India\u2019s top 10 NLUs ranked by NIRF, CLAT cutoff, placement salary and top recruiter — with a 150-word writeup for each and a rank-based decision framework for your target selection. Last updated April 2026.
The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranks Indian institutions across five parameters: Teaching, Learning and Resources (30%); Research and Professional Practice (30%); Graduation Outcomes (20%); Outreach and Inclusivity (10%); and Peer Perception (10%). For law schools, research output and graduation outcomes typically drive the biggest movements year to year.
NIRF rankings are useful but not the whole picture. A student choosing between NUJS and NLU Delhi should weigh placement sector (litigation vs corporate), city advantage, faculty research, and moot-court culture alongside the headline NIRF number.
The table below lists the top 10 NLUs by combined NIRF and CLAT demand. Cutoff ranks are General category, approximate for the most recent admission cycle. Placement figures are median salary, not the highest or a few outliers.
| Rank | NLU | NIRF | CLAT Cutoff | Avg Placement | Top Recruiter | 5-yr Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NLSIU Bangalore | 1 | ~58 | Rs. 18–20 LPA | AZB & Partners | Rs. 12.5 lakh |
| 2 | NALSAR Hyderabad | 2 | ~75 | Rs. 16–18 LPA | Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas | Rs. 11.8 lakh |
| 3 | NUJS Kolkata | 3 | ~95 | Rs. 14–16 LPA | S&R Associates | Rs. 11.0 lakh |
| 4 | NLU Delhi | NA* | ~120 | Rs. 16–18 LPA | Khaitan & Co | Rs. 12.5 lakh |
| 5 | NLIU Bhopal | 5 | ~160 | Rs. 12–14 LPA | L&L Partners | Rs. 9.5 lakh |
| 6 | GNLU Gandhinagar | 6 | ~220 | Rs. 11–13 LPA | Shardul Amarchand | Rs. 11.8 lakh |
| 7 | HNLU Raipur | 8 | ~320 | Rs. 9–11 LPA | Various | Rs. 9.0 lakh |
| 8 | RMLNLU Lucknow | 7 | ~380 | Rs. 10–12 LPA | Various | Rs. 9.0 lakh |
| 9 | RGNUL Punjab | 9 | ~420 | Rs. 9–11 LPA | Various | Rs. 9.5 lakh |
| 10 | CNLU Patna | 10 | ~520 | Rs. 8–10 LPA | Various | Rs. 8.5 lakh |
1. NLSIU Bangalore. India’s oldest and most prestigious NLU, founded in 1986. Consistently ranked number one in NIRF Law. The lowest CLAT cutoff in the country, heaviest Tier 1 firm hiring, and a distinctive academic culture with strong moot court, clinical programmes, and research output. Alumni occupy senior positions across judiciary, academia and private practice.
2. NALSAR Hyderabad. The second-oldest NLU, founded in 1998. Known for a strong academic environment and a well-balanced placement profile across corporate and litigation streams. Faculty research output and a vibrant campus culture make NALSAR the default "Plan A" for students who miss NLSIU by a narrow margin.
3. NUJS Kolkata. Founded in 1999, NUJS has built a reputation for intellectual rigour, especially in constitutional and public law. Placement strength in Tier 1 firms with a significant proportion of alumni choosing research and judicial services. Kolkata’s location offers a distinctive campus feel compared to other NLUs.
4. NLU Delhi. Admits through its own AILET, not CLAT, but included here for completeness. Strong corporate law placements due to proximity to Delhi’s major firms. Smaller batch size (roughly 120) creates an intimate cohort dynamic.
5. NLIU Bhopal. One of the earliest NLUs, founded in 1997. Solid corporate placement track record and strong presence in public sector legal roles. Bhopal offers a lower cost of living compared to top-3 NLU cities.
6. GNLU Gandhinagar. Founded 2003, with a strong corporate and international law focus. Gujarat domicile concession makes it a cost-efficient option for state-domicile students. Placement track record has improved consistently over the past decade.
7. HNLU Raipur. Founded 2003, based in Chhattisgarh. Strong research output in tribal law and public interest litigation. Placements are more varied than the top NLUs but offer a meaningful Tier 2 firm pipeline.
8. RMLNLU Lucknow. Founded 2005. Steady growth in placements and research output. Regional advantage in the Uttar Pradesh judicial services context.
9. RGNUL Punjab. Founded 2006. Well-regarded faculty and a balanced placement profile. Proximity to Delhi is a networking advantage.
10. CNLU Patna. Founded 2006. Has improved significantly in recent years. A strong option for students with a Bihar domicile preference, with a smaller batch and strong faculty-student interaction.
Top 50 CLAT rank: NLSIU Bangalore is realistic. Prepare your preference list with NLSIU, NALSAR, and NUJS in that order.
Rank 50–150: NALSAR and NUJS are realistic. Place these as top choices with NLU Delhi AILET as a parallel target.
Rank 150–300: NLIU Bhopal and GNLU Gandhinagar are strong targets. These NLUs deliver strong Tier 1 firm placements for committed students.
Rank 300–500: HNLU, RMLNLU, RGNUL. Select based on domicile preference and corporate vs litigation aspiration.
Rank 500–800: CNLU Patna, MNLU Mumbai, and other state-focused NLUs. Placement outcomes are slightly more varied but the core NLU infrastructure — moots, internships, peer network — remains strong.
This page is refreshed quarterly. The next full update will incorporate NIRF 2026 rankings and CLAT 2027 cutoff data as soon as they are released. Figures for placement salary are updated once per year based on annual batch reports.
NLSIU Bangalore is consistently ranked number one by NIRF and draws the lowest CLAT cutoff. It remains the top choice for the majority of CLAT toppers.
NIRF rankings use five parameters: teaching quality, research output, graduation outcomes, outreach, and peer perception. These are weighted and a composite score generated annually.
No. NLU Delhi admits students through its own entrance test, AILET, not through CLAT. However, it is counted among the top NLUs in every general ranking.
For the General category, top-5 NLUs typically require a CLAT rank under 160. NLSIU (~58), NALSAR (~75), NUJS (~95), NLU Delhi (~120), NLIU (~160).
Top 3 NLUs consistently place in the Rs. 14–20 LPA range for median corporate law salaries. Tier 2 NLUs typically place in the Rs. 9–13 LPA range with strong Tier 1 firm presence for top performers.
Yes. Top NLUs charge Rs. 11–12.5 lakh for the full 5-year BA LLB programme. Tier 2 NLUs typically charge Rs. 8.5–9.5 lakh. Domicile concessions apply at some NLUs (GNLU, MNLU).
NIRF is the most widely cited and the most methodologically transparent. Private rankings vary. Students should use NIRF as a baseline and supplement with placement reports and moot-court performance.
Modestly. Cutoffs historically shift within ±20 ranks year to year, except when there are structural changes to seat numbers or category reservations. Plan for the previous year’s cutoff with a reasonable buffer.