Quick Summary
Choosing the right law college is the first and most crucial step in building a successful legal career. Whether you want to be a high-profile corporate lawyer, a dedicated public prosecutor, or a respected legal scholar, your journey starts with the proper legal education. With hundreds of law colleges across India, how do you choose one that fits your goals, budget, and career plans?
In this guide, we’ve done the research for you. You’ll find information on top law universities, fee structures, entrance exams, seat availability, and placement details. Whether you’re interested in the National Law Universities (NLUs), private schools like Jindal Global Law School, or affordable public options like Delhi University, this blog will help you compare and make a wise choice.
Now, let’s explore the best law colleges in India, what they offer, how to gain admission, and the opportunities they provide!
The Ministry of Education released the National Institutional Framework Ranking (NIRF) 2023 for law schools on June 5, 2023. These rankings are intended to promote quality and competitive excellence in higher educational institutions throughout India. The NIRF ranking system is widely recognized in India and is based on parameters that are grouped into various categories:
Here’s the NIRF 2023 Rankings for Top Law Colleges in India along with the types of law schools:
| Rank | Name | City | State | Score | Type of Law School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Law School of India University (NLSIU) | Bangalore | Karnataka | 78.00 | National Law University (NLU) |
| 2 | National Law University (NLU) | Delhi | Delhi | 73.96 | National Law University (NLU) |
| 3 | Symbiosis Law School | Pune | Maharashtra | 73.73 | Private Law School |
| 4 | NALSAR University of Law | Hyderabad | Telangana | 73.05 | National Law University (NLU) |
| 5 | The West Bengal University of Juridical Sciences | Kolkata | West Bengal | 70.72 | State University |
| 6 | Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) | Kharagpur | West Bengal | 67.27 | Technical Institution with Law |
| 7 | Jamia Millia Islamia | New Delhi | Delhi | 63.62 | Central University |
| 8 | Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) | Gandhinagar | Gujarat | 63.52 | National Law University (NLU) |
| 9 | Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan | Bhubaneswar | Odisha | 63.47 | Private Law School |
| 10 | National Law University | Jodhpur | Rajasthan | 62.35 | National Law University (NLU) |
| 11 | Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) | Bhubaneswar | Odisha | 61.55 | Private Law School |
| 12 | Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) | Aligarh | Uttar Pradesh | 60.11 | Central University |
| 13 | Lovely Professional University | Phagwara | Punjab | 57.57 | Private Law School |
| 14 | Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences | Chennai | Tamil Nadu | 55.41 | Private Law School |
| 15 | National Law University | Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh | 54.28 | National Law University (NLU) |
| 16 | Christ University | Bangalore | Karnataka | 53.56 | Private University |
| 17 | Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University | Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh | 53.23 | National Law University (NLU) |
| 18 | Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law | Patiala | Punjab | 52.73 | National Law University (NLU) |
| 19 | Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy | Thanjavur | Tamil Nadu | 51.87 | Private University |
| 20 | Banaras Hindu University | Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh | 51.66 | Central University |
| 21 | University of Petroleum & Energy Studies | Dehradun | Uttarakhand | 50.18 | Private University |
| 22 | National University of Study & Research in Law | Ranchi | Jharkhand | 49.84 | National Law University (NLU) |
| 23 | Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University | New Delhi | Delhi | 49.43 | State University |
| 24 | National Law University & Judicial Academy | Kamrup | Assam | 49.27 | National Law University (NLU) |
| 25 | National Law University | Cuttack | Odisha | 48.81 | National Law University (NLU) |
| 26 | Army Institute of Law | Mohali | Punjab | 47.68 | Military Institution |
| 27 | Amity University | Gurgaon | Haryana | 46.93 | Private Law School |
| 28 | Sikkim Government Law College | Gangtok | Sikkim | 45.92 | State Government College |
| 29 | Indian Law Institute | New Delhi | Delhi | 45.40 | Private Law School |
| 30 | Punjab University | Chandigarh | Punjab | 45.21 | State University |
Here is the list of the top 5 private law colleges in India, among the many new and emerging ones in our country:
| Name | Courses Offered |
| Symbiosis Law School, Pune | LLB, BBA LLB (Hons.), LLM, UG Diploma Courses |
| ILS Law College, Pune | PG Diploma, Certificate, LLM, LLB, BA LLB |
| Bharati Vidyapeeth New Law College, Pune | PG Diploma, Certificate, LLM, LLB, BA LLB, UG Diploma |
| School of Law, Christ University, Bangalore | BA LLB, BBA LLB, LLM, M Phil, PhD |
| Army Institute of Law, Mohali | BA LLB, LLM |
Here is a list of the top 5 government law colleges in India, which are extremely renowned and reliable to get your law career on track and running:
| Name | Courses Offered |
| National Law School of India University, Bangalore | BA LLB, LLM, MPP, MBL, PG Diploma |
| National Law University, New Delhi | BA LLB, LLM |
| NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad | LLM, BA LLB |
| The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata | BA LLB (Hons,), BSc. LLB, LLM, M. Phil, PhD, LLD |
| Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur | LLM, LLB |
In India, law colleges mainly fall into two categories: public (government-funded) and private institutions. Here’s a comparison:
| Factor | Government Colleges | Private Colleges |
|---|---|---|
| Examples | NLUs, DU, BHU | JGLS, Symbiosis, Amity |
| Fees | Low (₹10k–3L/year) | High (₹3L–6L/year) |
| ROI | High | Moderate |
| Infrastructure | Basic to Good | Excellent |
Private colleges like JGLS and Symbiosis spend a lot on global partnerships and facilities. In contrast, NLUs offer better returns on investment due to their brand strength and lower fee
| Exam | Accepted By | Cut-off Rank Range |
|---|---|---|
| CLAT | NLUs, GNLU, NALSAR, NLUO, etc. | Top 100–150 for elite NLUs |
| AILET | NLU Delhi | Top 100 |
| LSAT India | Private universities (JGLS, UPES, etc.) | Percentile based |
For example, NLSIU Bangalore usually accepts students who rank in the top 100 of CLAT. In contrast, NLU Delhi has its own entrance exam, AILET, and offers about 80 undergraduate seats.
