Admissions FAQs - National Law School of India University

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Here are some General FAQs that will help you gain a better understanding of the admission process at NLSIU. Please note, any programme-specific FAQs can be viewed on the respective programme pages.

What is the process of admission to NLSIU?

Admission to the National Law School of India University is on the basis of an admission test only.

Admission to the 5-Year B.A., LL.B. (Hons.) and the 1 Year LL.M. degree programmes, is through the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). Queries related to these programmes at NLSIU should be sent to
For further details regarding CLAT, please visit https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/
Admission to the 3-Year LL.B. (Hons.), Master’s Programme in Public Policy (MPP) and Ph.D programmes is through the National Law School Admission Test (NLSAT). All NLSAT related queries should be sent to
Admission details for our online and hybrid programmes is available on our PACE website pace.nls.ac.in
For queries related to these programmes, please write to
For enquiries regarding admission to international students at NLSIU, click here.

Does NLSIU give additional time for International Baccalaureate (IB) and IGCSE students to submit their Grade 12 final transcripts?

We do not accept predicted or mid-year transcripts. Students will have to produce their final transcripts during counselling and allotment of seats.

Is there any age limit to apply for the programmes?

There is no age limit to apply for UG and PG programmes.

I have completed my undergraduate degree. Can I apply for a PG programme at NLSIU?

Students will have to complete their BA LLB programme to be eligible for the LLM programme on campus.
Students who have completed any undergraduate degree may apply for the on-campus MPP programme or off-campus online and hybrid programmes offered by NLSIU’s Professional and Continuing Education Department.

What kind of reservations are applicable for NLSIU's programmes?

NLSIU prescribes reservations for candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC (Non-creamy layer) and EWS students in its full-time on campus programmes. Additionally, seats are reserved horizontally for Persons with Disabilities, Women, and Karnataka Students.

The detailed reservation policy is available along with other details on the respective programme pages as linked below:

5-Year BA LLB (Hons) P rogramme
LL.M Programme
3-Year LLB (Hons) Programme
Master’s Programme in Public Policy

What documents have to be furnished by candidates if the reservation is applicable?

If you belong to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer) category, you are required to provide your valid caste category certificate issued by the Competent Authority at the time of counselling/admission.
If you belong to the EWS category, you are required to provide valid EWS Certificate issued by the Competent Authority at the time of counselling/admission.
If you belong to the PWD category, you are required to provide your Disability Certificate indicating benchmark disability issued by the competent authority at the time of counselling/admission.
If you belong to the Karnataka Student category, you are required to provide study certificates issued by recognized educational institutions in Karnataka at the time of counselling/admission.
If you are the child of a government servant or defence personnel from Karnataka, relevant proof of service needs to be produced at the time of counselling/admission.

Please note, candidates unable to provide valid proof of belonging to SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PWD/Karnataka Student categories at the time of admission shall not be eligible for admission to the University under the respective quota.

Which authority can issue Caste/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)/EWS Certificates?

Please note that only the following authorities are competent to issue Caste Certificates, OBC-Non-Creamy Layer Certificates, and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) Certificates:

District Magistrate/ Additional Magistrate/ Collector/ Deputy Commissioner/ Additional Deputy Commissioner/ Deputy Collector/ Ist Class Stipendiary Magistrate/ Sub-Divisional magistrate/ Taluka Magistrate/ Executive Magistrate/ Extra Assistant Commissioner (not below the rank of Ist Class Stipendiary Magistrate).
Chief Presidency Magistrate / Additional Chief Presidency Magistrate / Presidency Magistrate.
Revenue Officer not below the rank of Tehsildar and
Sub-Divisional Officer of the area where the candidate and/or his family resides
For Karnataka Students Category seats, only study certificates issued by duly recognised and affiliated educational institutions, which attest that the candidate has completed at least 10 years of education in Karnataka, shall be accepted.

Foreign Nationals/International Students:

Is the admission procedure different for foreign nationals/international students? Do applicants outside India have to appear for CLAT?

From Academic Year 2024-25, we have recommenced admitting international students to academic programmes of the University using a new admission process. Admissions will be through a separate admissions test administered by NLSIU. Details about the test will be notified on our website when the Admission Notification is issued. Seats under the “international student” category will be open to students from all countries.

Foreign Nationals who possess a PIO (Person of Indian Origin) or OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card may be eligible to appear for the CLAT examination as per the rules and eligibility notified by the consortium website.

Who qualifies as an international student?

To be eligible for admission under the “international student” category, the candidate should be a citizen of a country other than India, and should have completed at least 10 years of their education in a school/college/University outside India.

I have completed my schooling abroad. Will my grades be accepted?

The candidate will first have to appear for the entrance examination. If you secure admission, NLSIU will consider your grades. Upon converting your school grades, it should be equivalent to 45% under the Indian grading system to be eligible.

I've lived and studied in Karnataka for more than 15 years, but I am an OCI card holder. Is the Karnataka student reservation still applicable to me?

If a OCI Card Holder student shows (through Study Certificates issued by their School/s) that they were students in a registered educational institution in Karnataka for at least 10 years, they are eligible under the Karnataka student quota.