Getting into Chanakya National Law University is a dream for many law aspirants, and in this guide, we help you clearly understand the CNLU Patna admission process, entrance exams, eligibility, important dates, and seat details for all programmes. Whether you’re aiming for BA LLB, BBA LLB, LLM, or even the 3-Year LLB (Hons.), each course has a specific admission procedure you must follow.
For UG and LLM, admission takes place through CLAT and CLAT-PG, while the 3-Year LLB admission happens through the official CNLU Entrance Test (CNLU-ET).
CNLU follows the Bihar Reservation Act and offers a wide category distribution across all courses. We have covered everything you need to know before applying for CNLU Patna admission 2026.
Upcoming CLAT Exams:
About CNLU Patna
Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna is one of India’s leading National Law Universities, established to provide high-quality legal education through integrated, postgraduate, and research programmes.
The university offers BA LLB (Hons.), BBA LLB (Hons.), LLM, 3-Year LLB (Hons.), PhD in Law, PhD Interdisciplinary, and PG Diploma courses. With a strong academic environment, a structured curriculum, modern facilities, and an NLU reputation, CNLU attracts aspirants from across India.
CNLU Patna Courses
NLU Patna offers the following courses:
| Programme | Duration | Admission Mode |
| BA LLB (Hons.) | 5 Years | CLAT |
| BBA LLB (Hons.) | 5 Years | CLAT |
| LLM (One Year) | 1 Year | CLAT-PG |
| 3-Year LLB (Hons.) | 3 Years | CNLU-ET |
| PhD in Law | Minimum 3 Years | Entrance Test + Interview |
| PhD Interdisciplinary | Minimum 3 Years | Entrance Test + Interview |
| PG Diploma Courses | 1 Year | Merit/Notification-Based |
CNLU offers a wide mix of integrated, postgraduate, and research programmes. While UG and LLM admissions depend entirely on CLAT and CLAT-PG, the 3-Year LLB and PhD programmes use separate entrance exams conducted by CNLU. This ensures a structured, transparent system across all levels of legal education.
Key resources to explore after your CLAT exam:
| CLAT 2026 Answer Key | CLAT 2026 Marks vs Rank |
| CLAT 2026 College Predictor | CLAT 2026 Rank Predictor |
| CLAT 2026 question paper | CLAT 2026 toppers |
CNLU Patna Admission for BA LLB & BBA LLB
CNLU Patna offers BA LLB (Hons.) and BBA LLB (Hons.), two five-year integrated law programmes designed to build a strong foundation in legal studies along with either humanities subjects (BA LLB) or business and management subjects (BBA LLB).
The curriculum includes moot courts, research projects, internships, clinical papers, and skill-building courses. Each programme has 69 seats with nearly half reserved for Bihar candidates.
Admission to both programmes is strictly through CLAT, and the academic environment is structured, rigorous, and suitable for aspirants aiming for litigation, judiciary, corporate, or academic careers.
Entrance Exam for BA LLB & BBA LLB – CLAT UG
The entrance exam for CNLU Patna UG programmes is CLAT UG. Find the details below:
| Section | No. of Questions | Weightage |
| English Language | 22–26 | 20% |
| Current Affairs & GK | 28–32 | 25% |
| Logical Reasoning | 22–26 | 20% |
| Legal Reasoning | 28–32 | 25% |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10–14 | 10% |
| Total | 120 Questions | 120 Marks |
- Mode of Exam: Offline (OMR-Based)
- Type: MCQs
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Marking Scheme: +1 for correct, –0.25 for incorrect
Eligibility Criteria for BA LLB / BBA LLB
Check the CLAT eligibility criteria:
| Requirement | Details |
| Educational Qualification | 10+2 or equivalent |
| Minimum Marks | 45% (GEN/EWS/OBC), 40% (SC/ST) |
| Age Limit | No age limit |
| Nationality | Indian nationals, NRIs, OCIs |
| Admission Mode | CLAT Rank + Counselling |
Admission Procedure for BA LLB / BBA LLB
Step 1: Register for CLAT UG: Visit consortiumofnlus.ac.in and complete the CLAT application form.
Step 2: Appear for CLAT Exam: Take the 120-mark test based on comprehension-style passages.
Step 3: Check CLAT Results & Rank: Your rank determines whether you qualify for CNLU Patna cut-off trends.
Step 4: Register for CLAT 2026 Counselling: Fill in choices and keep CNLU Patna higher in the NLU preference list.
