NLSAT 2026: 3-year LLB Result (OUT), Date, Cutoff, Merit List, Counselling

National Law School Admission Test 2026 ( NLSAT )

Anupama Mehra
Updated on Jul 31, 2026 19:05 IST

By Anupama Mehra, Deputy Manager – Content

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, will soon release  NLSAT counselling 2026 dates. Candidates can participate in the admission process via NLSIU official portal at nls.ac.in. NLSIU conducts NLSAT  exam for admission to the 3-year LLB (Hons) course, as well as for BA (Hons), Master’s Programme in Public Policy, PhD (Law) and PhD (Interdisciplinary) programmes. 

Through NLSAT LLB 2026 exam, the authority offers 120 seats for admission. Candidates are waiting for the admission process after the release of NLSAT 2026 result. NLSIU Bangalore begins classes for all the related courses right after the admission concludes. 

NLSAT 2026 Latest Updates

  • NLSAT Counselling 2026 Schedule is Expected Soon
  • NLSAT cutoff 2026 for LLB (Hons), BA (Hons), and MPP courses has been released.
Table of contents
  • What is NLSAT?
  • NLSAT 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
  • NLSAT 2026 Results
  • NLSAT Cutoff 2026
  • NLSAT 2026 Answer Key
  • NLSAT 2026 Admit Card
  • NLSAT 2026 Exam Pattern
  • NLSAT 2026 Syllabus
  • NLSAT 2026 Exam Centres
  • NLSAT Preparation Tips 2026
  • NLSAT 2026 Admission Process
  • NLSAT 2026 FAQs
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What is NLSAT?

The National Law School Admission Test, known famously as NLSAT in short, is the only exam for admission into the 3-Year LL.B. (Hons.) course at the prestigious National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru. NLSIU has consistently been ranked as India’s top National Law University under NIRF rankings. NLSAT is also offered for admission to BA (Hons), MPP (Master's Programme in Public Policy), and PhD (Law and Social Sciences, Humanities and Public Policy) programmes. 

NLSAT has been conducted annually for admission to 3-Year LLB and other law courses since 2022. NLSAT exam allows graduate candidates from all disciplines to appear. This exam tests how well candidates can think, read, and write with logic. The exam is not just about mugging up facts but about how you understand ideas and explain them. The NLSAT wants to see if you can handle tough legal reasoning and write clearly when faced with tricky topics.

NLSAT 2026 Highlights

Candidates can check important highlights of the NLSAT exam below.

Features Details
Name of the exam  National Law School Admission Test 
Popularly known as  NLSAT
Conducting body National Law School of India University (NLSIU Bangalore)
Course offered Three-year LLB course
Test medium  English only
Exam fee INR 2,500 for the General category, and INR 2,000 for the SC, ST, EWS, and PwD categories
Exam mode Offline exam (Pen-and-paper exam)
Exam duration 2 hours 30 minutes
NLSAT 2026 exam date 26-Apr-2026
Total seats  120 seats for three-year LLB course
Accepting colleges NLSIU Bangalore
Exam helpdesk number  7406711092
Official website nlsatadmissions.nls.ac.in

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   Can I join NLSIU without CLAT?
A: 

Candidates who want to apply to the NLSIU for BA LLB (Hons) and LLM programs must take the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). However, for admissions into its three-year LLB course, Master's Programme in Public Policy, PhD (Law), and PhD (Interdisciplinary) programmes candidates have to appear for NLSAT. 

Q:   Who can apply for NLSAT Exam 2027?
A: 

Candidates who meet eligibility criteria can apply for NLSAT 2027. They must hold a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university. 

Q:   What is NLSIU Bengaluru seat intake 2026?
A: 

The total seat intake for a three-year LLB (Hons) at NLSIU Bangalore is 120. Admissions happen based on NLSAT entrance exam. The final selection process is based on the entrance test scores out of 150 marks.

