Best Law Colleges in North India 2026: NLUs, Delhi NCR, Uttarakhand & ROI Guide

Overview: If you’re aiming for a strong start in law, here’s a number to remember: over 55% of T1 internships in India reportedly originate from Delhi NCR–based firms, courts and policy think tanks. That’s why the Top Law Colleges in Delhi NCR dominate shortlists. But here’s the interesting part: Uttarakhand and neighbouring northern states now offer competitive alternatives with lower living costs and improved placements. 

This guide brings everything together: List of NLUs in India, Delhi NCR government and private options, Uttarakhand picks, NIRF Ranking NLUs snapshot, fees, seats, placements and ROI. You’ll find practical checklists, fee bands, typical cutoff ranges, and a cost-of-living comparison (Delhi vs Dehradun) so you can plan clearly for 2026. 

“I treated every CLAT mock like the real exam—120 minutes, no excuses. That discipline took me from a 67 percentile to AIR 87,” shares a TopRankers student from Gurugram, who converted an NLU in North India. 

Here’s what we’ll cover next: NLUs with NIRF snapshot, Top Law Colleges in Delhi NCR across government and private campuses, Uttarakhand options, admission pathways (CLAT vs AILET vs DU), plus fees, cutoffs, placements and ROI. Let’s dive deeper. 

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NLUs and NIRF Snapshot 2025–2026: Rankings, Methodology and Seats 

What are NLUs — quick definition and role in India’s law education 

National Law Universities (NLUs) are state universities with a national footprint for legal education. Most five-year BA LL.B/BB.A LL.B seats are filled via CLAT; NLU Delhi uses AILET. NLUs offer structured mooting and internships, strong alumni networks, and better access to judiciary and corporate roles. 

NIRF 2025–2026 snapshot: Top NLUs, methodology highlights and what changed 

NIRF ranks institutions on Teaching, Research, Graduation Outcomes, Outreach and Perception. While the 2025 list is awaited at the time of writing, the 2024 order is a reliable indicator for 2026 planning. Use this as an indicative reference and cross-check the latest NIRF update when released. For aspirants targeting the Top Law Colleges in Delhi NCR, the takeaway is simple: close proximity to courts, tribunals and BigLaw boosts internships and PPOs—so location still matters even among top NLUs. 

According to the NIRF 2025 rankings, National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, ranked 1st with a score of 82.97, followed by National Law University, New Delhi, which scored 80.00 and ranked 2nd. 

Read more: CLAT participating Colleges

Below is a compact, indicative table based on last published NIRF data (2024). Expect minor shifts in 2025–2026. 

NIRF (Indicative)	NLU	City/State	Entrance	Notes
1	NLSIU	Bengaluru, KA	CLAT	Perception leader; very high cutoffs
2	NLU Delhi (NLUD)	New Delhi	AILET	Separate exam; strong policy/public law
3	NALSAR	Hyderabad, TS	CLAT	Corporate & litigation balance
4	WBNUJS	Kolkata, WB	CLAT	Litigation culture
5	GNLU	Gandhinagar, GJ	CLAT	Policy/litigation mix
6	NLU Jodhpur	Rajasthan	CLAT	Corporate focus; strong alumni
7	RMLNLU	Lucknow, UP	CLAT	Good North India exposure
8	RGNUL	Patiala, PB	CLAT	Mooting pedigree growing
9	HPNLU	Shimla, HP	CLAT	Newer NLU; rising internships
10	MNLU Mumbai	Maharashtra	CLAT	Metro advantage; high rents

Methodology highlights: Grad outcomes weigh heavily (placements, higher studies), so look beyond rank to actual placement reports, research output and mooting successes. 

