1. Overview | RMLNLU Lucknow & HNLU Raipur Background
Both RMLNLU (Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow) and HNLU (Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur) are mid-tier NLUs with very similar CLAT 2026 cutoffs (~736–771 for General AI category). HNLU ranks higher in NIRF (#16 vs #21) and has a larger campus (65 vs 15 acres). RMLNLU has significantly lower fees (~₹1.25L vs ~₹1.85L per year), a major location advantage (Lucknow | India's judicial heartland in UP), and strong home state benefits for UP domicile students. The right choice depends primarily on your home state, location preference, and financial considerations.
When CLAT results are declared and aspirants find themselves in the 700–1,000 rank band for the General AI category, two NLUs consistently emerge as top choices in this range: RMLNLU Lucknow and HNLU Raipur. This comparison is one of the most common dilemmas facing mid-tier NLU aspirants | and for good reason, because these two institutions are genuinely comparable in many key respects.
About RMLNLU | Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow
Established in 2005 by the Government of Uttar Pradesh under the Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University Act, 2005, RMLNLU is named after Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia | the socialist political leader and freedom fighter. Located in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | India's most populous state | RMLNLU enjoys a distinctive location advantage: it sits in a city that is simultaneously a high court seat (Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court), an important judicial services examination hub, and the capital of India's most legally active state by volume of litigation.
RMLNLU is recognised by the UGC, approved by the Bar Council of India, and ranks #21 in NIRF Law 2025. Its most distinctive advantage is its fee structure | at approximately ₹1.25 lakh per year, it is one of the most affordable NLUs in India, making world-class legal education accessible. The university offers BA LLB (Hons.) with 160 seats, LLM, and PhD programmes.
About HNLU | Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur
Established in 2003 under the Hidayatullah National University of Law, Chhattisgarh Act (Act No. 10 of 2003) by the Government of Chhattisgarh, HNLU is the seventh NLU in the series of national law schools in India. It is named after Justice Mohammad Hidayatullah | a former Chief Justice of India and Vice President of India | giving the institution a distinguished historical honour. Located in New Raipur, Chhattisgarh, HNLU has grown steadily and is recognised as an Institution of National Importance.
HNLU is recognised by UGC, approved by the Bar Council of India, NAAC accredited, and ranks #16 in NIRF Law 2025. It offers a 65-acre campus with comprehensive facilities including AC classrooms, multiple moot court halls, an amphitheatre, sports complexes, and on-campus hostels. With 180 BA LLB seats, it has a slightly larger intake than RMLNLU.
2. RMLNLU vs HNLU | Master Comparison Table 2026
3. Individual College Profiles | Key Data 2026
4. CLAT 2026 Cutoff | Category-wise Closing Ranks
RMLNLU and HNLU have near-identical CLAT 2026 cutoffs in the General AI category | making them essentially interchangeable from an admission eligibility standpoint. HNLU's Round 1 closing rank (~736) is marginally lower than RMLNLU's (~747), meaning HNLU is slightly easier to get into under the All India quota in Round 1. By Round 2, both converge at ~770–771. Home State quota differences (UP vs CG) are significant for respective state domicile students.
| Category / Quota | RMLNLU Lucknow (2026) | HNLU Raipur (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| General | AI Quota (Round 1) | ~747 | ~736 (slightly lower) |
| General | AI Quota (Round 2) | ~771 | ~770 |
| OBC | AI Quota | ~1,500–2,000 | ~1,994 |
| SC | AI Quota | ~6,000–7,000 | ~6,464 |
| ST | AI Quota | ~10,000–12,000 | ~11,239 |
| PWD | AI Quota | ~16,485 | Available |
| General | Home State Quota | ~2,850 (UP domicile) | ~3,143–4,227 (CG domicile) |
| OBC | Home State Quota | ~4,000–5,000 | ~6,000–7,000 |
Historical Cutoff Trend (2022–2026)
| Year | RMLNLU Gen AI (Final Round) | HNLU Gen AI (Final Round) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ~771 (Round 2) | ~770 (Round 2) |
| 2025 | ~765 (Final) | ~791 (Final) |
| 2024 | ~780 (Final) | ~707–791 range |
| 2023 | ~800–850 range | ~800–850 range |
5. Fee Structure | RMLNLU vs HNLU 2026
The fee difference between RMLNLU and HNLU is one of the most significant practical differentiating factors. Over a 5-year BA LLB programme, the difference amounts to approximately ₹3 lakh | significant for many families.
