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CNLU Patna Admission 2026: Eligibility, Dates & Selection Criteria
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Last updated on 24 Feb '26CNLU Patna AdmissionsWhat's new?
CNLU Patna admissions 2026 are open. All the latest updates regarding CNLU Patna admissions are as follows:
- The CLAT 2026 5th merit list will be released on May 15, 2026, for admission to the PG-level LLM programme.
- The CLAT 2026 fourth merit list for admission to the five-year Integrated LLB (UG) courses is now released. Students must pay the confirmation fee by May 14, 2026, to either float or freeze their allotted seats.
- The XAT 2026 result is out for admission to the MBA/PGDM courses. Students need to log in to the official XAT portal to access and download their scorecard.
- CNLU Patna Admission Overview 2026
- CNLU Patna Eligibility and Selection 2026
- CNLU Patna NIRF Insights 2026
- CNLU Patna Application Process 2026
- + 3 more items
CNLU Patna Admission Overview 2026
Chanakya National Law University admission process is entrance-based. Chanakya National Law University, popularly known as CNLU Patna, is a state-level university that is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and is also a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). Currently, CNLU Patna offers BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), LLM, PhD, DPhil and LLD programmes in several specialisations of Law.
Commonly asked questions
Yes, Chanakya National Law University admissions are open for the academic year 2026. Candidates must appear for the entrance exams accepted by the university for admission in their preferred course. This is mainly CLAT. Candidates must achieve a valid aggregate in the CLAT exam. Additionally, they must ensure fulfilling the eligibility criteria required for admission in Chanakya National Law University.
The following is the most recent deadline for applying to Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna's B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) program:
CLAT 2024 Round 3 Cutoff: 1285 is the cutoff for general All India category candidates enrolled in the BA LLB (Hons) programme.
The range of 2906–4173 rank 2 was the overall CLAT threshold.
Cutoff Trends for the Previous Year (2023):
Category: General: 623
Castes Scheduled: 7313
Tribe Scheduled: 20349 2.
Note that each NLU's reservation policy, the amount of available seats, and candidates taking the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) can all affect the cutoffs that apply each year. I suggest going to CNLU's official website for the most accurate and recent information.
To get admission at CNLU Patna, students must have a valid score in the last qualifying exam. For UG courses, students must pass Class 12 with an aggregate of 45% from a recognised board. For PG courses, students must have a graduation degree in the relevant field. For PhD, students must have a master's degree/ diploma. CNLU accepts CLAT entrance exam for admission in law courses.
No, you cannot get direct admission in CNLU Patna. CNLU admissions are entrance-based. The college accepts CLAT entrance exam for admission in law courses. Students must appear for CLAT entrance exam and meet the cut off requirement to get admission in CNLU Patna.
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CNLU Patna Eligibility and Selection 2026
All the courses offered by the Chanakya National Law University are recognised by the Bar Council of India (BCI). BA LLB is a flagship course that requires a valid score in CLAT for admission. The University was ranked 19 among all NLUs by the CLAT cut-off in 2019. Find below the eligibility and selection criteria for CNLU Patna courses:
| Courses | Eligibility | Selection |
|---|---|---|
|
Minimum 45% in Class 12
|
||
|
LLB/ five-year integrated LLB from a recognised university with an aggregate of 50%
|
CLAT/ LLM Entrance Exam
|
|
|
Minimum 45% in Class 12
|
CLAT
|
|
|
PhD
|
Master’s degree in the relevant stream with an aggregate of 55% (50% for reserved category candidates)
|
PhD Entrance Test
|
Note: Candidates, who appeared for UGC NET/ JRF, should appear for PhD Entrance Test.
Commonly asked questions
Candidates are selected for admission in Chanakya National Law University based on their scores in the various entrance exams accepted by the university. The university mainly accepts the CLAT exam scores for admission in the courses offered. Other exams accepted by the university includes UGC NET/JRF.
