List of NLUs in India: Ranking 2024, Admissions, Eligibility, Courses, and Seats

2 minute read

Shreya Panagria

Update on 2 Sep, 2025, 06:13 PM IST

NLUs are the preferred choice for law aspirants, as many of them are ranked among the top law colleges in India according to the NIRF Rankings. The Ministry of Education releases the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Rankings every year, which helps students understand which colleges offer the best law education. In this article, we provide a detailed overview of NLUs in India, including NIRF Law Ranking 2024, courses offered, seat matrix, and admission criteria.

Every serious law aspirant is aware of the National Law Universities (NLUs). Institutes like NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, and NLU Delhi are considered leaders in legal education and have produced some of the finest legal professionals in the country. During the application season, there is high competition for admission to these institutes. Admission is highly competitive, especially for the older NLUs, which are among the top law colleges in India. These institutes receive a large number of applications, and the entrance exams are challenging.

For admission to most NLUs (except NLU Delhi, which conducts the AILET Entrance Exam separately), candidates must appear for the CLAT exam. The CLAT 2026 Exam will be conducted from 2 pm to 4 pm for admission to 25 NLUs across India. Candidates should review the CLAT 2026 syllabus before starting their preparation.

Table of Contents

NLUs Position: NIRF Law Ranking 2024
List of NLUs in India: NIRF Ranking, UG and PG seats
Programs and Specialisations Offered at NLUs
NLU 2026 Admission Process
NLU Admissions 2026: Eligibility Criteria
Final Thoughts

NLUs Position: NIRF Law Ranking 2024

The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranks law universities across India every year based on teaching, learning, research, graduation outcomes, and industry perception. This section lists the 2024 NIRF rankings of top National Law Universities (NLUs) along with their 2023 ranks for comparison. It also includes newly established NLUs in India. This helps students, parents, and educators understand the performance and reputation of these institutions in legal education.

Colleges	NIRF Ranking 2024	NIRF Ranking 2023
National Law School of India University, Bangalore	1	1
National Law University, Delhi	2	2
National Academy of Legal Study & Research (NALSAR) University of Law, Hyderabad	3	3
The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata	4	4
National Law Institute University, Bhopal	21	18
National Law University, Jodhpur	-	-
Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar	8	7
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow	20	21
Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala	24	20
Chanakya National Law University Patna	31	-
National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi	38	-
National Law University Odisha, Cuttack	26	30
National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi	22	24
National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam	27	28
Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU) Visakhapatnam	-	-
The Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirapalli	-	-
Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai	31	-
Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur	34	-
Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad	-	-
Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla	-	-
Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur	-	-
Dr B R Ambedkar National Law University, Sonipat, Haryana	-	-
Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur	-	-
Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University, Prayagraj	-	-
New NLUs in India
National Law University, Tirupura (Admissions on Hold for academic year 2023)	-	-
GNLU Silvassa Campus (w.e.f. 2023)	-	-
RPNLUP Prayagraj	-	-

Also Read: How to Prepare for CLAT in 6 Months: Tips, Tricks & Study Plan for CLAT 2026

List of NLUs in India: NIRF Ranking, UG and PG seats

This section provides a detailed list of National Law Universities (NLUs) in India, showing their NIRF rankings for 2024 and 2023, along with the number of seats available for undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) courses. It helps students understand admission capacity and university standing.

