NLSIU Bangalore

3-Year LL.B. (Hons.)

In 1988, NLSIU launched India’s first 5-year integrated BA LLB (Hons) programme. The success of this programme has secured NLS’s legacy as the institution that radically disrupted legal education in India. Three decades after this bold experiment, NLSIU launched a new interdisciplinary 3-year LLB (Hons) Programme in 2022 which reimagines legal education for the 21st century.

The 3-year LLB (Hons) is a postgraduate professional degree programme that is open to graduates from all disciplines. It is a qualifying degree for admission to legal practice. The programme meets all requirements of the Bar Council of India, and builds on top of that to deliver a rigorous legal education in keeping with NLSIU’s unique curricular and pedagogic approach. The programme is structured around interdisciplinary study of the law combined with experiential learning. The programme will bridge theory and practice. It is designed to produce lawyers who meet the challenges of the 21st century.

The 3-year LLB (Hons) is a full-time programme. Admission to the programme is on the basis of all-India National entrance test (NLSAT-LLB). The Academic Year usually commences on July 1. Please note, 75% attendance is mandated for each course offered under the programme.

Related Videos

Watch videos on the programme here. 

 

The academic year will commence on July 1, 2024. Admission to the LL.B (Hons) programme will be through a national-level entrance examination process.

Eligibility

Any person holding a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized national or international University is eligible to apply to the programme. Applicants in the General Category should have graduated with an aggregate of not less than 45% of total marks. Applicants in the SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PWD Category should have graduated with an aggregate of not less than 40% of total marks. Students in the final year of their Bachelor’s degree are also eligible to apply. However, their final offer of admission shall be contingent upon successful completion of their Bachelor’s
degree with the minimum aggregate marks specified above. Proof of completion of the qualifying degree has to be submitted no later than December 31, 2024.

International Students

Candidates can apply for the NLSAT – International Examination for “international student” category, if they fulfil the following conditions:

  • They should be a citizen of a country other than India; AND
  • They should have completed a minimum of ten years of their education in a school/college/university outside India.

For more details, click here.

Admission Process

The maximum intake for the 3-year LL.B (Hons.) programme in the Academic Year 2024-25 is 120 and ONLY students qualifying as per the criteria set out below will be admitted. Admission to the programme will be through an all-India written admissions test, the National Law School Admissions Test (NLSAT-LLB).

NLSAT – LLB

All candidates seeking admission to the programme shall appear for the NLSAT-LLB. The NLSAT-LLB will have a single question paper comprising two parts – Parts A and B. All candidates shall be required to attempt both parts of the question paper. The examination shall be for a duration of 150 minutes.

Part A

Part A of the NLSAT-LLB paper will consist of Multiple-Choice Questions, and shall be for a maximum of 75 marks. Each question will be of one mark. 0.25 marks shall be deducted for each wrong answer, and for each unanswered question. Part A of the NLSAT-LLB will consist of questions relating to (a) Comprehension; (b) Current Affairs; and (c) Critical reasoning.

Part A will constitute the first stage of the admissions process. A rank list of candidates will be prepared based on their performance in Part A of the NLSAT-LLB. To be eligible for evaluation of Part B of the NLSAT-LLB paper, a candidate should have secured more than zero marks in Part A of the paper.

From amongst these eligible candidates, Part B of the NLSAT-LLB answer scripts will be evaluated in a ratio of 1:5 based on performance in Part A. That is, five candidates per seat available will qualify for evaluation of Part B of the examination.

Part B

Part B shall consist of subjective questions which shall be for a maximum of 75 marks. A fresh and final rank list shall be prepared based on the cumulative performance in Parts A and B of the NLSAT-LLB. Offers of admission shall be made according to this final rank list subject to the candidate satisfying the following conditions:

(a) The candidate should have secured more than zero marks in both Parts A and B of the NLSAT-LLB.
(b) The candidate’s cumulative score (sum of Part A and Part B) should be above the 75th percentile of the eligible candidates if they have applied under the General and EWS categories. Their score should be above the 40th percentile of the eligible candidates if they have applied under the SC/ST/OBC-NCL or PWD categories.

