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National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore is India’s first National Law University, established in 1987 under the National Law School of India Act, 1986 by the Government of Karnataka. NLSIU operates as an autonomous institution, recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Bar Council of India (BCI).
NLSIU Bangalore is ranked #1 in Law by NIRF 2025, holding the top position for the eighth consecutive year in India’s most widely followed institutional ranking.
The campus is situated in Nagarbhavi, Bangalore, and houses one of India’s finest law libraries with over 1 lakh volumes, a dedicated moot court complex, and on-campus residential facilities for BA LLB students.
- BA LLB (Hons.), 5 years, 310 seats (flagship, admitted through CLAT)
- Includes 10 supernumerary seats for Karnataka domicile candidates
- LLB (Hons.), 3 years (for graduates, through NLSAT)
- BA (Hons.), 3 years (social sciences, through NLSAT)
- LLM, 1 year in 6 specialisations: Business Law, Commercial Law, Criminal Law, Human Rights, Technology Law, and Public and Private International Laws (CLAT-PG for domestic applicants)
- Master of Public Policy (MPP), 2 years (through NLSAT)
- PhD in Law and in Humanities and Social Sciences (through NLSAT)
- PG Diplomas in 9 specialisations including Cyber Law, IPR, Environmental Law, and Medical Law
- Master of Business Law (MBL), 2 years
The total fees for BA LLB (Hons.) is INR 22.93 Lakhs for the five-year programme (General category). The 3-year LLB (Hons.) totals INR 15.57 Lakhs. The 1-year LLM costs INR 5.44 Lakhs. NLSIU provides institutional fee waivers and facilitates access to Central and State Government scholarships for eligible students.
In the 2023-24 placement season, 82.4% of UG graduates were placed, with a median package of INR 16 LPA. Top recruiters include Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, AZB and Partners, Khaitan and Co., Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, and Trilegal.
NLSIU Bangalore Admission Dates 2027
Admissions for the 2026-27 session at NLSIU Bangalore have concluded. The 5-year BA LLB (Hons.) and 1-year LLM are filled through CLAT counselling by the Consortium of NLUs. All other programmes use NLSIU’s own NLSAT. The next CLAT cycle (CLAT 2027) will govern the 2027-28 intake.
| Event | 2026-27 Cycle (Concluded) |
|---|---|
| CLAT 2026 Exam | December 2025 (Completed) |
| CLAT 2026 Counselling (all rounds) | January to June 2026 (Completed) |
| CLAT 2026 General Category Closing Rank | AIR 110 (Round 5) |
The 2027-28 admission cycle tentative dates are listed below. Official notifications will be published on consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
| Event | 2027-28 Cycle (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| CLAT 2027 Registration | Expected July to October 2026 |
| CLAT 2027 Exam | Expected November to December 2026 |
| CLAT 2027 Counselling | Expected January to April 2027 |
| CLAT-PG 2026 Registration (for LLM) | Expected August 2026 |
| NLSAT (for LLB 3-yr, BA, MPP, PhD) | Check nls.ac.in for next cycle schedule |
The table below shows the entrance exam accepted for each programme family at NLSIU.
| Programme | Entrance Exam | Conducting Body |
|---|---|---|
| BA LLB (Hons.), 5 years | CLAT | Consortium of NLUs |
| LLM, 1 year | CLAT-PG | Consortium of NLUs |
| LLB (Hons.), 3 years | NLSAT | NLSIU |
| BA (Hons.), 3 years | NLSAT | NLSIU |
| MPP, 2 years | NLSAT | NLSIU |
| PhD | NLSAT followed by interview | NLSIU |
NLSIU Bangalore Courses and Fees
NLSIU Bangalore offers over 20 programmes spanning UG, PG, PhD, PG Diploma, and Certificate levels in law, social sciences, and public policy. Fees range from INR 12,500 for the Certificate in Legal Journalism to INR 22.93 Lakhs for the flagship BA LLB (Hons.) over five years.
| Course | Duration | Eligibility | Total Fees (General) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA LLB (Hons.) | 5 years | 10+2 with 45% in any stream + CLAT | INR 22,92,600 |
| LLB (Hons.) | 3 years | Any bachelor’s degree with 45% + NLSAT | INR 15,56,800 |
| BA (Hons.) | 3 years | 10+2 with 45% + NLSAT | INR 13,90,600 |
| LLM (6 specialisations) | 1 year | LLB or equivalent with 55% + CLAT-PG | INR 5,44,000 |
| Master of Public Policy (MPP) | 2 years | Any bachelor’s degree with 50% + NLSAT | INR 10,50,400 |
| Master of Business Law (MBL) | 2 years | Any bachelor’s or professional degree | INR 1,13,000 |
| PhD (Law / HSS) | Min. 3 years | PG degree with 55% + NLSAT + interview | INR 2,05,000 (first 3 years) |
| PG Diploma (9 specialisations) | 1 year | LLB or relevant degree | INR 32,700 to INR 58,000 |
The six LLM specialisations carry identical fees regardless of the stream chosen. NRI students pay up to INR 27 Lakhs for the BA LLB and INR 6.33 Lakhs for the LLM. On-campus hostel for BA LLB students costs an additional INR 1.30 Lakhs per year.
