31, 2026, with the exam on December 6, 2026.
Ques. What is the BA LLB fee at HNLU Raipur?
Ans. The total BA LLB (Hons.) fee at HNLU Raipur under General Quota is INR 9,30,000 for five years, averaging INR 1,86,000 per year. Hostel accommodation costs an additional INR 15,000 per year. NRI quota students pay INR 26,86,720 for the full programme.
Ques. Does HNLU Raipur have a hostel?
Ans. Yes. HNLU Raipur has four residential complexes on campus for both male and female students. First-year students are in shared accommodation. From second year onwards, individual rooms are provided. All residential complexes have air-conditioned dining halls. Hostel fee is INR 15,000 per year.
Ques. What is the placement record of HNLU Raipur?
Ans. As per NIRF 2026 data, 82 BA LLB graduates and 61 LLM graduates were placed in the most recent cycle with a median salary of INR 16.5 LPA. Graduates join tier-1 and tier-2 law firms, corporate legal departments, government bodies, and pursue judiciary examinations.
Ques. Is there a management quota at HNLU Raipur?
Ans. No. HNLU Raipur does not offer a management quota or any direct admission route. All 180 BA LLB seats and all LLM seats are filled exclusively through CLAT-UG and CLAT-PG scores via the Consortium of NLUs centralised counselling process.
Ques. Which specialisations are available in LLM at HNLU Raipur?
Ans. HNLU Raipur offers LLM in four specialisations: Corporate Law, Environmental Law, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), and Technology Law. All four are one-year programmes with a total fee of INR 1,60,000 under General Quota. Admission is through CLAT-PG.
Comments
Found 2 Comments
There is no criteria for lateral entry admission to HNLU Raipur as of now.
Yes, you can get admission without giving CLAT examination. You get admission to the PhD course. For LLM and BA LLM courses, you are required to score a valid score in the CLAT examination.