![National Law School of India University - [NLSIU]](https://img.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/logos/1411995789Capture3211.png?h=71.7&w=71.7&mode=stretch)
NLSIU Bangalore Admission 2026 follows two distinct routes. The 5-year BA LLB (Hons.) and 1-year LLM are filled through CLAT counselling by the Consortium of NLUs. All other programmes including the 3-year LLB (Hons.), BA (Hons.), MPP, and doctoral programmes are filled through NLSIU’s own NLSAT (National Law School Admission Test).
NLSIU is India’s first National Law University and consistently ranks first among law schools. It offers 310 seats in the 5-year BA LLB (Hons.) programme. The CLAT 2026 General category closing rank was AIR 110, making NLSIU one of the most competitive law school admissions in India.
- BA LLB (Hons.) - 5 Year: CLAT 2026 counselling completed in June 2026. CLAT 2027 expected November to December 2026. Register at consortiumofnlus.ac.in when notified.
- LLM - 1 Year: CLAT-PG 2025 completed. Next cycle CLAT-PG 2026 expected August to December 2026.
- LLB 3-Year, BA (Hons.), MPP, PhD: Applications through NLSAT. Check nls.ac.in for the next cycle schedule.
- 30% of seats in every vertical category at NLSIU are horizontally reserved for women.
- 10 additional supernumerary seats in BA LLB are reserved for Karnataka domicile candidates.
- NRI and foreign national candidates follow a separate NLSAT-International process for BA LLB admission.
- NLSIU does not offer a management quota. All seats are filled through CLAT counselling or NLSAT merit. There is no direct admission route outside these processes.
NLSIU Bangalore Admission Portal 2026: nls.ac.in/admissions | CLAT Counselling: consortiumofnlus.ac.in
Direct Admission at NLSIU: NLSIU does not offer a management quota. All BA LLB and LLM seats are filled through CLAT Consortium centralised counselling. No direct admission or institutional discretion applies to CLAT seats. NLSAT-route programmes (LLB 3-year, BA, MPP, PhD) are filled through NLSIU’s own merit process with no management quota.
NLSIU BA LLB Admission 2026
NLSIU BA LLB (Hons.) is the flagship 5-year integrated law programme and the most sought-after law degree in India. It offers 310 seats including 10 Karnataka supernumerary seats. CLAT 2026 General category closing rank was AIR 110, placing NLSIU at the apex of the NLU admissions hierarchy.
NLSIU BA LLB Admission Dates 2026
| Event | Date / Status |
|---|---|
| CLAT 2026 Exam | Completed (December 2025) |
| CLAT 2026 Counselling - Round 5 (Final) | Completed (June 2026) |
| CLAT 2027 Registration (Next Cycle) | Expected July to October 2026 |
| CLAT 2027 Exam (Next Cycle) | Expected November to December 2026 |
| CLAT 2027 Counselling (Next Cycle) | Expected January to February 2027 |
NLSIU BA LLB Eligibility Criteria 2026
| Category | Eligibility | Selection Basis |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | 10+2 in any stream, min 45% aggregate (40% for SC/ST). No age restriction as per Supreme Court direction. | CLAT rank. Consortium of NLUs centralised counselling. NLSIU code in preference list. |
| Karnataka Supernumerary Seats (10 seats) | 10+2 with Karnataka domicile, min 45% aggregate. Must qualify CLAT. | CLAT rank with Karnataka domicile certificate. Separate allotment in CLAT counselling. |
| NRI / Foreign National | 10+2 equivalent. Separate NLSAT-International or institution-level process. | NLSAT-International. Contact admissions@nls.ac.in for current process. |
| Seat Category | Approximate Seats |
|---|---|
| General (Unreserved) | 121 seats |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 81 seats |
| SC | 54 seats |
| ST | 27 seats |
| EWS | 27 seats |
| Karnataka Supernumerary | 10 seats |
Horizontal reservation of 30% for women applies across all vertical categories. PwD reservation of 5% applies across all categories.
| Category | CLAT 2026 Closing Rank (Round 5) |
|---|---|
| General (Unreserved) | AIR 110 |
| EWS | AIR 692 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | AIR 1,527 |
| SC | AIR 3,148 |
| ST | AIR 3,365 |
| Programme | Annual Fee (General Category) |
|---|---|
| BA LLB (Hons.) - 5 Years | INR 4,51,000 to INR 4,88,600 per year |
The fees mentioned above are subject to revision and have been included for reference. Contact the college or visit nls.ac.in for exact fee details.
NLSIU BA LLB Selection Criteria 2026
NLSIU BA LLB admission is entirely through CLAT rank. The Consortium of NLUs conducts up to 5 rounds of centralised counselling. NLSIU consistently fills all General seats by Round 1 or Round 2.
