Admission to MNLU Mumbai's BA LLB (Hons.) programme is exclusively through CLAT conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities. The General (All India) CLAT 2026 cutoff closed at rank 481 (Round 1) and 495 (Round 2 & 3). Maharashtra domicile students have a significant advantage through the Home State quota, with closing ranks extending beyond 1,400 in the final round. The total BA LLB fee is ₹9.5 lakh (General) or ₹6.7 lakh (Maharashtra domicile) over five years. Eligibility requires Class 12 with minimum 45% marks (40% for SC/ST/PwD). The total intake is 100 seats including 20 supernumerary seats for Foreign National/NRI/NRI-Sponsored candidates.
Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai | commonly known as MNLU Mumbai | is a government-funded autonomous National Law University established in 2014 under the Maharashtra National Law University Act. Located at Powai, Mumbai, one of India's most dynamic financial and commercial hubs, MNLU Mumbai is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and approved by the Bar Council of India (BCI). It is ranked #31 in Law by NIRF 2025 and participates in the Consortium of National Law Universities for CLAT-based centralised admissions.
This guide provides complete, verified information on every aspect of the MNLU Mumbai admission process for the 2026–27 academic year | from eligibility through to final document verification and reporting at the campus.
(Round 1)
(Final Round)
(Incl. Supernumerary)
Marks Required
MNLU Mumbai | Admission Highlights 2026
Before diving into the details, here is a consolidated snapshot of every key admission parameter for 2026–27.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| University Name | Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai (MNLU Mumbai) |
| Established | 2014 (under Maharashtra National Law University Act) |
| Location | Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Recognised by | University Grants Commission (UGC); Bar Council of India (BCI) |
| NIRF Ranking 2025 | #31 | Law Category |
| UG Programme | BA LLB (Hons.) | 5-Year Integrated |
| UG Admission Mode | CLAT (Centralised, via Consortium of NLUs) |
| PG Programmes | LLM (Multiple Specialisations) |
| PG Admission Mode | CLAT PG (Centralised) |
| MBA Admission Mode | CAT / XAT / MAT / ATMA / CMAT / GMAT / MAH-CET + Personal Interview |
| PhD Admission Mode | University-level PAT (PhD Admission Test) + Interview |
| Total UG Intake | 100 seats (80 regular + 20 supernumerary for FN/NRI/NRI-Sponsored) |
| Programme Nature | Full-time and Residential |
| CLAT 2026 Gen AI Cutoff | Rank 481 (Round 1) · 495 (Round 2 & 3) |
| Total Fee (BA LLB) | ₹9.5 lakh (General AI) · ₹6.7 lakh (Maharashtra Domicile) |
| Official Website | mnlumumbai.ac.in |
Eligibility Criteria for MNLU Mumbai Admissions 2026
MNLU Mumbai follows the eligibility norms prescribed by the Bar Council of India and the Consortium of National Law Universities. Candidates must meet all eligibility conditions before their application is considered valid.
BA LLB (Hons.) | Undergraduate Eligibility
| Eligibility Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Qualification | Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent from a recognised board in any stream | Arts, Science, or Commerce |
| Minimum Marks (General/OBC/EWS) | 45% aggregate in Class 12 |
| Minimum Marks (SC/ST/PwD) | 40% aggregate in Class 12 |
| Upper Age Limit | None | there is no upper age limit for admission to BA LLB at MNLU Mumbai |
| Entrance Exam | Valid score in CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) conducted by Consortium of NLUs |
| Appearing Candidates | Candidates in Class 12 final year examination are eligible to appear for CLAT and provisionally apply |
| Citizenship | Indian citizens; NRI/Foreign National candidates follow a separate process (see NRI section) |
| J&K Residents | 2 supernumerary seats reserved for permanent residents of Jammu & Kashmir per UGC directives |
Class 12 Stream: There is no stream restriction for BA LLB admission at MNLU Mumbai. Candidates from Arts, Science, Commerce, and any other recognised stream are equally eligible, provided they meet the minimum 45% aggregate criterion. The CLAT exam itself does not require any specific subject background.