| Exam | Application Period | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|
| CLAT | Aug–Nov | Dec (every year) |
| AILET | Sep–Nov | Dec |
| LSAT India | Oct–Jan, May | Jan & May cycles |
Always check official sites for the latest updates and changes in schedules.
In India, several prestigious law colleges offer high-quality legal education. The eligibility criteria for admission may vary from college to college. Some of the standard requirements are:
To apply for (LLB), the applicant must have completed higher secondary school. Or some equivalent degree from a recognized board. The candidate must have a minimum aggregate of 45-50% marks. For LLM, candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree in law. This too should be from a recognized university. Along with this a minimum aggregate of 50-55% marks.
There is no age limit for admission to law courses.
Most of the law colleges in India require candidates to clear an entrance exam. Namely, CLAT (Common Law Admission Test), AILET (All India Law Entrance Test), LSAT (Law School Admission Test), AILET (All India Law Entrance Test examination) conducted by the National Law University, Delhi every year, DU LLB. The entrance exams are to test the candidate’s knowledge of English, Mathematics, General Knowledge, and Legal Aptitude.
Some colleges may also conduct personal interviews. This is to assess the candidate’s communication skills and overall personality.
Here’s a look at some top law colleges and their number of seats:
| College | Program | Intake |
|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | BA LLB (Hons) | 240 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | BA LLB (Hons) | 132 |
| NLU Delhi | BA LLB (Hons) | 123 |
| Symbiosis Pune | BA/BBA LLB | 300+ |
Courses include:
Law colleges in India provide programs with a variety of fee levels. Government institutions like NLUs usually offer quality legal education at reasonable prices, while private institutions often charge more. Here’s a fee breakdown:
| College Type | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| NLUs (e.g., NLSIU) | ₹1,50,000 – ₹3,00,000 |
| Central Universities | ₹10,000 – ₹50,000 |
| Private Law Colleges | ₹1,50,000 – ₹5,00,000 |
Example:
- NLSIU Bangalore: ₹2,75,000/year
- Symbiosis Law School Pune: ₹3,20,000/year
- Faculty of Law, DU: ₹10,000/year
As law becomes more diverse, students can focus on areas such as:
Top colleges offering specialized tracks:
Students can assess the Return on Investment (ROI) to gauge the value of a particular course. ROI offers a clear view of the benefits of enrolling in a course by emphasizing the potential returns. When it comes to popular programs, evaluating the ROI while choosing a college or university can be extremely helpful, especially when deciding among several institutions. Below is a table featuring the top Law colleges in India, along with their average annual fees and typical placement packages:
| College Name | Total Tuition Fee | Average Salary Package |
|---|---|---|
| NUJS Kolkata | INR 3.66 lakh | INR 20 LPA |
| NALSAR University of Law | INR 7.75 lakh | INR 16 LPA |
| NLIU Bhopal | INR 7.30 lakh | INR 16 LPA |
| NLSIU Bangalore | INR 13.45 lakh | INR 16 LPA |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | INR 6 lakh | INR 16 LPA |
These figures reflect a general overview of tuition fees and salary packages, but it’s important to verify current details directly from the respective law schools as these numbers may fluctuate slightly over time.
The field of law offers a wide range of specializations for students to choose from. Some of the specializations offered by the best law colleges in India include:
This specialization deals with the legal aspects of running a business. It includes corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate finance.
This specialization deals with the legal aspects of protecting intellectual property, such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
This specialization deals with the legal aspects of criminal activity, especially criminal procedure, evidence, and criminal defence.
This specialization deals with the legal aspects of the Constitution, such as citizens’ rights and freedoms, the separation of powers, and the judiciary’s role.
This specialization deals with the legal aspects of environmental protection, specifically pollution control, natural resource management, and climate change.
This specialization deals with the legal aspects of protecting human rights. Particularly, civil liberties, political rights, and social and economic rights.
This specialization deals with the legal aspects of international relations. Namely, international trade, international human rights, and international dispute resolution.
