Think Beyond NLUs: Private Law Colleges Worth Considering

The National Law Universities formed their Consortium to conduct the Common Law Admission Test every year to select candidates for the Law Courses offered by them. Check here alternatives of CLAT and NLUs which are equally good for candidates to take admission.

Think Beyond CLAT & NLUs

The Consortium of National Law Universities will conduct the CLAT 2027 on December 6, 2026. The Consortium will release the provisional answer key soon after the result. Candidates will be required to send objections against the incorrect answers given in the provisional answer key. After considering the objections, the Consortium will release the final answer key and based on it, the CLAT result 2027 will be released. CLAT results can be a heartbreaker for many candidates as the number of seats in the CLAT is only around 3,500 and the number of applicants is over 90,000.

But, in case the student is not selected in the NLU, it is not the end of the world for them. There are various law colleges that provide high standards of Law Education and can be compared with NLUs in standards and facilities.

There are 26 NLUs and not all impart the same standard of education, facilities, exposure and the like. There are differences in placements among the NLUs and it is visible in the number of Counselling rounds conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities. In case the candidates are not selected in CLAT, they should see further beyond the NLUs to pursue their career.

Institutes Comparable to NLUs

Some private and government law schools are imparting comparable education and the candidates must search the ways to get admission in these Law schools in case they did not get any NLU. Candidates can get into these institutions through AILET, SLAT, LSAT, ILSAT and the like.

AILET

Candidates should note that the National Law University (though a NLU) does not participate in CLAT exam and conducts its own entrance exam – AILET. Candidates who want to get admission in the NLU Delhi, can fill the application form and must clear the AILET to get admission. It offers almost same courses as offered by other NLUs with comparable fee.

SLAT

The Symbiosis Law Admission Test also provide entry to the 5 years integrated Law Courses offered by the participating institutions. It also offers good academic facilities with the exposure to the latest developments in the field of Law. SLAT is conducted twice every to select the candidates for the integrated Law Courses.

ILSAT

The ICFAI Institute conduct the ILSAT exam every year to select the candidates for the integrated law courses offered by the participating institutes. It is conducted online on the pre-decided dates.

Selection of Law Institutes

Candidates are suggested to select the law institutions based on the NIRF Rankings. Candidates should check the placement data, research facilities, exposure to international mentors and development in the field of Law.

Candidates can select any of the courses above and fill their application form accordingly.

Courses offered by other Law Institutes

Candidates can see below the Course names and their important highlights

Candidates can opt for any of the above courses to pursue their studies in the field of law with other subjects.

Alternate Colleges to Consider

Candidates can consider the following colleges based on the courses offered and the NIRF ranking.

Symbiosis Law School, Pune and other campuses

The highest-ranked private law college in NIRF 2025, at 7th place overall, ahead of several NLUs. Symbiosis runs four law schools, in Pune, Noida, Hyderabad and Nagpur.

Courses offered by Symbiosis:

BA LLB (Hons) and BBA LLB (Hons) at all four campuses, with a BCom LLB (Hons) listed at Pune. A 3-year LLB is offered only at Pune, with a small intake reported at about 60 seats, and it's admitted through the Symbiosis entrance process followed by an interaction round. There's also a 1-year LLM with specialisations such as business and corporate law, constitutional law, criminal and security law, IP law and human rights. Admission to the integrated courses is through SLAT.

Jindal Global Law School, Sonipat

It is well Known for international faculty, exchange programmes and a strong corporate law placement record. It's also one of the costlier options.

Courses offered

BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons) and BCom LLB (Hons), all five years. A 3-year LLB for graduates. A few 3-year BA programmes in areas like legal studies, criminology and criminal justice, and AI and law. A 1-year LLM with many specialisations, including corporate and financial law, international trade and investment law, IP and technology law, taxation and criminal law. PhD programmes too. Admission is through LSAT-India or JSAT.

Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (SOA National Institute of Law), Bhubaneswar

The second private institution inside the NIRF 2025 top ten, at rank 10.

Courses Offered

Integrated BA LLB (Hons) and BBA LLB (Hons), five years each. A 3-year LLB (Hons). A 1-year LLM in Corporate and Commercial Law, and another in Criminal and Security Law. Doctoral programmes as well. Reported accepted exams include CLAT and SAAT, its own test.

KIIT School of Law, Bhubaneswar

It is ranked 14th in NIRF 2025, with a big campus and an active student community.

Courses offered

BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons) and BSc LLB (Hons), all five years, with honours tracks in areas like business law, constitutional law, criminal law, IP, international law and taxation. A 3-year LLB is listed by some sources. A 1-year LLM with specialisations such as corporate and commercial law and constitutional and administrative law. A PhD in law. Admission is through KIITEE Law (KLAT) or CLAT scores, per recent reports.

UPES School of Law, Dehradun

Ranked 18th in NIRF 2025, up from 28th in 2024. It's known for energy, environmental, cyber and IP law specialisations.

Courses Offered

BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons) and BCom LLB (Hons), with around ten specialisation tracks such as corporate law, energy and environmental law, taxation, criminal law, IPR and constitutional law. A 3-year LLB with its own specialisations. A BA in AI and Law. A 1-year LLM in areas such as corporate and commercial law, cyber security and digital laws, IP and alternative dispute resolution. Admission is through ULSAT or CLAT, with a personal interview.

Also Read: NLUs NIRF Ranking 2026