LawGuru India
Choosing a National Law University is one of the biggest decisions a law aspirant makes, and the NIRF Law Ranking is the single most-cited data point in that decision. This guide compares all 25 NLUs side by side on NIRF score, CLAT cutoff, fees, and average placement package, so you can shortlist confidently during CLAT counselling instead of relying on rumours and forum threads.
Quick answer: NLSIU Bangalore ranks 1st in NIRF Law Ranking 2026, followed by NALSAR Hyderabad and NLU Delhi. NIRF ranks institutions on teaching resources, research output, graduation outcomes, outreach, and perception. Rankings should be read alongside CLAT cutoff, fees, and placement data rather than in isolation, since a lower-ranked NLU can still be the better fit for a specific student's goals and budget.
How NIRF Ranks Law Universities
The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) is published annually by India's Ministry of Education. For law, NIRF scores each institution across five weighted parameters: Teaching, Learning and Resources; Research and Professional Practice; Graduation Outcomes; Outreach and Inclusivity; and Perception. Participation is voluntary, which is why some newer or smaller NLUs do not appear in the individually ranked list even though they remain fully recognised institutions.
It's worth understanding what NIRF measures before treating a rank as gospel. A high NIRF score reflects institutional strength across research, faculty, and long-term outcomes. It does not measure your personal fit with a campus, its regional placement network, or how competitive its CLAT cutoff will be for your specific category. Use the rank as a starting filter, not the final word.
NIRF Law Ranking 2026: Full NLU Comparison Table
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the top NLUs based on the most recently published NIRF Law data, along with typical CLAT cutoff ranges, annual fees, and average placement packages. Fees and cutoffs shift slightly each year, so always confirm current figures on the individual college page linked below before finalising your CLAT preference list.
| Rank | University | City | CLAT Cutoff (General, approx.) | Annual Fees | Avg. Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NLSIU Bangalore | Bangalore, Karnataka | Top 80 | ₹2.17L | ₹18 LPA |
| 2 | NALSAR Hyderabad | Hyderabad, Telangana | Top 80 | ₹2.05L | ₹16 LPA |
| 3 | NLU Delhi (AILET) | New Delhi | AILET-based | ₹2.20L | ₹17 LPA |
| 4 | WBNUJS Kolkata | Kolkata, West Bengal | Top 300 | ₹2.10L | ₹14 LPA |
| 5 | GNLU Gandhinagar | Gandhinagar, Gujarat | Top 700 | ₹1.95L | ₹14 LPA |
| 6 | NLU Jodhpur | Jodhpur, Rajasthan | Top 700 | ₹1.90L | ₹12 LPA |
| 7 | RGNUL Patiala | Patiala, Punjab | Top 1500 | ₹1.80L | ₹10 LPA |
| 8 | HNLU Raipur | Raipur, Chhattisgarh | Top 1800 | ₹1.70L | ₹9 LPA |
| 9 | RMLNLU Lucknow | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | Top 2000 | ₹1.65L | ₹9 LPA |
| 10 | NLIU Bhopal | Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh | Top 2200 | ₹1.60L | ₹8.5 LPA |
| 11 | CNLU Patna | Patna, Bihar | Top 3000 | ₹1.40L | ₹7.5 LPA |
| 12 | NUSRL Ranchi | Ranchi, Jharkhand | Top 3500 | ₹1.35L | ₹7 LPA |
| 13 | NLUO Cuttack | Cuttack, Odisha | Top 3500 | ₹1.35L | ₹7 LPA |
| 14 | DSNLU Visakhapatnam | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh | Top 4000 | ₹1.30L | ₹6.5 LPA |
| 15 | MNLU Mumbai | Mumbai, Maharashtra | Top 4500 | ₹1.50L | ₹8 LPA |
Figures above are educational estimates compiled from recent NIRF, CLAT counselling, and placement reports. Confirm exact cutoffs and fees on each university's official website before applying. See our full NIRF Law Rankings 2026-27 page for the complete list.
Top 5 NLUs Explained
1. NLSIU Bangalore
India's first National Law University and the consistent NIRF Law topper, known for its research output, moot court culture, and strong Bangalore-based corporate law recruiter base.
View College Profile →2. NALSAR Hyderabad
Known for its IP law and technology law specialisations, NALSAR has steadily strengthened its research profile and overtaken several rivals in recent NIRF cycles.
View College Profile →3. NLU Delhi
The only NLU admitting through its own entrance test, AILET, NLU Delhi benefits from its capital-city location and proximity to top law firms and the Supreme Court.
View College Profile →4. WBNUJS Kolkata
One of the earliest NLUs, WBNUJS has a strong academic reputation and a loyal alumni network across corporate law firms and the judiciary.