| Fee Component | RMLNLU Lucknow | HNLU Raipur |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Tuition Fee | ~₹1,25,000 / year | ~₹1,85,000 / year |
| 5-Year Tuition Total | ~₹6.25 Lakh | ~₹9.25 Lakh |
| Annual Hostel Fee (Approx.) | ₹40,000–₹60,000/yr | ₹50,000–₹70,000/yr |
| Annual Mess Fee (Approx.) | ₹30,000–₹40,000/yr | ₹35,000–₹50,000/yr |
| Total 5-Year Cost (All-in) | ~₹9–10 Lakh | ~₹12–14 Lakh |
| LLM Annual Fee | ~₹75,000–₹1 Lakh | ~₹1–1.5 Lakh |
| Scholarship Availability | Merit + Category-based (National + State) | Merit + Category-based (National + State) |
6. Courses Offered & Seats | RMLNLU vs HNLU
| Programme | RMLNLU Lucknow | HNLU Raipur |
|---|---|---|
| BA LLB (Hons.) | 5 Year | 160 seats + supernumerary | 180 seats + supernumerary |
| LLB | 3 Year | Not mentioned (check official) | Not offered / Limited |
| LLM | 1 Year | Available (via CLAT-PG) | Available (via CLAT-PG) |
| PhD in Law | Available (own entrance test) | Available (own entrance test) |
| Admission | UG | CLAT UG + Consortium Counselling | CLAT UG + Consortium Counselling |
| Admission | PG | CLAT-PG (LLM) | CLAT-PG (LLM) |
| Management Quota | No (strictly CLAT only) | No (strictly CLAT only) |
| International Exchange | Limited / developing | Yes (student exchange programme) |
7. Rankings & Accreditations | RMLNLU vs HNLU
| Ranking Agency | RMLNLU Lucknow | HNLU Raipur | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIRF Law 2025 | #21 | #16 | HNLU consistently ranks higher |
| NIRF Law 2024 | #20 | #16 | Both stable / slight RMLNLU dip |
| India Today 2025 | ~12–15 (est.) | #5–6 | HNLU significantly higher |
| NIRF Score (2025) | 60.12 | Higher than RMLNLU | HNLU stronger research output |
| NAAC Accreditation | Accredited | Accredited | Both accredited |
| BCI Approval | Yes ✓ | Yes ✓ | Both fully approved |
| UGC Recognition | Yes ✓ | Yes ✓ | Both recognised |
| National Importance | NLU status | Institute of National Importance | HNLU has formal NI designation |
The ranking gap between HNLU (#16) and RMLNLU (#21) in NIRF 2025 is real but relatively modest in the context of 23+ NLUs. Both are firmly mid-tier institutions. HNLU's higher India Today ranking (#5–6 vs #12–15) suggests stronger performance on research, faculty quality, and student satisfaction metrics that India Today weights heavily. NIRF's methodology weighs research output and teaching-learning processes | areas where HNLU has historically outperformed RMLNLU in recent years.
8. Placements & Top Recruiters | RMLNLU vs HNLU 2026
RMLNLU Lucknow reports a placement rate of approximately 92% with a median package of ~₹7 LPA as per NIRF 2025 data. HNLU Raipur placed 47 students out of 67 registered (70% of registered, ~27% of total batch of 171) in 2024, with 18 Pre-Placement Offers (PPOs). Both are mid-tier NLUs with improving but not yet Tier-1 placement records. The majority of placements at both institutions are in mid-tier law firms, PSUs, corporates, and government legal roles rather than Tier-1 firms (AZB, CAM, Khaitan, Trilegal).