Recently, CNLU Patna cutoff 2024 is out for CLAT Round 3 Seat Allotment. NLU Patna admissions to BA LLB (Hons) and BBA LLB (Hons) at the UG level. Tabulated below is the closing rank of CNLU Patna for CLAT R3 for General category candidates belonging to All india Quota:
| Course | 2024 |
|---|---|
| B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) | 1285 |
To get admission in CNLU Patna, the eligibility requirement must be met. Students must have a valid score in the last qualifying exam required for admission in preferred course. Check the table below to get more information about the eligibility criteria for CNLU courses:
| Courses | Eligibility |
|---|---|
BA LLB | Minimum 45% in Class 12 |
LLM | LLB/ five-year integrated LLB from a recognised university with an aggregate of 50% |
BBA LLB | Minimum 45% in Class 12 |
PhD | Master's degree in the relevant stream with an aggregate of 55% (50% for reserved category candidates) |
To get admission in CNLU Patna, the selection criteria is entrance based. Entrance exam is considered for final seat allotment. Check the table below to get more information about the selection criteria for IIM Trichy courses:
| Courses | Selection |
|---|---|
B.A. LLB | CLAT |
LLM | CLAT/ LLM Entrance Exam |
BBA LLB | CLAT |
PhD | PhD Entrance Test |
CNLU Patna Admission Process 2026
CNLU Patna offers admission to Indian as well as international students. Chanakya National Law University admissions are conducted through online mode. Admission to DPhil and LLD programmes is merit-based, whereas admission to other programmes is entrance-based. Below mentioned are the course-wise details regarding Chanakya National Law University admissions:
CNLU Patna Registration Process 2026
Candidates must register for CLAT and appear for the exam to get admission to UG and PG courses.
CNLU Patna Selection Process 2026
- UG and LLM Courses: Admission to BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons) and LLM programmes is based on CLAT scores. Final selection of students is based on the scores obtained in CLAT
- PhD Course: Admission to PhD programme is based on a PhD Entrance Test conducted by the University. The final selection of students is based on the entrance exam scores, followed by a Personal Interview (PI) and presentation round
- LLD and DPhil Courses: Admission to LLD and DPhil programmes is merit-based. The final selection of students is based on the scores obtained in the qualifying exam and their performance in the PI and presentation rounds.
Admission Confirmation
For LLM admission, candidates must fill out a Google form before the deadline and pay INR 1.61 lakh through the ICICI Payment Gateway
CNLU Patna Fee 2026: Affordability & ROI
Chanakya National Law University fee includes different components, such as tuition fees, admission fees, other charges etc.
Coming to affordability, it is one of the causes why many leave a degree or a college. While the availability of financial aid has made education accessible but the terms and conditions required to become eligible for a student loan or a scholarship are often difficult. Find below the CNLU Patna fee along with the average package details for popular courses:
| Courses | Tuition Fees (Investment) | Average Package (Return) |
|---|---|---|
|
BA LLB
|
INR 5.7 lakh
|
INR 10.1 lakh
|
|
LLM
|
INR 1.1 lakh
|
INR 9 lakh
|
|
BBA LLB
|
INR 5.7 lakh
|
INR 10.1 lakh
|
Note: Candidates must note that this information is sourced from the official website of the institute/university-sanctioning body and is subject to change.
CNLU Patna Seats 2025
Getting admission into law courses at CNLU Patna can be competitive as the number of seats is limited. Applicants are advised to maintain a good score on the entrance test so they can secure a seat at CNLU Patna law courses. Check out below the course-wise seats at Chanakya National Law University:
| Courses | Seats Intake |
|---|---|
|
BA LLB
|
69 |
|
LLM
|
60 |
|
BBA LLB
|
69 |
Note: Candidates must note that this information is taken from the official website of the institute/university-sanctioning body and is subject to change.
