Accepted entrance exams
Fees
Fees at NALSAR University of Law for the Bachelor of Arts + Bachelor of Law [BALLB] (Hons.) program are approximately INR 2.8- 3.07 lakh per annum. This includes a tuition fee of about INR 1.10- 1.55 lakh, with additional charges comprising of hostel fees ranging from INR 67,000 to INR 1.1 lakh, and mess fees ranging from INR 35,000 to INR 40,000 per year. There are also other academic charges around INR 15,000, and other fees totaling about INR 50,000.
For foreign nationals, tuition fees are USD 12,000 for non-SAARC countries and USD 6,000 for SAARC countries. A fee increment of INR 4,000 to 20,000 per annum is observed. NALSAR provides multiple scholarship opportunities, both merit- and need-based, for candidates with an annual family income not exceeding INR 8 lakh. Scholarships are available based on CLAT ranks or reservation categories.
About Ph.D
NALSAR University of Law offers a full-time residential Doctor of Philosophy programme in two streams: Law and Social Sciences, Humanities, and Public Policy. The programme runs for a minimum of 3 years and is suited for candidates interested in advanced legal research and academic careers. Annual fees are INR 1,29,000, covering tuition, library, hostel, and mess charges. Minimum eligibility for the Law stream is an LLM with 50 percent aggregate marks.
📋 Admission Status: Applications closed. Entrance examination scheduled on 2 August 2026.
Key Points
- The PhD is offered in two streams: Law (requiring an LLM) and Social Sciences, Humanities, and Public Policy (requiring a relevant postgraduate degree), making it accessible to non-law researchers in allied fields.
- Candidates holding a valid UGC-NET or JRF qualification are exempt from NALSAR’s own written test and proceed directly to the research proposal evaluation and interview stage.
- A research proposal of 1500 to 2000 words outlining the research topic, objectives, methodology, and literature review is a mandatory and substantively evaluated component of the selection process.
NALSAR PhD Fees 2026
The annual fee for the NALSAR PhD programme is INR 1,29,000, covering all mandatory charges for the residential campus. Additional one-time charges including tuition registration and thesis submission fees apply at the relevant stages.
| Fee Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (one-time registration) | INR 20,000 |
| Library Fee | INR 5,000 |
| Hostel and User Charges | INR 67,000 |
| Mess Advance | INR 35,000 |
| Refundable Deposits | INR 20,000 |
| Estimated Annual Total | INR 1,29,000 |
- Additional charges apply for thesis submission and extension.
- Fees are subject to revision. Verify with NALSAR before admission.
NALSAR PhD Admission 2026
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Opens | 12 June 2026 |
| Registration Closes | 10 July 2026 (closed) |
| Entrance Examination | 2 August 2026 |
| Result Announcement | To be notified by NALSAR |
| Programme Commencement | August to September 2026 (Tentative) |
- Result and commencement dates are subject to NALSAR notification.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Law stream: LLM or equivalent postgraduate law degree with a minimum of 50 percent aggregate marks from a recognised university.
- Social Sciences stream: relevant Master’s degree with a minimum of 50 percent aggregate marks in a social science, humanities, or public policy discipline.
- Candidates with UGC-NET, JRF, or CSIR-NET qualifications are exempt from NALSAR’s written test.
Admission Process
- Register online at apply.nalsar.ac.in and pay the application fee of INR 4,000 (INR 3,500 for SC and ST candidates).
- Upload academic transcripts, postgraduate marksheets, and UGC-NET or JRF certificate if applicable.
- Candidates without UGC-NET or JRF appear for the NALSAR written entrance test (research aptitude 50 percent and subject knowledge 50 percent).
- Shortlisted candidates appear before the Research Committee, where the research proposal and academic background are evaluated.
- Final selection is based on the written test score, research proposal quality, and interview performance.