This specialization deals with the legal aspects of taxation. Namely, income tax, corporate tax, and goods and services tax.
Each specialization requires a specific set of skills and knowledge. Students can choose a specialization based on their interests and career goals.
Law college entrance exams are gateways to the best law schools in India, which are as follows:
| Entrance Exam | Conducted By | Programs Offered | Top Colleges | Why It’s Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLAT | Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) | 5-year integrated BA LLB, LLM | All National Law Universities (NLUs) | Widely recognized and accepted across India |
| AILET | National Law University (NLU), Delhi | BA LLB (Hons), LLM | NLU Delhi | Exclusive to NLU Delhi, one of the top law schools |
| LSAT India | Law School Admission Council (LSAC) | Undergraduate and postgraduate law programs | Jindal Global Law School, UPES, and other participating institutions | Accepted by multiple top-tier law schools |
| SET | Symbiosis International University | BA LLB, BBA LLB | Symbiosis Law School, Pune | Admission to Symbiosis, one of the best private law schools |
| DU LLB | University of Delhi | 3-year LLB | Faculty of Law, University of Delhi | Prestigious law programs at Delhi University |
| BHU UET | Banaras Hindu University | 5-year integrated BA LLB | Faculty of Law, BHU | Admission to one of India’s most respected universities |
| MH CET Law | State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra | 5-year integrated LLB, 3-year LLB | Various law colleges in Maharashtra | Major state-level law exam for top law colleges in Maharashtra |
| AP LAWCET | Andhra University | 5-year integrated LLB, 3-year LLB | Law colleges in Andhra Pradesh | Primary law exam for law colleges in Andhra Pradesh |
The best law colleges in India attract top recruiters from various sectors. Namely, law firms, corporate houses, government organizations, and non-governmental organizations.
Some of the top recruiters for law graduates from the best law schools in India include:
Top law firms recruit law graduates from the best law colleges in India. Like:
A few of the leading companies recruit law graduates. It includes:
Various government organizations recruit law graduates from the best law colleges. Namely:
Law graduates from the best law colleges in India can also opt for a career in the judiciary. They can appear for the judicial services examination. Various state public service commissions conduct such exams.
NGOs such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Greenpeace recruit law graduates from the best law colleges in India.
The best law colleges in India have a strong alumni network, which can help students secure placements with top recruiters. These Colleges also provide career counselling and placement support, which can help students achieve their career goals.
While fees are essential in choosing a college, Return on Investment (ROI) is also crucial. Here’s a comparison of fees and placement packages:
| College | Avg Fee (5 yrs) | Avg Placement (CTC) |
|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | ₹13–15 Lakhs | ₹16–18 LPA |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | ₹10–12 Lakhs | ₹15–16 LPA |
| JGLS Sonipat | ₹25–28 Lakhs | ₹6–7 LPA |
Top recruiters include law firms like Khaitan, AZB, and Cyril Amarchand. Corporations such as Tata and Infosys Legal also recruit. Additionally, international placements are available through moots and scholarships.
Choosing the right law college is more than just a decision. It is a key moment in your legal journey. India offers many options, from prestigious NLUs to well-known private schools and affordable public universities. You can find a college that fits your needs by looking at factors like entrance exams, fees, job placements, and specializations.
Your law college will shape your academic background and influence your professional outlook and job prospects. Whether you want to practice in the courtroom, advise major companies, or work for social justice, the right school can help you reach your goals. So explore your choices, make a well-informed decision, and take your first confident step toward becoming a leader in the legal field.
Evaluate numerous career choices to choose the right career path for yourself. Dive into our guide on Career Advice.
Some of the colleges that admit students through the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) are:
1. National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore.
2. National Law University (NLU), Delhi.
Several top law colleges in India offer a 3-year LLB program. Some of the best law colleges in India are:
1. National Law School of India University, Bangalore.
2. Faculty of Law, Delhi University, Delhi.
3. NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad.
4. Indian Law Society’s Law College, Pune.
The entrance varies depending on the college and the program. Here are some of the most common entrance tests:
1. CLAT (Common Law Admission Test).
2. AILET (All India Law Entrance Test).
3. LSAT (Law School Admission Test).
4. SET (Symbiosis Entrance Test).
5. Christ University Law Entrance Test.
6. BHU UET (Banaras Hindu University Undergraduate Entrance Test).
Getting admission to a top (NLU) in India is highly competitive. It requires a combination of academic excellence and performance in entrance exams. You mainly need to take the exam and do well. Along with this you also need to prepare for the interview. Also remember to focus on academic excellence, and to get involved in extracurricular activities.
India has several state universities that offer excellent law programs. Here are some of the best state universities for law in India:
1. National Law University, Delhi.
2. West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences.
3. National Law University, Jodhpur.
4. Gujarat National Law University.
5. Hidayatullah National Law University, among others.
Authored by, Gagandeep Khokhar
Career Guidance Expert
Gagandeep is a content writer and strategist focused on creating high-performing, SEO-driven content that bridges the gap between learners and institutions. He crafts compelling narratives across blogs, landing pages, and email campaigns to drive engagement and build trust.
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Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