Note: The applicable reservations policy shall be applied at each stage of the admissions process.

In Part B, candidates will be tested on the following:

(a) Legal Aptitude/Reasoning (60 marks): Legal aptitude will consist of problem-based questions. Students will be expected to write short answers in response (300-350 words). Prior knowledge of law is not expected. This section will have 6 questions of 10 marks each.

(b)   Analytical Ability (15 marks): Candidates will be required to write an essay of no more than 500 words on the topic/question. They will be tested on their knowledge of the issue, the ability to make cogent written arguments and the ability to write a well-structured essay. Knowledge of the law is not expected.

For any queries regarding NLSAT, please write to

Important Dates

  • The NLSAT-LLB will be held on March 17, 2024 (Sunday), from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm in centres across the country.
  • Application forms for the programme are available here from December 29, 2023.
  • Application fees of Rs. 2500 (Rupees Two Thousand Five Hundred only) shall be payable at the time of submission of the application. Candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PWD/EWS category shall be required to pay Rs. 2000 (Rupees Two Thousand only).
  • Application deadline has been extended to 11:59 pm IST, on February 28, 2024. View official notification.
  • The final admissions list will be published in May 2024.
    A candidate’s provisional admission will become final only after verification of the originals of documents and payment of fees.
  • The Academic Year will commence from July 1, 2024.

Fees and other details of the programme are available on the fee tab of the page. NLSAT-LLB will be held in several centres across the country. The list of centres will be available on the application portal (admissions.nls.ac.in).

Intake and Reservation

The total number of seats available are 120 (One hundred and twenty). Seats shall be reserved as follows:

  • Scheduled Castes – 15%
  • Scheduled Tribes – 7.5%
  • OBCs – 27%
  • EWS – 10%
  • 5% of the total intake is reserved horizontally for Persons with Disabilities (PWD)
  • 30% of the total intake is reserved horizontally for women
  • 25% of the total intake is reserved horizontally (compartmentalised) for Karnataka Students.

Karnataka Students Category:

1. Candidates who have studied for not less than 10 years in a recognized educational institution in Karnataka shall be considered as ‘Karnataka Students.’

2. Candidates who have not completed ten years of study in Karnataka shall be eligible to apply under the Karnataka Students category if they fall under any of the below categories:

a. Children of defence personnel/ex-servicemen, who at the time of joining service, have declared their hometown to be in the State of Karnataka, and who have served or are serving outside Karnataka, corresponding to the candidate’s years of study outside Karnataka.

b. Children of employees of the Karnataka State Government who have served or are serving outside Karnataka corresponding to the candidate’s years of study outside Karnataka.

c. Children of serving or retired employees belonging to the Karnataka cadre of the All India Services (IAS/IFS/IPS), who have served or are serving outside Karnataka corresponding to the candidate’s years of study outside Karnataka.

d. Children of working or retired employees in the Central Armed Police Force service, who upon joining service declared their hometown to be in the State of Karnataka, and who have served or are serving outside Karnataka, corresponding to the candidate’s years of study outside Karnataka.

Illustration: If the candidate has studied in Karnataka for three (3) years, they must prove that their parent/s were serving outside Karnataka for at least seven (7) years corresponding to their own period of study outside Karnataka.

If the candidate has not studied in Karnataka continuously for at least one (1) year, they must prove that their parent/s were serving outside Karnataka for at least ten (10) years corresponding to their own period of study outside Karnataka.

3. Eligible candidates must keep their Study Certificates issued by their educational institutions and other relevant documents ready to be submitted at the time of admission.

The official admission notification containing the above details for the Academic Year 2024-25 has been released. View the official notification here.

 

Course Structure & Credit Requirements

As part of the 3-year LL.B (Hons.) programme, students will be offered a range of core courses (mandatory for all students), and electives.