View College Profile →5. GNLU Gandhinagar
GNLU has built a strong reputation in corporate and business law, supported by close ties to Gujarat's growing legal and financial services sector.
View College Profile →6. NLU Jodhpur
NLUJ has grown its reputation through active research centres and a rising placement record, making it a strong choice just outside the traditional top five.
View College Profile →NLU Rankings vs Fees: What You Actually Pay
Fees at NLUs generally track with rank, but not perfectly. Top-tier NLUs charge upward of ₹2 lakh per year, while several mid-tier and newer NLUs remain well under ₹1.5 lakh annually. If budget is a major constraint, it's worth comparing a target NLU's fees against your expected placement outcomes rather than chasing rank alone. Our NLU fees comparison guide breaks down the full fee structure, hostel costs, and available scholarships for each university.
NLU Rankings vs Placements
Placement strength correlates with rank at the very top of the list, where NLSIU, NLU Delhi, and NALSAR consistently pull the highest average packages thanks to established relationships with top-tier law firms and corporate legal departments. Below the top six, placement outcomes depend heavily on a university's regional legal market, moot court and internship culture, and how actively its placement cell works with recruiters, factors that don't always track cleanly with NIRF score.
Other Ranking Systems: NIRF vs India Today vs QS
NIRF isn't the only ranking system law aspirants encounter. India Today-MDRA publishes an annual perception-heavy survey that sometimes reorders mid-tier institutions differently from NIRF. QS World University Rankings by Subject includes a small number of Indian law schools on a global scale, useful mainly for students considering an LLM abroad. For domestic NLU admissions through CLAT, NIRF remains the most authoritative and widely referenced government ranking, and it's the primary benchmark used throughout this guide.
Compare Two Colleges Side by Side
See fees, cutoffs, placements, and facilities for any two law colleges in one view.
Start Comparing →Popular NLU Comparisons
Trying to decide between two specific universities? These head-to-head comparisons break down fees, cutoffs, placements, and campus life for the pairings law aspirants search for most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the number 1 NLU in India?
National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore has held the top spot in NIRF Law Rankings consistently since the framework began, based on its research output, faculty strength, graduation outcomes, and perception score.
How many NLUs are there in India?
There are 25 National Law Universities in India as of the current CLAT admission cycle. Not every NLU is individually ranked in NIRF each year, since NIRF participation is voluntary and some newer NLUs have not submitted complete data.
Is NIRF ranking the only way to compare NLUs?
No. NIRF is the most widely cited government ranking, but placement records, faculty strength, moot court performance, alumni network, and location also matter. A mid-ranked NLU with strong regional placement ties can be a better fit than a higher-ranked NLU for some students.
Does NLU rank affect placement package?
Broadly, yes. Top-tier NLUs like NLSIU, NLU Delhi, and NALSAR see the highest average packages due to strong recruiter relationships with top law firms. Individual performance, internships, and moot court experience influence outcomes as much as institutional rank.
What is the difference between CLAT rank and NIRF rank?
CLAT rank is a student's individual score-based rank used for admission counselling. NIRF rank is an annual institutional ranking published by the Ministry of Education that evaluates each NLU as a whole.
Which NLU has the lowest fees?
Fee structures vary by state and university, and several mid-tier and newer NLUs charge noticeably less than the top-tier NLUs. Always check the specific NLU's official fee structure page for the current academic year.
Can I get into an NLU without CLAT?
Almost all NLUs admit students through CLAT, with the sole exception of NLU Delhi, which conducts its own entrance test called AILET. A small number of NLUs also offer limited seats through other routes such as sports or NRI quotas.
Are private law colleges better than lower-ranked NLUs?
It depends on the specific institutions being compared. Some private law colleges, such as Jindal Global Law School and Symbiosis Law School, have placement records and infrastructure that rival mid-tier NLUs.
How often does NIRF update law rankings?
NIRF publishes updated rankings annually, typically released by the Ministry of Education in the second half of the calendar year.
Does a higher NIRF rank always mean a higher CLAT cutoff?
Generally yes, since better-ranked NLUs attract more applicants and see higher CLAT cutoffs. This isn't a perfect correlation, since state domicile reservation, seat intake, and regional demand also shift a university's effective cutoff.
Related Reading
CLAT 2027: Complete Guide to Dates, Syllabus, and Eligibility
Everything you need to know before applying to any NLU on this list.
Top NLUs CLAT Cutoff: Category-Wise Analysis
Detailed cutoff trends across general, OBC, SC, ST, and PWD categories.
LLB vs BA LLB: Which One Should You Choose?
A breakdown of the 3-year and 5-year law degree paths before you pick an NLU.
NLSIU Bangalore Review 2026
A closer look at campus life, academics, and placements at India's top NLU.