LLM (PG) | Eligibility
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Qualification | LLB (3-year) or BA LLB / BBA LLB / equivalent integrated law degree from a UGC/BCI recognised university |
| Minimum Marks | 55% aggregate in LLB/BA LLB (50% for SC/ST/PwD) |
| Entrance Exam | Valid CLAT PG score (CLAT Postgraduate) |
MBA in Law | Eligibility
Candidates must hold a graduate degree in any discipline with minimum 50% marks. Admission is based on valid scores in CAT / XAT / MAT / ATMA / CMAT / GMAT / MAH-CET, followed by a personal interview conducted by MNLU Mumbai.
PhD (Doctoral Programme) | Eligibility
Candidates must hold a postgraduate degree (LLM or equivalent) with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwD). Admission is through the university-level PhD Admission Test (PAT), followed by a personal interview. Candidates holding NET-JRF / SLET / GATE / M.Phil qualifications may be exempt from PAT as per university norms.
Seat Matrix | MNLU Mumbai BA LLB 2026
The total intake for the BA LLB (Hons.) programme at MNLU Mumbai is 100 seats, split between regular seats allocated through the CLAT counselling process and supernumerary seats for NRI/Foreign National candidates. The reservation policy follows the Government of Maharashtra norms.
Category-Wise Seat Distribution (Regular Seats)
| Category | Quota | Approx. Seats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / Open | AI + HS | ~30–35 | All India and Maharashtra Home State candidates compete |
| OBC (NCL) | AI + HS | ~15–18 | Non-Creamy Layer OBC (Maharashtra reservation norms) |
| SC | AI + HS | ~12–14 | Scheduled Caste as per Maharashtra reservation policy |
| ST | AI + HS | ~8–10 | Scheduled Tribe as per Maharashtra reservation policy |
| EWS | AI + HS | ~8 | Economically Weaker Sections | 10% vertical reservation |
| HS Domicile | HS Only | ~65% of total | Approximately 65% of seats reserved/domicile category |
Maharashtra Domicile Advantage: Approximately 65% of all seats at MNLU Mumbai are either reserved or Home State (HS) seats for Maharashtra domicile candidates. This means Maharashtra students with a valid domicile certificate can secure admission at significantly higher CLAT ranks than the All India quota closing rank. This is the single most important factor for Maharashtra-based students to understand when strategising their CLAT counselling preferences.
MNLU Mumbai CLAT Cutoff 2026 | All Rounds
The Consortium of National Law Universities releases round-wise CLAT cutoff ranks for every NLU. The cutoff is the closing rank at which the last seat in each category is allotted in a given counselling round. Below is the complete 2026 cutoff data alongside 2025 for comparison.
BA LLB (Hons.) | CLAT 2026 Cutoff (All India Quota)
| Round | Gen (AI) | OBC (AI) | SC (AI) | ST (AI) | EWS (AI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 (2026) | 481 | ~4,500 | ~12,000 | ~10,500 | ~2,800 |
| Round 2 (2026) | 495 | ~5,200 | ~13,500 | ~11,800 | ~3,200 |
| Round 3 / Final (2026) | 495 | ~5,800 | ~14,200 | ~12,500 | ~3,600 |
Year-Wise CLAT Cutoff Comparison (General AI | BA LLB)
| Year | Round 1 Closing Rank | Final Round Closing Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 481 | 495 | ↓ Improved (more accessible) |
| 2025 | 536 | 1,473 | → Stable |
| 2024 | 590 | ~1,100 | ↑ Higher barrier |
| 2023 | ~620 | ~1,200 | Higher barrier |
The year-on-year trend shows a notable improvement in accessibility in 2026 | the General AI cutoff dropped from 536 (2025) to 481 (2026 Round 1). This suggests either a slightly harder CLAT paper in 2026 or a more spread-out preference list among top rankers. Either way, candidates with CLAT ranks in the 450–550 range have a stronger-than-ever chance at MNLU Mumbai.
