Accepted entrance exams
About Bachelor of Laws [L.L.B.] {Hons.}
NLSIU Bangalore offers a 3-year LLB Hons programme for graduates of any discipline, admitted through the NLSAT-LLB exam. Ranked #1 in Law (NIRF 2025) for 8 consecutive years, the school offers 120 seats per year. General quota fees total INR 15,56,800 over 3 years, with a fully residential campus. The programme integrates legal and social science disciplines with mandatory clinical and internship components.
📋 Admission Status: Admissions expected to open January 2027 (Tentative).
Key Points
- Post-graduate law programme open to graduates from any discipline, no subject restriction
- Interdisciplinary curriculum blending law with sociology, anthropology, and economics
- Mandatory internships during term breaks with integrated clinical and practicum courses
NLSIU LLB Fees 2026
| Year | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | INR 5,44,000 |
| Year 2 | INR 5,06,400 |
| Year 3 | INR 5,06,400 |
| Total Fees (General Quota, 3 Years) | INR 15,56,800 |
- Year 1 includes one-time admission fee of INR 13,900 and a refundable security deposit of INR 18,800 to INR 23,700.
- Annual housing charges of INR 1,88,200 are included in the fee structure on this fully residential campus.
- NRI and international students pay INR 18,05,000 for the complete 3-year programme.
NLSIU LLB Admission 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| NLSAT-LLB Application Closed | March 21, 2026 |
| NLSAT-LLB Exam Held | April 26, 2026 |
| NLSAT-LLB Result Declared | May 20, 2026 |
| Class Commencement | July 1, 2026 |
- Admission is through NLSAT-LLB, not CLAT.
- CLAT scores are not accepted for this programme.
- Offer letters are sent via email to shortlisted candidates after the merit list is published.
- Final-year degree students may apply subject to degree completion by December 31, 2026.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Bachelor’s degree from any discipline with minimum 45% aggregate (General, OBC, EWS)
- SC/ST and PWD candidates require minimum 40% aggregate in the qualifying degree
- Final-year undergraduate students are eligible to apply subject to timely degree completion
- A valid NLSAT-LLB score is mandatory for admission. No age limit is prescribed
Admission Process
- Register on the NLSAT admissions portal at nlsatadmissions.nls.ac.in
- Submit application with photographs, ID proof, and academic documents before the deadline
- Appear for NLSAT-LLB at designated centres in April. The exam covers legal reasoning and analytical skills in two parts
- Check results and merit list on the NLSAT portal after result declaration in May
- Pay confirmation fee to secure provisional seat after receiving offer letter via email
- Report to NLSIU Bangalore for document verification and hostel allocation before July 1
✓ Opt for this if
- Holding a graduation degree and looking to enter law in 3 years
- Want India’s top-ranked law school without a 5-year BA LLB commitment
- Seeking interdisciplinary legal education blending law with social sciences
- Targeting tier-1 law firm or judiciary roles after LLB from NLSIU
✗ Skip if
- Prefer CLAT-based admission into a law programme
- Unable to relocate to Bangalore for a 3-year residential programme
- Looking for a part-time or evening LLB option to balance work commitments
NLSIU LLB Scholarships 2026
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| NLSIU University Financial Aid | Partial to full fee support based on need | Students with demonstrated financial hardship assessed by NLSIU financial aid committee |
| Kotak Kanya Scholarship | INR 1,50,000 per year | Meritorious girl students with demonstrated financial need |
| PM-Vidyalaxmi Education Loan | Up to INR 30,00,000 | Collateral-free loan with partial or full interest subsidy based on annual family income |
- Apply for NLSIU financial aid by contacting nlsiuscholarship@nls.ac.in after admission confirmation.
- External scholarships facilitated by NLSIU are listed on the financial aid portal at nls.ac.in.
According to an external review site Ranking 2025, NLSIU ranks 1 out of 98 colleges in India and 1 in state Karnataka for its L.L.B {Hons.} program.
- 1 out of 8 under India Today Law Ranking 2025.
- 1 out of 38 under The Week Law Ranking 2025.
- 1 out of 40 under NIRF Law Ranking 2025.
- 1 out of 13 under Outlook Law Ranking 2024.
- 1 out of 40 under IIRF Law Ranking 2025.
Read more on NLSIU Rankings here
NLSIU LLB FAQs
Ques. What is the total fee for the 3-year LLB at NLSIU?
Ans. The total fee for the 3-year LLB Hons at NLSIU for general quota students is INR 15,56,800. Year 1 costs INR 5,44,000 (includes one-time admission fee and refundable security deposit) and Years 2 and 3 cost INR 5,06,400 each. Housing and mess charges of INR 1,88,200 per year are included as the campus is fully residential.
Ques. Is CLAT accepted for the 3-year LLB at NLSIU?
Ans. No, CLAT scores are not accepted for the 3-year LLB Hons at NLSIU. Admission is exclusively through the NLSAT-LLB exam, conducted by NLSIU every April. Candidates must register at nlsatadmissions.nls.ac.in and qualify the NLSAT-LLB to be considered. This is a separate route from the CLAT-based 5-year BA LLB programme at NLSIU.
Ques. Who is eligible for the 3-year LLB at NLSIU?
Ans. Graduates from any discipline with at least 45% aggregate marks are eligible (40% for SC/ST/PWD). There is no age limit and no subject restriction in the qualifying degree. Final-year undergraduate students may also apply, provided they complete their degree by December 31, 2026. Graduates of engineering, commerce, arts, and science disciplines are all eligible to apply.
Ques. What are the career outcomes for NLSIU LLB graduates?
Ans. NLSIU 3-year LLB graduates pursue careers as associates with tier-1 law firms including AZB and Partners, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, and Trilegal, as well as in-house counsel at leading corporates and litigators under Senior Advocates. The school’s NIRF Rank 1 status and strong alumni network ensure competitive access to legal practice roles across India and internationally.
Ques. Is hostel accommodation mandatory for the 3-year LLB programme?
Ans. Yes, NLSIU is a fully residential campus and housing is mandatory for all enrolled students. Annual housing and mess charges of INR 1,88,200 are included in the total annual fee. The programme mandates 75% attendance and students are expected to reside on campus and participate in seminars, clinics, and practicum sessions throughout the 3-year programme.
Ques. What is the seat intake and reservation structure for NLSIU 3-year LLB?
Ans. NLSIU admits 120 students per year to the 3-year LLB Hons programme. Reservations follow UGC norms: SC (15%), ST (7.5%), OBC-NCL (27%), EWS (10%), with horizontal reservations for PWD (5%), women (30%), and Karnataka domicile students (25%). Admission to all seats is through NLSAT-LLB merit within each reservation category.