Top NLUs in India: All you need to know about Courses Offered, Admission Process, and Entrance Exam

The top NLUs in India, as per NIRF law rankings 2025, are NLSIU Bangalore, NLU Delhi, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata, and GNLU Gandinagar. NLSIU Bangalore is known for its placement record, while NLU Delhi is known for its specialized programs. NALSAR Hyderabad is renowned for its research and industry-focused programs, and GNLU Gujarat is recognized for its strong industry focus. 

Top NLUs in India 2025

The top NLUs in India offer undergraduate law seats, specialized programs, and require CLAT 2026 or AILET 2026 exams. The top names are National Law School of India University (NLSIU), which accepts the CLAT and NLSAT entrance exam, and National Law University (NLU) Delhi, which is known for its strong alumni network and its own entrance exam (AILET).

National Law School of India University (NLSIU)

NLSIU was the first National Law University established in India in 1986. It was one of the first institutions in the country to introduce the five-year integrated law degree at the undergraduate level. It offers 5-year integrated B.A., LL.B. (Hons.), the 3-year LL.B. (Hons.), the LL.M. (Master of Laws) program, a Master's Programme in Public Policy (MPP), and PhD programs in Law and Social Sciences, Humanities, and Public Policy. Admission for the BA LLB and LLM programs is through the CLAT entrance exam, while the 3-year LLB, MPP, and PhD programs are entered via the NLSAT entrance exam.  

NLU Delhi 

National Law University Delhi (NLU Delhi), established in 2008, is one of India’s top law schools. It offers five-year integrated (BA LLB) and a one-year LLM.part-time and full-time PhD in Law, multiple Post Graduate Diplomas (such as Urban Environmental Management and Law, Tourism and Environmental Law, Environmental Law and Policy), online diploma and certificate programs (like Law & Practice in Arbitration, Business and Commercial Laws), and joint LL.M. programs in partnership with institutions such as WIPO-NLUD-IPO. Admissions are based on the university’s own entrance exam, AILET, which tests legal aptitude along with current affairs, reasoning, and English.

NALSAR University of Law

NALSAR, Hyderabad, is one of India’s top National Law Universities, established in 1998 by a Statute of the State of Andhra Pradesh. It offers five-year integrated BA LLB (Hons.) degree, a BBA program, and a combined BBA+MBA (Integrated Program of Management) at the undergraduate level, one-year and two-year LLM programs, PhD and MPhil research programs, and numerous postgraduate diplomas and advanced certificates in areas such as Aviation Law, GIS & Remote Sensing Laws, Cyber Laws, Patents Law, Media Law, International Humanitarian Law, and more. Admissions are based on the CLAT exam.

WB National University of Juridical Sciences

WBNUJS Kolkata was established in 1999. It offers a five-year integrated B.A. LL.B (Hons.) program, a recently introduced B.Sc. LL.B (Hons.) focusing on forensic science and criminology, a Master of Laws (LL.M.) program, and doctoral degrees. The university has a vibrant campus in Salt Lake City, Kolkata, with modern facilities and a strong faculty team. Admission is through the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), making it highly competitive.

Common Admission Process for Top NLUs in India

Here are the detailed steps for the admission process:

• CLAT 2026 Registration - Candidates can register on the official CLAT Consortium website by providing their personal and academic details and uploading necessary documents. 

• Appear for the CLAT Exam 2026 - Take the CLAT UG (for undergraduate) or CLAT PG (for postgraduate) exam, which covers subjects like English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. 

• Result & Ranking - The CLAT Consortium releases the scores and All India Ranks (AIR). 

• Counseling Registration - Shortlisted candidates need to register for the centralized counseling process by paying the specified registration fee. 

• Seat Allotment - Based on their CLAT rank, category, and the preferences they submitted during registration, a seat is allotted to them at one of the participating NLUs. 

• Admission Confirmation - After seat allotment, candidates must accept the seat, pay the counseling fee and other required fees, and submit original documents (like their 12th marksheet and age proof) to confirm their admission at the NLU. 

Entrance Exam Dates for Top NLUs in India 

Conclusion

The best colleges in India for law are NLSIU Bangalore, NLU Delhi, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata, and GNLU Gandhinagar. They are known for their placement record, specialized programs, research, and industry-focused programs, and strong industry focus. The top NLU entrance exams are CLAT and AILET 2026. CLAT will be conducted on 07 December 2025, while AILET will be conducted on 14 December 2025. The CLAT 2026 admission process involves online registration, appearing for the CLAT UG/PG exam, result declaration with All India Ranks, counseling registration, seat allotment based on rank and preferences, and final admission confirmation by submitting documents and paying fees.