NLU Admission Process 2025 : Application, Eligibility & Dates

For those dreaming of a career in law, National Law Universities, or NLUs, top the list of preferred institutions. These public law schools emerged from the second wave of legal education reforms initiated by the Bar Council of India. Across the country, there are 26 NLUs that are part of the consortium participating in the CLAT for the academic session of 2025. In this blog, we will know about the NLU admission process and NLU Delhi admission process. There will be detail explanation of the exam pattern, exam dates, exam eligibility and the counselling process.

Here is the list of NLUs in India:

To get admission into the National Law Universities (NLUs), the CLAT exam is essential. All NLUs accept the CLAT score, except for NLU Delhi, which only accepts the AILET score.

What is CLAT?

The Common Law Admission Test, or CLAT, is India’s most crucial law entrance examination. It’s a national-level test organized by the Consortium of National Law Universities. Esteemed institutions such as the National Law Universities and National Law University Delhi, along with other colleges, use this exam to select students for their undergraduate and postgraduate law programs.

CLAT plays a key role in the admission process for various law courses. All 26 NLUs consider CLAT scores for 5-year LLB admissions, while 21 of these also use CLAT PG scores for admission into their LLM programs. Additionally, other law colleges also rely on CLAT scores to admit students into their undergraduate and postgraduate law programs. Once you pass the CLAT exam, you will proceed through the NLU admission process, and then you can finally enroll in your dream college.

Eligibility Criteria for CLAT

CATEGORY	CLAT UG	CLAT PG
General/OBC/Specially-abled Persons (SAP) category	10+2 with 45% marks	LL.B. or equivalent degree in law examination with minimum 50% marks
SC/ST	10+2 with 40% marks	LL.B. or equivalent degree in law examination with minimum 50% marks

Also Read: CLAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria

NLU Admission Process: Important Documents Required

Documents	Purpose	Required By
CLAT Admit Card	Verification of exam attempt	All candidates
CLAT Scorecard	Rank and score validation	All candidates
Class 10 Certificate	Date of birth proof	All candidates
Class 12 Marksheet	Academic eligibility for UG	UG candidates
Graduation Marksheet (LLB)	Eligibility proof for PG	PG (LLM) candidates
Caste/Category Certificate	Reservation verification	SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD
Domicile Certificate	For state quota claim	Where applicable
Passport-size Photos	For ID and documents	All candidates
Transfer/Migration Certificate	Institute verification	All candidates
Character Certificate	Conduct record	All candidates

NLU Fee Structure

The following table presents the fee structure of NLUs, ordered from the highest to the lowest:

National Law Universities	NLU Fees (Per Annum)
National Law School of India University, Bangalore	INR 3,75,500
National Law University, Delhi	INR 1,83,000
National Academy of Legal Study & Research, Hyderabad	INR 2,22,000
National Law Institute University, Bhopal	INR 2,84,250
West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata	INR 2,28,000
National Law University, Jodhpur	INR 2,50,000
Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur	INR 2,05,000
Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar	INR 2,58,000
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow	INR 1,68,000
Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala	INR 2,54,000
Chanakya National Law University, Patna	INR 1,87,000
National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi	INR 2,24,000
National Law University Odisha, Cuttack	INR 2,46,890
National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi	INR 2,59,700
National Law University & Judicial Academy, Guwahati	INR 2,44,000
Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Visakhapatnam	INR 2,09,000
The Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirapalli	INR 2,23,500
Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai
Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad	INR 2,71,931
Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla	INR 220500
Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur
Dr BR Ambedkar National Law University, Sonipat	INR 1,23,000
Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur	INR 2,15,000
National Law University, Meghalaya	INR 2,75,000
Gujarat National Law University, Silvassa	INR 2,58,000
National Law University, Tripura	INR 1,91,000

NLU Admission Process: Step-by-Step Guide for CLAT-Based NLUs

Stages	Details
1. CLAT Registration	Candidates must register on the official CLAT Consortium website, fill personal and academic details, upload documents.
2. CLAT Examination	Appear for the CLAT UG/PG exam which includes English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques.
3. Result Declaration	The Consortium releases the CLAT scores and All India Ranks (AIR), which form the basis for the next steps in the NLU admission process.
4. Counselling Registration	Shortlisted candidates must register for the centralized counselling process by paying INR 30,000 (General) or INR 20,000 (Reserved).
5. Seat Allotment	Based on the rank, category, and preference list, NLUs allot seats. Candidates can accept, upgrade, or withdraw at this stage.
6. Admission Confirmation	Confirm admission by paying the admission fee and verifying documents with the allotted NLU. Admission is finalized upon completion.

NLU Admission Process: Seats Intake 2025

While talking about the NLU admission process, let’s talk about seat intakes. The table below displays the seat intake for NLUs. Please check the available seats to plan accordingly.