Q:   Is NLSAT 2026 admit card out?
A: 

NLSAT admit card 2026 has been issued. The admit card was issued to candidates who have successfully applied for NLSAT Exam 2026. 

NLSAT 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of NLSAT 2026 exam

DatesPast Exam Dates
20 May ' 26

NLSAT 2026 Result

26 Apr ' 26

NLSAT 2026 exam date

15 Apr ' 26

NLSAT 2026 Admit Card

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NLSAT 2026 Results

The NLSAT 2026 result was announced on May 20, 2026, by NLSIU Bangalore. Students can download the NLSAT result online at official website -nls.ac.in. As of now, there has been no update regarding the admission process of NLSAT after declaration of the NLSAT result 2026. Check steps to download the result of NLSAT 2026 below

  • Go to official NLSIU admissions.nls.ac.in
  • Enter username and password to log in
  • Click on NLSAT results link
  • The result will be displayed on the screen

Also Read

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   When will the results of NLSAT 2026 be declared?
A: 

The NLSAT 2026 results was released on May 20, 2026. NLSAT Exam 2026 was held in offline pen-paper-based mode. Download the scorecard and check the cutoff released by the examination body on the official website. Candidates can secure a good rank in the NLSAT Exam to get admission in NLSIU Bengaluru.

Q:   Will I receive NLSAT Scorecard through post?
A: 

No, the NLSAT Scorecard will not be sent by post. The only way to get the scorecard is to download it online. Candidates can visit NLSAT official website. Under the Latest notification section, click on the result link. The NLSAT merit list PDF will appear on their screen. 

Q:   NLSAT 2026 Result will be announced online or offline?
A: 

The NLSAT Result 2026 was announced online. Since the admission process is completely online it was published on NLSIU portal. Candidates can check by entering their login ID and password.

Q:   What all details are mentioned on NLSAT scorecard?
A: 

The NLSAT will have these details:

  • Candidate's Name
  • Registration Number
  • Roll Number
  • Subject-wise Scores
  • Total Score
  • Percentile 

 

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NLSAT Cutoff 2026

NLSIU Bangalore has released the NLSAT cutoff scores for LLB (Hons) admission. Check category-wise cutoff marks hereunder. 

Category All India Karnataka (25% HC)
General 96.25 87.5
Scheduled Castes (15%) 66.5 66.5
Scheduled Tribes (7.5%) 62.5 62.5
OBC – Non-Creamy Layer (27%) 80.25 75.5
Economically Weaker Section (10%) 84.75 84.5
Persons with Disability (5% H) 63.5
Women (30% H) 96.25

Also Read: 

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   Can I get admission in NLU Delhi through NLSAT score?
A: 

No, you can not get admission in NLU Delhi through NLSAT score. You need to appear for AILET Exam to get into the NLU Delhi. Candidates must note that the exam is conducted once a year. 

Q:   Where can I check NLSAT Merit List 2026?
A: 

Candidates can check the merit list by visiting the NLSAT portal i.e. nls.ac.in. Since the admission process is completely online everything will be published on their portal.

Q:   What all details are mentioned on NLSAT scorecard?
A: 

The NLSAT will have these details:

  • Candidate's Name
  • Registration Number
  • Roll Number
  • Subject-wise Scores
  • Total Score
  • Percentile 

 

Q:   Why is NLSAT exam conducted?
A: 

The NLSAT is conducted by the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bangalore to select candidates for 3-Year LL.B. (Hons.) programme and other courses like MPP & PhD. NLSAT is conducted once a year.