- CLAT rank determines eligibility. There is no GD, PI, or essay round. Rank alone determines seat allotment.
- 30% of seats in each vertical category are horizontally reserved for women. A woman candidate with a lower overall rank may be allotted a seat ahead of a male candidate if the women’s horizontal quota is unfilled.
- PwD candidates with a benchmark disability get 5% horizontal reservation across all vertical categories.
- CLAT 2026 General closing rank: AIR 110. Over the past 3 years, the General closing rank at NLSIU has stayed between AIR 90 and AIR 120, reflecting stable and extreme competition.
Key insight: NLSIU General category seats have closed before AIR 120 in every CLAT cycle for the past 3 years. Only candidates in the top 120 all-India ranks in CLAT have a realistic chance at a General category seat. Reservations apply strictly to vertical categories. PwD candidates with valid benchmark disability certificates compete separately and have an easier pathway.
How to Apply for BA LLB at NLSIU?
- Register for CLAT at consortiumofnlus.ac.in. The next cycle (CLAT 2027) is expected to open in July to October 2026.
- After CLAT result, register for counselling on the same Consortium portal.
- Submit document proof (10+2 marksheet, category certificate, Karnataka domicile certificate if applicable).
- Fill NLSIU as your first preference in the choice form for a General category seat. Seat allotment is preference-order based.
- Accept the allotment and pay the seat acceptance fee within the deadline. Missing the deadline forfeits the allotment.
NLSIU LLM and LLB 3-Year Admission 2026
NLSIU offers a 1-year LLM through CLAT-PG counselling and a 3-year LLB (Hons.) through its own NLSAT. The LLM is a trimester-based programme across 6 specializations. The 3-year LLB targets graduates of any discipline seeking professional law qualification.
NLSIU LLM and LLB 3-Year Admission Dates 2026
| Event | Date / Status |
|---|---|
| CLAT-PG 2025 Exam (for LLM 2026-27) | December 7, 2025 (Completed) |
| CLAT-PG 2025 Result | December 16, 2025 (Completed) |
| CLAT-PG 2026 Registration (Next LLM Cycle) | Expected August 2026 |
| NLSAT (for LLB 3-year, BA, MPP, PhD) | Check nls.ac.in for next cycle schedule |
NLSIU LLM and LLB Eligibility Criteria 2026
| Programme | Eligibility | Selection Basis |
|---|---|---|
| LLM - 1 Year | LLB or equivalent law degree (3 or 5 year), min 50% aggregate. | CLAT-PG rank. Consortium of NLUs counselling. |
| LLB (Hons.) - 3 Year | Any bachelor’s degree in any discipline, min 45% aggregate. | NLSAT conducted by NLSIU. Admission through NLSIU’s own process. |
| MPP - 2 Year | Any bachelor’s degree, min 50% aggregate. | NLSAT. Open to graduates from law, social sciences, economics, or related fields. |
| PhD (Law / Social Sciences) | Postgraduate degree in relevant field, min 55% aggregate. | NLSAT followed by interview. Check nls.ac.in for current cycle. |
| Programme | Annual Fee (General Category) |
|---|---|
| LLM (All Specializations, 1 Year) | INR 5,44,000 per year |
| LLB (Hons.) - 3 Year | INR 5,06,400 to INR 5,44,000 per year |
| MPP - 2 Year | INR 5,06,400 to INR 5,44,000 per year |
The fees mentioned above are subject to revision and have been included for reference. Contact the college or visit nls.ac.in for exact fee details.
How to Apply for LLM and LLB 3-Year at NLSIU?
- LLM: Register for CLAT-PG at consortiumofnlus.ac.in when the next cycle opens (expected August 2026). After result, participate in Consortium counselling and choose NLSIU.
- LLB 3-Year, MPP, PhD: Apply through NLSIU’s own NLSAT portal at nls.ac.in/admissions. NLSAT is conducted independently by NLSIU. Contact nlsat.query@nls.ac.in for the current schedule.
NLSIU Bangalore vs Top NLUs - Admission Comparison
Aspirants shortlisting top NLUs often compare NLSIU Bangalore with NALSAR Hyderabad and NLU Delhi. The three differ significantly in admission process, entrance exam, and closing ranks.
| Particulars | NLSIU Bangalore | NALSAR Hyderabad | NLU Delhi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance Exam | CLAT (Consortium) | CLAT (Consortium) | AILET (NLU Delhi own exam) |
| Counselling Body | Consortium of NLUs | Consortium of NLUs | NLU Delhi (own counselling) |
| BA LLB Total Seats | 310 (incl. 10 Karnataka) | 120 | 110 |
| General CLAT/AILET Closing Rank (2026) | AIR 110 | AIR 250 | AIR 60 (AILET) |
| Women Horizontal Reservation | 30% | 30% | No horizontal reservation |
| Annual Fee (General) | INR 4,51,000 to 4,88,600 | INR 1,82,000 | INR 2,18,000 |
Note: NLU Delhi uses AILET, not CLAT, making it a separate exam to prepare for. NLSIU and NALSAR share the CLAT route. NLSIU has a much larger intake than NALSAR and NLU Delhi. Women candidates benefit from NLSIU’s 30% horizontal reservation, which does not apply at NLU Delhi. NLSIU fees are significantly higher than both NALSAR and NLU Delhi.
