Last Updated: April 2026
India has 22 National Law Universities (NLUs) that admit students through the CLAT (Common Law Admission Test). Choosing the right NLU is as important as cracking the exam. In this comprehensive guide, we cover all 22 NLU colleges with their NIRF rankings, annual fees, CLAT cutoffs, and placement highlights to help you make an informed decision for CLAT 2027.
Note: NLU Delhi (Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law equivalent — actually RGNUL) conducts its own AILET exam and does NOT participate in CLAT. The 22 NLUs listed here all participate in CLAT.
Tier 1 NLUs — Target Score: 92-100/120
| NLU | Location | NIRF 2025 Rank | Annual Fees (Approx) | CLAT Cutoff (Approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU (National Law School of India University) | Bangalore | #1 | ₹1.7-2L | 97-100 |
| NALSAR University of Law | Hyderabad | #2 | ₹1.5-1.8L | 90-93 |
| WBNUJS (West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences) | Kolkata | #3 | ₹1.5-1.7L | 88-92 |
| NLU Jodhpur (National Law University Jodhpur) | Jodhpur | #4 | ₹1.8-2.2L | 84-88 |
| GNLU (Gujarat National Law University) | Gandhinagar | #5 | ₹1.6-1.9L | 82-86 |
Tier 2 NLUs — Target Score: 80-92/120
| NLU | Location | NIRF Rank | Annual Fees | CLAT Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RMLNLU (Ram Manohar Lohiya NLU) | Lucknow | #6 | ₹1.2-1.5L | 80-84 |
| HNLU (Hidayatullah NLU) | Raipur | #7 | ₹1.1-1.4L | 78-82 |
| RGNUL (Rajiv Gandhi NLU) | Patiala | #8 | ₹1.1-1.4L | 76-80 |
| CNLU (Chanakya National Law University) | Patna | #9 | ₹90K-1.1L | 75-79 |
| NUALS (National University of Advanced Legal Studies) | Kochi | #10 | ₹1-1.3L | 74-78 |
| NLUO (National Law University Odisha) | Cuttack | #11 | ₹1-1.2L | 72-76 |
| NUSRL (National University of Study and Research in Law) | Ranchi | #12 | ₹90K-1.1L | 70-74 |
Tier 3 NLUs — Target Score: 65-80/120
| NLU | Location | Annual Fees | Approx CLAT Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| NLUJA (NLU Assam) | Guwahati | ₹80K-1L | 68-72 |
| NLUJAA (actually NLUO variant) — DNLU (Dharmashastra NLU) | Jabalpur | ₹70-90K | 65-70 |
| MNLU Mumbai | Mumbai | ₹1.2-1.5L | 74-78 |
| MNLU Nagpur | Nagpur | ₹1-1.2L | 70-74 |
| MNLU Aurangabad | Aurangabad | ₹90K-1.1L | 67-72 |
| HPNLU | Shimla | ₹70-90K | 65-70 |
| DSNLU | Visakhapatnam | ₹80K-1L | 66-70 |
| TNNLS | Tiruchirappalli | ₹70-90K | 64-68 |
| BAMU NLU | Aurangabad | ₹80-95K | 63-67 |
| NLIU | Bhopal | ₹90K-1.1L | 70-74 |
Key Factors to Consider Beyond Rankings
1. Specialisation Offered
Several NLUs offer specialisations in their BA LLB program. GNLU is known for corporate law; NALSAR for international law; WBNUJS for human rights. Research these before finalising preferences.
2. Placement Records
Tier 1 NLUs (especially NLSIU, NALSAR, WBNUJS, NLU Jodhpur) have strong law firm placements with packages of ₹12-20L CTC for top students. Tier 2 NLUs have decent placements in litigation, government, and mid-tier firms.
3. Location and Cost of Living
Bangalore and Mumbai cost significantly more for accommodation than Patna, Raipur, or Ranchi. Factor in total cost including accommodation.
4. Hostel Availability
Most NLUs provide mandatory hostel accommodation. Verify this before applying as law school is residential — the community matters as much as the curriculum.
CLAT Preference List Strategy
When filling CLAT preferences, list NLUs in strict preference order. Here’s a recommended approach:
- List all NLUs you genuinely want to attend (in order of preference)
- Don’t just list top NLUs hoping for better scores — be realistic about your mock test scores
- Consider state quota seats — some NLUs reserve 15-25% seats for state domicile students
- NLSIU Bangalore has a 50% state quota (Karnataka) which affects General category cutoffs
Frequently Asked Questions
How many NLUs are there in India for CLAT 2027?
As of 2026, there are 22 National Law Universities that participate in CLAT counselling through the Consortium of NLUs. NLU Delhi (which conducts AILET) and a few other state law universities do not participate in CLAT. Check the official CLAT website (consortiumofnlus.ac.in) for the most current list as new NLUs may be added.
Which is the best NLU in India for 2027?
NLSIU Bangalore has consistently ranked #1 in NIRF law rankings. It is widely considered the best NLU for academic reputation, placement, and alumni network. However, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata, and NLU Jodhpur are all premier institutions. “Best” depends on your specialisation interest, state location preference, and financial considerations.
What is the annual fee at NLUs for the BA LLB program?
Fees vary significantly across NLUs. Top-tier NLUs like NLSIU and NLU Jodhpur charge approximately ₹1.7-2.2 lakh per year. Middle-tier NLUs charge ₹90K-1.5L per year, and newer NLUs may charge ₹60-90K per year. These fees typically include tuition but may or may not include hostel charges. Scholarships are available based on merit and income criteria.
What is state quota in NLU admissions?
Most NLUs reserve 15-25% seats for state domicile candidates (students from the state where the NLU is located). NLSIU Bangalore is notable for having a 50% state quota for Karnataka domicile students. This significantly affects the cutoff for non-state candidates. Bihar domicile students have an advantage at CNLU Patna.
Is CNLU Patna a good NLU to target for CLAT 2027?
CNLU Patna (Chanakya National Law University) is a legitimate NLU with a CLAT cutoff of approximately 75-79 for General category. For Bihar domicile students, the cutoff is lower. It has a growing placement record and is a solid option for CLAT aspirants from Bihar. Students from CLAT Gurukul’s Patna centre have successfully cleared CLAT for CNLU.
Also read: CLAT 2027 Complete Syllabus | CLAT 2027 Cutoff Analysis | How to Prepare for CLAT in 6 Months | Best CLAT Coaching