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NLSAT 2026 Answer Key

NLSIU Bengaluru has released the NLSAT Answer Key online at nlsatadmissions.nls.ac.in. First, the provisional answer key for NLSAT 2026 was released. Candidates were allowed to submit objections against the NLSAT 2026 preliminary answer key. After the assessment of the objections received, the NLSAT 2026 final answer key was issued by the authority. Candidates can cross-check their responses using the NLSAT answer key

Also Read:

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   What details are mentioned in NLSAT result?
A: 

Important details mentioned NLSAT 2026 result are

  • Name of candidate
  • Roll number, application number
  • Marks obtained by the candidate
  • All India rank and category rank
  • NRI
  • Candidates must note that the details mentioned on their NLSAT scorecard 2026 should be correct and incase of any discrepancy they are advised to contact the institute. 
Q:   NLSAT Answer Key will be released online or offline?
A: 

Candidates must note that the NLSAT 2026 Admission Process is completely online. The NLSIU Bengaluru has released the NLSAT Answer Key online. Candidates can calculate their score based on the NLSAT Answer Key. 

Q:   What details are required to download the NLSAT answer key?
A: 

Candidates can download the NLSAT answer 2026 key in the following way: Visit nls.ac.in. Click on the NLSAT answer key link present on the official website. View, download, and save the answer key and question paper PDF.

Q:   When NLSAT Answer Key 2026 will be released?
A: 

The NLSAT Provisional Answer Key PDF has been released online. NLSAT Answer Key 2026 PDF is released in two phases. Initially, the NLSAT Provisional Answer Key is provided. Later, a final Answer Key will be shared. 

View answer key
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NLSAT 2026 Admit Card

National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, released the NLSAT Admit Card. Candidates required username and password to download the hall ticket. The hall ticket is available for download as per the instructions mentioned below: 

How to download NLSAT 2026 admit card?

To download the admit card of NLSAT 2026 LLB, candidates can follow the steps below

  • Go to NLSIU Admission website at admissions.nls.ac.in/ 
  • Click on admit card download link 
  • A new login page will open
  • Enter username and password
  • Admit card will be displayed on screen
  • Download and save it

Students can get in touch with authorities via following helpline channels if they face any difficulty.

Email - contactus@nls.ac.in or  nlsat.query@nls.ac.in 

Phone - 080 23010000, 080-23213160, 080-23160533

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Why NLSAT admit card important?
A: 

Once downloaded, candidates must keep them safely until admission is over. The hall ticket is a important document that one must not forget to carry to the test center on the day of exam. Those who fail to carry will not be allowed to appear

Q:   When will the admit card for NLSAT be issued?
A: 

NLSAT 2026 admit card has been released for the candidates who successfully applied for the exam. Candidates can download their hall ticket from the official website. 

Q:   How do I find my NLSAT registration ID?
A: 
They can recover it by steps mentioned below
Visit the nls.ac.in
Click on the Forgot Password
Enter the registered mobile number
Click on Request OTP
Enter the One Time Password
Create a new password
Proceed to login

 

Q:   In which language can I give NLSAT exam?
A: 

The NLSAT Exam will be held in English. All questions and instructions will be in same language so you are expected to know the language effectively to answer the questions.

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NLSAT 2026 Exam Pattern

The NLSAT exam pattern is available. Candidates can check NLSAT Exam Pattern below.

Features  Exam Pattern Details
Exam mode Pen-and-paper-based test mode (offline)
Papers Single question paper in two parts - Part A and Part B
Test medium  English only
Total Subjects  5 subjects 
Type of questions  MCQs for Part A, and subjective (short answer type and Essay) for Part B of the question paper
Duration of exam 2 hours 30 minutes
Total questions  75 questions for Part A and 11 questions for Part B
Total marks 150 marks

Also Read: 

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is there negative marking in NLSAT Exam?
A: 

Yes, the NLSAT Exam (for the 3-Year LLB) has negative marking in Part A (Objective), where you get +1 for correct answers, but -0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer and also for unanswered questions, while Part B (Subjective) generally has no negative marking but requires qualifying Part A first. 

Q:   What is the total score in NLSAT?
A: 

Total marks in the NLSAT Exam are 150. It is divided into two parts: A & B. The NLSAT Part A exam is conducted for 75 marks. Part B is also held for 75 marks.

