Choosing the right law college is one of the most important decisions for students who want to build a career in law. Among the most preferred institutions for legal education in India are National Law Universities (NLUs), known for their specialised law programmes, competitive admissions and opportunities for academic and professional development.
But how many NLUs are there in India? Which states have these universities? Which NLUs feature in the latest NIRF Law Rankings, and how can students get admission to them?
This guide explains the number of NLUs in India, provides a list of universities and their locations, covers the NIRF 2025 Law Rankings and explains the courses, entrance examinations and admission process students should understand before choosing a law university.
How Many NLUs Are There in India in 2026?
The Consortium of National Law Universities lists 26 member National Law Universities. National Law University, Delhi, operates independently of the Consortium and follows its own admission process. Including NLU Delhi, the commonly cited total is 27 National Law Universities in India.
The distinction is important because the number of Consortium members is not necessarily the same as the total number of National Law Universities in India. An additional campus operated by an NLU is also not automatically counted as a separate university.
Students should consult official websites to confirm the current university list, participating institutions and admission requirements.
Official reference: Consortium of National Law Universities
Admission reference: CLAT 2026 Participating Universities
NLU Delhi: National Law University, Delhi
Complete List of NLUs in India
The following table lists the 26 National Law Universities that are members of the Consortium of NLUs, along with their commonly used names and locations. NLU Delhi is covered separately because it is not a member of the Consortium.
| No. | National Law University | Location |
| 1 | National Law School of India University (NLSIU) | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| 2 | NALSAR University of Law | Hyderabad, Telangana |
| 3 | National Law Institute University (NLIU) | Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh |
| 4 | The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS) | Kolkata, West Bengal |
| 5 | National Law University, Jodhpur (NLUJ) | Jodhpur, Rajasthan |
| 6 | Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) | Raipur, Chhattisgarh |
| 7 | Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) | Gandhinagar, Gujarat |
| 8 | Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU) | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh |
| 9 | Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) | Patiala, Punjab |
| 10 | Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) | Patna, Bihar |
| 11 | National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) | Kochi, Kerala |
| 12 | National Law University Odisha (NLUO) | Cuttack, Odisha |
| 13 | National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL) | Ranchi, Jharkhand |
| 14 | National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam (NLUJAA) | Amingaon, Assam |
| 15 | Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU) | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh |
| 16 | Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU) | Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu |
| 17 | Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai (MNLU Mumbai) | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| 18 | Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur (MNLU Nagpur) | Nagpur, Maharashtra |
| 19 | Maharashtra National Law University, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra |
| 20 | Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU) | Shimla, Himachal Pradesh |
| 21 | Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU) | Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh |
| 22 | Dr. B. R. Ambedkar National Law University (DBRANLU) | Sonipat, Haryana |
| 23 | National Law University Tripura (NLUT) | Agartala, Tripura |
| 24 | Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University (RPNLU) | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh |
| 25 | India International University of Legal Education and Research (IIULER) | Goa |
| 26 | National Law University Meghalaya | Shillong, Meghalaya |
Important: University names, campus details and admission procedures can change. Candidates should verify the latest information on official university websites before applying.
National Law University, Delhi
National Law University, Delhi, is another prominent institution for legal education in India. It is not a member of the Consortium of NLUs and follows its own admission process. For its relevant undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, the university conducts the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET).
Official website: National Law University, Delhi
NLUs in India According to NIRF Ranking 2025
The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), released by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, publishes rankings of higher education institutions across different categories, including Law.
According to the official NIRF India Rankings 2025, National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, secured Rank 1 in the Law category. National Law University, Delhi, ranked second, followed by NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, at Rank 3.
The NIRF Law category includes both National Law Universities and other law institutions. Therefore, these rankings represent the overall Law category, not a ranking exclusively for NLUs.