Read more: Best Law Colleges in India

Seats matrix: total UG seats across NLUs & how to read the CLAT seat list 

• Total CLAT UG seats across 26 NLUs in India (2025 intake) are typically ~3,200–3,500; category-wise splits and domicile quotas vary by state. 
• How to read CLAT seat lists: 
• Check “All India” vs “Domicile” quotas for each NLU. 
• Note special categories (EWS, PwD, Defence, J&K, etc.). 
• Look at last-round ranks for 2024, then add a 5–10% buffer for 2026 estimations. 
• Pro tip: Prioritise location fit (courts, firms), alumni strength and your financial plan—not just all-India rank. 

Now comes the crucial part—Delhi NCR options you can act on. 

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Top Law Colleges in Delhi NCR — Government & DU Law Colleges 

Campus Law Centre (DU): overview, courses, fees and admission route 

The Faculty of Law, University of Delhi operates three centres—Campus Law Centre (CLC), Law Centre I (LC1) and Law Centre II (LC2)—offering the flagship 3-year LL.B with very low tuition fees and excellent courtroom access. 

• Courses: 3-year LL.B, LL.M, Ph.D. 
• Fees: Approx Rs 6,000–15,000 per year (subsidised, subject to revision). 
• Admission (2026): 3-year LL.B via CUET-PG (LL.B paper); 5-year BA LL.B/BBA LL.B (introduced from 2023) via CLAT UG score at DU’s Faculty of Law (separate campus unit). 
• Why choose: Court internships at Delhi High Court, Supreme Court access, legal aid clinics, strong ROI. 

Other government law colleges in Delhi: profile, fees and cutoffs 

Institute	Type	Flagship Programme	Entrance (UG)	Fees (Annual, approx)	Typical Cutoff/Notes
Campus Law Centre - Delhi University (CLC/LC1/LC2)	Govt (Central Univ)	3-yr LL.B	CUET-PG (LL.B)	Rs 6k–15k	High cutoffs; excellent ROI
NLU Delhi (NLUD)	State Univ (NLU)	5-yr BA LL.B	AILET	Rs 1.9L–2.6L	Top-5; very high cutoff
USLLS, GGSIPU	Govt (State Univ)	5-yr BA/BBA LL.B	CLAT UG	Rs 85k–1.2L	Delhi domicile advantage
Jamia Millia Islamia (Faculty of Law)	Govt (Central Univ)	5-yr BA LL.B	As notified (recent cycles used CUET-UG)	Rs 12k–20k	Limited seats; high demand

Note: Always verify the 2026 brochure for entrance routes and exact fees. 

Why government colleges still score for ROI and placements 

• Ultra-low fees at DU and JMI mean faster payback even with litigation pathways. 
• Delhi NCR advantage: proximity to the Supreme Court, the Delhi High Court, tribunals, top chambers and policy bodies. 
• Alumni depth: CLC alumni presence across bar, bench and bureaucracy boosts mentorship and internships. 

But wait—what if you’re evaluating reputed private schools in NCR? Let’s compare. 

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Top Law Colleges in Delhi NCR — Private Colleges & NLUs with Delhi Presence 

Private law colleges in NCR: Lloyd, Amity, Jagannath, Lingaya's — quick profiles 

1. O.P. Jindal Global University (JGLS), Sonipat: International collaborations, top moots, strong placements; higher fees. 
2. Amity Law School, Noida: Wide specialisations, active moots, strong infrastructure. 
3. Lloyd Law College, Greater Noida: Recognised mooting culture, industry tie-ups. 
4. JEMTEC School of Law (JIMS, GGSIPU), Greater Noida: IPU-affiliated, CLAT counselling. 
5. JaganNath University, NCR (Bahadurgarh): Affordable, decent infra; growing alumni. 
6. Lingaya’s Vidyapeeth, Faridabad: Diversity of programmes, improving internships; check Lingaya’s Vidyapeeth law college fees 2026 in the latest prospectus. 