NLUs in India	NIRF Ranking 2024	NIRF Ranking 2023	Seats (UG and PG courses)
National Law School of India University, Bangalore	1	1	310 seats for UG and 100 seats for PG courses
National Law University, Delhi	2	2	123 seats for UG (including Supernumerary seats) and 83 seats for PG course (including Supernumerary seats)
National Academy of Legal Study & Research (NALSAR) University of Law, Hyderabad	3	3	132 seats for UG and 66 seats for PG courses
The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata	4	4	132 seats for UG and 70 seats for PG courses
National Law Institute University, Bhopal	14	14	102 seats for UG and 60 seats for PG courses
National Law University, Jodhpur	8	8	120 seats for UG and 50 seats for PG courses
Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar	6	6	172 seats for UG and 57 seats for PG courses
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow	15	15	187 seats for UG and 33 seats for PG courses
Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala	16	16	180 seats for UG and 60 seats for PG courses
Chanakya National Law University Patna	-	-	132 seats for UG
National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi	26	26	120 seats for UG and 60 seats for PG courses
National Law University Odisha, Cuttack	18	18	180 seats for UG and 46 seats for PG courses
National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi	-	-	120 seats for UG and 50 seats for PG courses
National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam	20	20	60 seats for UG and 40 seats for PG courses
Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU) Visakhapatnam	28	28	120 seats for UG and 60 seats for PG courses
The Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirapalli	-	-	120 seats for UG and 60 seats for PG courses
Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai	-	-	100 seats for UG and 50 seats for PG courses
Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur	-	-	120 seats for UG and 60 seats for PG courses
Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad	-	-	60 seats for UG and 60 seats for PG courses
Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla	-	-	180 seats for UG and 80 seats for PG courses
Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur	-	-	120 seats for UG and 50 seats for PG courses
Dr B R Ambedkar National Law University, Sonipat, Haryana	-	-	120 seats for the UG course
Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur	-	-	170 seats for UG and 90 seats for PG courses
Sikkim National Law University, Gangtok	-	-	-
National Law University, Tirupura	-	-	120 seats for UG and 50 seats for PG courses
GNLU Silvassa Campus	-	-	66 seats for UG and 33 seats for PG courses
Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University, Prayagraj (RPNLU)	-	-	60 seats for UG course

Also Check: Idioms and Proverbs for CLAT 2026 With Meaning

Programs and Specialisations Offered at NLUs

National Law Universities (NLUs) in India offer a variety of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in law. Students can choose integrated law courses, specialised LLM programs, and diplomas in niche areas like environmental and tourism law.

UG Courses	PG courses
BA LLB (Hons.) (Five-year Integrated Law course)	LLM
BBA LLB (Five-year Integrated Law course)	LLD
BSc LLB (Five-year Integrated Law course)	PhD in Law
BLS LLB (Five-year Integrated Law course)	PG Diploma in Urban Environmental Management and Law (NLU Delhi)
BCom LLB (Five-year Integrated Law course)	Post Graduate Diploma in Tourism and Environmental Law (NLU Delhi)
BBA LLB (Hons.)	Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Law and Policy (NLU Delhi)
BBA LLB (Hons.)	Three-year LLB Course at NLSIU Bangalore

NLU 2026 Admission Process

Admission to NLUs in India for 2026 is primarily based on national-level entrance exams. While most NLUs accept CLAT scores, some universities like NLU Delhi conduct their own entrance test called AILET. This ensures a fair and standardised selection process for UG and PG law programs.

Name of the NLU	Entrance exam
NLU Delhi	AILET
NLUs that are members of the NLU consortium	CLAT

Also check: What if I don't get an NLU through CLAT 2026?

NLU Admissions 2026: Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility criteria for admission to NLUs in India vary for undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law courses. Candidates must meet minimum academic requirements based on their category, and there is no age limit as per the Bar Council of India.

Level	Category	Minimum Academic Requirement	Notes
UG (BA LLB, BBA LLB, BSc LLB, etc.)	General / OBC / PWD / NRI / PIO / OCI	45% in Class 12 or equivalent	Candidates appearing for Class 12 can also apply
UG (BA LLB, BBA LLB, BSc LLB, etc.)	SC / ST	40% in Class 12 or equivalent	5% relaxation for reserved categories
PG (LLM)	General / OBC / PWD / NRI / PIO / OCI	55% in LLB or equivalent law degree	Final-year students of LLB can apply
PG (LLM)	SC / ST	50% in LLB or equivalent law degree	Minimum marks relaxation for reserved categories
Age Limit	All categories	No upper or lower age limit	As per Bar Council of India guidelines

Final Thoughts

National Law Universities (NLUs) remain the top choice for law aspirants in India due to their high-quality education, strong industry reputation, and competitive NIRF rankings. Admission is highly sought after, primarily through CLAT or AILET exams. With a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and specialized programs, NLUs provide excellent academic training, ample seats, and opportunities for students to build successful legal careers across the country.

Your opinion matters to us!

Rate your experience using this page so far.

Get Started!

What You Are Waiting For?

Discover Your Education Journey With Us