National Law School of India University (NLSIU) was established in 1986 as a pioneer of legal education. The mission was to transform the Indian legal system through research and policy interventions. It was one of the first institutes in India to offer a five-year integrated law degree at the undergraduate level and started the first batch in 1988.
Also known as National Law University (NLU) Bangalore, NLSIU aims to create an environment that promotes core constitutional values committed to equality, freedom, and social justice. It is backed by legal academics, the Bar, the Bench, and the State Government of Karnataka.
It’s been more than three decades, and the university is still an undisputed leader in the field of legal education in India. It is the focus and dedication of NLU Bangalore that it has received several accolades and secured top positions on every significant ranking published in 2022, including the NIRF ranking of the HRD ministry that announced NLSIU as the top law school in the country for five consecutive years.
Governance
NLSIU was established in 1986 under the National Law School of India Act, but was notified in the official gazette in 1987. The Act allows complete academic and administrative autonomy to the university.
The Chief Justice of India takes the position of the Chancellor of the university, and the Chairman of the General Council is the Chairman of the Bar Council of India. Its governing body comprises representatives from the Judiciary, the Bar Council of India, the Law School faculty, and the Government of Karnataka.
Also read: All Upcoming Law Entrance Exams in India
Vision of NLU Bangalore
NLSIU or NLU Bangalore works dedicatedly to transform legal education in India and spares no effort to attain this goal, which is evident in its focus on the following practices:
- Ensuring socially relevant learning experiences for students.
- Digitising academic and research resources.
- Aligning curricular experiences with the highest standards.
- Enabling students to generate impactful reforms that are systematic and sustainable.
- Its experienced faculty and administrators, an array of research centres, and several in-progress projects pave the way for a more inclusive, progressive, and innovative approach to legal education.
NLSIU Bangalore Campus
Although NLSIU was initially located at the Central College Campus of Bangalore University, it shifted to Nagarbhavi in 1991. This is a 23-acre campus with several academic blocks and upgraded classrooms.
NLSIU library offers an extensive collection of books, journals, and learning resources to scholars. It also includes a health centre, canteens, faculty quarters, and a well-equipped gym.
NLSIU Bangalore hostel rooms are spick and span, and students can make the best of various sports facilities for tennis, football, and basketball. The campus also offers spaces for academic and community-based activities.
Students also get a chance to participate in moot courts that simulate a real court environment and allow aspirants to put their learning into practice. This helps them understand how a real court works, including the code of conduct, use of formal language, and importance of dress code.
Students also get 24*7 high-quality wireless connectivity, which was upgraded recently. Moreover, the university is constantly working to develop common areas so that aspirants have access to safe communal spaces for their well-being.
NLSIU Faculty
NLSIU doesn’t compromise on the quality of education. Hence, it recruits the most qualified and skilled faculty to mentor its students.
Its team includes members from Commonwealth, Rhodes, and Chevening scholars. It also has teachers from globally-recognised universities and institutes, such as Harvard Law School, Oxford University, Columbia University, University of Cambridge, Yale Law School, etc.
This ensures constant improvement and innovation in its teaching and research methodologies.
Also read: CLAT 2025: All Details
NLSIU Bangalore Cut-off
If compared with the last two years, the cut-off for 2023 admission to NLSIU Bangalore is expected to be around AIR 100. Have a look at the previous year’s cut-offs for NLSIU.
BA LLB Cut-off 2022
| Category | Rank |
| General (All India) | 85 |
| GC-KA | 235 |
| OBC | 638 |
| SC | 2224 |
| ST | 3428 |
| OBC-KA | 1976 |
| SC-KA | 4345 |
| ST-KA | 9888 |
LLM Cut-off 2022
| Category | Closing Rank |
| General (All India) | 163 |
| OBC | 549 |
| SC | 1388 |
| ST | 790 |
| SC-KA | 4994 |
| ST-KA | 3923 |
| GC-KA | 1478 |
NLSIU Placement
According to the NIRF report 2022, 61 UG and 22 PG aspirants were placed during the NLSIU Bangalore placement drive 2021.
Here is a brief insight into its placement records over the last three years.
| Course | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
| BA LLB (Hons) | Total Students- 60 Students Placed- 54 | Total Students- 77 Students Placed– 56 | Total Students- 80 Students Placed- 61 |
| PG Diploma | Total Students- 51 Students Placed- 28 | Total Students- 45 Students Placed– 16 | Total Students- 46 Students Placed- 22 |
NLU Bangalore Courses and Academic Programmes
Here are the details of the NLU Bangalore courses that you can expect after cracking the CLAT exam:
I. Five-Year Integrated BA, LLB (Hons.) Programme
This five-year undergraduate programme aims to strengthen scholars’ academic foundation so they can pursue any professional or academic opportunity of their choice. This flagship degree offers training in an array of legal and non-legal subjects.
Course Structure:
- Each academic year is divided into three trimesters consisting of 4 NLSIU courses. Hence, over 5 years, students complete 60 intense courses to graduate.
- They complete foundation courses in the first two years and are allowed to choose elective courses in the third year and onwards.
- Throughout the programme, students enhance their knowledge of law, social sciences, and humanities. They are also encouraged to participate in debates and are provided with useful learning resources.
- It is also mandatory for students to write academic papers in each course, which hone their research, writing, presentation, and oral skills.
- They also have to complete internships during the programme.
Eligibility Criteria for NLU Bangalore BA LLB Course:
A candidate who has passed 10+2 or equivalent exam with a minimum of:
- 45% or equivalent grade for General/OBC/PWD/EWS categories.
- 40% or equivalent grade for SC/ST categories.