NLUs accessible to Delhi NCR aspirants (NLSIU alumni paths, NLU Delhi prospects) 

• NLU Delhi (AILET) is within the city; fierce cutoffs. 
• North India NLUs with strong alumni pathways for Delhi internships: NLU Jodhpur, RMLNLU Lucknow, RGNUL Patiala, HPNLU Shimla, DBRANLU Sonepat (Haryana). 
• Many Delhi NCR students also target NLSIU/NALSAR via CLAT for elite corp-law careers and national clerkships. 

Placement highlights and fee comparisons for private colleges 

Institute	Fees (Annual, approx)	Average CTC (reported/indicative)	Notes
JGLS Sonipat	Rs 6.5L–7.5L	8–10 LPA (top roles higher)	International exposure; high living costs
Amity Noida	Rs 1.6L–3.5L	4–6 LPA	Strong infra; varied outcomes
Lloyd Greater Noida	Rs 1.2L–1.6L	4–5.5 LPA	Good mooting & internships
JEMTEC (GGSIPU)	Rs 1.2L–1.6L	3.5–5 LPA	CLAT-based admissions
Lingaya’s Vidyapeeth	Rs 1.0L–1.4L	3–4.5 LPA	Focus on court internships

Tip: For Top Law Colleges in Delhi NCR: Rankings & Admission 2026, balance brand value with actual internship pipelines and scholarship availability. 

Read more: Government Law Colleges in India

NLUs in North India: Which ones are located in Northern states? 

State-wise list: Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand (if any), Uttar Pradesh, Himachal — NLU presence 

NLU Name	State	NIRF Rank (Indicative 2024)	UG Seats (Approx)	Entrance
NLU Delhi (NLUD)	Delhi	2	~120–150	AILET
NLU Jodhpur	Rajasthan	~6	~120–180	CLAT
RMLNLU Lucknow	Uttar Pradesh	~7	~160–200	CLAT
RGNUL Patiala	Punjab	~8	~180–200	CLAT
HPNLU Shimla	Himachal Pradesh	~9–15 band	~120–180	CLAT
DBRANLU Sonepat	Haryana	Emerging	~120–180	CLAT

Which NLUs are in North India and what are their NIRF rankings? Use this as an orientation map; confirm the exact 2026 seats and quotas from the CLAT and AILET brochures. 

Quick profiles: NLU Lucknow, NLU Himachal/others — seats, specialisations 

• RMLNLU Lucknow: Corporate law, constitutional law strengths; strong moot participation; ~160–200 seats. 
• HPNLU Shimla: Newer, scenic campus, rising internships; ~120–180 seats. 
• DBRANLU Sonepat: Proximity to Delhi; growing faculty and research centres. 

How CLAT seat allocation affects North India applicants 

• Domicile quotas in some NLUs (UP, HP, Haryana) can change your rank target significantly. 
• For Delhi court exposure, Jodhpur, Patiala, Sonepat and Shimla are logistically manageable. 

Uttarakhand & Other North Indian Law Colleges (2026 Overview) 

Top LLB colleges in Uttarakhand: Doon (DG), Uttarakhand University, private picks 

Law College Dehradun (LCD), Uttaranchal University, Dehradun — flagship private campus with legacy mooting. 

• School of Law, Uttaranchal University — BA LL.B/BB.A LL.B, LL.M; strong local internships. 
• IMS Unison University, Dehradun — active moots, decent placements. 
• Graphic Era Hill University (Faculty of Law), Dehradun — growing programmes. 
• HNB Garhwal University (School of Law) — state university, cost-effective. 

Note: “Doon (DG)” popularly refers to Dehradun-based legacy colleges, notably Law College Dehradun under Uttaranchal University. 

State-wise picks beyond Delhi: Haryana, Punjab and Himachal top law colleges 

• Haryana: JGLS Sonipat (private), DBRANLU Sonepat (NLU). 
• Punjab: RGNUL Patiala (NLU), PU Chandigarh (Dept. of Laws). 
• Himachal: HPNLU Shimla (NLU); HP University (Faculty of Law) for 3-year LL.B. 

