Introduction
Choosing the right law college after Class 12 is an important decision for students who want to build a career in litigation, corporate law, judiciary, legal consulting, public policy, academia or other legal fields. India has hundreds of law colleges offering undergraduate programmes, but the admission process, entrance exams, fees and academic environment can vary considerably from one state to another.
The best law colleges in India for UG courses include National Law Universities (NLUs), central and state universities, private universities and specialised law schools. Among the top institutions, NLSIU Bengaluru, NLU Delhi, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata and GNLU Gandhinagar feature prominently in the NIRF 2025 Law rankings. NLSIU Bengaluru secured Rank 1, followed by NLU Delhi at Rank 2 and NALSAR Hyderabad at Rank 3.
This guide covers the best law colleges in India for undergraduate courses, state-wise, along with their approximate fees, popular entrance exams and admission routes.
Best Law Colleges in India: Quick Overview
For students planning to pursue law after Class 12, the most common undergraduate options are BA LLB, BBA LLB, BCom LLB and other five-year integrated law programmes.
| College | State/UT | Popular UG Course | Main Entrance |
| NLSIU Bengaluru | Karnataka | BA LLB (Hons.) | CLAT |
| NLU Delhi | Delhi | BA LLB (Hons.) | AILET |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | Telangana | BA LLB (Hons.) | CLAT |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | West Bengal | BA LLB (Hons.) | CLAT |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | Gujarat | BA LLB (Hons.) | CLAT |
| IIT Kharagpur – Law | West Bengal | BSc LLB (Hons.) | CLAT |
| Symbiosis Law School Pune | Maharashtra | BA LLB/BBA LLB/BCom LLB | SLAT |
| Jamia Millia Islamia | Delhi | BA LLB (Hons.) | University admission process |
| Aligarh Muslim University | Uttar Pradesh | BA LLB (Hons.) | University entrance |
| NLU Odisha | Odisha | BA LLB/BBA LLB | CLAT |
Top Law Entrance Exams for UG Admission in India
CLAT
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is the most important entrance examination for admission to participating National Law Universities and several other law schools. For CLAT 2027 UG admission, candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12/equivalent. The minimum requirement is 45% marks for general candidates and 40% for SC/ST/PwD candidates. There is no upper age limit. CLAT 2027 is scheduled for December 6, 2026, according to the Consortium of NLUs.
AILET
The All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) is conducted by National Law University Delhi for admission to its BA LLB (Hons.) programme. For AILET 2027, candidates generally need at least 45% marks in Class 12, with different minimum requirements for specified reserved categories. Students appearing for their qualifying examination can also apply.
SLAT
The Symbiosis Law Admission Test (SLAT) is required for undergraduate law programmes at Symbiosis Law Schools in Pune, Noida, Hyderabad and Nagpur. SLAT offers admission to programmes such as BA LLB, BBA LLB and BCom LLB, depending on the campus. Candidates generally need 45% in Class 12, with 40% for SC/ST candidates.
State-Level Law Entrance Exams
Several states also conduct their own entrance examinations for law admissions. Examples include MH CET Law in Maharashtra, AP LAWCET in Andhra Pradesh, TG LAWCET in Telangana, KLEE in Kerala, CUET for selected universities and university-specific entrance tests. Students should check the admission criteria of individual colleges before applying.
Karnataka
| College | Approx. Fee* | Admission |
| NLSIU Bengaluru | ₹2.25 lakh–₹15.91 lakh | CLAT |
| Christ University, Bengaluru | Varies by programme | Christ University entrance/admission process |
| Alliance School of Law | Around ₹9–15 lakh | CLAT/CUET and other routes |
| KLE Society’s Law College | Varies | University/entrance-based admission |
Delhi
| College | Approx. Fee* | Admission |
| NLU Delhi | ₹1.2 lakh–₹6.75 lakh | AILET |
| Jamia Millia Islamia | Varies by programme | University admission |
| GGSIPU | ₹70,000–₹4 lakh | CLAT/IPU admission routes |
| Indian Law Institute | Varies | Institution-specific |
Telangana
| College | Approx. Fee* | Admission |
| NALSAR University of Law | ₹1.75 lakh–₹7.75 lakh | CLAT |
| Symbiosis Law School Hyderabad | Programme-dependent | SLAT |
| ICFAI Law School | Up to around ₹14 lakh | ILSAT/TS LAWCET |
| Woxsen University | Up to around ₹8.75 lakh | CLAT/TS LAWCET and others |
| Osmania University | Varies | TS LAWCET |
West Bengal
| College | Approx. Fee* | Admission |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | ₹3.66 lakh | CLAT |
| IIT Kharagpur – Law | Programme-dependent | CLAT |
| University of Calcutta | Varies | University admission |
| Amity University Kolkata | Up to around ₹12.3 lakh | University/CUET routes |
| Sister Nivedita University | Up to around ₹6.5 lakh | University entrance |
Gujarat
| College | Approx. Fee* | Admission |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | Around ₹6 lakh | CLAT |
| Institute of Law, Nirma University | Up to around ₹18.75 lakh | CLAT |
| Gujarat University | Varies | University/state admission |
| Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda | Varies | University admission |
| HNGU | Varies | University admission |
| Karnavati University | Programme-dependent | University admission |
Maharashtra
| College | Approx. Fee* | Admission |
| Symbiosis Law School Pune | ₹2.7 lakh–₹23.5 lakh | SLAT |
| MNLU Nagpur | Up to around ₹10 lakh | CLAT |
| MNLU Mumbai | Programme-dependent | CLAT |
| MNLU Aurangabad | Programme-dependent | CLAT |
| ILS Law College Pune | Lower-cost options available | MH CET Law |
| Bharati Vidyapeeth New Law College | Programme-dependent | BVP CET |
Uttar Pradesh
| College | Approx. Fee* | Admission |
| Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow | Programme-dependent | CLAT |
| Banaras Hindu University | Varies | University/CUET route |
| Aligarh Muslim University | Varies | University entrance |
| BBAU Lucknow | Varies | CUET |
| Amity University Noida | ₹1.3 lakh–₹17.75 lakh | University/CUET and other routes |
Rajasthan
| College | Approx. Fee* | Admission |
| National Law University, Jodhpur | Varies | CLAT |
| Manipal University Jaipur | Varies | University-specific admission |
| Banasthali Vidyapith | Varies | University admission |
| University of Rajasthan | Varies | University admission |
| Jagannath University Jaipur | Varies | University admission |
Madhya Pradesh
| College | Approx. Fee* | Admission |
| National Law Institute University, Bhopal | Varies | CLAT |
| Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya | Varies | University/state admission |
| Government Law College, Indore | Varies | University/state admission |
| Barkatullah University | Varies | University admission |
| Jagran Lakecity University | Varies | University-specific admission |
Odisha
| College | Approx. Fee* | Admission |
| NLU Odisha, Cuttack | Up to around ₹6 lakh | CLAT |
| KIIT School of Law | ₹3 lakh–₹19 lakh | KIITEE |
| SOA University | ₹3.4 lakh–₹8.5 lakh | CLAT/SAAT |
| Xavier Law School | Around ₹8.62 lakh | Merit/University route |
| Birla Global University | Up to around ₹10 lakh | University/entrance route |
Tamil Nadu
| College | Approx. Fee* | Admission |
| SASTRA University – School of Law | Programme-dependent | University admission |
| Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences | Programme-dependent | University admission |
| SRM Institute of Science and Technology | Programme-dependent | University admission |
| Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University | Affordable government options | University admission |
| Government Law Colleges | Generally low fee | State/university admission |
Kerala
| College | Approx. Fee* | Admission |
| NLU Kochi | Varies | CLAT |
| CUSAT School of Legal Studies | Varies | CUSAT CAT |
| Government Law College, Ernakulam | Varies | KLEE/state admission |
| Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram | Varies | KLEE/state admission |
| Government Law College, Thrissur | Varies | KLEE/state admission |
Andhra Pradesh
| College | Approx. Fee* | Admission |
| Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University | Programme-dependent | CLAT |
| GITAM School of Law | ₹1.25 lakh–₹7.65 lakh | GITAM/other accepted routes |
| Dr B.R. Ambedkar College of Law | ₹50,000–₹2 lakh | AP LAWCET |
| KL College of Law | Around ₹9.3 lakh | University admission |
| VIT-AP University | Around ₹9 lakh | University admission |
Haryana
| College | Approx. Fee* | Admission |
| Jindal Global Law School | Programme-dependent | University admission |
| Dr B.R. Ambedkar National Law University, Sonipat | ₹2 lakh–₹4.25 lakh | CLAT |
| Amity University Gurugram | ₹1.44 lakh–₹13.3 lakh | University admission |
| Geeta Institute of Law | Programme-dependent | University/entrance route |
Punjab
| College | Approx. Fee* | Admission |
| Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala | Varies | CLAT |
| UILS, Panjab University | Varies | University entrance |
| Lovely Professional University | Varies | University admission/LPU NEST |
| Chitkara University | Varies | University admission |
| Punjabi University | Varies | University admission |
Best Law Colleges in India According to NIRF 2025
For students looking for a national-level benchmark, the NIRF Law ranking is one useful reference point.
| NIRF 2025 Rank | College | Location |
| 1 | NLSIU | Bengaluru |
| 2 | NLU Delhi | New Delhi |
| 3 | NALSAR University of Law | Hyderabad |
| 4 | WBNUJS | Kolkata |
| 5 | GNLU | Gandhinagar |
| 6 | IIT Kharagpur | Kharagpur |
| 7 | Symbiosis Law School | Pune |
| 8 | Jamia Millia Islamia | New Delhi |
| 9 | Aligarh Muslim University | Aligarh |
| 10 | SOA University | Bhubaneswar |
How to Get Admission to the Best Law Colleges in India After Class 12?
The admission process depends on the college and state.
For students targeting National Law Universities, CLAT is the primary examination for participating institutions. The CLAT 2027 UG programme is for admission to five-year integrated LL.B. programmes beginning in the 2027–28 academic year.
Students targeting NLU Delhi need to appear for AILET, while students targeting Symbiosis Law Schools need to take SLAT.
Other colleges may use CUET, state-level entrance exams, university-specific tests or Class 12 merit.
Therefore, students should first prepare a college shortlist and then identify the entrance exams required for those colleges.
Eligibility for UG Law Courses in India
Most five-year integrated law courses require students to have completed Class 12 or an equivalent examination from a recognised board.
For example, CLAT 2027 requires 45% marks for general candidates and 40% for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
Similarly, Symbiosis requires 45% in Class 12 for its undergraduate law programmes, with 40% for SC/ST candidates.
However, eligibility can differ between colleges, so students should always check the latest official admission notification before applying.
How Much Does a Law Degree Cost in India?
The cost of studying law varies significantly depending on the institution.
Government and public universities can offer UG law programmes at relatively low fees, while private universities and premium law schools may charge several lakhs of rupees for the complete programme.
Students should also account for hostel, mess, examination, library, internship, travel and other university charges while calculating the actual cost of a five-year law degree.
How to Choose the Best Law College After Class 12?
A college’s ranking is important, but it should not be the only factor in your decision.
Students should compare the course structure, entrance examination, total five-year cost, faculty, internships, moot court opportunities, legal research opportunities, campus environment, alumni network and placement record.
For example, a student interested in corporate law may prefer a college with strong corporate-law exposure and internship opportunities, while someone interested in litigation may give greater importance to location and proximity to major courts.
It is also important to check whether the programme is recognised and whether the institution’s law programme meets the applicable requirements for legal education and professional practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the No. 1 law college in India?
National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru is ranked No. 1 in the Law category in the NIRF 2025 rankings.
Which law entrance exam is best after Class 12?
There is no single entrance exam that is best for every student. CLAT is the most important exam for participating NLUs, AILET is required for NLU Delhi, and SLAT is used for Symbiosis Law Schools. Other universities may accept CUET, state-level law entrance exams or their own entrance tests.
Can I pursue law after Class 12 without CLAT?
Yes. CLAT is not mandatory for every law college in India. Many universities and colleges admit students through state-level entrance examinations, university-specific entrance tests, CUET or merit-based admission. However, CLAT is essential if you are targeting participating NLUs.
What are the best law courses after Class 12?
The most popular five-year integrated law courses include BA LLB, BBA LLB and BCom LLB. BA LLB is a broad option combining humanities and law, BBA LLB can be useful for students interested in business and corporate law, while BCom LLB combines commerce-related subjects with legal education.
How many years is an undergraduate law course in India?
Integrated undergraduate law programmes such as BA LLB and BBA LLB generally take five years after Class 12.
Final Takeaway
The best law college in India depends on your entrance-exam score, preferred location, budget, course preference and career goals. NLSIU Bengaluru, NLU Delhi, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata and GNLU Gandhinagar are among the strongest national-level options, while institutions such as Symbiosis Law School, Jindal Global Law School, Nirma University, NLU Odisha and other state universities provide additional opportunities.
If you are currently in Class 11 or 12, the first step should be to identify your target colleges and their entrance exams. For students targeting NLUs, starting CLAT preparation early can improve the chances of securing a preferred college.
Note: Fees mentioned above are indicative and may include different programme types depending on the source. Fees, eligibility criteria, entrance exams and admission procedures can change from one academic year to another. Students should verify the latest details on the respective college/university’s official website before applying.