Core Courses

Core courses provide an introduction to an area of study. These include foundational law subjects as well as interdisciplinary courses (See table below). Interdisciplinary courses offer students a perspective on how to understand the law, and to place the study of law in context.

Every credit for a core course shall entail 15 hours of classroom teaching. All courses are generally for four credits. These courses entail 60 hours of classroom teaching and include a continuing assessment component comprising assignments, research papers, presentations, class participation, moot court exercises, response papers, etc.

Elective Courses

To allow students to explore their areas of interest in a systematic and comprehensive manner, NLSIU offers a range of elective courses. In addition to NLSIU’s own faculty, electives are often taught by practitioners and other experts who come in as Guest Faculty. This allows students to interact with and learn from a pick of the very best in diverse areas of law. The list of courses available in a particular trimester will be notified at the end of the previous trimester.

Credits assigned to an elective will vary by course load and the number of lecture hours. A maximum of four credits is available for a single elective course.  When the term “elective” is used in the table below, it implies that every student shall either opt for a single elective of 4 credits, or multiple electives totalling up to 4 credits.

Since elective courses are taught at advanced levels, they entail heavier reading, research and writing requirements. Hence, the credit distribution varies according to the following scale:

  • One Credit: 15 hours of classroom teaching
  • Two Credits: 30 hours of classroom teaching
  • Four Credits: 40 hours of classroom teaching

Some electives will be in the form of clinics and practicums. These may entail lesser classroom engagement, and greater out of class evaluation components. The credits assigned to each clinical elective shall be notified in advance.

Every student has to complete a minimum of 48 credits in an academic year (between core and electives) and a total of 144 credits over the three years.

To view past and current electives offered by NLSIU, visit our Course Catalogue.

Student Internships

The internship programme aims to expose the students to the practice of law. Internships may be undertaken in lawyers’ chambers, courts, administrative offices, quasi-judicial establishments, prosecution departments, police and correctional institutions, commercial corporate establishments, Government Law Offices, legal aid centres, legislative secretariat, think-tanks, research institutions, non-governmental organizations etc. It aims to teach professional skills, essential aspects of professional ethics and social responsibility issues and management of challenging situations in practical and professional life. Internships allow students to explore diverse substantive areas of law and different sites of legal practice and equip students to decide on future career trajectories. They often translate into job opportunities. Students need to compulsorily undertake an internship each year of the programme, during term breaks, as specified in the University’s Internship Policy.

Course Curriculum

Year 1

Trimester I

Legal Methods
Law of Torts
Contracts – I
Jurisprudence

Trimester II

Contracts – II
Constitutional Law – I
Property Law
Interpretation

Trimester III

Family Law – I
Constitutional Law – II
Criminal Law – I
Introduction to Law & Social Sciences

Year 2

Trimester I

Criminal Law – II (Criminal Procedure)
Civil Procedure Code
Law of Evidence
Elective 1

Trimester II

Corporate Law
Drafting, Pleading, and Conveyancing
Family Law – II
Elective 2

Trimester III

Administrative & Regulatory Laws
Law and Social Transformation
ADR (including Mediation)
Elective 3

Year 3

Trimester I

Taxation Laws
Labour Law – I
Elective 4
Elective 5

Trimester II

Public International Law
Labour Law – II
Elective 6
Elective 7

Trimester III

Professional Ethics
Environmental Laws
Elective 8
Elective 9
Moot Courts & Internships

Fee Structure for AY 2024-25 (First Year Students)

Admission fee (one time) – 12,000/-
Tuition and facilities fee – 2,69,000/-
Total fee per annum – 2,81,000/-

One Time Refundable Deposit
Refundable deposits for SC/ST category students – 15,500/-
Refundable deposits for other students – 20,000/-

The total amount payable by SC/ST category students is Rs. 2,96,500/-
The total amount payable by other students is Rs. 3,01,000/-

NOTE:

  • Fees mentioned above are provisional and subject to ratification by the University  Governing Bodies.
  • Hostel accommodation shall be provided to the LL.B (Hons.) Candidates only on the basis of availability. Information pertaining to availability of hostel accommodation and the process of application for hostel accommodation shall be notified in due course.