Why Uttarakhand matters: campus life, costs and growing placements 

• Lower living costs than Delhi; campus hostels widely available. 
• Court exposure via Uttarakhand High Court (Nainital) and Dehradun district courts. 
• Outdoor culture and compact city commute improve study-life balance. 

Small fee/placement snapshot: 

College (Uttarakhand)	Fees (Annual approx)	Avg Placement (Indicative)
Law College Dehradun (Uttaranchal Univ)	Rs 1.2L–1.7L	3.5–5 LPA
IMS Unison University	Rs 1.2L–1.8L	3–4.5 LPA
Graphic Era Hill University	Rs 1.1L–1.6L	3–4 LPA
HNB Garhwal Univ (School of Law)	Rs 10k–25k	2.5–4 LPA

For Top LLB Colleges in Uttarakhand 2026, confirm the latest brochures for exact fees and internship partners. 

Admissions Pathways 2026: CLAT vs AILET vs DU LLB & State Tests

Exam comparison: CLAT vs AILET vs DU LLB — eligibility, pattern, counselling flow 

• CLAT (UG): 5-year integrated programmes at 25 NLUs (except NLUD). 120 questions; sections: English, Current Affairs (GK), Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Techniques; 2 hours; centralised counselling by CLAT Consortium. 
• AILET (UG): Exclusive for NLU Delhi; typically 150 MCQs (English, GK, Logical Reasoning); 120 minutes; separate counselling by NLU Delhi. 
• DU (3-year LL.B): CUET-PG (LL.B) based admissions; central DU counselling. 
• DU (5-year: BA LL.B/BBA LL.B): Based on CLAT UG score (as per recent cycles). 
• IPU (USLLS & affiliated colleges): Uses CLAT UG for 5-year admissions. 
• Private colleges (e.g., JGLS): Accept LSAT—India/JSAT/SAT (check institute policy). 

2026 timelines and application tips (when to register, documents, fees) 

1. CLAT: Registration typically opens July–August; exam in December; counselling Jan–Feb. 
2. AILET: Registration around August–September; exam in December; counselling Dec–Jan. 
3. DU 3-year LL.B (CUET-PG): Forms around Dec–Jan; exam Feb–March; counselling Apr–June. 
4. DU 5-year: Use CLAT UG score; watch DU Law portal for counselling windows (May–July). 
5. IPU Law: CLAT-based; follow IPU counselling (May–June). 
6. Keep PDFs ready: Class X/XII marksheets, photo/signature, category/EWS/PwD docs, domicile (if any), income certificate. 

Tip: Pay application fees early to avoid payment-gateway rush near the deadline. 

Preparation & cutoffs: how to predict 2026 cutoffs and application strategy 

• Benchmark using 2024 closing ranks/marks; adjust +5–10% buffer for 2026. 
• Build plan A (reach), plan B (match), plan C (safety) across Top Law Colleges in Delhi - Get Admission pathways (CLAT/AILET/CUET/LSAT). 
• Weekly mock cadence: 3 CLAT/AILET mocks with full analysis; replicate test-day discipline. 

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Fees, Seats & Cutoffs: 2026 Fee Range Table and Typical Cutoff Bands 

Fee bands: Government vs Private vs NLUs — 3-tier table 

Institute	Type	Approx Fees (Annual)	UG Seats (Typical)	Typical Cutoff Range (Indicative)
Campus Law Centre - DU (3-yr)	Govt	Rs 6k–15k	~2,000+ across centres	CUET-PG LL.B rank: top percentiles
NLU Delhi (NLUD)	NLU	Rs 1.9L–2.6L	~120–150	AILET: top ~0.5–1%
USLLS, GGSIPU	Govt/State	Rs 85k–1.2L	~120–180	CLAT rank: ~2,000–6,000 (varies)
JGLS Sonipat	Private	Rs 6.5L–7.5L	~300–500	LSAT—India/JSAT-based
Amity Noida	Private	Rs 1.6L–3.5L	~240–360	Institute norms
Lloyd Greater Noida	Private	Rs 1.2L–1.6L	~240–360	Institute norms
Lingaya’s Vidyapeeth	Private	Rs 1.0L–1.4L	~120–240	Institute norms
RMLNLU Lucknow	NLU	Rs 1.5L–2.2L	~160–200	CLAT: top ~1,500–2,800
RGNUL Patiala	NLU	Rs 1.6L–2.2L	~180–200	CLAT: top ~1,800–3,200