Step 5: Seat Allotment Rounds: Check the CLAT allotment list published by the Consortium.
Step 6: Document Upload & Fee Payment: Upload required documents and pay the confirmation fee.
Step 7: Report to CNLU Patna: Complete physical verification and pay the remaining fees as per instructions.
Free CLAT Study Material for You:
CNLU Patna LLM Admission
The LLM (One-Year) programme at CNLU Patna is a postgraduate law degree focusing on advanced legal research, coursework, and dissertation-based evaluation. The programme is designed to prepare students for judicial services, research, academics, policy roles, and specialised legal practice.
CNLU offers 66 LLM seats, distributed across General, EWS, SC, ST, EBC, BC, and WBC categories. Hostel facilities are offered depending on availability, and admission is solely based on CLAT-PG.
Entrance Exam for LLM – CLAT PG
Find the details of the CLAT PG exam:
| Section | Weightage |
| Constitutional Law | High |
| Jurisprudence | High |
| Contract Law | Moderate |
| Torts | Moderate |
| Criminal Law | Moderate |
| International Law | Moderate |
| IPR & Family Law | Low |
| Total | 120 Marks |
- Mode: Offline
- Type: Objective comprehension questions
- Marking Scheme: +1, –0.25
Eligibility Criteria for LLM
| Requirement | Details |
| Educational Qualification | LL.B. 3-Year or 5-Year |
| Minimum Marks | 50% (GEN/EWS/OBC), 45% (SC/ST) |
| Admission Mode | CLAT PG + Counselling |
| Age Limit | No age limit |
Admission Procedure for LLM
Step 1: Register for CLAT-PG on the Consortium portal.
Step 2: Appear for the exam.
Step 3: Receive All India Rank & result.
Step 4: Register for PG counselling and choose CNLU as a preference.
Step 5: Check allotment list and confirm acceptance.
Step 6: Upload documents and pay the counselling fee.
Step 7: Report to CNLU Patna for final admission and verification.
Must Know for Every CLAT Aspirant:
CNLU Patna Admission for 3-Year LLB (Hons.)
CNLU Patna’s 3-Year LLB (Hons.) programme is for graduates who wish to pursue a professional legal degree. This course is unique because admission does not take place through CLAT but through CNLU-ET, a separate entrance exam conducted by the university.
The programme has 60 seats, all distributed under the Bihar Reservation Act guidelines. The academic structure focuses on core legal papers, practical training, drafting, and internships. Hostel facilities are not available for 3-Year LLB students.
Entrance Exam for 3-Year LLB – CNLU Entrance Test (CNLU-ET)
| Section | Type | Description |
| English Language | Objective | Grammar, comprehension |
| General Studies | Objective | GK, static + current |
| Legal Aptitude | Objective | Basic legal principles |
| Logical Reasoning | Objective | Puzzles, arguments |
| Essay Writing | Descriptive | Legal/social issue essay |
- Mode: Offline
- Type: MCQ + Descriptive
- Conducted by: CNLU, Patna
Eligibility Criteria for 3-Year LLB
| Requirement | Details |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation in any discipline |
| Minimum Marks | 45% (GEN), 40% (Reserved) |
| Admission Mode | CNLU-ET + Merit List |
| Hostel Facility | Not provided |
Admission Procedure for 3-Year LLB
Step 1: Visit the official CNLU website and fill out the CNLU-ET application form.
Step 2: Download the admit card once released.
Step 3: Appear for the entrance exam (MCQ + essay).
Step 4: Check merit list and counselling instructions on the CNLU portal.
Step 5: Participate in on-campus counselling and document verification.
Step 6: Pay the admission fee and confirm your seat.
Explore CNLU Patna Ranking here!