NALSAR PhD vs Other Colleges
Here is how the NALSAR PhD compares with doctoral programmes at other top NLUs on fees, admission basis, and research infrastructure.
| College | Fees | Exams | Cutoff | Salary | CD Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 1.3 L/year | NMET-PG UGC-NET (exempt) | LLM 50 percent marks (2026) | Not Disclosed | Not Rated |
| NLSIU Bangalore | Not Disclosed | NLSIU test UGC-NET (exempt) | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Rated |
| NUJS Kolkata | Not Disclosed | NUJS test UGC-NET (exempt) | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Rated |
| NLU Delhi | Not Disclosed | NLU Delhi test UGC-NET (exempt) | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Rated |
✓ Opt for this if
- You have an LLM and a focused research question ready to develop into a doctoral thesis.
- You want a fully residential doctoral environment at a top-ranked NLU with strong faculty support.
- You hold UGC-NET or JRF and want to skip the written test while receiving a monthly stipend.
- You are targeting an academic position or a senior policy research role after completion.
✗ Skip if
- You want to keep working while doing a PhD, as NALSAR requires full-time residency.
- You have not yet completed an LLM and need the master’s degree before doctoral admission.
- Your research interest falls outside law, social sciences, humanities, or public policy.
NALSAR PhD Scholarships 2026
NALSAR PhD scholars can access institution-level need-based support and are eligible for UGC-funded fellowships that provide direct monthly financial support.
| Scholarship | Benefit | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| UGC Junior Research Fellowship | Monthly stipend as per UGC norms (currently INR 37,000 per month for years 1 to 2) | Valid UGC-NET JRF score |
| UGC Senior Research Fellowship | Enhanced monthly stipend after JRF upgrade (currently INR 42,000 per month) | JRF scholars upgraded after two years |
| NALSAR Merit-Cum-Means Scholarship | Partial to full fee concession | Annual family income below INR 8 Lakhs |
| Government Welfare Scholarships | As per scheme norms | SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and Minority candidates |
- UGC stipend amounts may be revised periodically.
- Verify current scholarship terms with NALSAR and UGC before applying.
NALSAR PhD FAQs
Ques. What is tested in the NALSAR PhD entrance examination and how should I prepare?
Ans. The test has two equally weighted components: research aptitude (critical reasoning, research methodology, data interpretation) and subject knowledge in your discipline. For the Law stream, subject knowledge means foundational and advanced legal principles. Preparation should combine UGC-NET law study materials for subject knowledge with research methodology texts for the aptitude component. JRF holders are exempt from this test and proceed directly to the research proposal and interview stage.
Ques. How detailed should the research proposal be and what mistakes should I avoid?
Ans. NALSAR requires a proposal of 1500 to 2000 words covering the research topic, objectives, methodology, and a literature review. The most common mistakes are topics stated too broadly (such as "human rights in India"), a missing methodology section, and a literature review that only lists sources without showing gaps in existing scholarship. The proposal determines whether a supervisor is available for your specific topic, so be precise and demonstrate awareness of current literature.
Ques. Can a working professional complete the NALSAR PhD without full-time residence?
Ans. No. NALSAR’s PhD is structured as a full-time residential programme. Part-time or distance doctoral pathways are not available. If full-time residency is not currently feasible, consider whether the programme can be deferred until that commitment is possible, or explore part-time PhD options at other institutions that explicitly permit it.
Ques. What career paths do NALSAR PhD graduates typically pursue after completion?
Ans. NALSAR PhD graduates primarily move into academia as faculty members at law schools and universities. Other common pathways include senior policy research roles at think tanks, government law commissions, and regulatory bodies such as SEBI, RBI, and the Ministry of Law. A smaller cohort joins international organisations working in human rights, trade law, or development policy. The NALSAR institutional brand and faculty network are significant assets for academic job placement.
Ques. Does NALSAR assign a supervisor before admission or after joining?
Ans. Formal supervisor assignment typically happens at or after joining, once coursework begins and the doctoral committee is constituted. However, the Research Committee evaluates supervisory availability based on your proposal during admission. A topic with no natural supervisor at NALSAR is a reason for rejection at the interview stage even if your test performance is strong, so verify faculty expertise before finalising your proposal topic.