Introduction: The NLU System and CLAT
The National Law Universities (NLUs) are India’s premier law schools — established by state acts and funded by the government to provide world-class legal education. There are currently 22 NLUs participating in the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) counselling process, with NLU Delhi operating separately through its own entrance exam, AILET.
For CLAT 2027 aspirants, understanding the NLU ecosystem is not just motivational — it is strategic. The CLAT rank you need, the fees you will pay, the placement packages on offer, and the domicile reservations that apply — all of these determine which NLU you can realistically target based on your preparation level.
This comprehensive guide covers all 22 NLUs, their CLAT rank requirements, fee structures, NIRF rankings, and admission details — everything you need to build a realistic college list for CLAT 2027.
Complete List of 22 NLUs — Founding Year and State
| # | NLU Name | State | Year Established |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Law School of India University (NLSIU) | Karnataka | 1987 |
| 2 | NALSAR University of Law | Telangana | 1998 |
| 3 | National Law Institute University (NLIU) | Madhya Pradesh | 1997 |
| 4 | West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS) | West Bengal | 1999 |
| 5 | National Law University Jodhpur (NLUJ) | Rajasthan | 1999 |
| 6 | Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) | Chhattisgarh | 2003 |
| 7 | Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) | Gujarat | 2003 |
| 8 | Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU) | Uttar Pradesh | 2006 |
| 9 | Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) | Punjab | 2006 |
| 10 | Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) | Bihar | 2006 |
| 11 | National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) | Kerala | 2005 |
| 12 | National Law University Odisha (NLUO) | Odisha | 2008 |
| 13 | National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL) | Jharkhand | 2010 |
| 14 | National Law University and Judicial Academy (NLUJA) | Assam | 2009 |
| 15 | Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU) | Andhra Pradesh | 2008 |
| 16 | Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU) | Tamil Nadu | 2012 |
| 17 | Maharashtra National Law University Mumbai (MNLU Mumbai) | Maharashtra | 2014 |
| 18 | Maharashtra National Law University Nagpur (MNLU Nagpur) | Maharashtra | 2014 |
| 19 | Maharashtra National Law University Aurangabad (MNLU Aurangabad) | Maharashtra | 2017 |
| 20 | Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University (DBANLU) | Haryana | 2020 |
| 21 | Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU) | Himachal Pradesh | 2016 |
| 22 | Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (DRMLNLU) | Uttarakhand | 2016 |
Note: NLU Delhi (2008) conducts its own entrance exam AILET and does not participate in CLAT counselling.
CLAT Rank Required, Fees and NIRF Rankings
| NLU | CLAT Rank (General – Approx) | Annual Fees (Approx) | NIRF Law Rank 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | 1–80 | Rs 2.5–3 lakh | 1 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 80–200 | Rs 2.2–2.8 lakh | 2 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | 200–400 | Rs 1.8–2.5 lakh | 3 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 400–700 | Rs 2–2.8 lakh | 4 |
| NLIU Bhopal | 700–1000 | Rs 1.5–2.2 lakh | 5 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | 1000–1500 | Rs 2–3 lakh | 6 |
| HNLU Raipur | 1500–2000 | Rs 1.2–1.8 lakh | 7 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | 2000–2800 | Rs 1.5–2 lakh | 8 |
| CNLU Patna | 2800–4000 | Rs 1.2–1.8 lakh | 9 |
| RGNUL Patiala | 2500–3500 | Rs 1.5–2 lakh | 10 |
| NLUO Cuttack | 3000–4500 | Rs 1–1.5 lakh | 11 |
| TNNLU Tiruchirappalli | 4000–6000 | Rs 1–1.5 lakh | 12 |
| MNLU Mumbai | 3000–5000 | Rs 2–3 lakh | 13 |
| Other NLUs | 5000+ | Rs 0.8–1.5 lakh | 14–22 |
Rank requirements vary by year and category. These are approximate figures based on CLAT 2024-2026 trends. SC/ST/OBC candidates require significantly lower ranks. Domicile candidates may get preference in respective state NLUs.
Top 5 NLUs — Detailed Analysis
1. National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore
Established in 1987, NLSIU is India’s first and highest-ranked NLU. It pioneered the 5-year integrated BA LLB program in India. NLSIU consistently tops NIRF Law rankings and has produced India’s top lawyers, judges, and legal academics. General category rank required: approximately 1–80. Annual fees: approximately Rs 2.5–3 lakh. Placements: top law firms like AZB, Cyril Amarchand, S&R Associates recruit extensively from NLSIU, with packages ranging from Rs 12–25 lakh per annum for campus placements.
2. NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
NALSAR (National Academy of Legal Studies and Research) is consistently ranked #2 among NLUs. It is known for its strong mooting culture, moot court wins, and placement record. General category rank: approximately 80–200. Annual fees: approximately Rs 2.2–2.8 lakh. NALSAR has produced several High Court and Supreme Court clerks and top law firm associates.
3. West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata
WBNUJS, established in 1999, is known for its strong intellectual culture, law review (Indian Journal of Law and Technology), and placement record. General category rank: approximately 200–400. Annual fees: approximately Rs 1.8–2.5 lakh. Alumni include several prominent lawyers and legal academics.
