If you dream of studying law at India’s No. 1 law university, then understanding the complete NLSIU Bangalore admission process becomes your first major step. Every year, thousands of aspirants prepare for CLAT and NLSAT, hoping to join NLSIU, but only a limited number of students finally secure their place here.
Let’s understand the NLSIU Bangalore entrance exams, eligibility, admission criteria, seat matrix, selection stages, and step-by-step process for BA LLB, 3-Year LLB, LLM, MPP, and PhD programs.
When you know the exact structure, you can prepare smarter, avoid mistakes, and increase your chances of getting into your dream law school.
Upcoming CLAT Exams:
NLSIU Bangalore Admission Process
Below is the admission process and entrance exam for NLSIU Bangalore:
| Programme | Entrance Exam | Eligibility | Selection Process |
| BA LLB (Hons.) | CLAT UG | 10+2 | CLAT → Counselling → Allotment → Verification |
| 3-Year LLB (Hons.) | NLSAT–LLB | Graduation | NLSAT → Writing Test → Interview → Selection |
| LLM | CLAT PG | LLB | CLAT PG → Counselling → Allotment → Verification |
| MPP | NLSAT–MPP | Bachelor’s degree | NLSAT-MPP → Interview → Final Merit |
| PhD (Law + Interdisciplinary) | NLSIU PhD Entrance | Master’s degree | Entrance Test → Research Proposal → Interview |
NLSIU Bangalore Admission for BA LLB (Hons.)
NLSIU’s 5-year BA LLB (Hons.) is the flagship programme you and thousands of aspirants target through CLAT exam every year. Here, you live it through intense classroom work, moots, clinics, internships, and a deeply competitive peer group.
As India’s #1 law school, NLSIU usually closes at competitive CLAT cut-off, so you have to treat this as your “all-in” goal for preparation.
It is highly recommended to join offline or online coaching for CLAT.
Entrance Exam for BA LLB: CLAT UG
CLAT UG is the only entrance exam for BA LLB at NLSIU Bangalore. It is a 2-hour offline paper with 120 MCQs and negative marking of –0.25.
CLAT UG Exam Pattern
| Section | Approx. Questions | Marks | What it Tests |
| English Language | 22–26 | 22–26 | Reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary |
| Current Affairs & General Knowledge | 28–32 | 28–32 | News, events, GK, contemporary issues |
| Legal Reasoning | 28–32 | 28–32 | Legal aptitude, principles, case-based passages |
| Logical Reasoning | 22–26 | 22–26 | Arguments, patterns, critical reasoning |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10–14 | 10–14 | Basic maths, data interpretation |
| Total | 120 | 120 | 2-hour offline exam with negative marking |
CLAT UG Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Requirements |
| Educational Qualification | Class 12 or equivalent from a recognised board |
| Minimum Marks | 45% aggregate for General/OBC/PwD/NRI/PIO/OCI; 40% for SC/ST |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit |
| Attempts Allowed | No limit, as long as eligibility is met |
| Year of Passing | Appearing students can apply; admission subject to passing Class 12 with required marks |
Admission Procedure for BA LLB at NLSIU
- Register for CLAT UG on the Consortium website and choose NLSIU Bangalore as your first preference.
- Fill the CLAT form carefully, selecting the correct category, domicile status, and uploading documents in the required format.
- Prepare and appear for CLAT UG, targeting a rank that comfortably fits within the NLSIU Bangalore opening and closing ranks.
- Check CLAT result and rank, then participate in the CLAT 2026 counselling process where you lock NLSIU as your top choice.
- Accept the allotted seat, pay the counselling fee, and upload the required documents when NLSIU is allotted to you.
- Complete university-level admission formalities at NLSIU (fee payment, document verification, hostel preference, registration).
Explore everything you need to know about NLSIU Bangalore here:
NLSIU Bangalore Admission for 3-Year LLB
The 3-Year LLB (Hons.) at NLSIU is designed for graduates from any discipline who now want to pivot into law. You join a mature, post-graduate cohort, engage with rigorous legal training, and prepare for litigation, corporate law, policy, and judicial services.