NLSIU Bangalore Admission Process
NLSIU uses two distinct routes for admission. The 5-year BA LLB and 1-year LLM are filled through CLAT counselling by the Consortium of NLUs. All other programmes are filled through NLSIU’s own NLSAT (National Law School Admission Test), conducted independently by NLSIU with no management quota in any programme.
BA LLB (Hons.), 5 Year
The BA LLB (Hons.) is the most competitive law programme in India by CLAT rank. Eligibility requires 10+2 in any stream with a minimum 45% aggregate (40% for SC/ST). There is no age restriction per Supreme Court direction.
- Appear in CLAT and secure a qualifying rank
- Register for Consortium of NLUs counselling at consortiumofnlus.ac.in
- Fill NLSIU as first preference in the choice form
- Accept allotment within the round deadline and pay seat acceptance fee
- Report for document verification and enrolment
The CLAT 2026 General category closing rank at NLSIU was AIR 110 in Round 5. Over the past three cycles, the General closing rank has remained between AIR 90 and AIR 120. EWS candidates closed at AIR 692, OBC (NCL) at AIR 1,527, SC at AIR 3,148, and ST at AIR 3,365 in 2026. A 30% horizontal reservation for women applies across all vertical categories.
LLM, LLB 3-Year, MPP, and PhD
The 1-year LLM (all six specialisations) is admitted through CLAT-PG. The 3-year LLB (Hons.), BA (Hons.), MPP, and PhD are admitted through NLSAT, conducted by NLSIU directly.
- LLM: LLB or equivalent with 55% (50% for SC/ST). Admitted through CLAT-PG counselling.
- LLB 3-Year: Any bachelor’s degree with 45%. Admitted through NLSAT merit.
- MPP: Any bachelor’s degree with 50%. Open to law, social sciences, and economics graduates. Admitted through NLSAT.
- PhD: PG degree with 55% in a relevant field, followed by NLSAT and a personal interview.
NLSIU Bangalore Placements
NLSIU Bangalore placements are dominated by top-tier law firms and corporate legal departments. In the 2023-24 placement season, 70 out of 85 UG graduates were placed through campus recruitment, a placement rate of 82.4%. The median package for the UG programme stood at INR 16 LPA. A portion of graduates also pursue LLM programmes abroad, judicial services, or civil services outside campus placements.
| Year | UG Graduates | Placed | Placement Rate | Median Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 85 | 70 | 82.4% | INR 16 LPA |
| 2022-23 | 74 | 56 | 75.7% | INR 16 LPA |
| 2021-22 | 76 | 65 | 85.5% | INR 16 LPA |
Top recruiters from recent NLSIU placement seasons include Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, AZB and Partners, Khaitan and Co., Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, Trilegal, L and L Partners, and J Sagar Associates. Many NLSIU alumni pursue LLM programmes at Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, and Yale on merit scholarships, or join the higher judiciary and civil services.
NLSIU Bangalore Rankings
NLSIU Bangalore has ranked first in the Law category under NIRF for eight consecutive years as of 2025, making it the top-ranked law institution in India.
| Ranking Body | Category | 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIRF | Law | 1 | 1 |
NLSIU Bangalore Scholarships
NLSIU offers both institutional and government-backed scholarship options. The university’s fee waiver scheme provides means-based relief, while Central and State Government portals cover reserved category students.
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Fee Waiver Scheme | Family income below NLSIU threshold | Partial to full tuition fee waiver |
| Central Govt. Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST) | SC/ST students (via scholarships.gov.in) | Tuition and maintenance support |
| EBC Scholarship | Non-reserved category, parental income below EBC threshold | Partial fee support |
| Karnataka Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship | Karnataka domicile students in eligible categories | As per state scheme norms |
| External Fellowships | Merit-based (Ashoka, Ambedkar, bar association awards) | Varies by scheme |
Students must apply for institutional scholarships through the NLSIU Financial Assistance form available at nls.ac.in. Government scholarship applications go through the National Scholarship Portal or the Karnataka state portal.
NLSIU Bangalore Campus and Infrastructure
NLSIU Bangalore is located in Nagarbhavi, Bengaluru, with a self-contained campus that includes academic blocks, a residential facility for BA LLB students, and dedicated legal research infrastructure. The campus library holds over 1 lakh volumes and is widely regarded as one of the finest law libraries in India, with access to major legal databases and an active Legal Aid Clinic.
The moot court complex at NLSIU hosts major moot court competitions drawing participants from law schools across India and abroad. BA LLB students stay in on-campus hostels at INR 1.30 Lakhs per year, inclusive of mess. LLM, LLB 3-year, and MPP students are placed in mandatory off-campus residential arrangements at approximately INR 1.75 Lakhs to INR 1.77 Lakhs per year. Mandatory internships from the third year onward carry stipends of INR 4,000 to INR 15,000 per month at partner law firms and organisations.
