At a Glance
NLSIU was the first National Law University established in India to pioneer legal education reforms. The University has remained a leader in the field of legal education in India for over 30 years. NLSIU has been consistently ranked No 1 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework since 2018 – the year when NIRF law rankings was introduced.
Commenced from
1988
On Campus Students
1078
Faculty
74
Programmes
14
Study
Undergraduate Degrees
The five-year integrated undergraduate B.A. LL.B (Hons) Degree Programme is the flagship degree at NLSIU that offers students training in a range of legal and non-legal subjects. NLSIU pioneered this five-year programme in India with an intention to provide a strong foundation upon which students can choose to pursue professional options or further academic opportunities.
Postgraduate Degrees
NLSIU’s Postgraduate Programmes include the one-year Master of Laws (LL.M.) Programme, the two-year Master’s Programme in Public Policy (MPP), and our newly launched 3-Year LLB (Hons) Programme. The MPP is an interdisciplinary programme that provides comprehensive training in designing, translating, and evaluating the efficacy of policies.
Research Degrees
The Research Programmes are intended for students and practitioners keen on pursuing advanced studies, research and scholarship. The University offers the following research degree programmes: Ph.D (Law), and Ph.D Interdisciplinary Programme.
Online & Hybrid Programmes
The Online and Hybrid Programmes offered by NLSIU’s Professional And Continuing Education (PACE) is intended to make legal education more accessible to interested students and practitioners, desiring flexibility with location and time. We offer eight programmes to graduates of any discipline from a recognised University.
Research
Over the last three decades, NLS has played a significant role in legal research and reform. This has included working on key legislation that has shaped India’s development. Its specialised research centres have been repeatedly called upon to shape laws and improve implementation in intellectual property, child rights, and environmental laws, among many others. Our focus areas for the path ahead include state capacity in the 21st century, issues of law and technology, the future of work and legal system reform.
NLSIU Community

We want to keep pushing the pedal on student outcomes. With the increased numbers, and therefore increased diversity in various student interests, we should be able to get a cohort that can excel in various areas,” he says. This will ensure that the NLSIU graduates contribute not just in the traditional legal practice fields like litigation but also in other associated avenues, such as policy think tanks and civil society organisations.
Prof. N S Nigam
Registrar & Professor of Law, NLSIU
About Prof. N S Nigam