Since seats are limited (120), the competition in the NLSAT-LLB is intense, and you have to bring serious reading and reasoning skills to the table.
Entrance Exam for 3-Year LLB: NLSAT
NLSAT-LLB is a national-level, pen-and-paper test with two parts – objective and subjective – conducted in a single sitting.
NLSAT Exam Pattern
| Part | Question Type | Key Areas Covered | Marks |
| Part A | MCQs | English, Current Affairs & GK, Critical/Logical Reasoning | 75 |
| Part B | Short answers + essay-type questions | Legal aptitude, legal reasoning, analytical writing | 75 |
| Total | 150 |
Negative marking of –0.25 applies in Part A. Only candidates who clear the Part-A cut-off have Part B evaluated
NLSAT Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Requirement |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree (10+2+3, 10+2+4 or equivalent) in any discipline from a recognised university |
| Minimum Marks | Around 45% aggregate for General category; relaxation for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD as per NLSIU notification |
| Final-Year Students | Eligible, subject to completing graduation with required marks by the specified date |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit |
| Nationality | Indian and eligible foreign nationals, as per latest brochure |
NLSIU 3-Year LLB Admission Procedure
- Apply online for NLSAT-LLB on the official NLSIU admission portal and pay the exam fee.
- Download the admit card and check your test centre, reporting time, and instructions.
- Appear for NLSAT-LLB, giving equal focus to Part A (MCQ) and Part B (subjective).
- Check your NLSAT result and merit status once NLSIU publishes the list.
- Participate in counselling, upload documents (graduation marksheets, category certificates, etc.), and confirm your seat when allotted.
- Pay the first-year fees and complete registration, including hostel or off-campus housing formalities.
Important Resources After CLAT Exam:
| CLAT 2026 Allotment List | CLAT 2026 Answer Key |
| CLAT 2026 Cut Off | CLAT 2026 Rank Predictor |
| CLAT 2026 Marks vs Rank | CLAT 2026 Question Paper |
| CLAT 2026 Toppers | CLAT 2026 Result |
| CLAT 2026 College Predictor |
NLSIU Admission for LLM
NLSIU’s 1-year LLM programme is ideal if you want to deepen your expertise after an LLB and aim for specialised litigation, policy roles, research, or academia.
You study advanced courses in key areas of law with some of the country’s best faculty, while also gaining exposure to research centres and policy projects on campus. Admission is entirely through CLAT PG.
Entrance Exam for LLM: CLAT PG
CLAT PG is a 2-hour offline exam with 120 MCQs based on core LLB subjects, with –0.25 negative marking.
CLAT PG Exam Pattern
| Component | Details |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Total Questions / Marks | 120 MCQs / 120 marks |
| Negative Marking | –0.25 for each wrong answer |
| Core Focus Areas | Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, and other core law subjects such as Contract, Torts, Criminal Law, Family Law, Property Law, Company Law, Public International Law, Tax, Environmental Law, Labour & Industrial Law |
CLAT PG Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Requirement |
| Educational Qualification | LL.B / equivalent law degree from a recognised university |
| Minimum Marks | 50% aggregate for General/OBC/PwD/NRI/PIO/OCI; 45% for SC/ST candidates |
| Final-Year Students | Eligible, subject to passing with required marks by the deadline |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit |
NLSIU LLM Admission Procedure
- Register for CLAT PG and indicate NLSIU Bangalore as your first preference in the NLU preference list.
- Prepare for CLAT PG with a strong focus on Constitutional Law and other core LLB subjects.
- Appear for CLAT PG, ensuring you maximise accuracy to handle negative marking.
- Check your rank and participate in CLAT PG counselling, locking NLSIU at the top of your choices.
- Accept the seat when NLSIU is allotted, pay the counselling fee, and upload the required documents.
- Complete NLSIU’s admission formalities, including payment of LLM fees, document verification, and registration.
Must Know for Every CLAT Aspirant:
| How to Prepare for CLAT | CLAT Syllabus |
| Best Books for CLAT Preparation | CLAT Exam Date |
| CLAT Eligibility Criteria | CLAT Exam Pattern |
| CLAT Age Limit | CLAT Marking Scheme |
NLSIU Admission for MPP (Master’s in Public Policy)
If you want to work at the intersection of law, governance, and development, NLSIU’s 2-year MPP programme gives you exactly that ecosystem. You study policy design, data, governance, and law; interact with practitioners; and work on field-based projects.