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
Chanakya National Law University in Patna provides programs to students who have completed 12 years of school. To join CNLU students must:
- Take CLAT entrance exam
- Be shortlisted based on merit
- Interview with selected candidates
- Submit documents
- Pay course fee
Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) in Patna offers 120 seats for the B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) program. There are also 20 supernumerary seats per year. The seat intake is broken down by category as follows:
- Unreserved: 50%, 60 seats
- SCs of Bihar: 16%, 19 seats
- STs of Bihar: 1%, 1 seat
The total intake capacity for both undergraduate programs (B.B.A., LL.B. (Hons) and B.A., LL.B. (Hons) is 104 students, plus 16 for NRIs or NRIs sponsor
ed.
If you want to get admission to any National Law University (NLU) in India, candidates should target a score of 80 to 85 in the CLAT 2024.
The cut-off is the minimum mark needed to be admitted into the target college. The cut-off is based on All India Ranks. For the general category, the CLAT Cut Off often falls between 95 and 100, whereas for the SC/ST category, it typically falls between 80 and 85.
The closing rank for BA LLB (Hons) at Chanakya National Law University, Patna was 1541 for the General All India category student in the last round. In 2022 and 2021, the last-round closing rank for BA LLB (Hons) stood at 1407 and 1312, respectively.
To get admission in CNLU Patna, students have to pay fees. CNLU fee structure has various components. The total fees may differ at the time of final payemnt due to the other variables of the fee structure. Check the table below to know CNLU Patna tuition fees:
| Courses | Tuition Fees (Investment) |
|---|---|
BA LLB | INR 5.7 lakh |
LLM | INR 1.1 lakh |
BBA LLB | INR 5.7 lakh |
CNLU Patna BA LLB (Hons) Admission 2026
At the UG level, the University offers integrated programmes, namely BA LLB (Hons) The entire duration of the programmes is divided into ten semesters with each semester having a duration of six months. Candidates looking forward to practising law in India, are required to clear the AIBE exam that is conducted by BCI.
On clearing the AIBE exam, lawyers are awarded a ‘Certificate of Practice’ which is mandatory for practising the profession as an advocate in India. The seat intake of both the programmes is 60 students each. Admission to both courses is entrance-based, and candidates are shortlisted based on the scores obtained in the entrance exam. Eligibility criteria for both courses is given in the table below:
|
Course |
Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
|
BA LLB (Hons) |
Qualifying exam: CLAT Class 12 from a recognised board with an aggregate of 45% |
Eligibility Criteria
- 10+2 with 45% aggregate
- Accepting Exams: CLAT
Commonly asked questions On B.A. LL.B. Admissions
Chanakya National Law University accepts CLAT score, followed by CLAT conselling process for admission to the BA LLB (Hons) programme. As per CNLU Patna cutoff 2023, the last round closing rank was 1541 for the BBA LLB (Hons) course for the General All India category students. In 2022 and 2021, the last round closing rank stood at 1407 and 1312 for the BA LLB (Hons) course.
To check out the past three years cutoff trend for CNLU BA LLB (Hons), candidates can refer to the table given below:
| Course | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) | 1312 | 1407 (R4) | 1541 |
CNLU Patna LLM Admission 2026
LLM is a one-year full-time programme offered at the PG level, which is divided into two semesters. The programme will cover subjects like Comparative Public Law, Banking Law, Securities Law, Corporate Laws and Management, among others. LLM admissions are entrance-based. The final selection of students is based on the entrance exam scores. Below are the eligibility and selection criteria for the LLM programme:
| Courses | Eligibility | Selection |
|---|---|---|
|
LLM
|
LLB/ five-year integrated LLB from a recognised university with an aggregate of 50%
|
CLAT/ LLM Entrance Exam
|
Eligibility Criteria
- Undergraduate Degree with 50% aggregate
- Accepting Exams: CLAT
Commonly asked questions On LL.M. Admissions
Yes, LLM programme is available at CNLU Patna. The LLM programme covers the subjects, such as Comparative Public Law, Banking Law, Securities Law, Corporate Laws and many more. LLM admissions are entrance-based. Th selection of students is based on the entrance exam scores.