Q:   What is NLSAT Exam Pattern 2026?
A: 

NLSAT 2026 Exam pattern consist of multiple choice questions. This section will be for a total of 75 marks. Part B is the subjective based for 60 marks and analytical ability for 15 marks. The negative marking of 0.25 marks is also there.

Q:   How many NLSAT preparation books are required to crack the test?
A: 

You can refer to any book you want there is no restrictions on it. The focus should be on quality preparation. You should solve old question papers and take lots of practise tests in addition to consulting the well known literature.

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NLSAT 2026 Syllabus

NLSAT 2026 Syllabus includes topics from five sections: English Comprehension, Current Affairs, Critical Reasoning (including logical reasoning and legal aptitude), Legal Aptitude and Reasoning, and Analytical Ability. The NLSIU Bangalore prescribes NLSAT syllabus. Check the detailed syllabus below.

NLSAT 2026 Syllabus for Part A

Subjects

Questions per section

Marks per section

English Comprehension

25 questions 

25 marks 

Current Affairs

25 questions 

25 marks 

Critical Reasoning (including logical reasoning and legal aptitude)

25 questions 

25 marks 

Total 

75 questions 

75 marks 

NLSAT 2026 Syllabus for Part B 

Subjects

Questions per section

Marks per section

Legal Aptitude and Reasoning 

10 questions 

50 marks 

Analytical Ability

1 essay-based question 

15 marks 

Total 

11 questions 

65 marks

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is 'Legal Aptitude' section removed from the NLSAT question paper?
A: 

As per the NLSAT exam pattern released by the NLSIU, Legal Reasoning remains a part of the question paper along with Quantitative Techniques, English Current Affairs including General Knowledge and Logical Reasoning. If the exam authority decides to remove any of the sections, then it will inform the candidates in admission notification itself, so that candidates can prepare for the exam accordingly. 

Q:   What is the total score in NLSAT?
A: 

Total marks in the NLSAT Exam are 150. It is divided into two parts: A & B. The NLSAT Part A exam is conducted for 75 marks. Part B is also held for 75 marks.

Q:   How can I prepare for NLSAT?
A: 

Candidates were advised to prepare for NLSAT by following the simple steps given below:

  • Make a monthly and weekly timetable and keep the syllabus handy
  • Do not leave any topic, make sure you cover all the topics. Do try and finish on time so you have enough time for revision
  • Pratice as many as mock tests possible. Practice the tests frequently and analyze it to recognize your weak and strong areas. This will help you to know which topic requires work.
Q:   Who can apply for NLSAT Exam 2027?
A: 

Candidates who meet eligibility criteria can apply for NLSAT 2027. They must hold a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university. 

View Syllabus
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NLSAT 2026 Exam Centres

The NLSIU Bangalore released the list of exam cities for the NLSAT exam along with the exam notification. Candidates will only be allowed to select up to three NLSAT 2026 exam centres while filling up the application form. Students could select at least three cities as their preferred test centre location. The exam centres of NLSAT 2026 were allotted to the candidates based on their preference and the availability of seats.

Also Read:

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   How many hours should I study to crack NLSAT Exam?
A: 

If you have enrolled in a coaching centre and already preparing for entrance exams then it is enough to crack NLSAT. For self-preparation, you need to have at least 1-1.5 months time which will be available as the NLSAT test comes at last only.
You need to keep an eye on the complete syllabus and practice as many problems as you can with the time limit as NLSAT requires speed and accuracy.

Q:   How many NLSAT preparation books are required to crack the test?
A: 

You can refer to any book you want there is no restrictions on it. The focus should be on quality preparation. You should solve old question papers and take lots of practise tests in addition to consulting the well known literature.

Q:   How many times NLSAT is conducted?
A: 

The NLSAT exam is conducted only once a year. It is held for admission to the 3-year LLB (Hons) course as well as other courses like BA (Hons), MPP (Master's Programme in Public Policy), and PhD (Law and Social Sciences, Humanities and Public Policy). It is your gateway to pursue a legal career at the prestigious NLSIU Bengaluru. 

