Complete state-wise list of all 25 NLUs in India with NIRF 2026 rankings, CLAT 2027 cutoffs, annual fees, seat count, and admission details. All NLUs (except NLU Delhi) admit students through CLAT.
A National Law University (NLU) is a premier law school established by an Act of the state legislature, funded by the respective state government, and recognised by the Bar Council of India. NLUs are part of the Consortium of National Law Universities which conducts CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) | India's most prestigious law entrance exam. NLUs offer 5-year integrated BA LLB, 1-year LLM, and PhD in Law programmes. They are known for rigorous academics, strong placements, residential campus life, moot court culture, and producing India's finest legal professionals.
| NIRF Rank | NLU Name | Location | Est. | CLAT Cutoff (Gen) | Annual Fees | Admission | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | National Law School of India University (NLSIU) | Bangalore, KA | 1987 | 95ā100 | ā¹2.17 L | CLAT | View ā |
| #2 | NALSAR University of Law | Hyderabad, TS | 1998 | 88ā93 | ā¹2.05 L | CLAT | View ā |
| #3 | National Law University, Delhi | New Delhi | 2008 | AILET | ā¹2.20 L | AILET | View ā |
| #4 | The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS) | Kolkata, WB | 1999 | 85ā90 | ā¹1.98 L | CLAT | View ā |
| #5 | Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) | Gandhinagar, GJ | 2003 | 78ā83 | ā¹1.95 L | CLAT | View ā |
| #6 | National Law University Jodhpur (NLU Jodhpur) | Jodhpur, RJ | 1999 | 80ā85 | ā¹2.00 L | CLAT | View ā |
| #7 | Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) | Raipur, CG | 2003 | 72ā77 | ā¹1.80 L | CLAT | View ā |
| #8 | Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya NLU (RMLNLU) | Lucknow, UP | 2006 | 70ā75 | ā¹1.75 L | CLAT | View ā |
| #9 | Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) | Patna, BR | 2006 | 65ā70 | ā¹1.70 L | CLAT | View ā |
| #10 | National Law University Odisha (NLUO) | Cuttack, OD | 2008 | 62ā67 | ā¹1.65 L | CLAT | View ā |
| #12 | National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL) | Ranchi, JH | 2010 | 60ā65 | ā¹1.60 L | CLAT | View ā |
| #13 | Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai (MNLU Mumbai) | Mumbai, MH | 2014 | 68ā73 | ā¹2.10 L | CLAT | View ā |
| | | Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) | Patiala, PB | 2006 | 62ā67 | ā¹1.62 L | CLAT | View ā |
| | | National Law University and Judicial Academy (NLUJA) | Guwahati, AS | 2009 | 55ā60 | ā¹1.55 L | CLAT | Profile Coming |
| | | Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur (MNLU Nagpur) | Nagpur, MH | 2016 | 58ā63 | ā¹2.05 L | CLAT | View ā |
| | | Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad (MNLU Aurangabad) | Aurangabad, MH | 2017 | 55ā60 | ā¹2.00 L | CLAT | View ā |
| | | Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU) | Jabalpur, MP | 2020 | 52ā57 | ā¹1.50 L | CLAT | Profile Coming |
| | | Himachal Pradesh National Law University | Shimla, HP | 2019 | 50ā55 | ā¹1.48 L | CLAT | Profile Coming |
| | | Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU) | Visakhapatnam, AP | 2012 | 55ā60 | ā¹1.55 L | CLAT | Profile Coming |
| | | Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU) | Tiruchirappalli, TN | 2012 | 55ā60 | ā¹1.55 L | CLAT | Profile Coming |
| | | National Law University and Judicial Academy Assam | Guwahati, AS | 2009 | 50ā55 | ā¹1.50 L | CLAT | Profile Coming |
| | | National Law University, Tripura | Agartala, TR | 2013 | 48ā53 | ā¹1.45 L | CLAT | Profile Coming |
| | | National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) | Kochi, KL | 2005 | 55ā60 | ā¹1.58 L | CLAT | Profile Coming |
| | | National Law University, Lucknow | Lucknow, UP | 2020 | 50ā55 | ā¹1.50 L | CLAT | View ā |
| | | National Law University, Mizoram | Aizawl, MZ | 2020 | 45ā50 | ā¹1.40 L | CLAT | Profile Coming |
CLAT cutoffs shown are estimated ranges based on CLAT 2025-26 data. Actual 2027 cutoffs will depend on exam difficulty and total applicants. NLU Delhi uses AILET (not CLAT) for admissions. NIRF rank positions for newer NLUs may not be individually ranked | they are included in the overall NIRF assessment pool.
There are 25 National Law Universities (NLUs) in India as of 2026. The first NLU, NLSIU Bangalore, was established in 1987. The 25 NLUs are spread across 22 states and union territories. All NLUs are established by respective state acts of legislature and are part of the Consortium of National Law Universities which conducts CLAT for unified admissions.
According to NIRF Law Rankings 2026, the best NLUs in India are: (1) NLSIU Bangalore | consistently #1, (2) NALSAR Hyderabad | #2, (3) NLU Delhi | #3 (via AILET, not CLAT), (4) WBNUJS Kolkata | #4, (5) GNLU Gandhinagar | #5. NLSIU Bangalore is widely regarded as India's most prestigious law school, offering the highest placement packages and the strongest alumni network among all NLUs.
24 out of 25 NLUs admit students through CLAT (Common Law Admission Test). The only exception is National Law University, Delhi (NLU Delhi) which conducts its own separate entrance exam called AILET (All India Law Entrance Test). NLU Delhi does not participate in the CLAT counselling process. All other 24 NLUs are part of the Consortium and admit through CLAT counselling.
All 25 NLUs together offer approximately 4,500ā5,000 BA LLB seats per academic year. Individual NLUs typically have 60ā480 BA LLB seats depending on their size. NLSIU Bangalore has the largest intake (~480 seats) while newer NLUs may have 60ā120 seats. The seat matrix is reviewed annually and minor adjustments may be made based on available faculty and infrastructure.
All 24 NLUs admit through CLAT. Register for CLAT 2027, prepare with our free resources, and secure your seat at a top NLU.