Top NLUs in India 2024: Rankings, Cutoffs & Campus Life

Choosing the right National Law University (NLU) can shape your entire legal career. With 24 NLUs across India, each offers unique advantages in academics, placements, and campus culture.

This ultimate guide covers:

✔ 2024 NLU Rankings (Top 30)

✔ Expected CLAT Cutoffs

✔ Campus Life & Placements

✔ How to Choose Your NLU

2024 NLU Rankings (Top 30)

Here's the most comprehensive ranking of NLUs based on placements, faculty, infrastructure, and student satisfaction:

Tier 1: Elite NLUs (Dream Campuses)

Rank	NLU	Location	Key Highlights
1	NLSIU Bangalore	Karnataka	"Harvard of India", Supreme Court clerkships
2	NALSAR Hyderabad	Telangana	Best for corporate law & research
3	NLU Delhi	Delhi	Prime location, litigation powerhouse
4	WBNUJS Kolkata	West Bengal	Moot court champions
5	GNLU Gandhinagar	Gujarat	Leading arbitration program

Tier 2: Strong Contenders

Rank	NLU	Location	Key Highlights
6	NLIU Bhopal	MP	Best for judiciary prep
7	NLU Jodhpur	Rajasthan	Fast-rising in corporate placements
8	HNLU Raipur	Chhattisgarh	Affordable quality education
9	RMLNLU Lucknow	UP	Strong alumni network
10	MNLU Mumbai	Maharashtra	Emerging financial law hub

Tier 3: Rising Stars

Rank	NLU	Location	Key Highlights
11-15	MNLU Nagpur, TNNLS, RGNUL	Multiple	Good regional reputation
16-20	DSNLU, NLUJA, HPNLU	Northeast/HP	Scenic campuses
21-24	NLU Odisha, Tripura	East India	Budget-friendly options

CLAT 2024 Expected Cutoffs

Here's what rank you'll need for different NLUs:

NLU	General Category Cutoff (Expected)
NLSIU Bangalore	AIR 1-80
NALSAR Hyderabad	AIR 80-150
NLU Delhi (AILET)	AIR 1-60
NUJS Kolkata	AIR 150-250
Mid-tier NLUs	AIR 300-1,500
Newer NLUs	AIR 1,500+

Cutoffs vary yearly - aim for 10% better than last year's closing ranks!

Campus Life: What to Expect

🏛 NLSIU Bangalore

• Hostels: Premium but limited rooms

• Culture: Intense academics + legendary moot court culture

• Festivals: India's most prestigious law events

🌉 NALSAR Hyderabad

• Campus: Spacious, self-contained township

• Special: Strong research publication culture

• Perks: Proximity to Hyderabad's legal market

🏙 NLU Delhi

• Location: Walking distance to Supreme Court

• Advantage: Easy access to top law firm internships

• Vibe: Fast-paced, competitive environment

🎓 NUJS Kolkata

• Student Life: Vibrant student committees

• Moot Courts: National championship winners

• City Benefit: Kolkata's rich legal heritage

Placement Comparisons

NLU	Top Recruiters	Avg Package
NLSIU	Trilegal, Khaitan	₹18-22 LPA
NALSAR	AZB, Shardul Amarchand	₹16-20 LPA
NLU Delhi	Luthra & Luthra	₹15-18 LPA
Mid-tier NLUs	Mid-size firms	₹8-12 LPA

How to Choose Your NLU?

1. By Career Goals:

   
   

   • Corporate Law: NLSIU, NALSAR, NUJS

   • Litigation: NLU Delhi, RMLNLU

   • Judiciary: NLIU Bhopal

     
     

2. By CLAT Rank:

   
   

   • AIR <100: Target top 3 NLUs

   • AIR 100-500: Good Tier 2 options

   • AIR 500-2000: Consider emerging NLUs

     
     

3. By Budget:

   
   

   • Premium: NLSIU/NALSAR (₹2-3L/year)

   • Affordable: HNLU/RMLNLU (₹1-1.5L/year)

Final Verdict: Which NLU is Best for You?

• For the ambitious: Compete for NLSIU/NALSAR

• For balanced growth: NUJS/NLIU offer great ROI

• For budget-conscious: Newer NLUs provide quality at lower cost

Remember: Your NLU is just the beginning - your passion and skills will define your legal career!

⚖️ Pro Tip: If you don't get your dream NLU, consider transferring after 1st year (some NLUs allow this).

Ready for your CLAT journey? Start preparing today for your dream law school! 🚀