Shiksha Poll Reveals: 67% Aspirants Prefer NLSIU Bengaluru for CLAT 2026 Admission; NALSAR Hyderabad Second

NLSIU Bengaluru has been the epitome of legal education in India for many years. Inaugurated in 1987, it was the first National Law University (NLU) and is still the most prestigious among both academic performance and placement history. The university always tops national law school rankings, such as the NIRF Law Rankings and global metrics such as QS Asia.

Shiksha Poll Reveals: 67% Aspirants Prefer NLSIU Bengaluru for CLAT 2026 Admission; NALSAR Hyderabad Second

In a recent poll conducted by Shiksha.com, a significant majority of law aspirants revealed a clear preference for the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, as their top choice for admission through CLAT 2026. The online poll, which attracted responses from thousands of CLAT aspirants across the country, highlighted emerging trends in law school preferences among India’s future legal professionals.

Based on the poll results:

• 67% of the respondents mentioned that they would opt for NLSIU Bengaluru if they were offered admission by CLAT 2026.
• 13% wanted NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, being the second-oldest National Law University in India.
• Interestingly, 20% of the participants were undecided, which means that factors like rank, course interests, and affordability are still affecting their ultimate decision.

Why NLSIU Remains at the Top

NLSIU Bengaluru has been the epitome of legal education in India for many years. Inaugurated in 1987, it was the first National Law University (NLU) and is still the most prestigious among both academic performance and placement history. The university always tops national law school rankings, such as the NIRF Law Rankings and global metrics such as QS Asia.

When asked few aspirants they said that NLSIU's curriculum leadership, faculty quality, international moot exposure, and robust alumni presence in the judiciary, corporate law, academia, and policy arenas are factors attributing to its unparalleled reputation. The institution's move out of CLAT in 2020 for a year and hosting its own NLAT (subsequently revoked) only served to generate more public buzz and brand recall.

NALSAR: A Solid Contender

Whereas NALSAR Hyderabad has emerged as a top-flight law school with solid academics and an improving placement track record, the survey indicates that it still continues as a second choice for most aspirants. The 13 per cent vote tally for NALSAR reflects that although highly regarded, the perception gap between NLSIU and the rest of the NLUs continues to persist.

Some aspirants also said that factors like geographical location preference, affordability, and individual career aspirations were why they could consider NALSAR or other NLUs over NLSIU, particularly when rank difference is close.

20% Still Undecided: What It Tells Us

Perhaps the most telling insight from the poll is that 1 in 5 aspirants remain unsure about which NLU they would prefer if they clear CLAT 2026. This could be attributed to several factors:

• Students awaiting their mock test performances or CLAT preparation progress.
• Concerns about cut-offs, domicile reservations, and scholarship opportunities.
• The potential to apply to non-CLAT law schools like NLU Delhi (by AILET) or private universities like Jindal Global Law School.
• This undecided batch is a chance for other high-ranked NLUs to involve students more deeply and highlight their distinct strengths beyond rankings.

The findings of the survey highlight the competitive desire to get a seat in NLSIU Bengaluru, which typically shuts its BA LL.B. (Hons.) admissions at an All India Rank (AIR) 1–80 based on category and year. For candidates aiming for the upper echelons of CLAT 2026, the message is stark a position at NLSIU will be made possible through dedicated preparation, mock test regularity, and sound knowledge of contemporary affairs, legal reasoning, and analytical ability. The Shiksha survey provides an insight into the hopes and options determining the CLAT universe. Although NLSIU Bengaluru remains the ultimate destination for most law aspirants, the presence of uninformed voters and the runner-up popularity of NALSAR testifies to the role of awareness, guidance, and well-informed decision-making.

With the CLAT 2026 application process underway and coaching centers intensifying their last-minute strategies, competition for admission to the premier NLUs is likely to get fiercer and for the majority, the fantasy still starts from NLSIU.