National Law University is an institution for undergraduate and post-graduate legal education in India.Before 1987 there was three year LLB(Bachelor of Laws) graduation course.The requirement for LLB degree was applicant should already have a Bachelor’s Degree in any subject from a recognized university.After the suggestion from law commission of India to establish specialized law universities devoted to legal education only.The First Law University was established in 1987 in Bangalore(NLSIU). The aim of the University is to provide quality legal education in India. Till now, there are total 17 National law universities in India. National Law University’s offer a Multi-disciplinary and integrated approach to legal education.
Entrance Exam is conducted every year in the month of may by one of the NLU’s named “CLAT” for admission in various National Law Universities for their 5 year Integrated courses and for Master Degree in Law except NLU Delhi which conducts a separate exam for admission in their courses and DSNLU, Vishakhapatnam admit students on the basis of CLAT Rank after an counselling.
List of National Law universities in India-
1. National Law School of India University, Bangalore
- NLSIU is regarded as the most prestigious law school in India. National Law School of India, Bangalore was established by a statute National Law School of India Act, 1986 passed by the legislative assembly of the State of Karnataka. The school was officially founded on 29 August, 1987. Statute provided that the Chief Justice of India is the chancellor of the university.
NLSIU Motto-”Dharmo Rakshati Rakshata” which mean those who protect justice are protected by justice.
2. NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad – National Academy of Legal Studies and Research was established in 1998. It was located in Shamirpet, Hyderabad. Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court appointed as a Chancellor of university.
NALSAR Motto – “Dharme Sarvam Pratishthitham”.
3. National Law Institute University, Bhopal – NLIU was established in 1997 by an Act of the State legislature of Madhya Pradesh.
4. The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata – WBNUJS or NUJS was established in 1999 under the West Bengal Act IX of 1999. The Chief Justice of India is the chancellor of the university.
5. National Law University, Jodhpur – NLUJ was established in 2001 and located in vibrant and colorful city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The university was established by passing the National Law University Act, 1999 by the State Legislature of Rajasthan. Chief Justice of Rajasthan is the Chancellor of university. It was the first institution in the country where law is coupled with other discipline such as science, management science.
NLU, Jodhpur motto – “Knowledge is Empowerment”.
6. Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur – HNLU was established in 2003 by Hidayatullah National University of Law, Chattisgarh, Act 2003.
HNLU motto – “Dharma Sansthapanartham” which mean for the sake of establishing the primacy of the laws of eternal value.
7. Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar – GNLU was established in 2004, by passing the Gujarat National University Act, 2003.
GNLU motto – “Aa No Bhadra, Kratavo Yantu Vishwatah” which means Let the noble thoughts come from all directions
8. Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University, Lucknow – RMLNLU was established by an act (U.P. Act No. 28) of the legislature of Uttar Pradesh in 2005. University admitted their first batch in July, 2006.
9. National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi – NUALS was established in 2005 by Act of 2005 of the Kerela State legislature.
10. Chanakya National Law University, Patna – CNLU was established in 2006 under the Chanakya National Law University Act, 2006 passed by Government of Bihar (Bihar Act 24 of 2006).
CNLU motto – “Gyandhanam Mahaddhanam” which means “Knowledge is the greatest wealth”.
11. Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala – RGNLU was established in 2006 by passing the Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law Punjab Act, 2006 by Punjab Government.
12. National Law University, Odhisa – NLUO establish in 2009, by National Law University Odisha NLUO Act of 2008. Chief Justice of Orissa High Court is the Chancellor of the University.
NLUO motto- “Satya Sthito Dharma”
13. National Law University, Delhi, New Delhi – NLUD was established in 2008. NLU, Delhi take separate admission entrance exam AILET (All India Law Entrance Test).
NLUD motto- “Nyaayastatra Pramaanam Syaat” which mean There shall justice prevail.
14. Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Visakhapatnam – DSNLU was established in 2008 by an Act of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly (Act No. 32 of 2008). Formerly it is known as Andhra Pradesh University of Law. “Andhra Pradesh University of Law” name changed as “Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University” vide Andhra Pradesh University of Law (Amendment) Act, 2012 (Act No. 15 of 2012). DSNLU admit students on the basis of CLAT rank.
DSNLU motto – “Yato Dharamastato Jay”
15. National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi – NUSRL was established in 2010 by Act No. 4 Jharkhand state Assembly in 2010.
16. National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam, Guwahati – NLUJAA was established in 2010 by the Government of Assam by National Law School and Judicial Academy, Assam Act, 2009.(Act no. 25 of 2009) The Act was amended and the word ‘school’ substituted by ‘University’. The Chief Justice of Guwahati High Court is the Chancellor of the Law University.
17 . Tamil Nadu National Law School, Srirangam – Tamil Nadu National Law School is an upcoming law school as per Tamil Nadu National Law School Act, 2012.
