NLSIU Bengaluru | Admissions, Courses, Fees & Career Opportunities
India's first and most prestigious National Law University, established in 1986 through a collaboration between the Bar Council of India, the Government of Karnataka, and Bangalore University. Ranked #1 in India by NIRF, NLSIU is the dream destination for every serious law aspirant in the country.
About NLSIU Bengaluru
NLSIU pioneered the 5-year integrated BA LLB (Hons) programme in India - a model now followed by every NLU in the country. Set on a 23-acre campus in Nagarabhavi, Bengaluru, the university is home to 1,734 students, 168 faculty, and 17 programmes spanning undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and online learning. Its students compete in moot courts and debates at the highest national and international levels, and its alumni go on to become judges, senior advocates, policymakers, and global legal scholars.
NLSIU Bengaluru Programs Offered
NLSIU offers a full spectrum of legal education, from undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to doctoral research and flexible online programmes, making it one of the most comprehensive law universities in India.
|
Level |
Programme |
Duration |
|
Undergraduate |
B.A., LL.B. (Hons.) |
5 Years |
|
Undergraduate |
B.A. (Hons.) |
3-4 Years |
|
Postgraduate |
3-Year LL.B. (Hons.) |
3 Years |
|
Postgraduate |
LL.M. (Master of Laws) |
1 Year |
|
Postgraduate |
Master's in Public Policy (MPP) |
2 Years |
|
Research |
Ph.D (Law) |
Varies |
|
Research |
Ph.D (Social Sciences, Humanities & Public Policy) |
Varies |
|
Online/Hybrid |
PACE Programmes (10 offerings) |
Varies |
NLSIU Bengaluru Admission Process
Admission to NLSIU's flagship B.A., LL.B. (Hons.) programme is purely on merit through the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), conducted by the Consortium of NLUs. There is no separate application to NLSIU; your CLAT rank is everything.
How to Apply: Step by Step
Step 1: Register for CLAT
Apply for CLAT on the official Consortium of NLUs website (consortiumofnlus.ac.in). NLSIU, being the #1 ranked NLU, attracts the highest CLAT scores during counselling.
Step 2: Appear for CLAT
Sit for the exam and secure your rank. The higher your rank, the better your chances of making it to NLSIU.
Step 3: CLAT Counselling
Based on your rank, you'll be called for the Consortium's counselling process. NLSIU seats are allotted strictly on merit.
Step 4: Document Verification
Submit category certificates, qualifying exam marksheets, and other required documents at the time of counselling.
Step 5: Fee Payment & Joining
Pay the admission fee to confirm your seat. Classes begin on July 1 every year.
NLSIU Bengaluru Fee Structure (2026-27)
Programme-wise Annual Fee
|
Programme |
Tuition & Facilities Fee |
Housing Fee |
Total (per annum) |
|
5-Year B.A., LL.B. (Hons.) |
Rs. 3,18,200 |
Rs. 1,32,800 |
Rs. 4,51,000 |
|
3-Year B.A., LL.B. (Hons.) |
Rs. 3,18,200 |
Rs. 1,88,200 |
Rs. 5,06,400 |
One-Time Fees at Admission for 5 Year B.A., LL.B. (Hons.)
|
Fee Component |
Amount |
|
One-Time Admission Fee |
Rs. 13,900 |
|
Refundable Security Deposit (General) |
Rs. 23,700 |
|
Refundable Security Deposit (SC/ST) |
Rs. 18,800 |
Notes:
- Housing fee includes a full meal plan - breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening snack.
- Security deposit is refunded on graduation or withdrawal, subject to any outstanding dues.
- All fees are provisional and subject to ratification by University Governing Bodies.
Financial Aid
NLSIU is committed to ensuring no student has to leave due to financial constraints. The university offers University-funded aid, externally funded aid, and third-party aid to support students across all programmes.
Eligibility Criteria for LLB. Programme
|
Criteria |
5-Year B.A., LL.B. (Hons.) |
3-Year LL.B. (Hons.) |
|
Qualifying Exam |
10+2 or equivalent |
Bachelor's degree in any discipline |
|
Minimum Marks (General/OBC/PWD) |
45% |
45% |
|
Minimum Marks (SC/ST) |
40% |
40% |
|
Age Limit |
No upper age limit |
No upper age limit |
|
Admission Test |
CLAT |
NLSAT-LLB |
|
Conducted By |
Consortium of NLUs |
NLSIU |
Note: Candidates appearing in their qualifying exam in the year of admission are also eligible. Admission remains provisional until final results are submitted.
Seat Breakdown & Reservations | B.A. LL.B. (Hons.)
NLSIU follows the reservation policy mandated by the Government of India, ensuring equal opportunities for students from all backgrounds. For AY 2025-26, the total intake for the flagship B.A., LL.B. (Hons.) programme is 310 seats, distributed as follows:
Category-wise Seat Matrix
|
Category |
% of Seats |
No. of Seats |
|
General |
- |
121 |
|
Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer) |
27% |
81 |
|
Scheduled Castes (SC) |
15% |
45 |
|
Economically Weaker Section (EWS) |
10% |
30 |
|
Scheduled Tribes (ST) |
7.5% |
23 |
|
Base Total |
300 |
|
|
Additional Karnataka Students seats |
- |
10 |
|
Revised Total |
310 |
NLSIU Bangalore Placements 2024: Average Package, Median Package
|
Horizontal Category |
Percentage % |
No. of Seats |
|
Women |
30% |
90 |
|
Karnataka Students |
25% |
75 |
|
Persons with Disabilities (PWD) |
5% |
15 |
Note: Horizontal reservations are applied across all vertical categories, not as separate seats.
Placements & Alumni
An NLSIU degree doesn't just open doors - it opens the right ones. Graduates from NLSIU go on to build careers across the full spectrum of the legal and policy world, making the university one of the most sought-after talent pools for top recruiters in India and globally.
Career Services Office (CSO)
NLSIU's dedicated Career Services Office (CSO) serves as the primary bridge between students and recruiters. It facilitates internships, graduate recruitment, and industry engagement across all academic programmes, while building long-term partnerships with employers across sectors.
Where Do NLSIU Graduates Go?
NLSIU alumni build careers across a wide range of fields:
|
Career Path |
Examples |
|
Top Law Firms |
Leading domestic and international law firms |
|
Corporate & In-house Legal |
Corporates, financial institutions, startups |
|
Litigation |
Independent practice and senior advocacy |
|
Judiciary |
Judicial clerkships and judicial services |
|
Policy & Government |
Civil services, multilateral agencies, and think tanks |
|
Academia & Research |
Universities and research institutions in India and abroad |
|
Civil Society |
NGOs and public interest organisations |
Internships: Built Into the Programme
Internships are a core academic component at NLSIU, not an afterthought. Every student undertakes compulsory internships of 20 working days during the trimester breaks in February-March every year, giving them real-world exposure throughout the duration of their degree, not just at the end.
Recruitment Calendar
Campus recruitments are conducted on a rolling basis throughout the academic year, giving students and recruiters continuous and flexible engagement opportunities.