Tamil Nadu is home to several government law colleges, including a National Law University. Students can check complete list of government law colleges in Tamilnadu in 2026 on this page. We have also provided admission process as well as fee structure for several TN government law colleges.
Tamil Nadu is a South Indian state with strong educational infrastructure. Many students from the state and from other parts of India want to study law here. The reason is simple. The state has good law universities, old law colleges and low fees. Government Law Colleges in Tamilnadu offer 3-year LLB, 5-year integrated LLB, LLM and diploma courses. Some colleges also offer criminology and forensic science programmes.
Students can join top government colleges for law in Tamil Nadu through merit or through entrance exam rank. The number of TN Government law colleges varies based on how you define a public law institution. There are 15+ government law colleges in this state to help you make a career in Law. This article gives the complete list of Tamilnadu Government Law Colleges. It also covers the Top 10 Government Law Colleges in Tamilnadu with fees, eligibility, entrance exams, and more.
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- Overview of Government Law Colleges in Tamil Nadu
- List of Government Law Colleges in Tamilnadu
- Top 10 Government Law Colleges in Tamilnadu with Fees
- Tamil Nadu Government Law Colleges by City
- Courses Offered in Government Law Colleges in TN
- Eligibility Criteria for Government Law Colleges in Tamilnadu
- Entrance Exams for Tamil Nadu Government Law Colleges
- Direct Admission to Government Law Colleges in Tamilnadu
Overview of Government Law Colleges in Tamil Nadu
Government Law Colleges in Tamil Nadu are run by the state government or by public universities. Some well-known names are Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU), Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University (TNDALU) and the University of Madras. Government law colleges offer the lowest fees in Tamil Nadu. This is the main reason why students prefer them. Admission is based on marks in qualifying exam or on entrance exam marks. The TNNLU is among the top government law schools in the state. Students should compare courses, fees and locations before they apply.
All TN government law colleges are co-educational. The most common degrees are LLM and BA LLB in TN Government Law Colleges. The LLB degree is offered by 14 colleges. Three institutions offer MSc programmes. Two offer the B.Com LLB degree. Constitutional and Administrative Law, Criminology and Forensic Law and Cyber Law are offered by 4 colleges each. Environmental Law is offered by 3 colleges. This shows that students have many choices in government law colleges in TN. Each college has its own strength. Some are better for criminal law. Others are better for corporate law or intellectual property rights.
Commonly asked questions
The expected cutoff for top 5 NLUs based on previous year is 90+.
No, the Consortium has confirmed that no changes has been made to the CLAT Exam Pattern 2027. It must be noted that CLAT Syllabus has also remained the same this year.
Though CLAT Preparation takes months of practice, it is still not impossible. You can prepare for the CLAT Exam in one week with a correct and dedicated focus. But you should have at least some understanding of concepts to clear the exam.
In CLAT Exam there will be 120 questions. The exam paper will be in MCQ format. Candidates will get 120 minutes to complete the paper. Since there is a negative marking candidates must attempt carefully.
List of Government Law Colleges in Tamilnadu
The List of Government Law Colleges in Tamil Nadu is long. It includes law universities, government law colleges and distance education centres. The table below gives applicable details.