Category-Wise CLAT Cutoff 2025 (Final Round | All India)
| Category | Closing Rank (Final Round 2025) |
|---|---|
| General AI | 1,473 |
| OBC AI | 8,067 |
| SC AI | 15,622 |
| ST AI | 13,124 |
| HS General (Maharashtra) | ~2,200+ |
LLM CLAT-PG Cutoff 2026 (General AI)
| Programme | Round 1 Closing Rank | Round 2 Closing Rank | 2025 Final Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLM General | 458 | 522 | 4,447 (AI) · 10,102 (HS) |
| LLM (HS Quota) | ~1,610 | ~3,200 | 10,102 |
Fee Structure | MNLU Mumbai 2026
The fee at MNLU Mumbai is structured per semester, with slight variations between odd and even semesters. Maharashtra domicile candidates receive a 25% tuition fee concession, making MNLU Mumbai significantly more affordable for local students.
BA LLB (Hons.) | Per Semester Fee Structure
| Semester | All India Students | Maharashtra Domicile |
|---|---|---|
| Odd Semesters (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) | ₹96,000 | ₹80,375 |
| Even Semesters (2, 4, 6, 8, 10) | ₹92,500 | ₹76,875 |
Total Programme Fee Comparison
| Programme | General (All India) | Maharashtra Domicile | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA LLB (Hons.) | ~₹9.5 lakh | ~₹6.7 lakh | 5 Years (10 Semesters) |
| LLM | ~₹2,62,000 | ~₹1,96,500 (est.) | 1 Year (2 Semesters) |
| PhD | As per official fee schedule | 25% tuition concession | 3–5 Years |
Hostel Fee (Mandatory): MNLU Mumbai is a residential university | all students are required to stay in university hostels. The hostel and mess fees are charged separately over and above the tuition fee. Once paid, hostel and mess fees cannot be withdrawn or refunded even if a student arranges outside accommodation (except with explicit university permission). Factor this into your total cost of attendance planning. The per-semester hostel and mess charges should be confirmed from the official MNLU Mumbai fee notification at mnlumumbai.ac.in.
The total annual cost of attendance at MNLU Mumbai, including tuition, hostel, and mess, is approximately ₹2–2.5 lakh per year for All India category students | placing it among the more affordable full NLUs for students from outside Maharashtra.
Step-by-Step MNLU Mumbai Admission Process 2026
The MNLU Mumbai admission process for BA LLB and LLM is entirely centralised through the Consortium of National Law Universities. There is no separate MNLU Mumbai application form | everything happens through the official Consortium portal.
Visit the official Consortium of NLUs website and register for CLAT (for BA LLB) or CLAT PG (for LLM). The CLAT 2026 exam was conducted on December 7, 2025. Registration for CLAT 2027 will open approximately in August–September 2026. The application fee is approximately ₹4,000 for General category and ₹3,500 for SC/ST/PwD.
Download your CLAT admit card from the official Consortium portal 10–14 days before the exam. Appear for the CLAT exam at your allotted centre. CLAT is a 2-hour, 120-question objective exam covering English Language, Current Affairs & GK, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques.
The Consortium releases CLAT results (merit list) within approximately 10–15 days of the exam. Check your All India Rank (AIR) and category rank carefully. These ranks are the basis for all subsequent counselling and seat allotment.
Pay the non-refundable counselling registration fee and register on the Consortium counselling portal. Missing the counselling registration deadline makes you ineligible for seat allotment at any NLU, including MNLU Mumbai, regardless of your CLAT rank. Do not miss this step.
Enter your college preferences in order of priority. Include Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai in your preference list at your desired position. The Consortium allocates seats based on your AIR, category, and preference order. List your genuine preferences | a higher-ranked candidate who does not preference MNLU Mumbai will not affect your allotment there.
The Consortium releases allotment results in multiple rounds. Check if you have been allotted MNLU Mumbai. If allotted, pay the seat acceptance fee within the specified deadline to keep your allotment active in subsequent rounds. This fee is adjustable against the final university fee upon joining.
