The top 3 National Law Universities (NLUs) in India are NLSIU Bangalore, NLU Delhi, and NALSAR Hyderabad.
These three law schools form the elite tier of legal education in India. They consistently lead in academics, placements, research output, and national perception.
In this detailed guide, we break down the rankings, campus life, courses, fees, placements, and year-wise performance of top 3 national law colleges in India to help you understand what makes them the best in the country.
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Top 3 National Law Universities (NLUs)
These are the top 3 NLUs in India:
| Rank | NLU Name | State |
| 1 | NLSIU Bangalore | Karnataka |
| 2 | NLU Delhi | Delhi |
| 3 | NALSAR Hyderabad | Telangana |
Placements at Top 3 NLUs
Below is the top 3 NLUs placement record for the latest year reported:
| NLU | Placement Rate % | Average Package (₹) |
| NLSIU Bangalore Placements | 82.35% | ₹16 lakhs |
| NLU Delhi Placements | 82.27% | ₹18 lakhs |
| NALSAR Hyderabad Placements | 93.91% | ₹17 lakhs |
Total Seats in Top 3 NLUs in India
Check the total seats in the top 3 law schools in India:
| NLU | UG Seats (5-Year Program) | PG Seats (1-Year LLM) |
| NLSIU Bangalore Seats | 310 | 120 |
| NLU Delhi Seats | 120 | 81 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad Seats | 132 | 66 |
Fees of Top 3 National Law Universities in India
Check the fees of the top 3 national law colleges in India:
| NLU | 1st-Year Fees (₹) | 5-Year Fees (Approx.) |
| NLSIU Bangalore Fees | ₹5 lakhs | ₹25 lakhs |
| NLU Delhi Fees | ₹4.1 lakhs | ₹21 lakhs |
| NALSAR Hyderabad Fees | ₹2.97 lakhs | ₹15.35 lakhs |
Top 3 National Law Colleges: Year-Wise NIRF Ranking
| NLU ↓ / Year → | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| NLSIU Bangalore Ranking | #1 | #1 | #1 | #1 | #1 |
| NLU Delhi Ranking | #2 | #2 | #2 | #2 | #2 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad Ranking | #3 | #3 | #3 | #4 | #3 |
The rankings clearly show that NLSIU Bangalore and NLU Delhi have maintained an undisputed #1 and #2 position for five consecutive years.
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NLSIU Bangalore – Rank #1 Law College in India
NLSIU Bangalore is India’s first National Law University and remains the most prestigious law school in the country. The campus offers a research-driven academic setting, excellent hostels, well-equipped classrooms, digital library resources, and multiple student-led committees.
Its mooting culture, peer group quality, faculty strength, and internship ecosystem make it the most sought-after NLU every year.
NLU Delhi – Rank #2 Law College in India
NLU Delhi is known for its deep research orientation, policy engagement, and proximity to the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court. Students benefit from courtroom exposure, internships with senior advocates, national and international collaborations, and a strong academic environment led by top scholars and practitioners.
The university has one of the highest perception scores in India.
NALSAR Hyderabad – Rank #3 Law College in India
NALSAR’s 55-acre residential campus is considered one of the best in India. It offers modern academic blocks, advanced moot court setups, vibrant student societies, and strong academic discipline. NALSAR is well-known for its excellent placements every year, diverse courses, and a highly supportive peer and faculty system that enhances learning inside and outside the classroom.
Key Differences Between the Top 3 NLUs
| Criteria | NLSIU | NLU Delhi | NALSAR |
| Entrance Exam | CLAT | AILET | CLAT |
| Campus Size | 23 acres | 21 acres | 55 acres |
| Moot Culture | Strong | Very Strong | Strong |
| Location Advantage | Bengaluru | Delhi Courts | Hyderabad |
Must Know for Every CLAT Aspirant:
| CLAT Eligibility Criteria | CLAT Exam Pattern |
| CLAT Age Limit | CLAT Marking Scheme |
| How to Prepare for CLAT? | CLAT Preparation Books |
How Law Prep Tutorial Helps You Get Into Top 3 NLUs?
Getting into NLSIU, NLU Delhi, or NALSAR requires smart preparation and consistent practice. At Law Prep Tutorial, we help you build both with:
- A structured, proven preparation plan
- Live & recorded classes by expert faculty
- Latest-pattern CLAT & AILET mock tests
- Personalized doubt-solving sessions
- AIOMs (All India Open Mocks) to evaluate your national-level standing
- Deep analysis of CLAT PYQs, reading drills, and legal reasoning practice
- Mentorship from experts who have produced highest NLU selections
Why These Top 3 NLUs Form the Elite Category?
1. Exceptional Academic Rigor & Faculty Quality
These national law schools attract some of India’s best legal scholars, visiting faculty, and practitioners. Their curriculum, research-driven approach, and academic discipline create an environment where students consistently excel.
Strong mentorship, advanced legal training, and rigorous evaluations make their academic model stand above all other law schools.
2. Best Placements & Recruiter Trust in India
Top corporate firms, litigation chambers, and consulting organisations recruit heavily from these three NLUs year after year.
With strong alumni performance, internship pipelines, and recruiter confidence, these universities consistently secure outstanding placement percentages and some of the highest median packages in the country.
3. Superior Research Ecosystem & Legal Think Tanks
NLSIU, NLU Delhi, and NALSAR operate well-funded legal research centres, journals, and policy labs. Their research output is nationally impactful and internationally recognised.
This strengthens their NIRF scores and enhances student exposure to policy, governance, and advanced legal studies.
4. Modern Infrastructure & Resource-Rich Campuses
From digital libraries and moot court halls to modern classrooms and residential hostels, these NLUs offer the most advanced learning environments among Indian law schools. Students benefit from better access to research tools, databases, high-speed study resources, and overall academic convenience.
5. Strong National Perception & Alumni Network
These top 3 national law colleges produce some of India’s most influential lawyers, judges, corporate leaders, civil servants, and academics. Their alumni occupy leadership roles across top law firms, the judiciary, government, and global organisations. High visibility and prestige significantly boost their perception scores, keeping them consistently in the top 3.
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FAQs About the Top 3 NLUs
The top 3 NLUs in India, as per NIRF Law Rankings 2025, are NLSIU Bangalore, NLU Delhi, and NALSAR Hyderabad. These three institutions consistently lead in academics, placements, and overall reputation.
NLSIU Bangalore is ranked #1 in India in 2025, continuing its legacy of being the top law school for five consecutive years.
They offer superior academics, top-tier placements, strong research output, modern infrastructure, and high national perception, supported by powerful alumni networks.
NALSAR Hyderabad has the largest, most spacious campus with modern infrastructure and excellent residential facilities.
No university guarantees placements, but the top 3 NLUs consistently achieve 80–95% placement rates due to strong recruiter demand and alumni performance.
A safe score is usually 85–95+, depending on the difficulty of the year. Top ranks are required for NLSIU.
NLSIU and NALSAR are highly preferred for corporate law careers due to their placement ecosystem and alumni in top-tier law firms.
Yes. All three NLUs provide fee waivers, state government scholarships, central schemes, and financial aid options.
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