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The University Guide

National Law University Delhi

PublicNew Delhi, Delhi₹4 L/yrEst. 2008Reviewed April 2026

Details sourced from official institutional pages.

Type Public
Location New Delhi, Delhi
Accreditation NIRF 2 in Law (2024)
Entrance exams CLAT

Academic Programs

Undergraduate

Program Level Duration
BA LLB (Hons) UG 5 years

Postgraduate

Program Level Duration
LLM PG 1 year
LLM (Professional) PG 1 year
PhD PHD variable

What NLU Delhi is

National Law University Delhi (NLU Delhi, also known as NLUD), established in 2008, is one of India’s premier law schools and consistently holds the NIRF Rank 2 position in the Law category (NIRF Law Rankings 2024). It is located in the Dwarka sector of New Delhi and functions as an autonomous state university under the Delhi government.

NLU Delhi is notable in the national law university system for being among the most urban campuses, situated within Delhi rather than in a peripheral location, which directly shapes its placement ecosystem, moot court culture, and access to courts, law firms, and government institutions.

A note on admissions history: NLU Delhi historically conducted its own entrance test, the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET), for the BA LLB programme. As of the 2022 admissions cycle, NLU Delhi joined the CLAT consortium, making CLAT the qualifying exam for its BA LLB admissions. AILET is now only used for certain other programmes. Check the official website for the current year’s admission process.

Who it’s for

BA LLB (Hons), Students targeting top-tier law school outcomes in Delhi, with an interest in corporate law, litigation, policy, or academia. NLU Delhi’s CLAT closing rank is typically within AIR 50–150 for the General category, making it the second-most competitive NLU after NLSIU Bangalore.

LLM, Working lawyers, law graduates, and those targeting research or academic careers. NLU Delhi’s LLM has a strong placement record in corporate advisory and policy roles.

The institution is frequently discussed in comparison with NLSIU Bangalore, NLU Delhi’s urban location is considered an advantage for networking and court internships, while NLSIU’s campus culture and placement median are marginally stronger.

Programs offered

Undergraduate:

  • BA LLB (Hons), 5-year integrated programme. Admission via CLAT. Seats: approximately 80 per batch (General + reserved categories).

Postgraduate:

  • LLM, 1-year programme. Admission via CLAT PG. Seats: approximately 70–75 per batch.

Doctoral:

  • PhD, Full-time and part-time options. Admission via institute-level process.

Executive/Certificate:

  • Certificate programmes through the Centre for Transnational Commercial Law (CTCL) and Centre for Alternate Dispute Resolution (CADR).

LL.M. (Professional), 1 year (blended/distance): A specialized diploma programme for working professionals. NOT equivalent to a UGC/Bar Council of India-recognized LLM. Delivered through a mix of distance education and contact classes held at NLU Delhi campus. Runs September to August (two semesters). Open to graduates or postgraduates in any discipline with minimum 50% marks and at least 3 years of professional experience. Admission is based on percentage secured in graduation, all eligible applicants are admitted. No CLAT required. Fee: Rs 1,25,000 for Indian nationals; USD 3,500 for foreign nationals. Offers 8 specializations: Criminal Law, Banking and Finance Studies, Intellectual Property Law, Commercial Law, Environmental Law and Justice, Consumer Law and Practice, Property and Real Estate Law, and Taxation Law. Apply at odl.nludelhi.ac.in.

Campus and infrastructure

NLU Delhi’s campus is in Dwarka, Sector 14, New Delhi, a developed urban area with good Metro connectivity (Dwarka Sector 10/11 Metro stations). This places students within easy reach of the Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, major law firm offices in Connaught Place and Aerocity, and government ministries.

The campus is residential with hostel facilities. The library and moot court infrastructure are well-maintained. Students benefit from proximity to the Delhi legal ecosystem, internships at top firms and litigation chambers are significantly more accessible than from other NLU campuses.

Things to verify before applying

  • CLAT vs AILET status: Confirm the current admissions route. NLU Delhi joined CLAT in 2022, but always verify whether AILET is still required for any programmes at nludelhi.ac.in.
  • BA LLB seat intake: The batch size has been approximately 80 seats but may vary. Check the current year’s CLAT counselling seat matrix.
  • LLM fees and process: The LLM fee structure involves both CLAT PG scores and a separate NLU Delhi registration. Verify at the admissions page.
  • Placement by batch year: Published placement data can vary significantly year to year. Ask the placement office for programme-specific data.

Where to go next on this site

Sources Used

Fees — 2025-26

Program Fees

ProgramLevelAnnual FeeTotal FeeSource
BA LLB (Hons) - Annual (Indian Nationals) UG INR 3,95,000 official-website
LLM - Annual (Indian Nationals) PG INR 2,52,000 unverified
LLM (Professional) - Total (Indian Nationals) PG INR 1,25,000 brochure

Scholarships

SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD Fee Concessions

Eligibility: Students admitted under respective reserved categories

Amount: Reduced admission and counselling fees; verify current concessions with NLU Delhi

Government of India Scholarships

Eligibility: Central and state government scholarship schemes

Amount: Variable - based on scheme eligibility (National Scholarship Portal)

Fee figures are indicative. Verify the complete fee structure on the institution's official website.

Admissions — 2025-26

Entrance Exams

CLAT

Eligibility

BA LLB (Hons)

Minimum: 45% in 10+2 (40% for SC/ST)

Must appear for CLAT UG. Age: Below 20 years as of 1 July of admission year (22 for SC/ST/PwD).

LLM

Minimum: BA LLB or equivalent 5-year integrated law degree with 45%

Admission via CLAT PG. 1-year programme.

PhD

Minimum: LLM with 55% (full-time); LLM with 55% (part-time)

Admission via NLU Delhi's own PhD entrance process.

Important Dates

EventDate
CLAT RegistrationTypically January–February each year
CLAT ExamTypically December (for next-year admissions)
CLAT CounsellingTypically May–July

Selection Process

  1. Appear for CLAT (conducted by Consortium of NLUs)
  2. Merit list and seat allotment through CLAT centralised counselling
  3. Document verification, fee payment, and enrollment at NLU Delhi

Apply online ↗

Placements — 2024-25

Average package 18 LPA (BA LLB, 2024-25)
Highest package Not publicly disclosed in audited report
Placement rate >80% (BA LLB); ~70% (LLM) - 5-year average

Top Recruiters

Shardul Amarchand MangaldasCyril Amarchand MangaldasAZB & PartnersTrilegalKhaitan & Co.Luthra & Luthra Law OfficesJ. Sagar Associates (JSA)Amazon LegalICICI Bank (Legal)Reliance Industries (Legal)NITI AayogVidhi Centre for Legal Policy

Placement data is sourced from institutional records. Verify current data on the institution's official website.

This profile is maintained for informational purposes. Details are sourced as of the date shown and may have changed. Always verify with the institution's official website.