The Ph.D (Law) programme offers candidates an opportunity to contribute to the academic field in their chosen areas of study. As a part of the programme, candidates are also provided an opportunity to teach or participate in ongoing research at NLSIU, in areas related to their dissertation, allowing for deeper integration with the NLSIU community and providing diverse feedback opportunities.
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Fill Out FormThe admission notification for AY 2023-24 has been released. View the official notification here.
Please note, the application deadline has been extended to April 10, 2023 (11:59:59 pm). View the corrigendum here.
Admission to the programme will be through an all-India written admissions test, the National Law School Admissions Test (NLSAT-PhD). The NLSAT-PhD will be held on April 30, 2023 from 10 am – 12:30 pm.
For any queries regarding NLSAT, please write to
Apply for the ProgrammeFor Indian Nationals
| Fee | Amount |
| Registration Fee (at the time of admission) | Rs. 30,000/- |
| Course Work Fee (at the time of admission) | Rs. 30,000/- |
| Annual Fee (every year for the first three years of the programme) failing which a fine will be charged by the University | Rs. 25,000/- |
| Continuation Fee (after the first three years of the programme) | Rs. 15,000/- p.a. |
| Fee for Final Presentation | Rs. 50,000/- |
| Examination Fee (at the time of submission of Thesis) | Rs. 20,000/- |
| Re-submission of thesis | Rs. 20,000/- |
For Foreign Nationals
| Fee | Amount |
| Registration Fee (at the time of admission) | Rs. 65,000/- |
| Course Work Fee (at the time of admission) | Rs. 65,000/- |
| Annual Fee (every year for the first three years of the programme) failing which a fine will be charged by the University | Rs. 57,000/- |
| Continuation Fee (after the first three years of the programme) | Rs. 25,000/- p.a. |
| Fee for Final Presentation | Rs. 1,12,500/- |
| Examination Fee (at the time of submission of thesis) | Rs. 45,000/- |
| Re-submission of thesis | Rs. 45,000/- |
Sample questions for AY 2023-24 will be uploaded shortly.
The University’s PhD programme in the previous year was offered in terms of the Ph.D. Degree Programme Regulations, 2021. The Regulations have been revised for Academic Year 2023-24.
The FAQs below reflect the Ph.D. Degree Programme Regulations 2023.
NLSIU currently offers two Ph.D programmes:
– The Ph.D. (Law) programme allows a candidate to contribute academically in the field of law;
– The Ph.D. (Interdisciplinary) involves research across disciplines to arrive at a more comprehensive perspective and solution for a particular problem.
Yes, they may apply for the Ph.D (Law) programme.
– Candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in Law (LL.B./LL.B. (Hons.) through regular mode from a recognized University. The degree programme in law must be of 3 year or 5 year duration.
Note: The 3-year degree in Law [LL.B or LL.B.(Hons.)] must be in addition to any other undergraduate programme in any discipline.
– Candidates who have obtained 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed are eligible. In case of SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/PWD candidates, 70% of marks or its equivalent grade is required to be eligible.
– Candidates who have earned a Masters in Law (LL.M.) through regular mode from a recognized University and who have obtained 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed are eligible. In case of SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/PWD candidates, 50% of marks or its equivalent grade is required to be eligible).
No, there is no age limit to apply for the programmes.
Candidates will have to appear for the admission test NLSAT – Ph.D, conducted by the University. To apply for AY 2023-24, visit admissions.nls.ac.in
Note: While submitting the application for the admission test, candidates should also submit a research proposal of about 6-8 pages. The research proposal should contain:
i. Title
ii. Statement of the problem and the background information on the subject
iii. A brief outline of the research design including a set of research questions and the proposed methodology
Candidates may apply for either or both Ph.D programmes – Ph.D (Law) and Ph.D (Interdisciplinary) for AY 2023-24 simultaneously, if eligible. Following the admission process, the candidate will be admitted to one of these programmes at NLSIU.
To apply for the Ph.D programmes for AY 2023-24, visit admissions.nls.ac.in
Yes, as the two examinations are being held on two different days, a candidate can apply for both.
The NLSAT-Ph.D will be held on April 30, 2023 while the NLSAT-MPP will be held on April 29, 2023.
The University shall conduct a written test (NLSAT-Ph.D) along the following scheme:
a) Research Aptitude – 50 marks
b) Essays on relevant topics pertaining to law/ other disciplines – 50 marks
The candidates will be selected for admission to the programme based on their marks obtained in the NLSAT- Ph.D, research proposal and the oral presentation. Candidates securing not less than 50% marks on the aggregate in the written test will qualify for evaluation of their Research Proposal and an oral presentation before the University panel.
The weightage of each component shall be as follows:
Admission test – 70%
Research proposal – 20%
Oral presentation – 10%
The list of selected candidates as above shall be displayed on the NLSIU website.
Candidates are required to be present at the NLSIU campus for the duration of their coursework spread over three trimesters. Course work is compulsory for all the Ph.D. candidates.
The first component of the course work must be completed during the first trimester upon their admission. The remaining two trimesters of the course work needs to be completed within the first two academic years.
a) The candidate will have to complete a minimum of three (3) years’ research in their chosen subject, including the mandatory course work as provided in these Regulations.
b) Maximum period: The maximum duration of the Ph.D. programme shall be six (6) years* from the date of admission in the Ph.D. programme, subject to the fulfilment of the requirements per the Regulations.
*- Provided that candidates who are Persons with Disabilities (having more than 40% disability) may be allowed a relaxation of upto two (2) years; however, the total period for completion of a Ph.D. programme in such cases should not exceed eight (8) years from the date of admission in the Ph.D. programme;
– Provided further that female Ph.D. candidates may be provided Maternity Leave/ Child Care Leave for up to 240 days in the entire duration of the Ph.D. programme; however, the total period for completion of a Ph.D. programme in such cases should not exceed six (6) years and eight (8) months from the date of admission in the Ph.D. programme.
c) Failure to complete the course within the maximum period set out in point (b) above will automatically result in cancellation of registration.
There are a total of six courses that a doctoral candidate has to complete. Three of these are compulsory taught courses. Each taught course will extend for around 10 weeks and will be held on campus.
The first compulsory taught course is to be completed in the initial trimester on admission to the programme. The second compulsory taught course can be completed in the initial or any subsequent trimester (depending on when the course is offered). These two taught courses have to be completed prior to the first presentation before the Research Advisory Committee. In addition, there are also two course requirements relating to review of literature and fine-tuning of the proposal which need to be completed under the guidance of the Supervisor prior to the first presentation before the Research Advisory Committee.
The third compulsory taught course has to be completed prior to the second presentation before the Research Advisory Committee. In addition, candidates also will also need to complete the course requirement relating to teaching/research assistantships as will be decided by the Supervisor/relevant University body of the University.
There is a Research Advisory Committee for each Ph.D. scholar consisting of a Supervisor and two members (one from within NLSIU and one external member).
Please refer to the fee tab on the respective programme pages for fee details.
Yes, the University will release sample questions at a later date.
We do not offer rolling admissions to the PhD programme. New students are admitted once a year, to begin studying at the start of the Academic Year in July.
Yes, but only in the next academic year. Candidates will have to appear for the NLSAT after applying for the programme in any given year.
Yes. The University will notify a ‘Campus Open Day’ for you to visit us and familiarize yourself with the campus before applying for any programme through the NLSAT 2023. Follow our website for further updates.