Note: “Typical cutoff range” varies annually with exam difficulty and category; use past two cycles for triangulation. For North India law colleges 2026 list and fees, verify institute brochures before finalising budgets. 

Seat availability: typical UG LLB/B.A.LLB seats per institute (table) 

Category	Seats (Typical)	Notes
Top NLUs (per campus)	120–240	Includes AI + Domicile splits
Mid NLUs (per campus)	120–180	Some expansion ongoing
DU Faculty of Law (3-year total)	2,000+	Across CLC/LC1/LC2
IPU-affiliated private colleges	120–360	Through CLAT + IPU counselling
Private universities (NCR)	180–500	Institute-specific policies

Cutoff bands 2024–2026: how to use past cutoffs to estimate 2026 

• CLAT: For top-5 NLUs, target top ~500 ranks; for strong North India NLUs, ~1,500–3,500 rank (general category). Add 5–10% cushion in 2026. 
• AILET: Aim top 0.5–1% for NLU Delhi BA LL.B. 
• CUET-PG (DU LL.B): In recent cycles, high percentiles needed; watch DU’s category-wise cutoffs. 

Also check Lingaya’s Vidyapeeth law college fees 2026 and scholarships for affordability. 

Placements, Careers & Alumni Outcomes: ROI-focused Analysis 

Average placement bands in Delhi NCR vs Doon: salary ranges and top recruiters 

• Delhi NCR law colleges with best placements 2026 typically report 6–10 LPA average for top private universities; T1/T2 law firms and GC roles can be significantly higher. 
• Government colleges (DU, JMI) see strong litigation and clerkship outcomes; corporate roles vary by CV, internships and moots. 
• Doon (Dehradun) colleges: 3–5 LPA averages reportedly for domestic roles; strong exposure to litigation and public sector opportunities. 

5-year ROI model: tuition + living costs vs typical first-job salary (example) 

Path	5-Year Tuition (Approx)	5-Year Living (Delhi/Dehradun)	Total Cost	Typical First Salary	Payback Period
NLU (North India, mid-fee)	Rs 8–10 lakh	Delhi: Rs 6–8 lakh	Rs 14–18 lakh	7–12 LPA	1.5–2.5 years
DU 3-year + 2-year internships	Rs 25k–45k	Delhi: Rs 7–9 lakh	Rs 7.5–9.5 lakh	4–8 LPA	1–2 years
JGLS (private, premium)	Rs 32–38 lakh	NCR: Rs 7–9 lakh	Rs 39–47 lakh	8–12+ LPA	3.5–5 years
Dehradun private (LCD/IMS)	Rs 6–8 lakh	Doon: Rs 4–6 lakh	Rs 10–14 lakh	3.5–6 LPA	2–3.5 years

Assumptions are indicative; always consult the latest placement reports and plan scholarships to compress payback. 

Mooting, internships and research opportunities that boost employability 

• Target colleges with strong mooting societies (national/international moots). 
• Prioritise clinics: legal aid, mediation, IPR/competition law cells. 
• Secure internships each semester: chambers (trial/appellate), law firms, think-tanks, regulators. 
• Publish: aim 1–2 student papers; present at conferences. 

“My first PPO came after a policy research internship led to a co-authored paper,” says a 2024 NLU Jodhpur graduate—proof that research and writing can be career-makers. 