NLSIU Bangalore vs NALSAR Hyderabad vs NLU Delhi
Aspirants shortlisting top National Law Universities most often compare NLSIU Bangalore with NALSAR Hyderabad and NLU Delhi. The three differ on intake size, entrance exam, fees, and reservation policy.
| Particulars | NLSIU Bangalore | NALSAR Hyderabad | NLU Delhi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance Exam | CLAT (Consortium) | CLAT (Consortium) | AILET (NLU Delhi own exam) |
| BA LLB Total Seats | 310 (incl. 10 Karnataka supernumerary) | 120 | 110 |
| NIRF Law Rank 2025 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| General Closing Rank 2026 | AIR 110 (CLAT) | AIR 250 (CLAT) | AIR 60 (AILET) |
| Women Horizontal Reservation | 30% across all categories | 30% across all categories | Not applicable |
| BA LLB Total Fees (General) | INR 22.93 Lakhs (5 years) | INR 9.10 Lakhs (5 years) | INR 10.90 Lakhs (5 years) |
NLSIU leads on NIRF rank and has the largest intake among the three. NLU Delhi uses the separate AILET exam, making it an additional preparation commitment. NALSAR and NLU Delhi are significantly more affordable. Women candidates benefit from the 30% horizontal reservation at NLSIU and NALSAR, which NLU Delhi does not offer. Aspirants aiming for NLSIU General seats need to be consistently in the top 120 all-India CLAT ranks.
NLSIU Bangalore FAQs
Ques. What CLAT rank is needed to get into NLSIU Bangalore?
Ans. CLAT 2026 General category closing rank at NLSIU was AIR 110 in Round 5. EWS closed at AIR 692, OBC (NCL) at AIR 1,527, SC at AIR 3,148, and ST at AIR 3,365. Over the past three cycles, the General closing rank has stayed between AIR 90 and AIR 120. Women candidates benefit from a 30% horizontal reservation within each vertical category.
Ques. What is the total fee for BA LLB at NLSIU Bangalore?
Ans. The five-year BA LLB (Hons.) costs INR 22,92,600 for General and OBC students (2025-26 schedule). SC/ST students pay INR 22,87,700. NRI students pay INR 27,00,000. Year 1 is INR 4,88,600 and Years 2 to 5 are INR 4,51,000 each. Adding on-campus hostel (INR 1,30,000 per year) brings the five-year all-in cost to approximately INR 28,42,600 for General students.
Ques. Is NLSIU better than NLU Delhi?
Ans. Both are top-ranked law institutions. NLSIU holds NIRF Law #1 in 2025 and NLU Delhi is ranked #2. NLSIU admits through CLAT while NLU Delhi uses its own AILET exam. NLSIU has a much larger intake (310 seats vs 110) and offers a 30% horizontal women’s reservation. NLSIU fees are higher. Candidates who qualify both CLAT and AILET should weigh ranking, fee, and reservation policy before deciding.
Ques. What are NLSIU Bangalore placement statistics?
Ans. In 2023-24, 70 out of 85 UG graduates were placed through campus recruitment, a placement rate of 82.4%. The median package stood at INR 16 LPA. Top recruiters include Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, AZB and Partners, Khaitan and Co., Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, and Trilegal. A share of graduates also pursue LLM abroad or judicial services outside campus placements.
Ques. Does NLSIU Bangalore have hostel facilities?
Ans. Yes. BA LLB students stay in on-campus hostels at INR 1,30,000 per year, with meals included. LLM, LLB 3-year, and MPP students are placed in mandatory off-campus residential arrangements at approximately INR 1,75,000 to INR 1,77,000 per year. PhD students must arrange private accommodation independently as the university does not provide dedicated hostel facilities for them.
Ques. Does NLSIU offer admission without CLAT?
Ans. Yes, for select programmes. The 3-year LLB (Hons.), BA (Hons.), MPP, and PhD programmes at NLSIU are filled through NLSAT, an entrance test conducted by NLSIU independently. The 5-year BA LLB and 1-year LLM require CLAT and CLAT-PG scores respectively. There is no management quota at NLSIU for any programme.
Ques. What scholarships are available at NLSIU Bangalore?
Ans. NLSIU offers an institutional fee waiver scheme for students with family income below the university threshold. SC/ST students can access Central Government Post-Matric Scholarships through scholarships.gov.in. Karnataka domicile students in eligible categories can apply under the Karnataka Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship. External fellowships such as the Ashoka Fellowship and bar association scholarships are also available. Apply for institutional aid through the Financial Assistance form at nls.ac.in.
Ques. Is NLSIU Bangalore ranked #1 in India for law?
Ans. Yes. NLSIU Bangalore has been ranked #1 in the Law category by NIRF for eight consecutive years, including NIRF 2025. NALSAR Hyderabad is ranked #3 and NLU Delhi #2 in NIRF Law 2025.
Comments
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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.