NLSIU Bangalore is one of the most sought-after law schools in India, known for its academic excellence and competitive admission process. For prospective law students, a common question is, how many seats are there in NLSIU Bangalore?
The total number of NLSIU Bangalore seats varies across its programs, including the 5-year BA LLB, 3-year LLB, LLM, and PhD programs. We will provide a detailed breakdown of the total intake for each program, helping aspirants understand the competition and plan their application strategy accordingly.
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About NLSIU Bangalore
Established in 1986, the NLSIU (National Law School of India University) Bangalore was founded with the primary aim of pioneering reform in legal education and catalyzing the transformation of the Indian legal system through research and policy initiatives. NLSIU Bangalore fosters an environment that upholds fundamental constitutional values, particularly those about freedom, equality, and social justice, a mission that guides all its endeavors.
The university’s foundation is a distinctive collaboration involving the legal profession (represented by the Bar and the Bench), legal scholars, and the Karnataka government. With this partnership, NLU Bangalore has become an unquestionable leader in the legal education sector, and its constant top-ranking performance in several assessments substantiates this preeminent status.
NLSIU Bangalore has attained the coveted No. 1 position in every significant ranking study conducted, including the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings by the Ministry of Education, where it has been ranked as the country’s premier law school for six consecutive years. These rankings mirror the university’s overarching commitment to excellence, which extends across many criteria covering diverse facets of its operations.
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NLSIU Bangalore Seat Matrix
NLSIU Bangalore offers seats for various law programs, with the flagship course being the 5-year integrated Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (BA LLB). In addition to the undergraduate program, NLSIU offers postgraduate courses such as the Master of Laws (LLM) and doctoral programs. However, the number of seats in NLSIU Bangalore varies significantly between these programs, with the undergraduate BA LLB program attracting the highest number of applicants.
BA LLB (Hons.) Program
The BA LLB program is the most popular and competitive course at NLSIU, Bangalore. When NLU Bangalore was first established, it started with 80 seats; now, the number has gradually increased over the decades.
Currently, the total number of seats for the BA LLB program is 300. However, this number has fluctuated over the years, mainly due to increased demand for legal education and the university’s efforts to accommodate more students without compromising quality.
LLM Program
The Master of Laws (LLM) program at NLSIU offers specializations in fields such as Business Law, Human Rights Law, and Constitutional Law. The total number of seats available for the LLM program is 120. This number is relatively minor compared to the undergraduate program, reflecting the niche nature of the postgraduate curriculum.
Doctoral Programs (Ph.D.)
NLSIU also offers doctoral programs for law scholars interested in pursuing advanced research. The number of seats for these programs is flexible and often depends on the availability of faculty members for supervision and the quality of applications received.
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NLSIU Bangalore Seats Expansion
NLSIU Bangalore has increased its intake capacity to accommodate more students as part of its vision to make quality legal education more accessible. This expansion aligns with the increasing demand for legal professionals in India and globally.
The university has increased the seats available for the B.A.LL.B (Hons) UG program for the academic year 2024-25 as a part of its Inclusion and Expansion Plan, first introduced in 2021. Specifically, the seat intake for this program is increased from 240 to 300. This comes after prior increments in the seating capacity, from 80 to 120 during the academic year 2020-21, then from 120 to 180 for the academic year 2022-23, and then from 180 to 240 for the academic year 2022-23, all under the same expansion initiative.
Similarly, NLSIU has increased the LL.M PG program intake from 100 to 120 students in the academic year 2024-25. This mirrors their previous expansion efforts, where the intake was raised from 50 to 75 students during the academic year 2022-23 and then from 75 to 100 students for the academic year 2023-24 as part of the NLSIU Inclusion and Expansion Plan. The overarching goal of this plan is to achieve a projected enrollment of over 2,200 students in their on-campus programs by the academic year 2028-29.
Regarding seat allocation, for the 5-year integrated B.A.LL.B program, there are certain reservations in place. This includes the following:
| Scheduled Caste | 15% of seats (equivalent to 45 seats) |
| Scheduled Tribe | 7.5 % of seats (or 23 seats) |
| Other Backward Classes (OBCs) | 27% of seats (comprising 81 seats) |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 10% of seats (totaling 30 seats) |
| Persons with Disabilities (PWD) (Horizontally) | 5% of the total intake, amounting to 15 seats |
| Women (Horizontally) | 30% of the total intake, amounting to 90 seats |
| Karnataka Students | 25% of the total intake, amounting to 75 seats |
Seat reservations are also in effect for the 1-year LL.M degree program. This entails:
| Scheduled Caste | 15% of seats (18 seats) |
| Scheduled Tribe | 7.5% of seats (9 seats) |
| OBCs | 27% of seats (33 seats) |
| EWS | 10% of seats (12 seats) |
| Persons with Disabilities (PWD) | 5% of the total intake, which constitutes 6 seats |
| Women | 30% of the total intake, which constitutes 36 seats |
| Karnataka Students | 25% of the total intake, which constitutes 30 seats |
In other recent developments, the university has introduced an enhanced legal writing program, which includes a dissertation component. This program is an elective choice for students in their final year of the B.A.LL.B (Hons) course. Simultaneously, the university is actively revamping this program’s curriculum to enhance its interdisciplinary nature, offering students the option to select Major and Minor specializations.
