Best Law Colleges in India Other Than NLUs
There are over 1,700 law colleges in India, including the NLUs. With CLAT 2027 competition at an all-time high and limited seats across the 26 NLUs, many aspirants are now turning to top-ranked non-NLU institutions that offer excellent legal education, modern infrastructure, and strong industry placements.
With tough competition and limited seats in the NLUs, candidates can shift their focus to other top colleges.
Here is a list of the top law colleges in India other than NLUs. Rankings below are based on the Ministry of Education, NIRF 2025 (Law Category).
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Law School |
NIRF 2025 Rank |
Law School Info |
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Jindal Global Law School (JGLS), Sonipat, Haryana |
QS #1 Private Law School in India |
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IIT Kharagpur - Rajiv Gandhi School of IP Law, Kharagpur, West Bengal |
#6 NIRF 2025 |
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Symbiosis Law School (SLS), Pune / Noida / Nagpur / Hyderabad |
#7 NIRF 2025 |
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KIIT School of Law, Bhubaneswar, Odisha |
#14 NIRF 2025 |
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UPES School of Law, Dehradun |
#18 NIRF 2025 |
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Alliance School of Law, Bengaluru |
#20 NIRF 2025 |
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Christ University School of Law, Bengaluru |
#24 NIRF 2025 |
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SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu |
#25 NIRF 2025 |
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Lovely Professional University (LPU), Phagwara, Punjab |
#26 NIRF 2025 |
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ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (IFHE), Hyderabad |
#31 NIRF 2025 |
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Manipal University Jaipur |
#32 NIRF 2025 |
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Institute of Law, Nirma University (ILNU), Ahmedabad |
#33 NIRF 2025 |
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Galgotias University, Greater Noida |
#36 NIRF 2025 |
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Amity Law School, Gurgaon |
#39 NIRF 2025 |
Here is the list of colleges without an NIRF Law rank, listed based on national reputation.
|
Law School |
Law School Info |
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GLS (Gujarat Law Society) University, Ahmedabad |
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RNB Global University, Bikaner |
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KLEF College of Law, Hyderabad |
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Presidency University, Bengaluru |
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Chanakya University, Bangalore |
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IILM University, Gurgaon |
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Bennett University, Greater Noida |
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MIT World Peace University, Pune |
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Mody University, Rajasthan |
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Lovely Professional University (LPU), Phagwara, Punjab |
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RV University, Bengaluru |
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Marwadi University, Rajkot |
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Lloyd Law College, Greater Noida |
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Ansal University, Gurgaon |
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Jagran Lakecity University, Bhopal |
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Apeejay Stya University, Gurgaon |
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Ajeenkya DY Patil University, Pune |
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Vijaybhoomi University, Mumbai |
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Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur |
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Jain University, Bangalore |
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Manav Rachna University, Faridabad |
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PES University, Bangalore |
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SGT University, Gurgaon |
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BML Munjal University, Gurgaon |
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KLE Law College, Bangalore |
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Indore Institute of Law, Indore |
How to Choose the Right Non-NLU Law College
With so many options available, choosing the right law college beyond the NLUs can feel overwhelming. Here are some key factors to consider before making your decision:
- Check the NIRF Ranking: NIRF rankings are published annually by the Ministry of Education and are the most reliable benchmark for comparing law colleges in India. Prioritise colleges that consistently appear in the NIRF Law category, it reflects teaching quality, research output, placements, and infrastructure.
- Look at the Entrance Exam Accepted: Different colleges accept different scores. CLAT scores are accepted by several private universities. LSAT-India is widely accepted by colleges like JGLS, Bennett University, and Jindal. CUET is accepted by many central and private universities. Always check which exam a college requires before applying.
- Evaluate Placement Records: Check the college's official placement reports; look at average salary, top recruiters, and the percentage of students placed. Colleges like JGLS, Symbiosis Law School, and Alliance University have well-established placement cells with law firm and corporate tie-ups.
- Consider the Specialisation Offered: Some colleges have a stronger focus on specific areas; for example, IIT Kharagpur is ideal if you are interested in Intellectual Property Law, while JGLS is known for international law and corporate law programmes. Match the college's strengths with your area of interest.
- Assess Fee vs. Return on Investment: Private and deemed universities can have significantly higher fee structures than NLUs. Compare the total course fee against the average placement package to gauge the return on investment before committing.
- Location and Bar Council Affiliation: Ensure the college is Bar Council of India (BCI) approved; this is mandatory for practising law in India. Location also matters for internship and networking opportunities, particularly if you are targeting courts or law firms in metro cities.