The National Law University, Delhi (NLU Delhi) is consistently ranked among India's top five law schools and offers one of the most sought-after legal education programmes in the country. This page provides a complete NLU Delhi fee breakdown for the 2027 admission cycle, along with scholarship information, hostel and mess charges, and a total 5-year cost estimate. Important: unlike the other 23 NLUs, NLU Delhi does not accept CLAT scores — admission is exclusively through AILET (All India Law Entrance Test), conducted by NLU Delhi itself.
NLU Delhi is the only National Law University that does not participate in CLAT. Instead, admissions to its BA LLB (Hons.), LLM, and PhD programmes are made on the basis of AILET — an entrance test conducted independently by NLU Delhi itself, typically in December. AILET tests largely the same material as CLAT (English, GK/Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques), so students preparing for CLAT can sit for both exams with minimal additional preparation.
Most serious law aspirants appear for both AILET and CLAT to maximise their options: AILET for NLU Delhi, and CLAT for the other 23 NLUs. If you want to understand the differences in detail, see our comparison guide at CLAT vs AILET — key differences.
The fee structure below applies to students admitted through AILET.
NLU Delhi's BA LLB (Hons.) is a five-year integrated programme with an intake of approximately 110 seats. Admission is through AILET. The fee structure below is indicative for the 2026 admission cycle and is subject to periodic revision.
| Fee Component | Annual (Rs.) | 5-Year Total (Rs.) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee | 1,60,000 | 8,00,000 |
| Hostel Fee | 35,000 | 1,75,000 |
| Mess Fee | 48,000 | 2,40,000 |
| Examination Fee | 5,000 | 25,000 |
| Library & IT Fee | 7,000 | 35,000 |
| Student Welfare Fund | 4,000 | 20,000 |
| Sports & Activities Fee | 3,000 | 15,000 |
| Caution Deposit (refundable, one-time) | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Total (Approximate) | 2,62,000 | 13,20,000 |
* Figures are approximate, based on the most recent NLU Delhi fee notification. The caution deposit is one-time and refundable upon graduation. NLU Delhi reserves the right to revise fees annually.
NLU Delhi follows a semester-based payment schedule. Semester 1 is the highest due to the inclusion of the one-time caution deposit and admission charges. Subsequent semesters follow a relatively flat structure with modest annual revisions.
| Semester | Year | Amount (Rs.) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Year 1 | 1,45,000 | Admission + caution deposit |
| Semester 2 | Year 1 | 1,15,000 | Standard semester fee |
| Semester 3 | Year 2 | 1,20,000 | Standard semester fee |
| Semester 4 | Year 2 | 1,20,000 | Standard semester fee |
| Semester 5 | Year 3 | 1,25,000 | Marginal revision |
| Semester 6 | Year 3 | 1,25,000 | Standard semester fee |
| Semester 7 | Year 4 | 1,28,000 | Standard semester fee |
| Semester 8 | Year 4 | 1,28,000 | Standard semester fee |
| Semester 9 | Year 5 | 1,30,000 | Marginal revision |
| Semester 10 | Year 5 | 1,30,000 | Final semester |
| Total (10 Semesters) | 12,66,000 | ||
The NLU Delhi campus is located in Dwarka, south-west Delhi, well-connected to the rest of the city via the Delhi Metro. Hostel accommodation is provided on-campus, though capacity is prioritised for junior-year students. Senior-year students who cannot secure on-campus accommodation often stay in nearby PG facilities.
NLU Delhi offers a range of scholarships and financial aid schemes covering merit, need, category, and alumni-funded categories. The university's stated goal is to ensure that no admitted student is unable to attend NLU Delhi due to financial constraints. Below is a summary of the principal schemes available.
Delhi is a relatively expensive metro for students, though NLU Delhi's on-campus hostel significantly reduces the overall living cost. For students forced to stay off-campus, PG rents in Dwarka and nearby areas tend to be on the higher side compared to Kolkata or Hyderabad, but cheaper than south and central Delhi.
| Item | Estimated Cost (Rs.) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel Accommodation | 35,000/year | On-campus at Dwarka; priority to junior-year students |
| Mess (food) | 48,000/year | Three meals daily; paid semester-wise |
| Off-campus PG (if needed) | 10,000-18,000/month | Dwarka and nearby areas; Delhi PG rents are on the higher side |
| Books & Study Materials | 8,000-12,000/year | Library access reduces this cost |
| Personal Expenses | 4,000-6,000/month | Laundry, stationery, travel, entertainment |
| Delhi Transport | 800-1,500/month | Delhi Metro is the primary option; monthly metro card or shared autos |
| Medical Insurance | 2,500/year | Group insurance via university |
Below is a realistic 5-year cost projection for pursuing a BA LLB at NLU Delhi, combining official fees with personal expenses. Use this as a financial planning benchmark. Students who receive scholarships or stay on-campus throughout will spend significantly less.
Preparing for NLU Delhi requires AILET-specific preparation alongside CLAT. The links below provide deeper context on NLU Delhi, the AILET exam, and how it differs from CLAT.
Our Complete Programme covers both AILET and CLAT syllabi in a single structured curriculum, with 50+ mocks, daily current affairs, and mentorship from NLU Delhi and NLSIU alumni.