Financial Aid

The University offers means-based scholarships. To know more about NLSIU’s financial aid options for students, click here

Fee Structure for International Students for AY 2024-25 (First Year Students)

Admission fee (one time) – Rs. 36,000/-
Tuition and facilities fee – Rs. 8,07,000/-
Hostel residential charges – Rs. 45,000/-
Mess charges – Rs. 67,500/-
Total fee per annum – Rs. 9,55,500/-

One Time Refundable Deposit
Refundable deposits – Rs. 60,000/-
The total amount payable at the time of admission, by foreign students is Rs. 10,15,500/- 

* Fees mentioned above are provisional and subject to ratification by the University Governing Bodies.
* Mess fee includes meal plan for breakfast, lunch, dinner and an evening snack.

Academic Calendar for A.Y. 2023-24 | Trimester III (March 2024 – May 2024)

Date Day Particulars
11-Mar-2024
to
14-Mar-2024
Monday
to
Thursday
Repeat examination for Trimester II
11-Mar-2024 Monday Commencement of classes (core and elective)
29-Mar-2024 Friday Holiday
Good Friday
9-Apr-2024 Tuesday Holiday
Ugadi
11-Apr-2024 Thursday Holiday
Khutub-E-Ramzan
15-Apr-2024
to
26-Apr-2024
Intensive fortnight 1. Two hours of classes every week from March 11, 2024 to April 12, 2024 and April 29, 2024 to May 30, 2024 [16 hours in total]
2. Two hours of on-campus classes on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and four hours of on-campus classes on Wednesday between April 15 and April 26, 2024 [24 hours of classes]
1-May-2024 Wednesday Holiday
May Day
24-May-2024 Friday Deadline for Elective Term / Seminar paper submission
30-May-2024 Thursday Last day of classes (core and elective)
31-May-2024 Friday Oral Presentations for Elective & Intensive Elective Courses
1-Jun-2024 Saturday Elective Examination
2-June-2024
to
5-June-2024
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
End Term Examinations
17-Jun-2024 Monday Holiday
Bakrid
18-Jun-2024
to
22-Jun-2024
Tuesday
to
Saturday
Repeat examination for Trimester III
1-July-2024 Monday Commencement of Trimester I classes (core and elective) of Academic Year 2024-25

 

What is NLSIU's 3-Year LLB (Hons) programme?

The 3-year LL.B (Hons.) programme is an effort in reimagining legal education for the 21st century. It is a qualifying law degree that will equip students from various disciplines to pursue a high-quality legal education. The programme is interdisciplinary in nature and will prepare students to use law in addressing contemporary challenges in diverse walks of social and political life.

Why did NLSIU start the 3-year LLB (Hons) programme?

The 3-year LLB (Hons.) programme provides an opportunity for students who have specialized in other disciplines to pursue legal education. This programme is aimed at making legal education at NLSIU more vibrant, adding to the interdisciplinary focus of all our programmes. The unique NLS pedagogy and the rigour of the NLS classroom that is the hallmark of our degree programmes is equally applied to this LLB (Hons) programme as well. We invite bright and motivated students who are keen on pursuing an intensive legal education after graduation to apply for the programme.

Is the 3-Year LLB (Hons) a full time programme?

Yes, the 3-Year LLB (Hons) is a full time programme. 

 

How do I apply for the 3-Year LLB (Hons) Programme?

Admissions will be through the National Law School Admissions Test (NLSAT-LLB), scheduled to be held on March 17, 2024. The online application form is available here. 

How is the 3-Year LLB (Hons) an interdisciplinary programme?

NLS aims at creating the next generation of thought leaders in the field of law. Hence, the programme will have a unique interdisciplinary approach to legal pedagogy. It will teach doctrine (which will equip students to practice the law) along with courses that provide students insights from disciplines like sociology, anthropology, economics, history, politics, gender studies, development studies, etc. to evolve a nuanced perspective on what law is, how it functions in society, and how it relates to questions of social transformation.

