Top Law Colleges in India According to the NIRF 2023
With over 1200 law colleges, India boasts a robust legal education system that has delivered some of the world’s greatest industry stalwarts like Kapil Sibal, Ram Jethmalani, and KK Venugopal. These lawyers, while renowned for their aptitude and eloquence, showcase how law aspirants in the country can take charge of their careers and rise to the very top. But, much like every other field, the journey of each law candidate begins in the halls of India’s best law institutions. Based on the NIRF rankings 2023, we’ve shortlisted the top law colleges in India, the colleges that every law aspirant dreams of attending.
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The parameters of ranking the top law colleges in India
The NIRF scores law colleges based on a five-parameter framework. Each parameter is scored out of 100 and then normalized according to their associated weightage. You can refer to the NIRF India website for a more detailed outlook of the ranking framework.
- Teaching, Learning, and and Resources
The first parameter measures the quality of learning being imparted in the institution by assessing available resources and faculty strength. It has a 40% weightage in the overall score.
- Research and Professional Practice
The second parameter, with a weightage of 15%, examines the impact the institution and its faculty have on real-time research, publications, and practice.
- Graduation Outcomes
Accounting for 25% of the overall score, graduation outcomes analyse the achievements of the students graduating from the institution.
- Outreach and Inclusivity
The fourth parameter is responsible for 10% of the score. It checks how well the institution has managed to attract talent from diverse backgrounds across society strata.
- Perception
The last parameter, responsible for 10% of the score, determines the regard that peers and employers hold towards the institution.
The top law colleges in India according to the NIRF 2023
Based on the parameters, NLSIU Bangalore has managed to continue its stranglehold on the top spot for the sixth consecutive year. NLU Delhi, too, retains its second position. NALSAR Hyderabad reclaimed its third spot this year, while Symbiosis Law School and Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan remain the top private law colleges.
1. National Law School of India University, Bangalore
Established in 1991, NLSIU Bangalore has long been hailed as one of the best legal schools in South Asia. Spread over a 23-acre campus, it offers fully residential bachelor’s as well as master’s programs for students. Admission is taken through CLAT, with cutoffs usually ranging from 98 – 102 marks and seats filling up by rank 120.
2. National Law University, New Delhi
NLU Delhi is the only NLU that doesn’t give admission via CLAT; instead, it conducts its exam called the AILET. The cutoffs for general students range from 70 to 80 marks for its flagship BA LLB program. It is a top college with a lot to offer to law aspirants with deep industry connections bolstered by its proximity to the business centre of Delhi.
3.NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
NALSAR, South India’s premier law college, is spread over 55 acres and offers fully residential LLB and LLM programs. Established in 1998, it has grown in stature with a widely recognized alumni base. Students need to take CLAT to get a seat here with marks between 98 and 100.
4. The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata
Located in the historically significant Kolkata, WBNUJS is a well-known law school with a powerful reputation in the industry, as witnessed by its solid placements. An average annual package of Rs. 16,00,000 puts students on the best footing to pursue their legal goals. Students wishing to go here must aim for 94+ in their CLAT exam to solidify their chances of landing a seat.
5. Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
Jamia Millia Islamia has a fierce reputation for its criminal law program, having birthed some of our country’s best litigators and prosecutors. For admissions, students must take the JMI BA LLB Entrance Examination and a personal interview.
6. Symbiosis Law School, Pune
As the country’s best private law school, Symbiosis has quickly established itself as a top competitor for all the NLUs. Students need to register separately for the SLAT, the entrance test, and the SLS, the school. While there are Symbiosis campuses across the country, the most coveted one is in Pune, where the cutoffs can easily exceed 45 marks.
7. Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar
Spread over 50 acres, GNLU is often cited as a leader in moot court competitions and international jamborees. With a green campus with nearly 900 students pursuing law, the institution has built a formidable reputation for itself. Admissions are taken through CLAT with cutoffs in the mid-90s.
8. Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan, Bhubaneshwar
The second-best private law college, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan National School of Law, offers programs in private, corporate, criminal, and modern law. While it holds its entrance exam, it also takes in admissions through CLAT and LSAT.
9. Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
The Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law is a constituent school of IIT Kgp that offers LLB and LLM programs with specializations in intellectual property rights. The specialization makes it a one-of-a-kind establishment perfect for aspirants willing to pursue IP law as a career. The course is specifically designed for candidates from STEM backgrounds. They also need to take a computer-based entrance test to certify their qualifications.
10. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow
While BBAU Lucknow is one of the best central universities in India, its law department is relatively new, having been established in 2008-09. But in little more than a decade, it has established itself as a reputed law school comfortably placed in the top 10, according to NIRF. Admissions to this prestigious university are conducted through CUET (UG/PG) and based on the marks scored.
Getting admission to the top law colleges in India is a challenging task. Students must spend months preparing for the various entrance exams that are critical to the admission process. While many choose to prepare independently, signing up for a comprehensive coaching program to maximize admission opportunities is advised. IMS Get.Set.Law offers both CLAT online coaching as well as classroom coaching. These extensive programs cover a multitude of different exams and prepare students for a promising career in law.