A career in law is challenging and financially rewarding. The demands of the legal profession create challenges for the lawyer. He/She has to grapple with conceptually challenging issues, analyze the case, reason with logic, research complex legal issues and master oral and written communication.
Campus recruitment at prestigious law colleges starts at Rs.35,000 to Rs. 40,000 per month and the sky is the limit as you rise up the ranks. However, to get admission to top public and private law colleges in India, you have to crack exams like the CLAT, AILET, SET, DUET, LSAT, etc.
Pursuing a law degree from these reputed law colleges is a life-changing experience. As Thomas Jefferson, the third US president had put it, “The Study of Law is useful in a variety of points of view. It qualifies a man to be useful to himself, to his neighbours and to the public.”
If you can get a degree from one of the top law colleges in India, your struggle to establish your credibility as a top-notch lawyer will be relatively easy. In this article, I have jotted down a list of the top 10 law colleges in India according to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).
1. National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangaluru
NLSIU, Bengaluru accepts students based on the CLAT score for admission to its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
A candidate for admission to the B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) degree course has to pass the 10+2 or an examination equivalent thereto securing in the first attempt, not less than 45% in the case of General category and 40% in the case of SC / ST candidates and pwd in the aggregate. The total number of students admitted to the undergraduate course is 120.
For admission in the L.L.M programme, it is necessary for the candidate to pass the undergraduate degree. The total student intake for the postgraduate programme is 50.
The cut-off rank in CLAT for admission to the B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) course in NLSIU, Bengaluru for the general category in 2020 was 97.
The cut-off rank in CLAT for admission to the L.L.M. programme in NLSIU, Bengaluru for the general category in 2020 was 67.
Fees (including refundable deposits):
- General Category: Rs. 2,75,100.00 per annum
- SC/ST /PWD category: Rs. 2,71,850.00 per annum
2. National Law University, Delhi (NLUD)
All candidates, other than Foreign Nationals, should appear for the AILET and selection for the B.A. LL.B.(Hons.) and LL.M. programmes shall be solely on the basis of the AILET score.
For the B.A. LL.B.(Hons.) programme, candidates have to pass their 10+2 or an equivalent examination thereto securing in the aggregate not less than 45% of the total marks (40% in case of SC/ST/Persons with Disability). Candidates appearing or awaiting results of the 10+2 examination can also apply and appear in the entrance test (AILET). The total number of seats for the undergraduate programme is 123.
For admission to One year- LL.M Programme, candidates should pass the LL.B or an equivalent degree from a recognized University with not less than 50% marks in aggregate (45% in case of SC/ST/Persons with Disability). Candidates appearing or awaiting results of the qualifying examination can also apply and appear in the entrance test. The total number of seats for the postgraduate programme is 70.
The cut-off mark in AILET for admission to the UG course in NLUD, Delhi for the general category in 2019 was 72.75.
The cut-off mark in AILET for admission to the PG programme in NLUD, Delhi for the general category in 2019 was 57.25.
Fees:
- For hostlers: Rs. 1,85,000 per annum
- For non-hostlers: Rs. 1,39,000 per annum
3. NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
Admission to B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) and LL.M will be done on the basis of CLAT scores. Candidates seeking admission to the B.A. LL.B course will also have to pass their 10+2 with a minimum of 45% marks. Candidates seeking admission to the LL.M programme will have to pass their LL.B with a minimum of 55% marks.
The total number of seats for the undergraduate programme is 120. The total number of seats for the postgraduate program is 60.
The cut-off rank in CLAT for admission to the UG programme at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad for the general category in 2020 was 177.
The cut-off rank in CLAT for admission to the PG programme at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad for the general category in 2020 was 108.
Fees:
Total amount to be paid at the time of admission for Indian Nationals: Rs. 2,25,000/- (Rs. 2,19,000/- in case of S.C. / S.T.)
4. Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law (RGSOIPL), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur
Eligibility criteria for Admission to LL.B. (Hons.) degree in Intellectual Property Rights at IIT, Kharagpur is that:
- Candidates must have a first-class Bachelors Degree in Engineering or Technology or Medicine or equivalent, or
- Candidates must have a first-class Masters Degree in Science or Pharmacy or equivalent, or
- Candidates must have a first-class MBA Degree with any of the degrees mentioned above.
Admission to IIT Kharagpur LL.B. is based on the entrance test which is followed by an Interview.