Documents Required for CNLU Patna Admission
| Document | Required For |
| CLAT Admit Card | UG & LLM |
| CLAT Scorecard | UG & LLM |
| CNLU-ET Admit Card | 3-Year LLB |
| 10th & 12th Marksheet | UG |
| Graduation Marksheet | 3-Year LLB / LLM |
| Category Certificate | If applicable |
| Bihar Domicile | For Bihar quota |
| Photo ID Proof | All courses |
| Passport size photos | All courses |
Law Colleges Information Related to CLAT:
CNLU Patna Seat Matrix 2026
There are a total of 138 UG seats, 66 PG seats, and 60 3-year LLB seats at NLU Patna:
| Programme | Total Seats |
| BA LLB (Hons.) | 69 |
| BBA LLB (Hons.) | 69 |
| LLM (One-Year) | 66 |
| 3-Year LLB (Hons.) | 60 |
CNLU Cut-Off 2026
Below is the expected cut-off for CNLU Patna’s UG programmes:
| Category | BA LLB | BBA LLB |
| General | 1350–1550 | 1500–1700 |
| EWS | 1850–2200 | 2100–2500 |
| OBC / BC / EBC | 6500–9000 | 7500–9500 |
| SC | 12000–16000 | 14000–18000 |
| ST | 16000–24000 | 22000–30000 |
CNLU Admission Tips from Experts
1. Focus on CLAT Mock Tests More Than Anything Else
To secure admission in CNLU Patna, you must consistently solve full-length CLAT mock tests. They help you build exam temperament, improve your accuracy, and give you a clear idea of the score needed to reach the CNLU cut-off ranks.
2. Prepare Category Certificates & Documents Well in Advance
Since CNLU follows the Bihar Reservation Act, category documents play a major role during counselling. Ensure your domicile, EWS, OBC/EBC, or caste certificate is updated and in the required format to avoid delays or rejection during verification.
3. Choose CNLU High in Your CLAT Preference List
If you want a strong chance of securing CNLU Patna, keep it higher in your preference order during CLAT counselling. Many students lose their preferred NLU due to incorrect or confusing preference choices.
4. Track CNLU Notifications for 3-Year LLB
If you’re applying for the 3-Year LLB, keep an eye on the CNLU-ET notifications. Exam dates, syllabus, and procedures are released directly by the university and fill up faster than expected.
5. Keep Original Documents Ready for Reporting Day
CNLU strictly verifies every document before final admission. Missing documents like migration certificates, mark sheets, or identity proof can delay your reporting or cause avoidable complications during seat confirmation.
6. Stay Updated on CLAT Counselling Rounds & Withdrawal Dates
Seat allocations change every round. If you’re aiming for CNLU, follow all deadlines, especially withdrawal and upgrade windows, to avoid losing your chance unintentionally.
Also Checkout: CNLU Patna Placements
Why Choose CNLU Patna?
1. Strong NLU Reputation in Eastern India
CNLU Patna is a well-established National Law University that offers a balanced mix of academics, internships, and discipline, making it a preferred choice for students across Bihar and neighbouring states.
2. Excellent Campus Infrastructure & Accessibility
Spread across a clean and well-maintained campus, CNLU offers modern classrooms, a well-equipped library, sports facilities, and accessible infrastructure, giving students a comfortable academic environment.
3. Affordable NLU Fees Compared to Many Other NLUs
CNLU’s fee structure is comparatively lower, which makes it a strong option for students seeking quality legal education with lesser financial burden across 5 years.
4. Academic Discipline and Structured Curriculum
The university follows a rigorous academic calendar, focuses on legal writing, moots, and research, and ensures a disciplined environment that supports serious law aspirants.
5. Good Internship Exposure Through CDC & Faculty Support
CNLU’s Career Development Cell helps students connect with law firms, NGOs, litigation offices, and companies, ensuring meaningful internship opportunities across all semesters.
6. Ideal Option for Bihar Domicile Candidates
With nearly 50% reservation under the Bihar quota, CNLU becomes an excellent opportunity for Bihar students aiming for a top NLU with strong academic grounding.
Important Resources for CLAT PG Preparation:
FAQs About CNLU Patna Admission
You can get admission to BA LLB and BBA LLB through CLAT, to LLM through CLAT-PG, and to the 3-Year LLB (Hons.) through the CNLU Entrance Test (CNLU-ET).
CLAT/CLAT-PG is required for UG and LLM. The CNLU-ET is required for the 3-Year LLB programme.
Yes, CLAT is mandatory for BA LLB, BBA LLB, and LLM admissions.
Yes, CNLU follows the Bihar Reservation Act, reserving nearly 50% of seats for various Bihar categories.
CNLU-ET is the official entrance exam conducted by CNLU exclusively for admission to the 3-Year LLB (Hons.) programme.
Hostel is available for UG and LLM students, but not provided for 3-Year LLB students.
CNLU Patna is a National Law University (NLU), established under the Government of Bihar.
Admission is competitive, especially for general category seats, because the university receives thousands of CLAT applications each year.
No direct admission is allowed for UG or LLM. Only the 3-Year LLB is admitted through CNLU-ET, not management quota.
Explore CLAT coaching centers across different cities: