About Master of Laws [L.L.M.]
Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna, offers a one-year LLM programme with 66 seats, admitted through CLAT-PG. The programme provides advanced legal training for LLB graduates seeking to specialise in academic, litigation-focused, or public sector legal careers. Total annual fees are INR 1,83,275 excluding hostel (INR 2,48,275 with hostel). The 2024 LLM placement cycle at CNLU Patna recorded a median package of INR 7.2 LPA with a placement rate of 77 percent.
📋 Admission Status: Applications closed. Class Commencement begins August 2026.
CNLU LLM Fees 2026
| Component | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fee | INR 1,21,275 |
| Other Academic Charges | INR 17,000 |
| Hostel and Mess (optional) | INR 65,000 |
| Total Fees (without hostel) | INR 1,83,275 |
- Hostel fee of INR 65,000 covers room rent of INR 22,000, mess charges of INR 35,000, and electricity of INR 8,000.
- Total fees with hostel for the one-year programme are INR 2,48,275.
- Candidates from SC/ST categories receive applicable state government fee reimbursements.
CNLU LLM Admission 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CLAT-PG Registration Opened | August 1, 2025 |
| CLAT-PG Registration Closed | October 31, 2025 |
| CLAT-PG Admit Card Released | November 22, 2025 |
| CLAT-PG Exam | December 7, 2025 |
| CLAT-PG Result Declared | December 16, 2025 |
| CLAT Counselling Registration Closed | December 27, 2025 |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment | January 7, 2026 |
| Round 3 Seat Allotment | February 5, 2026 |
| Round 4 Seat Allotment | May 2, 2026 |
| Final Round 5 Seat Allotment | May 20, 2026 |
| Class Commencement | August 2026 |
- Candidates had to submit a minimum of 5 NLU preferences during CLAT-PG counselling.
- 50 percent of seats at CNLU Patna are reserved for Bihar domicile candidates.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- LLB degree from a recognised university with minimum 55 percent marks (50 percent for SC/ST candidates).
- A valid CLAT-PG score is mandatory for admission through the Consortium of NLUs.
- Candidates in their final year of LLB are also eligible to apply for CLAT-PG provisionally and must submit final results before fee payment.
Admission Process
- Register and appear for CLAT-PG through the Consortium of NLUs portal at consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
- Participate in the online counselling and submit a minimum of 5 NLU preferences in priority order.
- CNLU allots LLM seats based on CLAT-PG rank, category, and Bihar domicile status.
- Accept the allotment, pay the confirmation fee within the stipulated deadline, and complete document verification.
- Pay the balance fees directly to CNLU and report on the designated date with original degree certificates and documents.
✓ Opt for this if
- Goal is an academic or teaching career in law at a recognised institution.
- Bihar domicile candidate seeking LLM at an NLU with domicile seat advantage.
- Budget-conscious: INR 1.83 Lakhs annual fee is among the lowest NLU LLM costs.
- Planning to practice in Bihar courts or government legal departments after LLM.
✗ Skip if
- Targeting corporate law firm roles where NALSAR, NUJS, or NLIU LLM carries stronger brand value.
- CLAT-PG rank is high enough to secure a top-5 NLU LLM seat.
- Seeking LLM in a formal specialisation with dedicated curriculum at a top NLU.
CNLU LLM Placement 2025
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Placement Rate (2024) | 77 percent |
| Students Placed | 51 out of 66 |
| Median Package | INR 7.2 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | JSA Advocates and Solicitors Bank of Baroda ICICI Bank National Insurance Company Primal Capital and Housing Finance |
CNLU LLM Scholarships 2026
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation for Excellence Scholarship | INR 50,000 | Merit holders with family income below INR 8 Lakhs per annum |
| Central Sector Scheme (OBC/EBC/DNT) | Full tuition up to INR 2 Lakhs per year | OBC/EBC/DNT students, up to 20 seats |
| State Government SC/ST Scholarship | Fee reimbursement | SC/ST Bihar domicile students |
| National Scholarship Portal (NSP) | Variable | Various income and category criteria |
- Scholarship applications are submitted via the CNLU admissions office or scholarships.gov.in.
- Bihar state scholarships for SC/ST students cover tuition and allied charges as per government notification.
As mentioned, CNLU Patna offers admission to L.L.M program based on CLAT-PG rank. CNLU Patna CLAT-PG Cutoff 2025 rank is 1380 for the General category. Further, CLAT-PG cutoff rank is 7116 for SC , 7594 for ST , 3393 for BC and 5495 for EBC category. Check CNLU Patna Cutoff
CNLU Patna L.L.M Cutoff Year-wise Trends
The section below shows year-wise trends in CNLU Patna L.L.M Cutoff. According to year-wise trends, admission to the CNLU Patna L.L.M program in 2025 was closed at the 14051 rank across all categories.
| Catgories | Cutoff rank 2025 |
|---|---|
| General | 865 | -
| SC | 6391 | -
| ST | 7594 | -
| BC | 1961 | -
| EBC | 4735 | -
| EWS | 1842 | -
| GeneralPwD | 10674 | -
According to an external review site Ranking 2025, CNLU Patna ranks 21 out of 98 colleges in India for its L.L.M program.
- 8 out of 8 under India Today Law Ranking 2025.
- 17 out of 40 under NIRF Law Ranking 2025.
- 35 out of 40 under IIRF Law Ranking 2025.
Read more on CNLU Patna Rankings here
CNLU LLM FAQs
Ques. How many seats are available in CNLU Patna LLM?
Ans. CNLU Patna offers 66 seats in the LLM programme. Category-wise distribution follows Bihar Reservation Act norms, with 50 percent of seats reserved for Bihar domicile candidates. The remaining seats are open to all-India candidates based on CLAT-PG merit rank through the Consortium of NLUs counselling process. Seat numbers are subject to revision each year based on UGC and university notifications.
Ques. What CLAT-PG score is needed for CNLU Patna LLM admission?
Ans. CNLU Patna does not publish a fixed CLAT-PG cut-off. Admission depends entirely on the candidate’s merit rank and category. Candidates with Bihar domicile status benefit from the 50 percent domicile reservation. Actual cut-offs can be tracked through the Consortium of NLUs allotment lists published after each counselling round at consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
Ques. Can I do LLM at CNLU after completing LLB from a private university?
Ans. Yes. CNLU Patna LLM is open to LLB graduates from any recognised university in India, including private law schools and deemed universities. The mandatory requirement is a minimum of 55 percent marks in the LLB degree (50 percent for SC/ST candidates) and a valid CLAT-PG score obtained through the Consortium of NLUs.
Ques. What is the total fee for LLM at CNLU Patna with hostel?
Ans. The total annual fee for CNLU Patna LLM including hostel accommodation is INR 2,48,275. Without hostel, the annual fee is INR 1,83,275. The hostel fee of INR 65,000 covers room rent of INR 22,000, mess charges of INR 35,000, and electricity of INR 8,000 per year. Hostel is optional and subject to seat availability.
Ques. What jobs can CNLU Patna LLM graduates get?
Ans. CNLU Patna LLM graduates join law firms, government legal departments, PSUs, banks, and academia. The 2024 placement cycle reported a median package of INR 7.2 LPA and a placement rate of 77 percent. Top recruiters include JSA Advocates and Solicitors, Bank of Baroda, ICICI Bank, National Insurance Company, and Primal Capital and Housing Finance.
Ques. Does CNLU Patna LLM offer any specialisation?
Ans. CNLU Patna offers the LLM as a general postgraduate law degree without a formally named specialisation in the programme structure. Students focus on advanced legal research through elective courses and a dissertation. Candidates seeking a specialisation-specific LLM such as Corporate Law or Criminal Law should check whether the specific specialisation they want is offered by CNLU before applying.