NLU Name	Total BA LLB Seats	Domicile Reservation
NLSIU Bengaluru	240	25%
NALSAR Hyderabad	147	25%
WBNUJS Kolkata	132	31%
NLIU Bhopal	125	50%
NLU Jodhpur	120	None
GNLU Gandhinagar	172	25%
GNLU Silvassa Campus	66	25%
HNLU Raipur	180	50%
RGNUL Patiala	180	10%
CNLU Patna	138 (69+69)	50%
NUALS Kochi	60	48%
RMLNLU Lucknow	176	50%
NLUO Odisha	180 (120+60)	25%
NUSRL Ranchi	134	50%
NLUJA Guwahati	60	50%
DSNLU Visakhapatnam	138	48%
TNNLU Tiruchirappalli	120 (60+60)	25%
MNLU Mumbai	100	62%
MNLU Nagpur	120 (60+60)	62%
MNLU Aurangabad	120 (60+60)	62%
HPNLU Shimla	120 (60+60)	25%
DNLU Jabalpur	120	50%
DBRANLU, Sonipat	120	25%
NLUT Agartala	60	30%

NLU Admission Process: Exam Pattern (CLAT UG)

While discussing about the NLU admission process, let’s discuss the exam pattern of CLAT UG.

Particulars	Information
Exam Mode	Offline (Pen-and-Paper Based)
Paper Basis	Paper-based Test
Duration	120 Minutes (2 Hours)
Language	English
Question Type	Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Total Questions	120
Marking Scheme	+1 for correct answer and -0.25 for incorrect answer
Subjects	1. English Language 2. Current Affairs including General Knowledge 3. Legal Reasoning 4. Logical Reasoning 5. Quantitative Techniques

NLU Admission Process: Comparison of CLAT vs AILET

Features	CLAT	AILET
Conducting Body	Consortium of NLUs	NLU Delhi
Participating NLUs	24	Only NLU Delhi
Exam Mode	Offline	Offline
Duration	2 hours	1.5 hours
Total Questions	120	150
Negative Marking	Yes (-0.25)	Yes (-0.25)

NLU Admission Process: Scholarships & Financial Aid

Scholarships Name

Need‑cum‑Merit Financial Assistance (NLU Delhi)

Means‑Based Financial Aid (NALSAR Hyderabad)

Merit‑cum‑Means Scholarship (General Aid)

Central Sector Scholarship (SC/ST students via NSP)

Post‑Matric Scholarship for OBC/PwD/Minorities

Dr. Santosh Chawla Memorial Scholarship (NLU Delhi)

GNLU Financial Assistance Scheme

Ram Jethmalani Scholarship (NLU Nagpur)

State Government Scholarships (based on domicile category)

Alumni-Funded Scholarships (available in some NLUs)

NLU Counselling Process

Eligible candidates for the National Law Universities (NLUs) admission will receive an invitation to the Admissions Counselling Process based on the rank list and admissions matrix of each NLU. Notifications will be sent via email, SMS, and on the CLAT 2025 portal. It is essential for candidates to check their CLAT account on the Consortium of NLUs website to confirm their invitation for counselling, as the Consortium will not be responsible for any communication failures.

The NLU Admission Counselling Process for CLAT 2025 began at 4:00 PM on May 17, 2025, and closed at 5:00 PM on May 21, 2025. To participate in the counselling, candidates were required to pay a counselling registration fee: ₹30,000 for General category candidates and ₹20,000 for candidates from reserved categories. This fee is refundable under specific conditions, and candidates had to provide valid bank account details to facilitate any applicable refund.

Registration involves logging into the CLAT account, making the payment, and ensuring the payment is successful. Candidates are advised not to delay their payment to avoid last-minute issues, and no late payment requests will be entertained. Successfully registered candidates will be considered for seat allotment, but registration does not guarantee admission. Seats may be allotted in subsequent rounds based on vacancies in specific categories.

Also read: NLU COUNSELLING INSTRUCTIONS

NLU Delhi Admission Process

National Law University, Delhi stands out as the second top Law school and NLU in India. According to the 2024 NIRF rankings, it has been placed at the second position. Setting it apart from other NLUs, it conducts the AILET exam specifically for its admissions. The tuition fees for the five-year course amount to about 18 lakhs. While the fees might be on the higher side, the university is renowned for providing excellent return on investment through exceptional exposure, placements, and other opportunities.

We will discuss about the application process of NLU Delhi.

What is AILET?

AILET stands for ‘All India Law Entrance Test’ which is conducted by NLU Delhi for admissions to its undergraduate (UG), post graduate (PG) and PhD programms.

The AILET examination consists of three parts: English Language, Logical Reasoning, and Current Affairs & General Knowledge, with a total exam time of 90 minutes. Candidates will face 150 questions (for undergraduate courses) during this period. Historical data suggests that the AILET generally has a moderate level of difficulty, but given the intense competition, it’s crucial for aspiring law students to prepare extensively. Doing so will enhance their chances of performing well in the AILET and gaining entry into NLU-Delhi.

NLU Delhi Admission Process: Eligibility Criteria

While talking about the NLU admission process, let’s talk about the eligibility criteria for BA LLB and LLM courses.