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NLSAT Preparation Tips 2026

While preparing for NLSAT, candidates must have a plan. It helps in securing a good rank in this national-level exam. Read further to know more

  • Make a daily plan, which should be prepared section-wise as a part of NLSAT preparation strategy
  • Check NLSAT Syllabus
  • Pick the best NLSAT books prescribed by experts.
  • Candidates should practice relevant questions on a daily basis.
  • Work on time management skills.
  • Attempt at least 5-6 NLSAT mock tests before appearing for final exam.
Read more
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How many NLSAT preparation books are required to crack the test?
A: 

You can refer to any book you want there is no restrictions on it. The focus should be on quality preparation. You should solve old question papers and take lots of practise tests in addition to consulting the well known literature.

Q:   Is there negative marking in NLSAT Exam?
A: 

Yes, the NLSAT exam has negative marking of -0.25 marks for wrong attempt. Unanswered questions have no negative marking. Candidates must select questions to solve very carefully in the NLSAT exam. They should solve only those questions which they know they can solve accurately.

  • For every correct answer, candidates are awarded one mark

  • For every wrong attempt, 0.25 marks are deducted from their total score 

  • No marks are awarded or deducted for questions not left un-attempted

Q:   How can I prepare for NLSAT?
A: 

Candidates were advised to prepare for NLSAT by following the simple steps given below:

  • Make a monthly and weekly timetable and keep the syllabus handy
  • Do not leave any topic, make sure you cover all the topics. Do try and finish on time so you have enough time for revision
  • Pratice as many as mock tests possible. Practice the tests frequently and analyze it to recognize your weak and strong areas. This will help you to know which topic requires work.
Q:   Is it hard to crack NLSAT exam for average student?
A: 

NLSAT is one of the highly competitive law exams and is considered to be one of the toughest exams to clear. However, aspirants should not worry, as with the right preparation and attitude you can definitely ace in the NLSAT exam. The toppers of NLSAT have suggested that aspirants should trust NCERT books and a habit to read newspaper daily to crack the exam. The difficulty level of NLSAT paper is usually moderate. For complete insights on NLSAT paper difficulty level, check analysis for current and previous years above. 

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NLSAT 2026 Admission Process

NLSAT admission process 2026 is governed by NLSIU Bangalore through NLSAT 2026 exam. The NLSAT online application forms were available at nlsatadmissions.nls.ac.in. The admission process is currently at the counselling stage. It was mandatory to pay the requisite fee for a successful application completion:

NLSAT Application Fee

Here are the category-wise NLSAT application fee details: 

NLSAT Candidate Category

Application Fee (INR)

General

2500

SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD/EWS

2000

  • Download Admit Card - The exam authority issued NLSAT 2026 admit cards to the applicants, so that they can appear for the exam on the scheduled date and time. The candidates can download the admit card. The hall ticket mentions the exam schedule, as well as the allotted exam centre where they took the exam. 
  • National Level Entrance Exam - Candidates are only allowed to appear for NLSAT 2026 with their admit card. The exam was held in pen-and-paper-based mode. The maximum marks for the NLSAT 2026 exam were 140. Part A of NLSAT featured MCQs-based questions, and the Part B Subjective questions-based test. The exam timings were from 10 am to 12.30. 
  • Answer Key - The exam authority published the answer key for NLSAT 2026, which candidates can download from the official website. Moreover, candidates could verify their responses and raise objections (if any discrepancies were found). To file objections on the NLSAT 2026 answer key, candidates could log in to the website using their username and password. Candidates are required to pay INR 1,000 for each objection raised against the NLSAT 2026 answer key. The authority released the final answer key after assessing the objections.
  • Announcement of NLSAT Result
  • Cutoff Release
  • Merit List Announcement 
  • Interview Round (for LLM and PhD)
  • College Reporting

Also Read:

Read more
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Commonly asked questions
Q:   Has NLSAT exam registration process started?
A: 

NLSAT Registration 2027 is yet to begin.