CNLU Patna BBA LLB (Hons) Admission 2026
At the UG level, the University offers two five-year integrated programmes, namely BA LLB (Hons) and BBA LLB (Hons). The entire duration of both the programmes is divided into ten semesters with each semester having a duration of six months. Candidates looking forward to practising law in India, are required to clear the AIBE that is conducted by BCI.
On clearing the AIBE exam, lawyers are awarded a ‘Certificate of Practice’ which is mandatory for practising the profession as an advocate in India. The seat intake of both the programmes is 60 students each. Admission to both the courses is entrance-based, and candidates are shortlisted based on the scores obtained in the entrance exam. Eligibility criteria for both courses is given in the table below:
|
Course |
Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
|
BA LLB (Hons) |
Qualifying exam: CLAT Class 12 from a recognised board with an aggregate of 45% |
|
BBA LLB (Hons) |
Eligibility Criteria
- 10+2 with 45% aggregate
- Accepting Exams: CLAT
Commonly asked questions On BBA LL.B. Admissions
BA LLB and BBA LLB are flagship programmes ta CNLU Patna. To get admission in these courses, candidates must fulfill th eligibility criteria set by the institute:
Course | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
BA LLB (Hons) | Entrance Exam: CLAT Class 12 from a recognised board with minimum aggregate of 45% |
BBA LLB (Hons) |
CNLU PatnaLL.D. Admissions 2026
CNLU Patna NIRF Insights 2026
The NIRF Student Diversity Report 2026 highlights the composition of students at CNLU Patna across the various UG and PG programmes offered by the university.
Check below the NIRF insights:
| UG 5 years | 2025-26 |
|---|---|
| Total students | 666 |
% Female students | 44% |
| % Outside State Students | 36% |
| International Students | 1 |
Source : NIRF Report 2026| PG 1 years | 2025-26 |
|---|---|
| Total students | 67 |
| % Female students | 51% |
| % Outside State Students | 39% |
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CNLU Patna Application Process 2026
The application process of CNLU Patna for DPhil, LLD and PhD programmes is offline. Those who want to apply for UG integrated and LLM programmes, can register online through CLAT official website. Application fee of LLD, DPhil and PhD programmes is INR 5,000. Course-wise Chanakya National Law University application process is mentioned below:
Application process for BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons) and LLM programmes:
If you are applying for UG integrated and LLM programmes, register online through CLAT's official website.
Application fee for CLAT for General category candidates is INR 4,000, and fee for reserved category candidates is INR 3,500. Application process for CLAT is given below:
Step 1: Visit the official website of the college.
Step 2: Click on “Click Here” to fill registration form.
Step 3: Register by clicking on the register button.
Step 4: Fill out the application form by entering the required details.
Step 5: Submit the application form along with a passport-size photograph.
Step 6: Pay the CLAT application fee online via debit/ credit cards or net banking.
Application process for PhD, DPhil and LLD programmes:
Step 1: Visit the official website of the University, www.cnlu.ac.in.
Step 2: Download the respective application form under the “Courses” tab.
Step 3: Fill the application form and submit it to the University office along with a demand draft of Rs 5,000.
Documents required at the time of admission:
- Marksheet and certificate of Class 10 and Class 12
- Graduation degree and mark sheet (for LLM/ PhD/ DPhil/ LLD courses)
- Postgraduation degree and mark sheet (for PhD/ DPhil/ LLD courses)
- Character certificate
- Transfer certificate
- Migration certificate
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- Entrance exam scorecard
Commonly asked questions On Application Process
CNLU Patna application process for DPhil, LLD and PhD programmes is conducted offline, whereas candidates applying to undergraduate integrated and LLM programmes, can register online on the official website of CLAT. The application fee of LLD, DPhil and PhD programmes is INR 5,000. For the latest information on application dates and forms, candidates are advised to visit the official website of CNLU Patna.
The last-round cutoff for the General All India category for BA LLB (Hons) at Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) in Patna was 1541. The overall cutoff for CLAT was 2906–4173 rank.
