If you’re a graduate aiming to study law at a top National Law University, the CNLU Patna 3-Year LL.B. (Hons.) is one of the most structured and academically rigorous options in India.
The programme is governed entirely by the official Academic Regulations and admission happens through the CNLU Entrance Test (CNLU-ET), an offline exam which takes place in September every year at Patna only.
CNLU offers 60 seats, strictly distributed under the Bihar Reservation Act. Hostel accommodation will not be provided to 3-Year LLB students. The first-year fee is ₹1,85,470, and the programme includes 36 courses across six semesters, with strong focus on drafting, moots, clinics, project submissions, and continuous internal evaluation.

Upcoming CLAT Exams:
About CNLU Patna 3-Year LL.B. (Hons.)
The 3-Year LL.B. (Hons.) programme at CNLU Patna (Chanakya National Law University, Patna), is a professional postgraduate-level law degree designed for students who have already completed their graduation.
As one of the top 10 NLUs in India, CNLU offers a structured, academically intensive curriculum aligned with Bar Council requirements and modern legal practice.
The CNLU Patna 3-year LLB is ideal for aspirants who want to build a career in litigation, judiciary, corporate law, public policy, criminal practice, academia, or research. With a six-semester structure, the course includes foundational law subjects, clinical papers, drafting, advocacy training, internships, moots, and elective specialisations.
The environment is disciplined, rigorous, and supported by a highly experienced faculty, giving students access to Patna’s strong legal ecosystem, including courts, tribunals, and legal institutions.
NLU Patna 3-Year LLB: Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
| Degree | LL.B. (Hons.) |
| Duration | 3 Years (6 Semesters) |
| Total Courses | 36 Courses (144 Credits) |
| Admission Mode | CNLU-ET |
| Exam Date | September 2026 |
| Centre | Patna |
| Seats | 60 |
| Eligibility | UG Degree with 60% (GEN/EWS/BC/EBC/PWD) & 55% (SC/ST) |
| Application Dates | Aug – Sept 2026 |
| First-Year Fee | ₹1,85,470 |
| Hostel | Not available |
| Reservation | As per Bihar Reservation Act |
| Tie-Breaking | Reasoning → Age → Draw of Lots |
Explore everything you need to know about CNLU Patna here:
CNLU Patna 3-Year LLB Fees
Check the fee structure of 3-year LLB at NLU Patna:
| Component | Amount |
| Tuition Fee | ₹1,14,950 |
| Admission Fee | ₹1,500 |
| Admission Processing Fee | ₹5,000 |
| Development Charges | ₹10,000 |
| Moot Court Fee | ₹5,000 |
| Arbitration & Mediation | ₹5,000 |
| Sports Fee | ₹5,000 |
| Literary & Cultural Activities | ₹4,000 |
| Outsourced Fee | ₹16,000 |
| Internet Fee | ₹3,000 |
| Examination Fee | ₹5,000 |
| Library Fee | ₹5,000 |
| Alumni Fee | ₹1,000 |
| NSS Fee | ₹20 |
| Library Deposit | ₹5,000 |
| TOTAL Annual Fees | ₹1,85,470 |
CNLU Patna 3-Year LLB Entrance Exam
CNLU-ET is the entrance exam for admission to 3-year LLB at CNLU Patna.
Exam Pattern
- Mode: Offline (Pen & Paper)
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Total Marks: 120
- Negative Marking: –0.25 per wrong answer
- All questions are MCQs
Subject Areas & Weightage
| Subject | No. of Questions |
| General English | 40 |
| General Awareness (GS Level – UPSC Prelims GS-I equivalent) | 40 |
| General & Critical Reasoning | 40 |
| Total | 120 Questions |
Entrance Test Syllabus
| Section | Topics Covered |
| General English | • Reading comprehension • Grammar (tenses, error spotting) • Vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms, idioms) • Para-jumbles • Sentence correction • Fill in the blanks |
| General Awareness | • UPSC GS-I Level • Indian Polity • History • Geography • Economics • Science • Environment • National & International Issues • Current Affairs |
| General & Critical Reasoning | • Analytical puzzles • Blood relations • Syllogisms • Analogies • Directions • Assumptions & conclusions • Arguments • Cause-effect • Pattern recognition |
Key resources to explore after your CLAT exam:
| CLAT 2026 Result | CLAT 2026 Answer Key |
| CLAT 2026 Counselling | CLAT 2026 Admit Card |
| CLAT 2026 Marks vs Rank | CLAT 2026 Rank Predictor |
| CLAT 2026 Question Paper | CLAT 2026 Toppers |
| CLAT 2026 College Predictor |
CNLU Patna 3-Year LLB Seats
There are 60 total seats for 3-year LLB course at NLU Patna:
| Category | Percentage | Seats |
| Unreserved (General) | 40% | 24 |
| EWS (Bihar) | 10% | 06 |
| SC (Bihar) | 16% | 09 |
| ST (Bihar) | 01% | 01 |
| EBC (Bihar) | 18% | 11 |
| BC (Bihar) | 12% | 07 |
| WBC (Women of BC Bihar) | 03% | 02 |
| Total Seats | 100% | 60 |
| PWD (Horizontal) | 5% | Across Categories |
Eligibility Criteria for CNLU Patna 3 Year LLB
| Category | Minimum Marks Required |
| General / BC / EBC / EWS / PWD | 60% in UG degree |
| SC / ST (Bihar) | 55% in UG degree |
| Final-year students | Eligible, but must submit final marksheet at admission |
- Age limit: No upper age limit
- Candidates must have passed/appeared in the qualifying UG degree by the entrance exam date.