Top Recruiters at RMLNLU Lucknow
Top Recruiters at HNLU Raipur (2024)
9. Campus, Infrastructure & Location
Campus quality and location are critical quality-of-life factors for 5 years of residential law study. Here is where the two colleges differ most significantly:
10. Student Life, Committees & Annual Events
Both NLUs maintain active student life ecosystems with moot court committees, legal aid cells, debate societies, cultural fests, and sports activities. Here is what distinguishes each:
| Feature | RMLNLU Lucknow | HNLU Raipur |
|---|---|---|
| Moot Court Tradition | Active | Lucknow Moot Court, national competitions | Strong | multiple moot court halls, national & international moots |
| Legal Aid Cell | Yes | UP legal aid coordination | Yes | CG community outreach |
| Annual Cultural Fest | Raadiant (cultural fest) | Euphoria (cultural fest) | well-attended |
| Annual Sports Fest | Yodha (sports) | Full sports facilities including football, basketball, cricket |
| Law Review / Journal | RMLNLU Law Review | HNLU Law Review |
| International Exposure | Limited (developing) | Student exchange programme with foreign universities |
| City Exposure | High | Lucknow city access for courts, internships, events | Moderate | ~25 km from city |
| Library Access | Adequate | developing digital resources | Well-equipped, expanding digital collection |
| Student Feedback | "Good location, affordable, developing" | "Beautiful campus, good facilities, best upcoming NLU" |
11. RMLNLU vs HNLU | Which Should You Choose? Decision Framework
- ▸You are a UP domicile student | the Home State quota at RMLNLU gives you a massive cutoff advantage (~2,850 vs ~747)
- ▸You want the location advantage | Lucknow's Allahabad HC (Lucknow Bench), legal ecosystem, and judicial facilities are genuinely valuable for a law career
- ▸Cost matters to you | RMLNLU's ~₹1.25L/yr fee is ₹60K/yr cheaper than HNLU, saving ~₹3L over 5 years
- ▸You are targeting UP Judicial Services | RMLNLU alumni have strong representation in UP state judicial exams
- ▸You prefer a city campus with direct access to courts, law firms, and urban legal infrastructure from day one
- ▸You want easy access to internships at the Allahabad HC Lucknow Bench and North Indian law firms
- ▸You are a Chhattisgarh domicile student | Home State quota gives significant cutoff advantage (~3,143–4,227 vs ~736)
- ▸You want a better NIRF ranking (#16 vs #21) | HNLU ranks consistently higher than RMLNLU
- ▸You prioritise a large green campus experience | HNLU's 65-acre campus offers a superior residential environment
- ▸You want international exposure | HNLU's student exchange programme is a genuine differentiator at this NLU tier
- ▸You prefer better campus infrastructure | AC classrooms, multiple moot court halls, amphitheatre, and sports complex
- ▸You want the India Today #5–6 ranking brand advantage and the prestige of an Institute of National Importance designation
12. Frequently Asked Questions | RMLNLU vs HNLU
Which is better | RMLNLU Lucknow or HNLU Raipur? ▾
Both are well-regarded mid-tier NLUs at comparable CLAT cutoffs, making this genuinely a close call. HNLU Raipur ranks higher in NIRF (#16 vs #21) and India Today (#5–6 vs #12–15), has a larger and better-equipped 65-acre campus, an international student exchange programme, and carries the prestige of being an Institute of National Importance. RMLNLU Lucknow offers significantly lower fees (~₹1.25L vs ~₹1.85L/yr), a stronger location advantage (Lucknow's HC access and UP legal ecosystem), and strong value for UP domicile students. For pure ranking, choose HNLU. For value and location, choose RMLNLU.
