Your admission to one of the top 26 National Law Universities (NLUs) in India is guaranteed by the CLAT exam. Among the many other colleges on the list of CLAT colleges are NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, HPNLU, NLU Jodhpur, and WBNUJS Kolkata. The Common Law Admission Test or CLAT is one of the most crucial law entrance exam for aspiring lawyers. In addition to NLUs, the CLAT scores are accepted by some of India's most prominent private law schools, such as Lloyd Law College, NIRMA University, Alliance School of Law, IFIM Law College, and numerous other private colleges.
What is a National Law University?
National Law Schools in India are recognized as some of the most esteemed institutions for legal studies, providing exceptional education, practical experience, and outstanding job prospects. Each National Law University (NLU) is founded under a specific state legislation and operates with academic independence, making them the preferred option for aspiring legal professionals nationwide.
Presently, there are 27 NLUs in India, including NLU Delhi, which admits students via the AILET exam, whereas the other 26 accept students through CLAT. These universities offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in law, drawing in the most talented students who strive for successful careers in law, the judiciary, corporate sectors, and public service.
List of NLUs in India
Here is the list of all NLUs in India:
|
S.No. |
NLU Name |
Location |
|
1 |
National Law School of India University (NLSIU) |
Bengaluru, Karnataka |
|
2 |
NALSAR University of Law |
Hyderabad, Telangana |
|
3 |
National Law University, Delhi |
Delhi |
|
4 |
WB National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS) |
Kolkata, West Bengal |
|
5 |
National Law University, Jodhpur (NLUJ) |
Jodhpur, Rajasthan |
|
6 |
Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) |
Gandhinagar, Gujarat |
|
7 |
Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) |
Raipur, Chhattisgarh |
|
8 |
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU) |
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh |
|
9 |
National Law Institute University (NLIU) |
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh |
|
10 |
Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) |
Patiala, Punjab |
|
11 |
Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) |
Patna, Bihar |
|
12 |
Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU) |
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh |
|
13 |
National Law University Odisha (NLUO) |
Cuttack, Odisha |
|
14 |
National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) |
Kochi, Kerela |
|
15 |
National Law University and Judicial Academy (NLUJA) |
Guwahati, Assam |
|
16 |
National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL) |
Ranchi, Jharkhand |
|
17 |
Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU) |
Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu |
|
18 |
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University (DBRANLU) |
Sonipat, Haryana |
|
19 |
Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai (MNLU Mumbai) |
Mumbai, Maharashtra |
|
20 |
Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur (MNLU Nagpur) |
Nagpur, Maharashtra |
|
21 |
Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU) |
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh |
|
22 |
Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad (MNLU Aurangabad) |
Aurangabad, Maharashtra |
|
23 |
Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU) |
Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh |
|
24 |
National Law University Tripura (NLUT) |
Agartala, Tripura |
|
25 |
GNLU Silvassa Campus |
Silvassa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli |
|
26 |
Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University (RPNLU) |
Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh |
|
27 |
India International University of Legal Education & Research (IIULER) |
Goa |
Historical Background of NLUs in India Top of Form
In order to provide quality legal education, the idea of National Law Schools was developed in the 1980s. The goal was to establish top-notch law schools that produced graduates prepared to handle the demands of contemporary legal practice by fusing academic rigor with real-world experience. It drew inspiration from the IITs and hence are known as IITs of law. The National Law School of India Act 1986 established the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bangalore in 1987, marking the start of the journey. The integrated five-year BA LLB (Hons) program was introduced by NLSIU. This program replaced the traditional LLB model for recent graduates, which lasted three years. Soon, this model was adopted as the standard for legal education in India. Other states started creating their own National Law Universities (NLUs) after NLSIU's success. These institutions were all established by state-specific Acts, but had the same goals: industry readiness, professional skill development, and academic excellence.
Significance of NLUs in India
NLUs are significant in India for the following reasons:-
- Centres of Excellence
The NLUs are rated by the NIRF and other rankings.
- Meticulous curriculum
The curriculum followed at NLUs is a combination of research projects, interdisciplinary courses, practical instruction and legal theory.