- Have cracked the CLAT exam and meets the NLU Bangalore cut-off.
If a candidate is appearing for the qualifying exam in the year of admission, they are allowed to appear in the admission test. However, the admission process of NLSIU will be completed once they fulfil all the necessary conditions and provide supportive documents at the time of admission.
- There is no upper age limit for the undergraduate programme.
- The university holds the right to cancel any admission in accordance with the rules.
NLSIU Bangalore Fee Structure for BA, LLB (Hons.) Programme
Total fee for this NLSIU 5-years programme, including refundable deposits is:
- General Category: ₹3,75,500 per annum
- SC/ST Category: ₹3,71,500 per annum
Note*: Subject to revision.
II. LL.M. (Master of Laws) Degree Programme
This is a one-year degree programme with three trimesters in each academic year. NLSIU LLM programme will accept 100 students in the academic year 2023-24.
Course Structure
- In the older structure, students were divided based on two specialisation streams and were offered courses within their respective streams. However, the university re-designed the structure in 2021, allowing students greater flexibility in choosing courses. The aim was to provide more opportunities to aspirants as they could select courses from over 35 electives.
- Students have to write a dissertation in their third and last trimesters.
- Moreover, they also have to study two additional core courses along with the three that UGC mandates. These two courses ensure a deeper understanding of core areas of law and equip them to pursue careers in judicial services, research, legal practice, and academia.
Core Courses
- Foundations of Private Law
- Law and Society
- Research Methodology
- Law and Justice in a Globalizing World
- Comparative Public Law
Faculty
The LLM faculty comprises highly-experienced, qualified, and subject expert trainers.
Eligibility
A candidate must have an LLB degree or equivalent qualification with a minimum of:
- 50% or equivalent grade for General/OBC/PWD/ EWS category candidates.
- 45% or equivalent grade for SC/ST category candidates.
If a candidate is appearing for the qualifying exam in the year of admission, they are allowed to appear in the Admission test. However, their admission process will be completed once they fulfil all the necessary conditions and provide supportive documents at the time of admission.
- There is no upper age limit for the postgraduate programme in CLAT.
Fee Structure – LL.M. Programme
Total fee, including refundable deposits (AY 2023-24):
- General Category: ₹2,73,000 per annum
- SC/ST Category: ₹2,69,000 per annum
Note*: Subject to revision.
Also read: List of Law Courses After Graduation for Great Career
NLSIU Bangalore Hostel Life
The campus for hostels are separate for both men and women. The first-year students getting admission into NLSIU Bangalore accommodate in shared rooms on a separate campus.
From the second year, the students may get single rooms, twin-seater rooms, or even triple-seater rooms.
NLU Bangalore Hostels for Male Students:
There are four hostels for male students at NLU Bangalore. These are named:
- Ganga
- Cauvery
- Himalaya
- Hoogli
NLU Bangalore Hostels for Female Students:
On the other hand, there are six hostels for female students, named:
- Nilgiris
- Narmada
- Yamuna
- Gangotri
- Vindhyas (Annexe block)
- Annapoorna (Mess Block)
Facilities at NLU Bangalore Hostel Rooms
Below is a list of amenities at NLSIU hostel rooms:
- Hot water
- Laundry
- 24×7 electricity
- 24×7 internet
- Every student gets a dedicated cot, cupboard, chair, and desk
- On-campus warden
Things students need to bring on their own:
- Mattress
- Curtains
- Bedlinen
- Blankets
- Clothing for winters
Mess and Canteen
The hostel has a mess where all students have their meals as per the set timings. In addition to it, you will find also find a catering service or canteen named Queens Cafe. At the cafe, you can get snacks and several varieties of meals. The seating capacity here is of 60 members.
Health and Wellness
NLU Bangalore campus has a dedicated Health Centre for students’ medical concerns, and minor in-patient and testing services. Moreover, there is a pharmacy as well for common illnesses.
The medical at NLSIU includes a resident doctor, a qualified nurse, and a pharmacist.
When required, the medical team at NLS Health Centre refers the students to nearby hospitals based on consultation with the Resident Doctor. For emergency transports, the university vehicles are used (in case the ambulance is unavailable).
- Timings of Health Centre & Nursing Facilities: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (for all days)
- Timings of Resident Doctor: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Tuesday to Sunday)
Additionally, the university arranges 1:1 consulting sessions related to health and nutrition. These sessions are conducted every Wednesday and Thursday by a professional Heath Coach.
Medical Insurance Policy: NLSIU Bangalore cares about the health and well-being of its students, and they have taken a step to ensure that its students have access to medical assistance when needed.
To achieve this, it has partnered with M/s. New India Assurance Co. Ltd. to provide a Group Mediclaim Insurance Policy that covers all students.
This health insurance policy is designed to provide coverage for various medical needs, including those related to COVID-19 care. This means that NLSIU students can have peace of mind knowing they have access to medical assistance in case of any unforeseen medical emergencies.
Gym
The gym at NLU Bangalore covers an area of 1575 sq ft. It is a large gym with all the top facilities, like changing rooms, showers, etc. The equipment there is of high quality, which is well-maintained and cleaned regularly.
Timings for the gym are as follows:
- Morning: 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM
- Noon: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- Evening: 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Sports Facilities at NLSIU
- Running track
- Football field
- Basketball court
- Throwball court
- Tennis court
- Volleyball court
- Badminton court
Hostel Fees for 2023-24
- Residential fees: INR 41,000
- Mess fees: INR 61,500
- Total hostel fees: INR 1,02,500
Summing It Up!
So, we are sure that you now have all the details you need about NLSIU. If you still have any queries, please visit university’s official website.
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