What is the CLAT 2026 cutoff for RMLNLU Lucknow? ▾
The RMLNLU Lucknow CLAT 2026 cutoff for the General AI category for BA LLB (Hons.) was approximately ~747 in Round 1 and ~771 in Round 2. For Uttar Pradesh Home State quota (General HS), the closing rank was approximately ~2,850. OBC AI closed at approximately 1,500–2,000; SC AI at approximately 6,000–7,000; ST AI at approximately 10,000–12,000; PWD AI at approximately 16,485. These are indicative figures based on available Round 1 and Round 2 data | always verify from the official Consortium of NLUs website.
What is the CLAT 2026 cutoff for HNLU Raipur? ▾
The HNLU Raipur CLAT 2026 cutoff for General AI category for BA LLB (Hons.) was approximately ~736 in Round 1 and ~770 in Round 2. For Chhattisgarh Home State quota (General HS), the closing rank was approximately ~3,143–4,227. OBC AI closed at approximately 1,994; SC AI at approximately 6,464; ST AI at approximately 11,239. Always verify from the official Consortium of NLUs website at consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
What are the fees at RMLNLU Lucknow vs HNLU Raipur? ▾
RMLNLU Lucknow annual fee for BA LLB (Hons.) is approximately ₹1.25 lakh per year | one of India's most affordable NLU fees. Total 5-year tuition: ~₹6.25 lakh. HNLU Raipur annual fee is approximately ₹1.85 lakh per year. Total 5-year tuition: ~₹9.25 lakh. The difference of ~₹60,000 per year (₹3 lakh over 5 years) is significant for families budgeting for a legal education. Including hostel and mess, total all-in cost over 5 years is approximately ₹9–10 lakh (RMLNLU) vs ₹12–14 lakh (HNLU).
Is HNLU Raipur or RMLNLU better for placements? ▾
Based on available data, RMLNLU has a stronger reported placement rate (~92%) with a median package of ~₹7 LPA (NIRF 2025). HNLU Raipur placed 47 students out of 67 registered for placements in 2024 (70% of registered students) with 18 PPOs. However, it is important to note that at both institutions, campus placements do not cover the full batch | many students pursue litigation, judicial services, government roles, or higher studies. Both institutions have comparable placement quality at the mid-tier NLU level.
Does HNLU Raipur have hostel facilities? ▾
Yes. HNLU Raipur has on-campus hostel facilities for both boys and girls on its 65-acre New Raipur campus. The hostel facilities are generally rated well by students | the campus is self-contained with a canteen, sports facilities, and regular college bus services to the main city (~25 km). The large green campus environment is often cited as one of HNLU's strongest attributes by current students and alumni.
What is RMLNLU's NIRF ranking vs HNLU? ▾
In NIRF Law Rankings 2025, HNLU Raipur is ranked #16 and RMLNLU Lucknow is ranked #21. This 5-rank gap has been consistent across recent years. HNLU also ranks significantly higher in India Today rankings (#5–6 vs ~#12–15 for RMLNLU). HNLU's higher NIRF score (the NIRF publishes absolute scores alongside ranks) reflects stronger research output, faculty, and infrastructure metrics. Both are among the 23 NLUs participating in CLAT.
Which NLU is better for UP domicile students | RMLNLU or HNLU? ▾
For Uttar Pradesh domicile students, RMLNLU Lucknow is strongly recommended. The Home State quota at RMLNLU gives UP domicile students access at a closing rank of approximately 2,850 (General HS) | far more accessible than the All India quota closing rank of ~747. This means a UP student with a CLAT rank of 1,500–2,850 who would not qualify under RMLNLU's AI quota can still secure a seat through the HS quota. Additionally, the Lucknow location benefits UP students who plan to practice in UP courts or appear for UP judicial services exams.
Disclaimer: CLAT cutoff ranks, fees, and placement figures are based on data from official NIRF 2025 reports, official Consortium of NLUs CLAT 2026 merit lists, official RMLNLU (rmlnlu.ac.in) and HNLU (hnlu.ac.in) websites, and publicly available institutional data. All figures are indicative and may vary. Always verify current data from the official websites before making admission decisions. Last reviewed: May 2026.