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NLSIU Bangalore Seats: 5-Year B.A., LL.B. (Hons.)
NLSIU accepts students from the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) for admission to its undergraduate B.A., LL.B. (Hons.) program. Admission to this 5-year program is purely based on merit as assessed through the CLAT administered by the Consortium of NLUs.
Intake and Reservation (Academic Year 2024-25)
The total intake capacity shall be 300 students for the academic 2025-25. Seats shall be reserved as follows:
| Category | Seats in Percentage |
| Scheduled Castes | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribes | 7.5% |
| Other Backward Classes (Non-creamy layer) | 27% |
| Economically Weaker Sections | 10% |
| Persons with Disabilities – (Horizontal reservation) | 5% |
| Women (Horizontal reservation) | 30% |
| Karnataka Students (Compartmentalised Horizontal reservation) | 25% |
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NLSIU Bangalore Seats: 1-Year LL.M.
Admission to the LL.M. degree is based on merit as assessed through the CLAT administered by the Consortium of NLUs.
Intake and Reservation (Academic Year 2025-26)
The total intake capacity is 120 students for the academic year 2025-26, with the following breakup:
| Category | Seats in Percentage |
| Scheduled Castes | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribes | 7.5% |
| Other Backward Classes (Non-creamy layer) | 27% |
| Economically Weaker Sections | 10% |
| Persons with Disabilities (Horizontal reservation) | 5% |
| Women (Horizontal reservation) | 30% |
| Karnataka Students* (Compartmentalised Horizontal reservation) | 25% |
Factors Affecting the Number of Seat Availability in NLSIU Bangalore
Several factors can influence the number of seats available in NLU Bangalore:
Government Policies
Changes in government policies regarding legal education and reservation can impact the total number of seats.
Institutional Decisions
The university may increase or decrease the intake based on faculty availability, infrastructure, and demand.
Reservation
A portion of the seats is typically reserved for candidates from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
Demand for Legal Education
The overall demand for legal education in India can influence the number of students seeking admission to NLSIU Bangalore.
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Why NLSIU Bangalore?
Top-Ranked Institution
NLSIU Bangalore is consistently ranked as the top law school in India and has revolutionized legal education. Introducing the integrated 5-year BA LLB course has set a new standard for academic excellence.
Integral Legal Education
The programs at NLU Bangalore blend legal studies with other subjects as well, offering students a multidisciplinary understanding. Graduates are equipped with the ability to analyze legal issues within a broader social and political context, making them versatile professionals.
Expert Faculty
NLSIU boasts a highly qualified faculty comprising renowned scholars and practitioners from diverse legal fields. Their combination of academic expertise and practical experience offers students an in-depth and comprehensive legal education, ensuring they understand the law’s theoretical and practical aspects.
Research and Practical Learning
The university strongly emphasizes hands-on legal training. Through moot courts, internships, clinical legal education, and legal aid societies, students gain practical experience early in their careers. This prepares them for real-world legal challenges and enhances their employability.
Outstanding Career Opportunities
NLSIU graduates enjoy unparalleled placement records. Leading national and international law firms, corporations, public sector units, and judicial bodies regularly recruit from the university. Many alumni also pursue prestigious postgraduate programs at world-class institutions like Harvard, Oxford, and Yale.
Global Alumni Network
NLSIU’s alumni network is one of its greatest assets. Alumni hold influential positions across various sectors, including law firms, the judiciary, public policy, and academia, offering current students valuable mentorship and networking opportunities.
Focus on Social Responsibility
NLSIU encourages students to contribute to society through legal aid clinics, public interest litigation, and human rights advocacy. This focus on social justice aligns with the university’s mission of producing legal professionals who are not only skilled but also socially responsible.
Vibrant Campus Life
Beyond academics, NLSIU Bangalore provides a thriving campus life with numerous co-curricular and extracurricular activities, including debating, moot courts, and cultural fests. This holistic environment nurtures students’ personal growth alongside their academic development.
Location Advantage – Bangalore
Located in Bangalore, a central hub for law and tech industries, NLSIU students benefit from proximity to a wide range of professional opportunities. The city’s cosmopolitan nature also provides a dynamic living and learning experience.
Securing a seat in NLSIU Bangalore is the ideal destination for aspiring lawyers. It offers world-class legal education, unmatched career opportunities, and a platform for holistic personal development.
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FAQs About Number of Seats in NLU Bangalore 2024-25
Yes, there is a reservation of seats as per the government’s guidelines.
The seats reserved for Karnataka students (compartmentalized horizontal reservation) in NLSIU Bangalore LLM seat matrix 2024-25 is 25%.
The seats reserved for ST category students in NLSIU Bangalore seat matrix 2024-25 is 7.5%.
The seats reserved for persons with disabilities (horizontal reservation) students in NLSIU Bangalore BA LLB (Hons.) seat matrix 2024-25 is 5%.
The number of seats can vary slightly from year to year.