The intake is small and carefully curated, so as an aspirant you compete with a strong group of graduates and young professionals.
Entrance Exam for MPP: NLSAT-MPP
Admission is through NLSAT-MPP, a 150-minute written test with MCQs and descriptive questions.
NLSAT-MPP / Policy Aptitude Test: Structure
| Part | Question Type | Areas Covered | Marks |
| Part A | MCQs | General Knowledge, Numerical Problem Solving, Policy Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, English Language | 100 (approx., 20 Qs per area, 1 mark each) |
| Part B | Descriptive | Essay / policy analysis on a contemporary issue | 50 |
| Total | 150 |
Part A usually has negative marking (–0.25) and acts as a first filter; only candidates above a minimum score are evaluated in Part B.
MPP Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Requirement (as per recent notifications) |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised national or international university |
| Minimum Marks | Around 45% aggregate for General category; around 40% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD (check current brochure for exact cut-offs) |
| Final-Year Students | Eligible, subject to completing graduation with required marks by the specified date |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit |
NLSIU MPP Admission Procedure
- Apply for NLSAT-MPP on the NLSIU admissions portal and choose your test centre.
- Prepare for Part A and Part B, focusing on GK, policy issues, data interpretation, logic, and essay writing.
- Appear for NLSAT-MPP and attempt both sections carefully to clear the sectional and overall cut-offs.
- Check the merit list and shortlist status once the result is out.
- Participate in the subsequent stages, which may include a personal interview or writing task, as per the current notification.
- Confirm admission, pay fees, and complete joining formalities in July when the new academic year starts.
NLSIU Bangalore Admissions for PhD (Law / Interdisciplinary)
NLSIU’s PhD programmes in Law and in Social Sciences/Humanities/Public Policy are ideal for you if you want to build a serious research and academic career. You work closely with faculty, teach courses, contribute to research centres, and produce original scholarship that impacts policy and legal practice. Admission happens through NLSAT-PhD plus evaluation of a research proposal and interview.
Entrance Exam for PhD: NLSAT-PhD
The NLSAT-PhD is a 150-minute written test. It has a single part that assesses both research aptitude and subject-matter expertise in law or the relevant discipline.
NLSAT-PhD: Exam Pattern
| Component | Details |
| Duration | 150 minutes |
| Question Type | Mix of objective and descriptive questions (as per latest notification) |
| Core Focus | Research aptitude, methodology, subject-matter knowledge |
| Qualifying Marks | At least 50% aggregate to qualify for proposal evaluation and interview |
PhD Eligibility Criteria (Law & Interdisciplinary)
| Criterion | Requirement |
| Educational Qualification | Master’s / post-graduate degree in Law or any other discipline from a recognised national or international university |
| Minimum Marks | Minimum 55% aggregate or equivalent grade (relaxation for reserved categories as per regulations) |
| Final-Year PG Students | May apply; admission is subject to completing the degree with required marks |
| Research Proposal | Mandatory; must demonstrate clarity of topic, questions, literature review, and methodology |
Law Colleges Information Related to CLAT:
FAQs About NLSIU Admissions
CLAT UG is the official entrance exam for BA LLB.
NLSAT is the entrance test for the 3-Year LLB programme.
Yes, Karnataka students get compartmentalised reservation + 10 supernumerary seats (BA LLB).
You must score a high AIR + category rank, participate in counselling, and complete verification.
NLSIU is a public university established under state legislation.
Yes, including University Aid, external schemes, and private scholarships.
Yes, through supernumerary seats.
No. NLSIU has zero management quota.
The National Law School Admissions Test for 3-Year LLB and MPP.
Free CLAT Study Material for You:
| CLAT Current Affairs | CLAT Mock Test Series |
| CLAT Topper Interviews | CLAT Sample Papers |
| CLAT Previous Year Question Paper | CLAT Study Material |
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