NLUs Appearing in NIRF Law Rankings 2025
The following table lists the National Law Universities identifiable in the published NIRF 2025 Law top 40, along with their official ranks and locations.
| NIRF Rank 2025 | National Law University | Location |
| 1 | National Law School of India University (NLSIU) | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| 2 | National Law University, Delhi | New Delhi, Delhi |
| 3 | NALSAR University of Law | Hyderabad, Telangana |
| 4 | The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS) | Kolkata, West Bengal |
| 5 | Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) | Gandhinagar, Gujarat |
| 15 | National Law University Odisha (NLUO) | Cuttack, Odisha |
| 17 | Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) | Patna, Bihar |
| 21 | Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU) | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh |
| 27 | National Law Institute University (NLIU) | Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh |
| 28 | Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur | Nagpur, Maharashtra |
| 30 | National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL) | Ranchi, Jharkhand |
| 34 | Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU) | Shimla, Himachal Pradesh |
| 35 | National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam (NLUJAA) | Kamrup, Assam |
Source: Official NIRF India Rankings 2025 – Law
The table includes only the NLUs identifiable in the published top 40. Universities that do not appear in this list should not be assigned a rank based on this ranking table. NLU Delhi is included because it appears in the NIRF Law Rankings, even though it is not a Consortium member.
Which NLU Is Ranked No. 1 in India?
According to the NIRF India Rankings 2025 for Law, National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, is ranked No. 1 in India, with an overall score of 82.97.
It is followed by National Law University, Delhi, at Rank 2 with a score of 80.00, and NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, at Rank 3 with a score of 79.50. The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata, secured Rank 4 with a score of 79.39, while Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar, ranked fifth with a score of 76.23.
Official ranking: NIRF India Rankings 2025 – Law
NIRF rankings are useful for comparing institutions, but students should not choose a university based on rankings alone. Course availability, fees, scholarships, internships, placement outcomes, campus facilities and personal career goals should also influence the decision.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an NLU
Academic reputation and curriculum: Review the university’s academic structure, faculty, specialisations, research opportunities and teaching approach.
Placements and career opportunities: Check the latest available placement reports, recruiter information, median salary where disclosed, internship opportunities and the career paths of graduates. Placement outcomes may vary by year and programme.
Fees and scholarships: Compare tuition fees, hostel charges, living expenses and financial assistance. The total cost of studying law can differ considerably between universities.
Location and campus facilities: Consider access to courts, law firms, internships, libraries, accommodation and other student facilities.
Course availability: Not every NLU offers the same programmes. Check whether the university offers the undergraduate or postgraduate course you want to pursue.
What Courses Are Offered by NLUs in India?
National Law Universities offer undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes in law. The exact courses available vary from one institution to another.
Five-Year Integrated Law Programmes
These programmes are popular among students who want to study law immediately after Class 12.
- B.A. LL.B. (Hons.)
- B.B.A. LL.B. (Hons.)
- B.Com. LL.B.
- B.Sc. LL.B.
- Other integrated law programmes, depending on the university.
A five-year integrated law degree combines legal education with subjects from another academic discipline. For example, a B.A. LL.B. programme generally combines law with humanities subjects, while a B.B.A. LL.B. programme incorporates business and management-related subjects. Course availability varies across universities.
LL.M. Programmes
The Master of Laws (LL.M.) is a postgraduate programme for students who have completed an eligible law degree. Depending on the university, students may be able to specialise in areas such as constitutional law, corporate law, criminal law, intellectual property law or other legal disciplines. Admission requirements and examination routes vary by institution.
Ph.D. and Research Programmes
Several NLUs offer doctoral and other research opportunities in law and related fields. These programmes are generally suitable for candidates interested in legal research, academia, policy work or advanced scholarship. Applicants should consult individual university websites for eligibility, entrance tests and research requirements.
How to Get Admission to an NLU in India?
Admission depends on the university, course and admission year. CLAT is the common admission route for participating NLUs for undergraduate and postgraduate law programmes, subject to each university’s admission rules. NLU Delhi follows its own admission process and uses AILET for its relevant programmes.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
For undergraduate five-year integrated law programmes, students generally need to have completed or be appearing for Class 12, subject to the applicable eligibility rules. For postgraduate LL.M. programmes, applicants generally need an eligible LL.B. degree or an equivalent qualification accepted under the relevant admission rules. Always read the official notification for the examination year because eligibility conditions can change.
Step 2: Register for the Appropriate Entrance Examination
Students applying to participating Consortium universities should complete the CLAT application process, submit the required information and pay the applicable fee within the prescribed dates. Candidates targeting NLU Delhi should check the university’s AILET notification and admission requirements.
Step 3: Prepare for the Entrance Examination
CLAT undergraduate preparation generally covers the following areas:
- English Language
- Current Affairs, including General Knowledge
- Legal Reasoning
- Logical Reasoning
- Quantitative Techniques
The examination pattern and syllabus should always be checked against the official notification for the relevant year. Preparation should involve regular reading, current-affairs revision, practice questions, mock tests and performance analysis. Students should focus on improving accuracy, time management, comprehension and reasoning rather than relying only on memorisation.
Step 4: Participate in Counselling and Choose Preferences
Candidates who qualify must follow the applicable counselling and seat-allocation process. They should review available universities, course options, category-wise rules, seat availability, fees and preference-filling instructions. Admission to a particular NLU depends on factors such as rank, category, seat matrix, preference order, counselling rules and the admission cycle.
What Is CLAT and Why Is It Important for NLU Admission?
The Common Law Admission Test, commonly known as CLAT, is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the Consortium of NLUs.
CLAT is used by participating National Law Universities for admission to their undergraduate five-year integrated law programmes and postgraduate LL.M. programmes, subject to each university’s admission rules. For students targeting NLUs through the common admission process, CLAT preparation is an important part of their law entrance strategy.
However, CLAT is not the only route into legal education in India. NLU Delhi conducts AILET for relevant programmes, while some other law schools and universities may have separate entrance examinations or admission procedures.
Can You Get Admission to an NLU Without CLAT?
The answer depends on the university and the course. For admission to programmes at NLUs participating in CLAT, candidates generally need to follow the relevant CLAT admission process. Students cannot assume that they can obtain a seat in a participating NLU through direct admission without meeting its prescribed requirements.
NLU Delhi follows its own admission process, including AILET for relevant programmes. Other institutions may have separate procedures for particular courses or categories of applicants.
Students should also distinguish between National Law Universities and other law colleges. India has many law colleges and universities outside the NLU system, and their admission processes may be different.
Are All NLUs in India Government Universities?
National Law Universities are generally public institutions established through specific state or central legislation. Their legal status, funding arrangements and administrative structures depend on their respective establishing laws and applicable regulations.
Students should check the official website of their chosen university for the latest information about fees, scholarships, governance and admission policies.
Further reading: Government of India – Press Information Bureau
What Is the Difference Between an NLU and Other Law Colleges?
NLUs are specialised institutions established for legal education, while other law colleges may operate under universities, private educational groups or other institutional structures. The distinction does not mean that every NLU will automatically be a better choice than every other law college. Students should compare the quality of teaching, recognised programmes, internships, career outcomes, fees and overall academic environment.
| Factor | National Law Universities | Other Law Colleges |
| Institutional structure | Specialised universities established under applicable legislation | May be affiliated colleges, university departments or independent institutions |
| Admission route | CLAT or another prescribed route, depending on the university and course | May use CLAT, another entrance examination, merit or university-specific admission rules |
| Courses | Integrated law, postgraduate and research programmes, depending on the institution | Course offerings depend on the institution |
| Fees | Vary by university and programme | Vary widely across government and private institutions |
| Selection criteria | Depend on entrance rank, eligibility, seat availability and applicable rules | Depend on the college or university’s admission policy |
The best option is the institution that fits the student’s academic goals, financial situation and preferred career path.
How Should Students Prepare for CLAT?
Build a Strong Reading Habit
Read quality newspapers and other reliable sources regularly. Focus on understanding arguments, identifying key information and improving reading speed. These habits support comprehension and current-affairs preparation.
Revise Current Affairs Consistently
Prepare short notes on significant national and international events, legal developments, government initiatives and other relevant topics. Regular revision is generally more effective than trying to cover everything at the last minute.
Practise Legal and Logical Reasoning
Work on passage-based questions and practise identifying assumptions, conclusions, principles and logical relationships. Develop the habit of reading each question carefully before choosing an answer.
Take Mock Tests and Analyse Performance
Mock tests help students understand the examination format and practise time management. After each test, review incorrect answers, questions that took too long and areas where accuracy needs improvement.
Follow the Official Syllabus and Examination Pattern
Use the official CLAT notification and syllabus as the primary reference for preparation. Avoid relying exclusively on outdated examination patterns, unofficial announcements or unverified social media posts.
Students who need a structured timetable, guided practice and regular performance feedback may also consider enrolling in a suitable law entrance coaching programme.
Frequently Asked Questions About NLUs in India
How many NLUs are there in India in 2026?
The Consortium of NLUs has 26 member National Law Universities. NLU Delhi is a separate National Law University that is not a Consortium member. Including NLU Delhi, the commonly cited total is 27 NLUs.
Which is the No. 1 NLU in India?
NLSIU Bengaluru is ranked No. 1 in the NIRF 2025 Law category. The NIRF ranking covers law institutions overall, not only NLUs.
Which NLU has the highest NIRF ranking in Gujarat?
Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar, secured Rank 5 in the NIRF India Rankings 2025 for Law.
How many NLUs accept CLAT?
The number of participating universities can vary by admission cycle. Candidates should check the official CLAT participating-universities list for the relevant year.
Can I get into an NLU after Class 12?
Yes. Eligible students can apply for five-year integrated undergraduate law programmes after Class 12 through the entrance examination and admission route prescribed by their chosen university.
Is CLAT compulsory for all NLUs?
CLAT is the common admission route for participating Consortium NLUs, but not every institution uses it. NLU Delhi follows its own admission process and conducts AILET for relevant programmes.
Which NLU is best for corporate law?
The right choice depends on the university’s curriculum, electives, internship access, faculty, placement information and your career goals. Compare recent official placement reports and programme details before deciding.
Is an NLU better than a private law college?
Not necessarily in every case. Many students prioritise NLUs because of their specialised legal education and competitive admission process, but the right decision requires a comparison of academic quality, costs, internships, career outcomes and individual preferences.
How can I check the official list of NLUs?
Visit the Consortium of National Law Universities website and review its member university information. Candidates should also check the official CLAT website and individual university websites for current admission details.
Where can I check the latest NLU rankings?
The official NIRF Law Rankings are available on the NIRF India Rankings 2025 – Law page. The ranking includes NLUs and other law institutions.
Conclusion
The Consortium of NLUs has 26 member National Law Universities. Including NLU Delhi, which follows a separate admission process, the commonly cited total is 27 National Law Universities.
The NIRF 2025 Law Rankings provide another useful way to compare institutions. NLSIU Bengaluru ranks first overall in the Law category, followed by NLU Delhi and NALSAR University of Law. GNLU Gandhinagar secured Rank 5, making it one of the highest-ranked law institutions in Gujarat.
For students planning to study law after Class 12, the next steps are to shortlist universities, check the latest admission rules, understand the relevant entrance examination and prepare consistently.
A well-informed university choice should be based on more than rankings alone. Students should consider course suitability, financial planning, internships, academic support and long-term career goals before making their final decision.
For reliable updates, always refer to the official Consortium of NLUs, NIRF and university admission websites.
