NLSIU 3-Year LLB Seats 2026: Complete Guide to Reservation, Eligibility & Karnataka Quota

Overview: When it comes to pursuing law in India, few names carry as much weight as the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru. Its 3-year LL.B. (Hons.) programme has become one of the most sought-after postgraduate law degrees in the country, especially since it caters not just to fresh graduates but also to working professionals and aspirants from varied academic backgrounds.

However, one of the most common questions students ask before applying is: How many seats are available, and how are they distributed?

This detailed blog breaks down everything you need to know about the NLSIU 3-year LL.B., the reservation structure, Karnataka student quota, and NLSAT eligibility criteria, all in simple, human language.

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Total Number of NLSIU 3-Year LLB Seats

For the academic year, the total intake for the NLSIU 3-year LL.B. (Hons.) programme is 120 seats.

Here’s a quick snapshot:

Category	Total Seats Available
Total Seats	120

But that’s not all. Within these 120 seats, NLSIU follows a structured reservation policy, ensuring representation from diverse communities and backgrounds.

Read more: All in one Book for NLSAT Preparation

Reservation Structure for NLSIU 3-Year LLB Seats

Let’s understand how the NLSIU 3 year LLB seats are distributed among various categories. The University strictly follows government norms for reservations.

Category	Percentage of Seats	Approximate Number of Seats (out of 120)
Scheduled Castes (SC)	15%	18
Scheduled Tribes (ST)	7.5%	9
Other Backward Classes (OBC)	27%	32
Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)	10%	12
Unreserved (General)	Remaining Seats	~49

These add up to the total 120 NLSIU 3 year LLB seats.

Read more: All About NLSAT 2026?

Horizontal Reservations (Across All Categories)

In addition to the category-based (vertical) reservations, there are horizontal reservations that cut across all categories. These ensure inclusivity for women, persons with disabilities, and Karnataka students.

Horizontal Reservation	Percentage of Total Intake	Equivalent Seats (out of 120)
Persons with Disabilities (PWD)	5%	6
Women Candidates	30%	36
Karnataka Students	25%	30

Read more: NLSAT 2026 Syllabus

Reservation for Persons with Disabilities (PWD)

Out of the NLSIU 3 year LLB seats, 5% are reserved horizontally for Persons with Disabilities. This ensures that candidates with disabilities get equal opportunity to pursue legal education at one of India’s most prestigious law schools.

These seats are distributed across all categories, meaning that whether a candidate is from the SC, ST, OBC, or General category, the PWD reservation applies within each group.

30% Reservation for Women Candidates

NLSIU is committed to promoting gender diversity in the legal field. Therefore, 30% of the total NLSIU 3 year LLB seats are reserved horizontally for women candidates.

This initiative encourages more women to join the legal profession, ensuring a balanced representation in classrooms and, eventually, the courtrooms and boardrooms of India.

Read more: NLSAT 2026 eligibility criteria

25% Reservation for Karnataka Students

A unique and very important feature of the NLSIU 3 year LLB seats is the 25% horizontal reservation for Karnataka Students.

This means 30 out of 120 seats are specifically reserved for candidates who have a connection with the state of Karnataka, either through schooling or through their parents’ service background.

This policy ensures that NLSIU continues to serve the state while maintaining its national and global stature.

Who Qualifies as a Karnataka Student?

To be eligible under the Karnataka Students category, candidates must meet specific criteria. Let’s break them down clearly:

(i) Standard Eligibility

Candidates who have studied for at least seven (7) years in a recognised educational institution in Karnataka are automatically eligible to be considered as Karnataka Students.
This is the simplest rule for claiming the reservation.

(ii) Special Cases: For Children of Karnataka-Linked Employees

Even if a candidate hasn’t completed 7 years of study in Karnataka, they can still qualify if they meet any one of the following conditions:

Category	Eligibility Condition
Children of Defence Personnel/Ex-Servicemen	Their parents must have declared Karnataka as their hometown when joining service and served outside Karnataka during the candidate’s study years outside Karnataka.
Children of Karnataka State Government Employees	Parents must have served outside Karnataka during the candidate’s study years outside the state.
Children of All India Services Officers (IAS/IPS/IFS)	Parents belonging to the Karnataka cadre who served or are serving outside Karnataka during the candidate’s study years outside the state.
Children of Central Armed Police Force Employees	Parents must have declared Karnataka as their hometown at the time of joining and served outside Karnataka during corresponding study years.

Example (To Understand the Rule Better)

Suppose a student has studied in Karnataka for 3 years and outside Karnataka for 4 years.

In that case, they must show that their parent(s) were serving outside Karnataka for those 4 years, corresponding to their study period outside the state.

If a candidate hasn’t studied in Karnataka at all, their parent(s) must have served outside Karnataka for at least 7 years.

Important Documents Required

Candidates claiming seats under the Karnataka category must produce:

• Study certificates from all educational institutions attended
• Parents’ service certificates proving their tenure and place of posting
• Hometown declaration documents (where applicable)

These documents are verified at the time of admission. Hence, it’s wise to keep them ready in advance.

Read more: NLSAT Previous Year Question Papers

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Why Understanding the NLSIU 3-Year LLB Seat Structure Matters

Before applying, it’s crucial for every aspirant to clearly understand the NLSIU 3 year LLB seats and how they are distributed. This helps you:

1. Assess your category advantage – You’ll know exactly which quota applies to you.
2. Plan your documentation early – Especially if you fall under the Karnataka, PWD, or women’s categories.
3. Set realistic expectations – With only 120 seats and thousands of applicants, competition is intense.
4. Apply strategically – You can make better decisions about your application and preparation.

Read more: NLSAT 2026 Essay Topics

A Word of Advice for Aspirants

Although there aren't many places available for the NLSIU 3 year LLB program, the opportunity they present is enormous.  Being a part of a legacy at NLSIU is more important than simply obtaining a legal degree.

Every seat is a doorway to top-notch legal education, research, and career growth. 

If you’re aiming to be among the 120, focus on two things:

• Strong NLSAT preparation, since admission is purely merit-based through this test.
• Documentation readiness, especially if you’re applying under any reserved category.

Checkout Test Series for NLSAT by LegalEdge

Conclusion

To sum it up, here’s what you should remember about the NLSIU 3 year LLB seats:

• Total seats: 120
• Reservations include SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PWD, Women, and Karnataka Students.
• 25% of seats are reserved for Karnataka students, ensuring local representation.
• Eligibility for the Karnataka quota depends on study years in the state or parental service records.

Knowing these specifics well in advance guarantees that you dont miss out on your legitimate chance. 

One of the 120 NLSIU 3 Year LLB seats might be yours with the correct information, planning, and Documentation, marking the start of an incredible legal adventure. However, the competition is tough.