As per Collegedunia Reviews, students at NLSIU consistently highlight the quality of the faculty and the depth of legal research exposure. Multiple reviewers note that the moot court and legal aid clinic culture at NLSIU is unmatched among Indian law schools.
NLSIU Scholarships
NLSIU offers both institutional and government scholarships for eligible students. Means-based and merit-based options are available.
- NLSIU Fee Waiver Scheme: For students with family income below the threshold set by NLSIU. Covers partial to full tuition fee. Apply through the NLSIU Financial Assistance form at nls.ac.in.
- Central Government Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST): Covers tuition and maintenance. Applied through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
- EBC (Economically Backward Class) Scholarship: For students from non-reserved categories with family income below the EBC threshold. Partial fee support.
- State Government Scholarships (Karnataka): For Karnataka domicile students in eligible categories. Applied through the Karnataka Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship portal.
- External Scholarships: NLSIU students are eligible for external fellowships including the Ashoka Fellowship, Dr. Ambedkar Fellowship, and various bar association scholarships. Check nls.ac.in/admissions for the current list.
NLSIU Bangalore Admission FAQs
Ques. What CLAT rank is needed for NLSIU Bangalore?
Ans. CLAT 2026 General category closing rank at NLSIU Bangalore was AIR 110 in Round 5. Over the last 3 years, the General closing rank has stayed 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. Aim for a rank well within these thresholds since cutoffs vary each year.
Ques. How many seats does NLSIU Bangalore offer in BA LLB?
Ans. NLSIU Bangalore offers 310 BA LLB (Hons.) seats for AY 2026-27. This includes approximately 121 General, 81 OBC (NCL), 54 SC, 27 ST, 27 EWS seats, plus 10 supernumerary seats for Karnataka domicile candidates. A 30% horizontal reservation for women applies across all vertical categories.
Ques. Does NLSIU offer admission without CLAT?
Ans. Yes, but only for select programmes. The 3-year LLB (Hons.), BA (Hons.), Master of Public Policy, and PhD programmes at NLSIU are filled through NLSAT, an entrance test conducted by NLSIU directly. The 5-year BA LLB and 1-year LLM require CLAT and CLAT-PG scores respectively.
Ques. Is there a management quota at NLSIU Bangalore?
Ans. No. NLSIU Bangalore does not have a 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 through NLSIU’s own selection process. There is no direct admission or discretionary quota at NLSIU.
Ques. What is the annual fee for BA LLB at NLSIU Bangalore?
Ans. Annual fees for the BA LLB (Hons.) programme at NLSIU Bangalore for general category students range from INR 4,51,000 to INR 4,88,600 per year. These figures are subject to revision. SC and ST students pay marginally different fees. Contact nls.ac.in or email admissions@nls.ac.in for the latest confirmed fee structure before joining.
Ques. How does CLAT counselling work for NLSIU Bangalore?
Ans. After CLAT result, candidates register on the Consortium of NLUs portal at consortiumofnlus.ac.in. They fill preferences (college and programme choices). The Consortium runs up to 5 rounds of centralised seat allotment. NLSIU typically fills all General seats in Round 1. Candidates must accept the allotment and pay fees within the round deadline to secure the seat.
Ques. Does NLSIU have a separate exam for LLM?
Ans. NLSIU LLM (1-year) is filled through CLAT-PG, which is conducted by the Consortium of NLUs. CLAT-PG 2025 was held on December 7, 2025. The next cycle (CLAT-PG 2026) is expected to open for registration in August 2026. Eligibility requires an LLB or equivalent law degree with minimum 50% aggregate.
Ques. Is there a domicile reservation at NLSIU Bangalore?
Ans. Yes. NLSIU offers 10 supernumerary seats specifically for Karnataka domicile candidates within the CLAT Consortium allotment. These are in addition to the regular 300 CLAT quota seats. A Karnataka domicile certificate must be submitted during counselling to claim these seats. All other seats are open to all-India candidates without any state-based restriction.
Ques. When does CLAT 2027 registration open for NLSIU BA LLB next cycle?
Ans. CLAT 2026 counselling concluded in June 2026. The next admission cycle, CLAT 2027, is expected to begin registration between July and October 2026. The exam itself is typically held in November or December. Monitor consortiumofnlus.ac.in for the official CLAT 2027 notification. Prepare now as there is no time gap between cycles.
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