Here are the closing ranks for BA LLB (Hons) by category for 2023:
- General: 623
- Scheduled Castes: 7313
- Scheduled Tribe: 20349
The final admission decision is based on merit, which is determined by the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) scores.
Students need to upload necessary documents to complete the application process of CNLU Patna. Documents required for CNLU application process are given below:
- Marksheet and certificate of Class 10 and Class 12
- Graduation degree and marksheet (for LLM/ PhD/ DPhil/ LLD courses)
- Postgraduation degree and marksheet (for PhD/ DPhil/ LLD courses)
- Character certificate
- Transfer certificate
- Migration certificate
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- Entrance exam scorecard
CNLU Patna Scholarships 2026
Chanakya National Law University offers scholarships under the Central Sector Scheme of Top Class Education to help students belonging to the OBC, EBC and DNT categories. For this scholarship. preference would be given to the OBC students while considering under the scheme.
|
Scholarships (For OBC,EBC, DNT) in case of: |
Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Economic Condition | OBC/EBC/DNT students have a total annual family income from all sources up to INR 2.50 lakh |
| Academic Performance | Top students in the inter-merit list based on the admission criteria |
| Female Students | 30% of slots allotted to the college shall be reserved for eligible female students as per the inter-merit |
| In the absence of Female Students | In the absence of female students, the slots may be transferred to eligible male students as per the inter-merit |
Commonly asked questions On Admission
Scholarships (For OBC, EBC, DNT) in case of: | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Economic Condition | OBC/EBC/DNT students have a total annual family income from all sources up to INR 2.50 lakh |
| Academic Performance | Top students in the inter-merit list based on the admission criteria |
| Female Students | 30% of slots allotted to the college shall be reserved for eligible female students as per the inter-merit |
| In the absence of Female Students | In the absence of female students, the slots may be transferred to eligible male students as per the inter-merit |
At CNLU Patna, scholarships available for the OBC/EBC/DNT students. Preference would be given to OBC students. The eligibility criteria is having total annual family income from all sources up to INR 2.50 lakh. This scholarhip is given under the scheme of Central Sector Scheme of Top Class Education for OBC, EBC and DNT Students.
CNLU PatnaStudents Ratings & Reviews
Placements2.8
Infrastructure3.4
Faculty & Course3.5
Campus Life3.7
Value for Money3.5
CNLU Patna Admission FAQs 2026
No, Chanakya National Law University, Patna is not under CUET. The university accepts scores of other national level law entrance exams for admission to the courses, such as CLAT. The university also accepts the UGC NET exam for admission in the PhD course.
CNLU Patna
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 months ago
The Chanakya National Law University Patna offers around 41 seats for the special category candidates from the total BBA LLB seat intake. Each category gets around 1% - 18% of the total seat intake reserved during Chanakya National Law University Patna BBA LLB admissions.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 months ago
The application process for Chanakya National Law University Patna admissions is as shown here:
- Open the CLAT exam portal (consortiumofnlus.ac.in).
- Register an account.
- Fill out the form to apply for the relevant exam (UG or PG).
- Appear for the exam.
- Choose CNLU Patna as preferred institute.
Students mus
C
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 3 months ago
To complete the Chanakya National Law University Patna BBA LLB application process, candidates will need digital copies of all requested documents mentioned below:
- Class 10th and Class 12th marksheet and passing certificate
- CLAT-UG scorecard
- Identity and Address Proof
- Scanned Image of Signature
- Passport
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 months ago
Only the candidates who are foreign nationals are able to get direct admissions into the Chanakya National Law University Patna BBA LLB (hons) course. For other candidates, the Chanakya Law University Patna admissions to the BBA LLB (hons) are only offered on the basis of the CLAT-UG.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 months ago
The mode of application for Chanakya National Law University Patna admissions is online only as the CLAT exam which decides the selection process does not have offline registrations. Students must apply for this exam through the portal online though the exam is conducted in offline mode.
C
Contributor-Level 8
Content authored by:
Updated on Feb 24, 2026
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How many seats are reserved for special categories at Chanakya National Law University Patna for BBA LLB admissions?