4. National Law University Jodhpur (NLUJ), Rajasthan
NLUJ is consistently ranked in the top 5 NLUs. It has an excellent entrepreneurship ecosystem and corporate law specialization. General category rank: approximately 400–700. Annual fees: approximately Rs 2–2.8 lakh. Known for strong IPR and corporate law programs.
5. National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal
NLIU is one of the oldest NLUs (1997) and maintains a strong placement record in corporate law firms. General category rank: approximately 700–1000. Annual fees: approximately Rs 1.5–2.2 lakh.
Seat Distribution: Reservation Categories
| Category | Reservation % | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 15% | Central reservation; some NLUs have additional state SC reservations |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 7.5% | Central reservation |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL) | 27% | Non-Creamy Layer only — central reservation |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 10% | Added after 103rd Constitutional Amendment (2019) |
| Persons with Disability (PwD) | 5% | Horizontal reservation across all categories |
| Domicile/State | Varies (10–25%) | Depends on state NLU — reserved for state residents |
| General/Unreserved | Remaining seats | Open competition |
How CLAT Rank Converts to NLU Admission
The CLAT counselling process is conducted centrally by the Consortium of NLUs. Here is how it works:
- Registration: After CLAT results, candidates register for counselling on the Consortium website and submit preferences
- Preference Filling: Candidates rank their preferred NLUs in order of preference
- Round 1 Allotment: Seats allotted based on rank, category, and preferences. Candidates must accept/upgrade/withdraw within the deadline
- Round 2 (Upgrade): Candidates who accepted Round 1 but want a better NLU can participate if they are in the upgraded pool
- Round 3 and Spot Round: For remaining vacant seats
- Document Verification: At the allotted NLU
- Fee Payment: Admission secured only after fee payment
Practice MCQs: NLUs and CLAT Process
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many NLUs are there in India in 2027?
There are 24 National Law Universities in India as of 2027, but 22 of them participate in CLAT counselling. NLU Delhi (NLU-D) conducts its own entrance exam called AILET (All India Law Entrance Test) and does not participate in CLAT counselling. A 24th NLU has been established in Goa (Goa National Law University). The CLAT Consortium includes 22 NLUs for the BA LLB (5-year) and LLM programs.
What CLAT rank is needed for NLSIU Bangalore (the top NLU)?
For NLSIU Bangalore (National Law School of India University), you need a CLAT rank approximately in the top 80 for General category, top 20 for EWS, and top 15 for OBC-NCL. For SC/ST candidates, ranks vary but are significantly higher (lower number means better rank). These figures are based on CLAT 2024-2026 cutoffs and may change slightly each year based on the number of candidates and difficulty level. Note that NLSIU Bangalore also has a Karnataka domicile quota.
Is CLAT rank enough for admission to all NLUs, or are there other criteria?
CLAT rank is the primary criterion for NLU admission. However, you also need to meet the eligibility criteria: minimum 45% marks in Class 12 (40% for SC/ST candidates), and age limit of 20 years (22 years for SC/ST) as of July 1 of the admission year. Some NLUs have a domicile quota (10-25% of seats) for residents of that state, which effectively creates a lower rank cutoff for domicile candidates. Documents like Class 10 certificate, Class 12 marksheet, category certificate, and domicile certificate (if applicable) must be submitted during counselling.
What are the NLU fees and is there scholarship support?
NLU fees range from approximately Rs 80,000 to Rs 3 lakh per year depending on the NLU. Top NLUs like NLSIU, NALSAR, and NLU Jodhpur tend to have higher fees (Rs 2-3 lakh/year) while newer NLUs in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh are more affordable (Rs 80,000–1.5 lakh/year). Most NLUs offer scholarships to SC/ST students. Some NLUs also offer merit-based scholarships and fee waivers. Central government scholarships like the National Fellowship for SC Students are also available to eligible students.
How does the CLAT counselling process work for NLU admission in 2027?
The CLAT counselling is a centralized online process run by the Consortium of NLUs. After results are declared (typically January), eligible candidates register on the Consortium portal, fill in NLU preferences in order, and pay a counselling fee. Seats are allotted in multiple rounds based on rank, category, and preference. In each round, candidates can Accept (lock the seat), Upgrade (keep current seat but try for better), or Withdraw. After Round 3, a spot round may be held for vacant seats. Admission is finalized after document verification at the allotted NLU and fee payment. The entire counselling process typically concludes by February-March.
Key Takeaways for CLAT 2027
- 22 NLUs participate in CLAT counselling — NLU Delhi uses AILET separately
- NLSIU Bangalore (1987) is the first and top-ranked NLU — requires rank under 80 (General)
- OBC-NCL gets 27% reservation; SC gets 15%; ST gets 7.5%; EWS gets 10%
- Domicile quotas vary by NLU state — can significantly lower the rank requirement
- Counselling is centralized through the Consortium of NLUs — multiple preference rounds
- Minimum eligibility: 45% in Class 12 (40% for SC/ST); age under 20 years