| College |
Location |
Course and Fee Shown |
|---|---|---|
| TNDALU (Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University) |
Chennai |
B.Com LLB Hons, 27 LLM courses |
| Central University of Tamil Nadu |
Thiruvarur |
LLB, LLM |
| Tambaram |
BA LLB, LLM courses |
|
| Directorate of Distance and Continuing Education, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University |
Tirunelveli |
MA Criminology and Police Science |
| Government Law College, Chengalpattu |
Chengalpattu |
BA LLB, LLM courses |
| Government Law College, Coimbatore |
Coimbatore |
BA LLB, LLM courses |
| Government Law College, Dharmapuri |
Dharmapuri |
BA LLB |
| Madurai |
BA LLB, LLM |
|
| Government Law College, Namakkal |
Namakkal |
BA LLB |
| Government Law College, Ramanathapuram |
Ramanathapuram |
BA LLB |
| Government Law College, Salem |
Salem |
BA LLB |
| Government Law College, Theni |
Theni |
BA LLB |
| Government Law College, Tiruchirappalli |
Tiruchirappalli |
BA LLB |
| Government Law College, Tirunelveli |
Tirunelveli |
BA LLB, LLM |
| Vellore |
BA LLB, LLM |
|
| Government Law College, Villupuram |
Villupuram |
BA LLB, LLM |
| Institute of Distance Education, University of Madras |
Chennai |
BA Criminology and Police Administration, Diploma courses |
| Madurai Kamaraj University |
Madurai |
MSc Criminal Justice and Victimology |
| Tirunelveli |
BSc Criminology and Forensic Science |
|
| TNNLU (Tamil Nadu National Law University) |
Tiruchirappalli |
B.Com LLB Hons, LLM courses |
| Tamil Nadu Open University |
Chennai |
MA Criminology and Criminal Justice Administration |
| Madras University (University of Madras) |
Chennai |
BSc Criminology and Criminal Justice Science, BSc and BA courses in law |
The table above shows main courses available in these colleges. Students can also find other law courses in these colleges. They need to confirm it from official authority.
Top 10 Government Law Colleges in Tamilnadu with Fees
The table below shows the Top 10 Government Law Colleges in Tamilnadu fees based on reputation. The fee is the total course fee. It changes from one course to another. The fee of a national law university is much higher than the fee of a state government law college. The table helps students to compare the cost of each college at a glance.
| Name of College |
Total Course Fees |
|---|---|
| Central University of Tamil Nadu |
INR 24,000 |
| INR 9,770 |
|
| Madurai Kamaraj University |
INR 24,940 |
| Tamil Nadu National Law University |
INR 5,65,000 |
| Government Law College, Dharmapuri |
INR 10,350 |
| Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University |
INR 4,38,000 |
| INR 3,460 |
|
| Government Law College, Madurai |
INR 4,540 |
| Government Law College, Villupuram |
INR 42,270 |
| Institute of Distance Education |
INR 16,610 |
Students must note that these fees may change every year. Fees also depend on the course and the category of the student. It is always better to check the official college website before applying.
Explore colleges based on CLAT
Tamil Nadu Government Law Colleges by City
The government law institutions in Tamil Nadu are spread across many cities. This helps students to study close to their hometown.
- The capital city Chennai has 4 colleges.
- Tirunelveli has 3 colleges.
- Tiruchirappalli and Madurai have 2 colleges each.
- Salem has 1 college.
Other cities with a government law college are Chengalpattu, Dharmapuri, Tambaram, Coimbatore, Namakkal, Theni, Vellore, Villupuram, Ramanathapuram and Thiruvarur.
Also Read: List of NLUs in India
Courses Offered in Government Law Colleges in TN
Government Law Colleges in TN State offer a wide range of law courses. The 3-year LLB is for graduates. The 5-year integrated LLB is for students who have passed Class 12. The integrated courses include BA LLB, B.Com LLB Hons and BBA LLB. LLM course is for students who have a law degree. Some colleges also give diploma courses in law. A few universities offer a PhD in law. The Central University of Tamil Nadu offers LLM and PhD. TNDALU offers 27 LLM courses. TNNLU offers 3 LLM courses. The University of Madras has many BA and BSc courses in criminology.
The state also has special courses in criminology and forensic science. Madurai Kamaraj University offers MSc Criminal Justice and Victimology. Manonmaniam Sundaranar University offers BSc Criminology and Forensic Science and MA Criminology and Police Science through distance mode. Tamil Nadu Open University offers MA Criminology and Criminal Justice Administration. The Institute of Distance Education of the University of Madras offers BA Criminology and Police Administration and three diploma courses.
