(Blogger at Edumarz)
NLUs are the most opportune law schools in India. The National Law University Bangalore was first established in 1986. Today we have 23 National law universities all over the country affiliated with the Bar Council of India (BCI).
The NLUs are considered the emissaries of legal education in India as they offer integrated LLB, LLM, and PhD programmes in various disciplines. NLUs are esteemed by the University Grants Commission (UGC)
National law universities are self-controlled universities that offer integrated distinction as well as law degrees to candidates.
NLUs like NLU Bangalore, NLU Delhi, and NALSAR Hyderabad are the top law schools in the country.
Finding details regarding the NLUs in India is another dare for law aspirants. It is very important for the students to have detailed information about all the 23 National law universities in India.
BEST NLUs in India
University Name | Establishment Year | University site | Seats UG + PG | |
National law school of India, Bangalore | 1986 | 120 | 50 | |
NALSAR law University, Hyderabad | 1998 | 120 | 50 | |
The West Bengal National university of Juridical sciences (NUJS), Kolkata | 1999 | 105 | 60 | |
National law institute University, Bhopal | 1997 | 102 | 60 | |
National law university, Jodhpur | 1999 | 104 | 50 | |
Gujarat National University, Gandhinagar | 2003 | 174 | 58 | |
Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur | 2003 | 170 | 60 | |
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia National law University, Lucknow | 2005 | 169 | 24 | |
Rajiv Gandhi National Law University, Patiala | 2006 | 175 | 38 | |
Chanakya National Law University, Patna | 2006 | 132 | ||
National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi | 2005 | 60 | 60 | |
National Law University (NLU), Delhi | 2007 | 110 | 70 | |
National Law University Odisha, Cuttack | 2009 | 159 | 46 | |
National University of Study and Research in law, Ranchi | 2010 | 120 | 50 | |
National Law School and Judicial Academy, Assam Guwahati | 2009 | 60 | 30 | |
Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirapalli | 2013 | 114 | 18 | |
Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai | 2014 | 100 | 50 | |
Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur | 2015 | 120 | 20 | |
Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla | 2016 | 120 | 40 | |
Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Visakhapatnam | 2008 | 120 | 60 |
PATHWAYS to NLUs in India
Though being under a union status of National Law University, there are several pathways to take admission in them.
Below are the different gateways to NLUs:
CLAT– CLAT is the most sought after law entrance exam conducted by an NLU among the 16 members committee by rotation in the order of year of establishment. CLAT offered admission in BA LLB, BBA LLB, B Com LLB, BSc LLB, BSw LLB, and LLM courses offered by 22 NLUs. However, only 2 NLUs did not accept the CLAT marks for admission; these are NLU Delhi and NLU Maharashtra.
AILET– The All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) is yet another coveted law entrance exam, conducted by national law university Delhi. NLU Delhi intakes admission based on the merit list of AILET.
MNLUAT– Maharashtra National law university Mumbai offers admission through an admission test (MNLUAT). Those who qualify the admission test are offered to participate in the counselling process of Mumbai NLU admission
Age criteria for NLU admission
The Bar Council of India has removed any upper or lower age limit criteria for admission to law courses. CLAT eligibility 2021.
Courses Offered at NLUs
Under UG Courses-
(BA LLB)Bachelors of Arts Bachelors of Law.
(BBA LLB) Bachelor of Business Administration
(BSc LLB) Bachelor of Science
(B.Com LLB) Bachelor of Commerce
(BSW LLB) Bachelor of Social work
Under PG Courses-
(LLM) Master of Law
(LLD) Doctor of law/PhD
(MPhil) Master of Philosophy
Eligibility for NLUs Admissions
The eligibility criteria for undergraduate and postgraduate law courses offered at NLUs (NLU Delhi also) is as under:
Academic criteria for UG admission:
Candidates who have passed or are appearing in the class 12 qualifying examination are eligible to apply for NLU admission.
They must secure at least 45% marks in the qualifying examination if belonging to General/ OBC/ PwD/ NRI/ PIO/ OCI categories.
For candidates belonging to SC/ST categories, a 5% relaxation in minimum qualifying marks is given; they should obtain 40% in the qualifying exam in class 12.
For PG Admission
Candidates seeking admission to LLM courses offered at NLUs should possess an LLB degree or a selfsame from any recognised law college or university.
They should get at least 55% marks in the qualifying law degree if they belong to unreserved categories.
For candidates belonging to the uncommunicative classes the minimum marks mandatory is 50%.
Students appearing in the last year’s examination of their law degrees are also able to apply
For PhD Admission– Candidates must have finished a masters degree in law with a B+ grade or 55% marks.
NLUs Fees structure:
Every NLUs has a different fee structure according to its facilities and infrastructure.
The admission fees for NLUs comprises different categories:
Tuition fees
Admission fees
Infrastructure and development fees
Library, ID card, examination fees, basic amenities
Hostel fees meri deposits
Medical, internet, electricity, moot court charges
All the best to all the candidates who are preparing for NLUs. I hope this article erases all your doubts regarding NLUs admission.