Q:   What are the NLSAT eligibility criteria 2026?
A: 

The candidates seeking admission through NLSAT LLB 2026 must meet the eligibility criteria as under

  • Candidates must appeared for a graduation degree in any stream from a recognised college as approved by UGC or equivalent. 
  • They must have secured at least 45 per cent marks in agregate of all papers for the graduation degree.
  • If they belong to any category, then they must secure 40% marks in the qualifying degree.
Q:   Is NLSAT online or offline?
A: 

The mode of examination is offline. As per the pattern the exam will be conducted in two parts. The part A of the exam will carry objective questions while second part will have subjective based questions. 

Q:   What is NLSAT 2026 Exam Date?
A: 

NLSAT Exam 2026 was held on April 26 in offline mode. It was conducted for 2 hour 30 minutes. 

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NLSAT 2026 FAQs

Check the Frequently Asked Questions related to NLSAT 2026 below.

Q:   What details are required to download the NLSAT answer key?
A: 

Candidates can download the NLSAT answer 2026 key in the following way: Visit nls.ac.in. Click on the NLSAT answer key link present on the official website. View, download, and save the answer key and question paper PDF.

Q:   Is there any age limit to appear in NLSAT Exam?
A: 

Candidates must note that their is no age limit. But to appear in the exam there are certain eligibility criteria that must be completed. You must check it before going ahead with the registration form. 

Q:   What is the NLSAT application fee?
A: 

The application fee payable for the three-year LLB course of NLSIU admissions is as under:

CategoryNLSAT Application Fee (in INR)
General categoryINR 2,500
SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PWD/EWSINR 2,000
Q:   I forgot to submit NLSAT 2027 Application Fees. What should I do?
A: 

Even with all the right documents, if you have not paid the application fee, your application form will be rejected. Since the application process cannot complete without submiting the fees. Once the window closes you won't be able to pay the fees or re fill the form. 

Q:   How do I find my NLSAT registration ID?
A: 
They can recover it by steps mentioned below
Visit the nls.ac.in
Click on the Forgot Password
Enter the registered mobile number
Click on Request OTP
Enter the One Time Password
Create a new password
Proceed to login

 

Q:   How to download NLSAT Result 2026?
A: 

Candidates can download the NLSAT 2026 results in the given manner.

  • Visit NLSAT 2026 website.
  • Click on NLSAT 2026.
  • Log in using your mobile number and password.
  • Click on the NLSAT result button.
  • The NLSAT scorecard 2026 will appear on the screen.
  • Download and save the scorecard.
Q:   Where can I check NLSAT 2027 Syllabus?
A: 

The NLSAT syllabus can be checked as follows:

  • Visit nls.ac.in
  • Click on the Admission tab
  • Choose the course for which you want to appear in the exam
  • On the particular course page, syllabus details can be seen
Q:   What is the last date to submit NLSAT 2026 Application Form?
A: 

The NLSAT 2026 Application Form was available till March 30, 2026 after the deadline was extended by the conducting body, NLSIU, Bengaluru. Candidates will have to fill out the form in online mode. 

Q:   When will the NLSAT answer key release?
A: 

NLSAT answer key has been released at official website.

Q:   In which language can I give NLSAT exam?
A: 

The NLSAT Exam will be held in English. All questions and instructions will be in same language so you are expected to know the language effectively to answer the questions.

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NLSAT Exam

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered a week ago

Applicants can download their NLSAT hall ticket from the NLSIU Admissions Portal. The official website for this purpose is nlsatadmissions.nls.ac.in. Candidates must take a printout of the downloaded admit card for exam day.

A

Aashish Jha

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a week ago

Candidates will need their username and password for the NLSAT admit card. NLSIU releases the NLSAT LLB admit card on its official website. Candidates must download their hall ticket to appear in the exam.

A

Aashish Jha

Beginner-Level 5

1 Institutes accepting NLSAT

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