• Home
  • News
  • What Are Nlus Complete List Of National Law Universities In India Nirf Ranking 2024 Admissions Eligibility Courses Clat Ailet

What are NLUs? Complete List of National Law Universities in India: NIRF Ranking 2024, Admissions, Eligibility & Courses

National Law Universities (NLUs) remain the top choice for law aspirants in India, thanks to their impressive standing in the NIRF Rankings released annually by the Ministry of Education. These rankings help students identify the best colleges to pursue law. This article provides key details about NLUs, including their 2024 NIRF Law Rankings, courses, seat matrix, fee structure, and admission process.
UniList Desk

Updated Jul 6, 2025 | 04:52 PM IST
Verified By

What are NLUs?

National Law Universities (NLUs) are public law schools in India, established as part of the Bar Council of India's efforts to improve legal education. The first NLU, National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bangalore, was set up in 1988. Since then, most states in India have established their own NLUs. At present, there are 27 NLUs across the country, including an off-campus centre of Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) in Silvassa. These universities are considered among the most prestigious law schools in India and are often called the “IITs of Legal Education.”
Admissions to most NLUs happen through the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), which is known as one of the top five toughest entrance exams in India. However, National Law University, Delhi, conducts its own entrance exam called AILET, and NLU Meghalaya has its own tests for undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD admissions. NLUs are known for having the Chief Justice of India and High Court Chief Justices as Chancellors, along with many retired judges and senior bureaucrats serving as professors and Vice-Chancellors.

NLU Admission Process 2025

Admission to most National Law Universities (NLUs) is done through the CLAT exam. However, NLU Delhi has a separate entrance exam called AILET.
Name of the NLU Entrance Exam
NLU Delhi AILET
All other NLUs under NLU Consortium CLAT

Difference Between CLAT and AILET Exam Pattern (UG & PG Courses)

UG Course Exam Pattern:

Feature CLAT UG AILET UG
Exam Mode Offline Offline
Duration 2 hours 1 hour 30 minutes
Subjects - English (with Comprehension) - Current Affairs & General Knowledge - Quantitative Techniques (Elementary Maths) - Legal Reasoning - Logical Reasoning - English Comprehension - General Knowledge & Current Affairs - Elementary Mathematics - Legal Aptitude - Logical Reasoning
Type of Questions Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Total Marks 150 marks 150 marks
Marking Scheme +1 for each correct answer -0.25 for each wrong answer +1 for each correct answer -0.25 for each wrong answer

PG Course (LLM) Exam Pattern:

Feature CLAT PG AILET PG
Exam Mode Offline Offline
Duration 2 hours 1 hour 30 minutes
Subjects - Section A: Constitutional Law - Section B: Contract, Torts, Criminal Law, International Law, IPR, Jurisprudence, other Law topics & Contemporary Issues - Criminal Law - Constitutional Law - Law of Contract - Jurisprudence - Law of Torts - International Law
Type of Questions Objective and Subjective Objective Questions only
Total Marks 150 marks 150 marks
Marking Scheme +1 for each MCQ correct -0.25 for each wrong MCQ +1 for each correct answer -0.25 for each wrong answer

Note:

    CLAT reintroduced the subjective section in LLM from 2023.
  • AILET continues with its old pattern for both UG and PG exams.

    • Eligibility Criteria for NLU Admissions 2025

    For Undergraduate (UG) Courses - BA LLB, BBA LLB, etc.
      Candidates who have passed or are appearing for the Class 12 examination are eligible to apply.
  • Minimum Marks Required:
    • General/ OBC/ PWD/ NRI/ PIO/ OCI: At least 45% marks in Class 12.
    • SC/ ST: At least 40% marks in Class 12 (5% relaxation).
    For Postgraduate (PG) Courses - LLM
      Candidates must have an LLB degree or equivalent from a recognised law college or university.
  • Minimum Marks Required:
    • General/ OBC/ PWD/ NRI/ PIO/ OCI: At least 55% marks.
      • SC/ ST: At least 50% marks (or equivalent grade).
  • Final-year LLB students can also apply.
    • Age Limit
    • There is no age limit for applying to law courses at NLUs, as per the Bar Council of India.
    Courses Offered by NLUs
    Undergraduate Programmes
      BA LLB (Hons.)
    A 5-year integrated programme combining Bachelor of Arts and Law.
  • BBA LLB (Hons.)
    • A 5-year integrated course focused on Business Administration and Law.
  • B.Com LLB (Hons.)
    • Combines Commerce and Law in a 5-year integrated format.
  • B.Sc LLB (Hons.)
    • A 5-year programme for students interested in Science and Law.
  • B.S.W LLB (Hons.)
    • Some NLUs also offer a Social Work and Law integrated course.Note: Not all NLUs offer every undergraduate course. Availability varies by university.
    Postgraduate Programmes
      LLM (Master of Laws)
    A 1-year programme offering specialisation in areas like Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Corporate Law, etc.
    Doctorate Programmes
      PhD in Law
    Research-based programme for those interested in academic or advanced legal research careers.
    Top 5 Law Colleges according to NIRF Ranking 2024:
    1. NLSIU Bengaluru
    2. NLU Delhi
    3. NALSAR University of Law
    4. The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS)
      5. Symbiosis Law School
    For more such information, visit unilist.in

    Top Management Colleges

    National Law School of India University, Bangalore

    Bangalore
    • Fees: ₹ NaN
    • Courses Offered: 16

    NLU Delhi (NLUD) - National Law University

    Delhi
    • Fees: ₹ NaN
    • Courses Offered: 9

    Nalsar University of Law

    Hyderabad
    • Fees: ₹ NaN
    • Courses Offered: 43

    NLU Kolkata (NUJS) - The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences

    Kolkata
    • Fees: ₹ NaN
    • Courses Offered: 35

    Symbiosis Law School, Symbiosis International, Pune

    Pune
    • Fees: ₹ NaN
    • Courses Offered: 16

    Jamia Millia Islamia

    Delhi
    • Fees: ₹ NaN
    • Courses Offered: 280

    IIT Kharagpur - Indian Institute of Technology

    Kharagpur
    • Fees: ₹ NaN
    • Courses Offered: 263

    GNLU Gandhinagar (NLU) - Gujarat National Law University

    Gandhinagar
    • Fees: ₹ NaN
    • Courses Offered: 34

    SOA University - Siksha 'O' Anusandhan

    Bhubaneswar
    • Fees: ₹ NaN
    • Courses Offered: 142

    Latest Articles

    Learn More, Grow Faster

    Get Updates Straight to Your Inbox!
    SUBSCRIBE NOW