- Real world practical exposure
The NLUs provide real world practical exposure with mandatory internships with NGOs corporations courts and law firms.
- National Acknowledgment
Leading attorneys, judges, legislators and business executives are part of the alumni network.
- Career Launchpad
The NLUs are renowned for its high placement rates and various elite recruiters come every year for placements.
Important aspects of Indian National Law Schools
- They are established by State legislations hence they have academic and administrative autonomy
- Law programs with a five-year integrated curriculum also known as 5- year LLB
- Only the most deserving students are chosen for admission which is done through AILET for NLU Delhi and CLAT for 26 NLUs.
- NLUs are consistently rank among Indias best law schools in NIRF and other reputable rankings.
- The curriculum is multidisciplinary. blends fundamental legal topics with management economics humanities and other relevant fields. The curriculum at NLUs incorporates research projects internships legal aid clinics and moot court training
- The students at NLUs are taught by highly skilled and experienced faculties and industry leaders as guest faculty
- The students from NLUs are hired by prestigious law firms, business houses, MNCs, Indian Corporates, governments and foreign organizations
- The NLUs offer a vibrant campus life. Alongside academics there are cultural festivals, debate societies, sports meet etc
Details about NLUs
|
NLU |
NIRF Ranking |
Courses Offered |
|
1. NLSIU |
1 |
BA LLB (Hons), LLB (Hons), LLM, PhD |
|
2. NLU Delhi |
2 |
BA LLB (Hons), LLM, PhD |
|
3. NALSAR |
3 |
BA LLB (Hons.), LLM, LLM (Insolvency & Bankruptcy Laws), PhD |
|
4. WBNUJS |
4 |
BA LLB (Hons.), BSc LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD |
|
5. GNLU |
5 |
BA LLB (Hons.), BCom LLB, BSc LLB, BBA LLB, BSW LLB, LLM, PhD |
|
6. NLUO |
15 |
BA LLB (Hons.), BBA LLB (Hons.), LLM, BA (Law), LLB, PhD |
|
7. CNLU |
17 |
BA LLB (Hons.), BBA LLB (Hons.), LLB (Hons) LLM, PhD |
|
8. RMLNLU |
21 |
BA LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD |
|
9. MNLU, Nagpur |
28 |
BA LLB (Hons.), BBA LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD |
|
10. NUSRL |
30 |
BA LLB (Hons.), BBA LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD |
|
11. HPNLU |
33 |
BA LLB (Hons.), BBA LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD |
|
12. NLUJA |
34 |
BA LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD |
|
13. RGNUL |
NA |
BA LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD |
|
14. NUALS |
NA |
BA LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD |
|
15. DSNLU |
NA |
BA LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD |
|
16. TNNLU |
NA |
BA LLB (Hons.), B Com LLB (Hons) LLM, PhD |
|
17. MNLU, Mumbai |
NA |
BA LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD |
|
18. MNLU, Aurangabad |
NA |
BA LLB (Hons.), BBA LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD |
|
19. DNLU, Jabalpur |
NA |
BA LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD |
|
20. DBRANLU |
NA |
BA LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD |
|
21. NLUT |
NA |
BA LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD |
|
22. GNLU, Silvassa |
NA |
B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), B.B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), and B.Sc. LL.B. (Hons.), LLM |
|
23. NLU, Jodhpur |
NA |
BA LLB (Hons.), BBA LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD |
|
24. HNLU |
NA |
BA LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD |
|
25. NLIU |
NA |
BA LLB (Hons.), BSC LLB (Hons) LLM, PhD |
|
26. RPNLU |
NA |
B.A. LLB. (Hons.) LL.M. Ph.D |
|
27. IIULER |
NA |
BA LLB (Hons.), BBA LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD |
Why NLUs are popular amongst students?
NLUs are popular amongst students for their excellent placement records. The average packages for NLUs range between 14-20 LPA with highest international offers going upto 65 LPA.
Conclusion
Although NLUs were created to impart excellent legal education, they are not the end. Law is a diversified field which offers skills over academics. Many great lawyers are not from NLUs and hence skills matter and not just academic education.