Top 10 NLUs in India (2026 Rankings)
Updated 2026 ranking of the top 10 National Law Universities in India with NIRF rank, CLAT cut-off, annual fees, average placement package and seat intake.
The top 10 NLUs in India for 2026 are NLSIU Bangalore (Rank 1), NLU Delhi, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata, NLU Jodhpur, GNLU Gandhinagar, HNLU Raipur, NLIU Bhopal, RMLNLU Lucknow, and NLU Jabalpur. NLSIU Bangalore tops with an average placement of ₹18.5 LPA and a CLAT cut-off rank under 80.
Key Facts at a Glance
- NLSIU Bangalore — India's #1 law school since 1987
- NLU Delhi takes admission via AILET, not CLAT
- Total NLU seats via CLAT: ~3,200
- Top 3 NLUs (NLSIU, NALSAR, NLU Delhi) absorb the top 0.5% of test-takers
- Average placement (Top 5 NLUs): ₹15–22 LPA
Top 10 NLUs in India — Quick Comparison
*NLU Delhi admits exclusively through AILET, not CLAT. Cut-offs are indicative AIR ranges for the General category in 2024–26.
| Rank | NLU | City | CLAT Cut-off (Gen) | Fees/Year | Avg Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NLSIU | Bangalore | ~70 | ₹2.95 L | ₹18.5 LPA |
| 2 | NLU Delhi* | New Delhi | AILET ~15 | ₹1.80 L | ₹17 LPA |
| 3 | NALSAR | Hyderabad | ~110 | ₹2.85 L | ₹16 LPA |
| 4 | WBNUJS | Kolkata | ~165 | ₹2.65 L | ₹14 LPA |
| 5 | NLU Jodhpur | Jodhpur | ~220 | ₹2.80 L | ₹13 LPA |
| 6 | GNLU | Gandhinagar | ~290 | ₹2.70 L | ₹12 LPA |
| 7 | HNLU | Raipur | ~510 | ₹2.20 L | ₹10 LPA |
| 8 | NLIU | Bhopal | ~440 | ₹2.40 L | ₹11 LPA |
| 9 | RMLNLU | Lucknow | ~620 | ₹1.95 L | ₹9 LPA |
| 10 | NLUJA | Guwahati | ~890 | ₹1.85 L | ₹8 LPA |
How NLUs Are Ranked
- NIRF Ranking (Govt. of India): teaching, research, perception, outreach.
- CLAT cut-off rank: lower = more competitive intake.
- Recruiter participation: number of Tier-1 law firms during placements.
- Average and median CTC offered.
- Faculty quality, library, moot court record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the No. 1 NLU in India?+
NLSIU Bangalore is consistently ranked the No. 1 National Law University in India, topping the NIRF Law Rankings and offering the highest average placement package of around ₹18.5 LPA.
How many NLUs are there in India in 2026?+
There are 27 National Law Universities in India as of 2026, of which 26 admit students through CLAT and NLU Delhi admits separately via AILET.
What is the CLAT cut-off rank for the top 5 NLUs?+
For the top 5 NLUs (NLSIU, NLU Delhi via AILET, NALSAR, WBNUJS, NLU Jodhpur) the General category cut-off rank usually falls within AIR 1–220 in CLAT and AIR 1–25 in AILET.
Which NLU has the best placements?+
NLSIU Bangalore has the best placements with an average of ₹18.5 LPA, highest of around ₹45 LPA, and near 100% participation from top Indian and international law firms.
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