Planning to apply to NLSIU Bangalore in 2027? The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) offers two undergraduate programmes: the five-year BA LLB (Hons.) and the three-year BA (Hons.). Admission to the law programme is through CLAT 2027, while admission to the BA (Hons.) is through NLSAT-BA 2027.
The CLAT 2027 examination will be held on 6 December 2026, while NLSAT 2027 is scheduled for 25 April 2027.
About NLSIU Bangalore
Established in 1987, the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, was India’s first National Law University. It was established through a collaboration involving the Bar, judiciary and legal academia to introduce reforms in Indian legal education.
Located on a 23-acre campus in Nagarabhavi, Bengaluru, NLSIU has consistently secured the first position in the Law category of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) since 2018.
While traditionally recognised for legal education, NLSIU has expanded its undergraduate offerings to include a multidisciplinary BA (Hons.) programme in the humanities and social sciences.
What Undergraduate Programmes Does NLSIU Offer?
NLSIU offers two undergraduate programmes, each with a different curriculum and admission process.
1. Five-Year BA LLB (Hons.)
The BA LLB (Hons.) is a five-year integrated undergraduate law programme combining legal education with subjects from the humanities and social sciences.
- Duration: Five years
- Entrance examination: CLAT 2027
- Eligibility: Class 12 or equivalent, subject to CLAT eligibility requirements
- Admission process: Based on CLAT performance and the applicable admission and counselling procedures
The programme prepares students for careers in litigation, corporate law, public policy, legal research and other law-related fields.
2. Three-Year NLS BA (Hons.)
Introduced in the academic year 2025–26, the NLS BA (Hons.) is a multidisciplinary undergraduate programme with the option of an additional fourth year in the research track.
Students can pursue a major-minor combination or a double major in the following disciplines:
- Economics
- History
- Politics
- Sociology and Anthropology
The curriculum includes foundational courses, majors and minors, open electives, languages, practice courses and internships.
Students selected for the four-year research track graduate with a BA (Hons. with Research) degree.
Entrance examination: NLSAT-BA 2027.
Important: The NLS BA (Hons.) is not a law degree and does not qualify graduates to practise law. Students interested in pursuing law after graduation may apply separately to a three-year LLB programme, subject to eligibility and admission requirements.
How to Apply to NLSIU in 2027?
The two undergraduate programmes have separate entrance examinations.
| Programme | Entrance Examination | Registration Deadline | Examination Date |
| BA LLB (Hons.) | CLAT 2027 | 31 October 2026 | 6 December 2026 |
| BA (Hons.) | NLSAT-BA 2027 | November 2026 | 25 April 2027 |
The exact application closing deadline for NLSAT-BA has not yet been announced.
What Is the NLSAT-BA Examination Pattern?
The NLSAT-BA assesses students’ reading comprehension, reasoning, general awareness, quantitative skills and ability to construct written arguments.
The test consists of two parts:
| Component | Assessment | Maximum Marks |
| Part A | Multiple-choice questions covering reading comprehension, general awareness, critical reasoning and quantitative reasoning | 75 |
| Part B | Subjective questions, including short analytical responses and an essay | 75 |
| Total | 150 |
Time duration: 150 minutes.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
BA LLB (Hons.)
For CLAT 2027, applicants must have completed Class 12 or an equivalent examination with:
- At least 45% marks or equivalent grade for General, OBC and other applicable categories.
- At least 40% marks or equivalent grade for SC/ST/PwD categories, as specified by the Consortium.
Students appearing for their qualifying examination in March or April 2027 may also apply.
BA (Hons.)
Under the NLSIU eligibility criteria published for the 2026 admission cycle:
- General category applicants must have secured at least 55% aggregate marks in Class 12 or equivalent.
- SC/ST applicants must have secured at least 45% aggregate marks.
- Students appearing for their Class 12 examinations may apply, subject to meeting the minimum eligibility requirements before admission.
Applicants should verify the eligibility criteria for the 2027–28 academic year when the updated admission notification is published.
NLSIU Fee Structure
- The total amount payable by SC/ST category students is Rs. 4,50,000 per annum.
- The total amount payable by other students is Rs. 4,54,500 per annum.
Conclusion
NLSIU Bangalore offers two distinct undergraduate pathways for students interested in law, humanities and social sciences. Students aiming for the five-year BA LLB (Hons.) should prioritise their CLAT 2027 application before the 31 October 2026 deadline. Those interested in the multidisciplinary BA (Hons.) programme should prepare for NLSAT-BA 2027 and monitor the University’s website for application details.
For verified admission updates, visit the official NLSIU admissions page.