Course	Information
BALLB	General Category: 10+2 or equivalent examination with minimum of 45 percent aggregate marks. Candidates appearing for their 10+2 can also apply for the UG programme. SC/ST/PwD: 10+2 or equivalent examination with minimum of 40 percent aggregate marks. Candidates appearing for their 10+2 can also apply for the UG programme.
LLM	General Category: LLB degree or equivalent degree from a recognized university with minimum of 55 percent aggregate marks. SC/ST/PwD: LLB degree or equivalent degree from a recognized university with minimum of 50 percent aggregate marks.

AILET Exam Dates 2025

While talking about the NLU admission process, lets talk about the AILET exam dates.

Events	Dates
AILET online application	September- November
Admit Cards	November End
AILET exam	December first week
AILET result	December last week
Counselling	January

NLU Delhi Admission Process: Seats Intake

While talking about the NLU admission process. let’s talk about the seat intakes.

Courses	Number of Seats
BA LLB	110+10 (110 seats on AILET merit; 5 seats each for Foreign Nationals and OCI/PIO for direct admission on merit). Foreign Nationals/OCI/PIO are exempted from AILET but should have 65% marks in the qualifying examination. One seat for Kashmiri Migrants and two seats for residents of Jammu & Kashmir
LLM	70+10 (70 seats on AILET merit; 5 seats each for Foreign Nationals and OCI/PIO for direct admission on merit). Foreign Nationals/OCI/PIO are exempted from AILET. One seat for Kashmiri Migrants.

NLU Delhi Admission Process: Exam Pattern (BALLB)

While discussing about the NLU admission process, let’s discuss the exam pattern.

Particulars	Information
Exam Mode	Offline Mode
Duration	120 Minutes
Language	English
Question Type	MCQs
Total Questions	150
Marking Scheme	+1 for correct answer, –0.25 for incorrect answer
Subjects	English Language- 50 questions Current Affairs & GK- 30 questions Logical Reasoning-70 questions

NLU Delhi Admission Process: Fee Structure

Let’s talk about the NLU fee structure.

Course	Fee
BALLB	INR 1,86,000 (annual fee)
LLM	INR 2,47,000

NLU Delhi Counselling Process 2025

Results are declared in December, and a category-wise list of candidates invited for counseling is also released in the same month. Within 5-10 days, online registration begins. The registration fee for General/Kashmir Migrants/Residents of J&K is INR 30,000, while for SC/ST/OBC/EWS and PwD candidates, it is INR 20,000. After a few days, the first list of provisionally selected candidates and the waiting list are announced. In December, provisionally selected candidates from the first merit list must deposit a provisional admission confirmation fee of 50,000 within a few days. In the first week of January, the second list of provisionally selected candidates from the waiting list is also released.

The average package of the college is around 19 LPA, and NLU Delhi also boasts a strong alumni network.

Also read: NLU PLACEMENTS

Counseling fees must be paid online exclusively. Additionally, you are required to sign the undertaking found in Annexure II. Ensure that all your documents are self-attested and converted to PDF format before uploading them. It’s also crucial to have valid category certificates prepared for all reserved categories, ensuring they are proper and ready for submission.

This blog provides a detailed explanation of the NLU admission process and the NLU Delhi admission process. Ensure you read all the information accurately to avoid any confusion. Pay close attention to the counseling process, as it will aid you in navigating the NLU admission process effectively.

NLU Admission Process: Mistakes to Avoid

1. Waiting for the last minute to pay your counselling fee leads to delay in the process.
2. Uploading incorrect category certificates leads to disruptions or rejection.
3. It is important to check entire CLAT updates on the official portal.
4. Ignoring domicile reservations when filling your preferences
5. Please check for the official website twice during the application filling.

Conclusion: NLU Admission Process

The NLU Admission Process is a gateway to most of the top law universities in India. With a strong academic curriculum, experienced faculty and great placement opportunities, NLUs offers great opportunities for legal professionals. This process involves clearing of national level law entrance exams like CLAT and AILET.

It is important for law aspirants to stay updated on important dates, understand the admission requirements and ensure all necessary documents should be in place. Many NLUs offer scholarships and financial aid to deserving students that helps them financially.

FAQs: NLU Admission Process

Q1. What is the first step in the NLU Admission Process?

The very first step for the NLU admission process is to appear for the entrance exams like CLAT and AILET.

Q2. Can I apply to all NLUs with one CLAT score?

Yes, 24 NLUs accept the CLAT score for admission to their undergraduate and postgraduate law programs. However, NLU Delhi conducts its own exam (AILET) and does not consider CLAT scores.

Q3. What documents are required during the NLU Admission Process?

CLAT or AILET scorecard, 10th and 12th marksheets, ID proof, category certificate, and passport-size photos.

Q4. Is domicile reservation applicable in the NLU Admission Process?

Yes many NLUs offers domicile based reservation for the admission process.

Q5. Are there scholarships available during the NLU Admission Process?

Yes various NLUs offers scholarships to the candidates for the NLU admission process.

Join: CLAT online COACHING