Scholarships, Cost of Living & Hostels: Delhi vs Dehradun (Doon) 

Common scholarships and fee waivers for law students (government and institute-specific) 

• National Scholarships Portal (NSP): SC/ST/OBC/EWS, merit-cum-means schemes. 
• State scholarships (Delhi, Haryana, UP, Uttarakhand): domicile-based fee support. 
• Institute scholarships: JGLS, Amity, IMS Unison, Law College Dehradun—merit and need-based. 
• CLAT/AILET score-based waivers (select private universities). 
• Education loans with moratorium; interest subsidies for EWS. 

Cost of living comparison: Delhi NCR vs Dehradun (rent, food, transport) — ordered list and quick numbers 

Expense Head	Delhi NCR (Monthly)	Dehradun (Monthly)
Hostel/PG	Rs 9k–15k	Rs 6k–10k
Food	Rs 4k–7k	Rs 3k–5k
Local Transport	Rs 1.5k–3k	Rs 800–1.8k
Misc/Study	Rs 2k–4k	Rs 1.5k–3k
Total (Range)	Rs 16.5k–29k	Rs 11.3k–19.8k

Tips: 

• Prefer on-campus hostels for safety and savings. 
• Use metro/bus passes in Delhi; shared autos in Doon. 
• Part-time research assistantships can offset living costs. 

Affordable law colleges in Delhi 2026 and tips to reduce cost (hostel, shared flats, part-time law internships) 

• Cheapest Law Colleges in Delhi 2026 include DU Faculty of Law and JMI (govt-subsidised). 
• Apply early for institute hostels; shortlist 2–3 PGs before admissions. 
• Use alumni networks to find paid research/RA roles; target 6–10k per month offsets. 

How to Choose: Private vs Government, NLU vs DU vs Private — Decision Checklist 

Decision factors: course, fees, placements, mooting culture, faculty, infrastructure 

• Course structure and electives (IPR, competition, tech-law). 
• Fee vs expected CTC; scholarship odds. 
• Moot court and internships track-record. 
• Faculty research and mentorship depth. 
• Infrastructure (library databases, classrooms, hostel). 

Checklist: 10-point ordered list to evaluate a law college for you 

1. Entrance pathway clarity (CLAT/AILET/CUET/LSAT). 
2. 3-year vs 5-year programme fit. 
3. Verified fees + hostel availability. 
4. Average CTC and PPO conversion rate. 
5. Mooting and legal aid clinic activity. 
6. Court/firm proximity for internships. 
7. Alumni outcomes in your target niche. 
8. Research centres and faculty credentials. 
9. Exchange/semester-abroad options. 
10. ROI: 5-year cost vs first-salary payback. 

Case-study contrasts: NLU vs Campus Law Centre DU vs Doon-based college — who should pick what 

Profile	Best Fit	Why
Corporate-law aspirant with top rank	NLU (Top 8)	Strong placements, alumni, moots
Litigation/public policy on budget	DU (CLC/LC1/LC2)	Low fees, court proximity, alumni depth
Balanced approach with calmer city life	Dehradun private (LCD/IMS)	Lower living costs; focused internships

If you’re wondering how this compares with the Top Law Colleges in Delhi NCR, remember: location helps with internships, but your CV (moots + internships + writing) determines outcomes. 

Conclusion & Next Steps: Apply, Visit, and Decide 

The North India map is rich: from Top Law Colleges in Delhi NCR to Uttarakhand’s value picks, you’ve got strong choices at every budget. Here’s a quick plan to move from research to results. 

1. Shortlist 3 colleges (reach, match, safety) across your preferred entrance route. 
2. Check 2024–2025 cutoffs and add a 5–10% buffer for 2026. 
3. Prepare documents early (category/EWS/PwD, domicile, income). 
4. Block exam registration windows (CLAT, AILET, CUET-PG) on your calendar. 
5. Visit campuses or attend virtual open houses; speak to alumni. 
6. Lock your prep: 3 mocks/week + deep analysis; build your CV with moots and internships.