Eligibility for Admission to LL.M. Programme 2021 is that:
- Candidates must have a first-class or equivalent in Bachelor of Laws LL.B./B.L. (5-years) programme from a recognized University, or
- Candidates must have a first-class (or equivalent) in Bachelor of Laws LL.B./B.L.(3-years) programme from a recognized University along with a Bachelor’s Degree (not less than 3 years) in Humanities/ Science/ Commerce or equivalent.
- Students who have LL.B (Hons.) in Intellectual Property Law from IIT Kharagpur with a CGPA of 8.5 or above are eligible for admission without appearing in the All India Common Entrance Examination (CET).
The total number of seats for the undergraduate programme is 45. The total number of seats for the postgraduate programme is 60.
Total Fees:
- LL.B (Hons.): Rs. 1,33,900
- LL.M: Rs. 1,55,000
5. National Law University, Jodhpur
Admission to all undergraduate courses and the LL.M programmes is based on the CLAT score. The intake capacity of the two undergraduate degree programmes, B.B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) and B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), put together is 104. For the LL.M. programmes, Corporate Laws and IPR, the student intake is 50.
Candidates seeking admission to the B.A. LL.B course must pass their 10+2 examination with a minimum of 45% marks. Candidates seeking admission to the LL.M program must pass the LL.B course with 50% marks.
NLU Jodhpur Cutoff Rank in 2020 for the UG programme was 323 for the general category. NLU Jodhpur Cutoff Rank in 2020 for the PG programme for the general category was 270.
Fees:
- For BA LLB and BBA LLB: Rs. 1,44,000 per semester.
- For LL.M: Rs. 1,14,000 per semester.
6. The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS)
The NUJS offers a five-year B.A./BSc. LL.B (Hons.) degree programme at the undergraduate level and a Master of Laws (LL.M) programme at the postgraduate level. Admission to the undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes is based on the CLAT score.
Candidates seeking admission to undergraduate courses also must pass their 10+2 with a minimum of 45%. Candidates seeking admission to LL.M programmes need a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 55%.
The total number of general category students admitted in the B.A. LL.B.(Hons.) programme in 2021 was 73 and for the LL.M programme, the number was 57.
The cut-off rank in the CLAT for admission in the B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) programme in 2020 was 225. The cut-off rank in the CLAT for admission in the LL.M programme in 2020 was 175.
Fees:
- B.A. LL.B (Hons.): Rs.2.42 Lakhs (1st-year Fees)
- LL.M: Rs. 1.44 Lakhs (Total Fees)
7. Gujarat National Law University (GNLU)
B.A. LL.B, BCom LL.B, BBA LL.B, BSc LL.B, BSW LL.B admissions are based on the CLAT score. LL.M admissions are also based on the CLAT score.
A candidate should pass his/her Class 12 with a minimum of 45% (40% in case of SC/ ST category candidates) to be eligible for admission in undergraduate courses. Any candidate who has done LL.B can apply for the LL.M programme.
Intake for UG Programme in the general category is 115. Intake for PG Programme in the general category is 38.
GNLU Cutoff rank in 2020 for UG Programme in the general category in the CLAT was 470. GNLU Cutoff rank in 2020 for PG Programme in the general category in the CLAT was 290.
Fees:
- GNLU Gandhinagar fees for five-year LL.B course: Rs.2,37,000 per annum.
- GNLU Gandhinagar fees for LLM course: Rs. 2,07,000 per annum.
8. Symbiosis Law School, Pune
It is mandatory to appear for the SLAT (Symbiosis Law Admission Test) as a precondition for admission to SLS, Pune for B.A. LL.B (Hons.) and BBA LL.B (Hons.).
Candidates must have passed their 10+2 examination from a recognized Board with a minimum of 45% marks (40% for SC/ST candidates). Those students who have appeared for their 10+2 final examination and are awaiting the results are also eligible to apply, provided that they can submit the passing certificate at the time of the final admission.
The total intake is 300 seats [180 seats of BB.A. LL.B (Hons.) and 120 seats of B.A. LL.B (Hons.)].
SLAT 2019 Cut off for B.A. LL.B was 100. SLAT 2019 Cut off for BB.A LL.B was 94.
Fee Structure:
Indian Student: BA LL.B (Hons.) & BBA LL.B (Hons.):
Academic Fees (Per Annum): Rs. 1,80,750/- (First Installment); Rs. 1,80,750/- (Second Installment).
9. Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
The institute offers a five year BA LLB programme. The course is also offered under the self-finance category. The minimum eligibility for qualifying for the programme is 50% marks in 10+2 examination from any stream. Admission to the programme is merit-based and depends upon the marks secured in the (JMI BA LLB) entrance examination, which is followed by an interview. The total seat intake of B.A. LL.B (Hons.) is 60.
The institute offers two years Regular and an Executive course in LL.M programme. The intake for both the programmes is 30 seats each. The minimum eligibility for LL.M is that candidates must pass the LL.B program with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized university. Admission to the programme is done on the basis of an entrance examination followed by an interview.
JMI BA LLB cut off 2020 for the general category was 89.
Fees:
- B.A. LL.B (Hons.): Rs. 10,400 (First Year Fees)
- LL.M: Rs. 8,700 (First Year Fees).
10. The Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala (RGNUL)
The Admission to the B.A.LL.B. (Hons.) five-year course is based on the score in the CLAT. However, to qualify for admission, the candidate must have passed the 10+2 examination of the Punjab School Education Board or its equivalent with a minimum of 45% marks in the aggregate (40% marks for SC/ST candidates).
The RGNUL also offers a one-year LL.M. postgraduation programme with specialization in Business Law, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and International Law. The Admission shall be based exclusively on the basis of the CLAT score. The candidate must have passed the LL.B./B.L. degree examination from the Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law or any other University whose degrees are recognized by RGNUL, with a minimum of 55% marks (50% marks for SC/ST).
The total number of seats for the undergraduate course is180. The total number of seats for the postgraduate programme is 40.
Cut off rank in CLAT for admission to B.A.LL.B. (Hons.) for general category in 2020 was 943. Cut off rank in CLAT for admission to LL.M in Criminal Law for general category was 393. Cut off rank in CLAT for admission to LL.M in Business Law for general category was 330.
Fees:
- Undergraduate Students: Rs. 2,11,000 per annum
- Postgraduate Students: Rs. 1,65,000 per annum
Conclusion
Now that you know about the top law schools in India, it is time for you to start your law entrance exam preparation. If you are dreaming big, I think that you should take the help of an online law coaching centre. Why online because that is the new normal. A law coaching centre has the knowledge and experience of taking students through law exams successfully. Their suggestions can often come in handy.
If you search the net for law coaching classes, you will find a lot of options. Some online law coaching centres like Manu Law Classes are offering 15 days of free trial classes along with resources and content. You can attend these classes to judge for yourself if the coaching centre will suit you. After all, it’s your decision and you should choose an online coaching centre that you find compatible.
Wish you all the best!
Resources:
- https://www.nls.ac.in/
- https://www.shiksha.com/university/nlsiu-bangalore-national-law-school-of-india-university-483/cutoff
- https://nludelhi.ac.in/home.aspx
- https://exam.buddy4study.com/ailet-cutoff
- https://nalsar.ac.in/
- https://www.shiksha.com/university/nalsar-university-of-law-hyderabad-4194/admission
- https://law.careers360.com/articles/nalsar-hyderabad-cutoff
- http://www.iitkgp.ac.in/law
- https://www.edufever.com/rajiv-gandhi-school-of-intellectual-property-law/
- http://nlujodhpur.ac.in/index-main.php
- https://collegedunia.com/university/25834-national-law-university-nlu-jodhpur
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- https://www.nujs.edu/index.html
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- https://collegedunia.com/university/26016-the-west-bengal-national-university-of-juridical-sciences-nujs-kolkata/courses-fees
- https://gnlu.ac.in/GNLU/Home
- https://law.careers360.com/articles/gnlu-gandhinagar-cutoff
- https://law.careers360.com/articles/gnlu-gandhinagar-fee-structure
- https://www.symlaw.ac.in/admission-process
- https://www.shiksha.com/law/slat-exam-cutoff
- https://www.shiksha.com/college/faculty-of-law-jamia-millia-islamia-jamia-nagar-delhi-36132/admission
- https://law.careers360.com/articles/jmi-ba-llb-cutoff
- https://collegedunia.com/college/28269-faculty-of-law-jamia-millia-islamia-university-new-delhi/admission
- https://www.rgnul.ac.in/Default.aspx
- https://www.shiksha.com/university/nlu-patiala-rgnul-rajiv-gandhi-national-university-of-law-22104/cutoff-clat?courseId=29685