After locking your seat in the final round, pay the MNLU Mumbai university admission fee through the Consortium portal within the stipulated deadline. Carry all original documents to MNLU Mumbai for physical verification during the reporting window.
Report physically at the MNLU Mumbai campus (Powai, Mumbai) on the designated reporting date with all original documents and prescribed fees. Collect your student ID, hostel allotment letter, and other joining documents. Academic orientation is held shortly after reporting.
Documents Required for MNLU Mumbai Admission
Carry both originals and self-attested photocopies of all documents during physical reporting at MNLU Mumbai. Missing documents can delay your admission confirmation.
- CLAT 2026 Allotment LetterDownloaded from official Consortium portal
- Class 12 Marksheet & CertificateOriginal + 3 self-attested photocopies
- Class 10 Marksheet & CertificateFor date of birth proof and school verification
- CLAT 2026 Admit CardDownloaded from Consortium portal
- Passport-Size Photographs8–10 recent passport-size photos (white background)
- Government-Issued Photo IDAadhaar card / Passport / Voter ID / PAN card
- Category Certificate (if applicable)SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS certificate from competent authority
- Maharashtra Domicile CertificateMandatory for HS quota; from competent authority in Maharashtra
- PwD Certificate (if applicable)From government medical authority; minimum 40% disability
- Transfer / Migration CertificateFrom the Class 12 board / previous institution
- Fee Payment ProofConsortium counselling fee + MNLU university fee receipt
- Gap Year Affidavit (if applicable)Notarised affidavit for students with academic gap year(s)
NRI / Foreign National Admissions at MNLU Mumbai
MNLU Mumbai has a dedicated admission process for Foreign National (FN), Non-Resident Indian (NRI), and NRI-Sponsored candidates under 20 supernumerary seats in the BA LLB (Hons.) programme. This process runs independently from the CLAT centralised counselling.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Supernumerary Seats | 10 seats under Foreign National / NRI / NRI-Sponsored category |
| Additional Supernumerary | 2 seats for permanent residents of Jammu & Kashmir |
| Application Start Date (2026 Cycle) | January 21, 2026 |
| Application Deadline (2026) | March 23, 2026 (11:59 PM IST) |
| Shortlisted Candidates (Tentative) | April 7, 2026 |
| Application Fee | ₹5,000 (paid via Google Form as specified) |
| Entrance Exam Required | Valid CLAT 2026 or CLAT PG 2026 score |
| Minimum Marks | 45% in Class 12 (40% for SC/ST) |
| Foreign Board Candidates | Must obtain equivalence certificate from Association of Indian Universities (AIU) |
| Application Mode | Prescribed Google Form on MNLU Mumbai official website |
For NRI Candidates: Even under the NRI/FN category, a valid CLAT score is mandatory. Students from foreign boards must obtain an equivalence certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) before applying. The NRI admission process has its own timeline and application method | check mnlumumbai.ac.in for the exact Google Form link and updated schedule for the 2027 admission cycle.
Scholarship & Fee Concession at MNLU Mumbai
MNLU Mumbai extends financial support to eligible students through government scholarship schemes and institutional concessions. The two primary avenues are:
MahaDBT Scholarship (Government of Maharashtra)
MNLU Mumbai students are eligible for scholarships under the MahaDBT (Maharashtra Direct Benefit Transfer) portal, operated by the Government of Maharashtra. This portal aggregates multiple state government scholarship schemes covering tuition fees and maintenance allowances for students from economically weaker backgrounds. Eligible categories include SC, ST, OBC-NCL, VJNT, SBC, and EWS students domiciled in Maharashtra. Applications must be made through the official MahaDBT portal within the prescribed window each academic year.
Maharashtra Domicile Fee Concession
All Maharashtra domicile students | regardless of category | receive a 25% concession on tuition fees as built into the fee structure. This is automatic and not subject to separate application, provided a valid Maharashtra domicile certificate is submitted at the time of admission. The concession reduces the total 5-year BA LLB fee from approximately ₹9.5 lakh (All India) to approximately ₹6.7 lakh (Maharashtra domicile).