Course Structure of 3-Year LLB at NLU Patna
This is the semester-wise programme structure of NLU Patna’s 3-year LLB course:
| Semester | Subjects |
| Semester I | • Jurisprudence • Contract I • Torts • Substantive Criminal Law (IPC) • Family Law I • Moot Court Clinic |
| Semester II | • Law of Evidence • Family Law II • Public International Law • Procedural Criminal Law (CrPC) • Property Law • Contract II |
| Semester III | • Constitutional Law I • Civil Procedure Code & Limitation • Company Law • Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) • Elective I • Elective II |
| Semester IV | • Constitutional Law II • Administrative Law • Drafting & Pleading Clinic • Labour Law I • Elective III • Elective IV |
| Semester V | • Taxation Law • Professional Ethics & Accounting • Labour Law II • Elective V • Elective VI • Elective VII |
| Semester VI | • Moot Court Exercise & Internship • Environmental Law • Elective VIII • Elective IX • Elective X • Elective XI |
Must Know for Every CLAT Aspirant:
Documents Required for NLU Patna 3-Year LLB Admission
- Passport-size photograph
- Signature
- Bihar-issued SC/ST/EBC/BC/EWS certificate (if applicable)
- PWD certificate (if applicable)
- Scanned academic documents
Exam Day Instructions for CNLU-ET
- Exam centre is Patna only.
- Reporting time will be mentioned on admit card.
- PWD candidates get additional 40 minutes.
- Candidates must carry: Admit card, Valid ID.
- No electronic devices allowed.
- Any false information can cancel admission immediately.
Why Choose CNLU Patna for the 3-Year LL.B.?
1. NLU Brand Value & National Recognition
CNLU Patna ranking is among the top 10 NLUs in India, giving you access to a reputable legal degree recognised nationwide by courts, firms, companies, and competitive exam authorities.
2. Strong Legal Ecosystem in Patna
Being located in a major judicial capital, students gain exposure to Patna High Court, district courts, tribunals, commissions, and policy institutions, strengthening practical learning from the first semester.
3. Academically Rigorous Six-Semester Structure
The curriculum blends theoretical depth with practical skill development, including clinics, moots, courtroom exercises, drafting, reviewing judgments, and research assignments across 36 specialised papers.
4. Experienced Faculty & Structured Mentoring
CNLU’s faculty includes renowned academicians, litigators, senior professors, and researchers who offer guidance across multiple fields of legal practice and scholarship.
5. Excellent Internship & CDC Support
The Career Development Cell engages students with NGOs, advocates, law firms, and companies, ensuring meaningful internships each semester for building professional networks.
6. Affordable Compared to Other NLUs & Private Colleges
With a yearly fee of ₹1.85 lakh and a total programme cost significantly lower than private universities, CNLU remains a strong choice for cost-effective legal education.
Free CLAT Study Material for You:
| CLAT Previous Year Question Paper | CLAT Sample Papers |
| CLAT Topper Interviews | CLAT Mock Test |
| CLAT Current Affairs |
CNLU Patna 3 Year LLB Admission Process
1. Registration on the CNLU-ET Portal
Visit the official website and begin the registration using your mobile number and email. This creates your login credentials for filling out the 3-Year LLB form.
2. OTP Verification & Account Activation
You must verify the OTP sent to your mobile number to activate the account. Without OTP approval, you cannot access the application form.
3. Filling the Online Application Form
Enter personal details, academic information, and category details carefully. Once submitted, CNLU does not allow category changes, so accuracy is essential.
4. Uploading Required Documents
Upload scanned copies of all required documents, including photos, signatures, graduation marksheets, and Bihar-issued certificates for reservation categories (if applicable).
5. Paying the Application Fee
Complete the payment online using net banking/cards. Application fee: ₹3,000 (General) and ₹2,500 (SC/ST/PWD of Bihar). The fee is non-refundable, so verify details before paying.
6. Downloading the Acknowledgement & Admit Card
After successful submission, download the acknowledgment page. The admit card will later be available in the portal before the exam date.
7. Appearing for CNLU-ET in Patna
Reach the exam centre on time with your admit card and valid ID. The test is held only in Patna, and PWD candidates receive extra time.
8. Checking Merit List & Tie-Breaking Rules
CNLU publishes the merit list on its website. If scores tie, preference is given to reasoning marks → older age → draw of lots.
9. Counselling, Document Verification & Fee Payment
Shortlisted candidates must appear physically at CNLU Patna with all original documents. Pay the first-year fee to confirm admission.
Law Colleges Information Related to CLAT:
FAQs About NLU Patna 3 Year LLB
Yes. CNLU offers a full-time 3-Year LL.B. (Hons.) programme for graduates, based entirely on CNLU-ET performance.
No. Admission happens only through the CNLU Entrance Test (CNLU-ET).
No. Hostel is not allotted to 3-Year LLB students at CNLU.
Approximately ₹5,31,370 for three years.
Yes, but reservation benefits apply only to Bihar-issued certificates.
Yes, provided they submit their final marksheet during admission.
No, there is no upper age limit.
Moderately competitive; heavy emphasis on reasoning and general studies similar to UPSC GS-I.
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