Is the 3-Year LLB (Hons) an experiential programme? 

Yes, the programme will bridge theory and practice by offering students a range of clinics and practicums as part of the curriculum. These courses will provide students the opportunity to apply their classroom learning to live cases and issues. The curriculum is being designed in a way that facilitates courses focused on experiential learning. 

 

What courses are offered under this programme?

The syllabus complies with all requirements of the Bar Council of India. In addition, students will mandatorily take a unique set of courses developed by NLSIU at the intersection of law and other disciplines. Students will also choose from a wide range of electives that will allow them to specialize in their areas of interest.

Please note, 75% attendance is mandated for each course offered under the programme.

 

 

What career opportunities will be available after I graduate from this programme?

The LLB (Hons) is a professional degree programme and qualifies a student for admission to legal practice. NLSIU graduates have gone on to become judges, leading lawyers, and academics in top universities in India and abroad. Many of them also work in public service including in civil service, international organizations, and NGOs. Corporate law firms and corporate houses recruit directly from the campus. Graduates have also used their law degree as a foundation for careers beyond the law. The 3-year programme will equip students with the knowledge, temperament, and skill set to pursue similar careers and to also tread new paths. 

 

How is the 3-year LLB (Hons) different from the LLM programme?

The two programmes are completely different. The 3-year LL.B (Hons) degree is open to graduates from any discipline. It is a professional law degree and is required to practice as a lawyer. LL.M is an advanced degree in law, to which only law graduates can apply.

Is there any age limit to apply to the programme?

Any person holding a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized national or international University is eligible to apply to the programme. There is no age limit to apply to the programme.

I am in the final year of my Bachelor's programme. Am I eligible for admission to the LL.B (Hons.) course?

Candidates who are in the final year of their Bachelor’s degree can apply for admission to the 3-Year LL.B (Hons.) programme. We recognise that many universities may not conduct their final examinations before completion of the admissions process to the LL.B course. To address this situation, admitted students who are in the final year of their Bachelor’s degree and have not obtained their final results, will have to provide proof of eligibility for admission by December 31, 2024. That is, they can commence the course in July, but their admission shall remain provisional till they provide proof of eligibility. Provisionally admitted students will have to complete all other requirements including payment of fees and regular attendance in classes.

Has NLSIU released the application form for the 3-year LLB (Hons) programme?

The admission notification for AY 2024-25 has been uploaded on the NLS website. To view the official notification, please click on the admission tab of the LLB (Hons) page. The application form is available here.

What is the date and time of the entrance examination?

The NLSAT-LLB (Hons) for the next Academic Year will be held on March 17, 2024 between 10 am-12:30 pm.

What is the mode of the entrance examination?

The exam will be an offline paper-based examination. The list of centres is available in the application form.

 

 

Will sample questions be released?

NLSIU had released sample questions for NLSAT 2022. They are available here.

Sample questions for NLSAT 2024 have been uploaded on the admissions portal and will be accessible to candidates who have completed their application process for the NLSAT 2024.

I am in the final year of my Bachelors degree, and don't have a bonafide certificate from my college/university. Can I upload another document as part of my application?

You will be required to upload your student ID for the time being. You will have to provide the required proof if you are offered admission to the programme.

Can candidates underline keywords in comprehension passages or write keywords next to the passage?

Candidates are allowed to underline parts of the passage or questions. However, making any other marking or writing notes directly on the question paper is prohibited. A separate page is provided for making notes and for rough work.  

How much space will we get to answer questions in Part B?

The sample questions uploaded on the admissions portal include illustrative space allocations for writing answers in Part B. Please note that some questions may have specific word limits, as mentioned in the syllabus of the exam on the website. 

Does the time limit for attempting the exam exclude filling up the name, roll number and other personal details? Do candidates get separate time to read the questions?

No. The examination lasts two and a half hours. The question paper booklets can only be opened at the start of the examination at 10:00 am and no separate time is provided for filling in details or for reading the questions.