Eligibility Criteria for Government Law Colleges in Tamilnadu
Students must meet the eligibility criteria to get admission in the top government law colleges in Tamil Nadu. Each university and law college has its own rules. The common rules are given in the table below. The marks are based on the qualifying exam. Students from reserved categories get a relaxation in marks.
| Course |
Education Qualification |
Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 3-year LLB |
Graduate from a recognised university |
General: 45%; Reserved categories: 40% |
| 5-year LLB |
Higher secondary education from a recognised board |
General: 45%; Reserved categories: 40% |
| LLM |
Bachelor's degree in law from a recognised university |
General: 55%; Reserved categories: 50% |
The 3-year LLB needs a bachelor's degree. The 5-year LLB needs a pass in Class 12. The LLM needs a law degree.
Entrance Exams for Tamil Nadu Government Law Colleges
Some government law colleges in Tamil Nadu take students through an entrance exam. Others admit students on merit. The two main exams are CLAT and CUET PG. The National Law University present in Tamilnadu offers admission based on CLAT. Students should know which exam is needed for their chosen college.
CLAT
The Common Law Admission Test is the most popular law entrance test in India. It is conducted once a year by the Consortium of NLUs. A good rank gives admission to the top NLUs and other participating universities. Tamil Nadu National Law University is one such government law college. Students should prepare well for the exam. They should also check the CLAT dates and the application form on time.
CUET PG
The National Testing Agency conducts the Common University Entrance Test in online mode. It is a national-level test. Students have to clear CUET PG for LLM admission in the top universities. The Central University of Tamil Nadu is the only university in the state that accepts CUET PG scores. Students who want an LLM in a central university should apply for this exam. They should read the syllabus and the exam pattern first. They should also keep track of the counselling dates.
Direct Admission to Government Law Colleges in Tamilnadu
Several government law colleges in Tamil Nadu offer law admission without an entrance exam. Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University is one example. It gives admission based on the merit of the qualifying exam. Students must note that direct admission here means merit-based selection. It does not mean a seat without any process. The marks in Class 12 or in the degree are very important. Students with good marks have a better chance.
Students should also follow the counselling process of the state. Counselling is held once a year. The LLM admission deadlines are usually in May or June. This is before start of academic year. Students should visit the official website of the college for the exact dates. They should apply early. They should also keep scanned copies of all their documents. This will help them to finish the process without delay.
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Student Forum
Answered 22 hours ago
No, both are different exams, but both are conducted nationwide. CUET LLB will be conducted by NTA, while CLAT 2027 will be conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities.
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
No, CLAT is generally considered more difficult than CUET as CLAT exam requires more intense reading and preparation. It also involves intense time pressure as candidates are required to read around 15,000 words across 30 passages before answering the questions.
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 weeks ago
Choose Commerce if you want an early foundation in business and finance for corporate law, or Arts (Humanities) if you prefer subjects that align closely with reading comprehension and current affairs for the CLAT exam.
Both streams make you fully eligible for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) and
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
Ministry of Education can release the NLUs NIRF Ranking soon on its official website. There is no time line announced by the ministry in this regard.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 weeks ago
NLSIU Bengaluru, which has held the top spot in the Law category every year since NIRF introduced it in 2018.
R
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 weeks ago
No, the NIRF Law Ranking 2026 will be released soon by the Minsitry of Education on its official website.
V
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 4 weeks ago
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Yes, the Consortium removed two Test Cities from the CLAT 2027. The removed test cities are Vellore and Tiruvarur. CLAT 2027 exam date is December 6.
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
Candidates are required to pay the CLAT Registration/Form fee as per their category. The Consortium prescribed the category-wise form fee. Without submitting the CLAT form fee, the registration will not be completed.
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
No, a domicile certificate is not mandatory for all candidates. It is only required if you intend to claim a reservation/ seat under state quota (offered by specific NLUs). Students can skip this document if they are applying solely under the All-India open category.
N
Contributor-Level 7

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