What are NLUs?
National Law Universities (NLUs) are India’s premier institutions for legal education, established to raise the standard of legal education and produce well-rounded legal professionals. There are 26 NLUs as of 2025, each offering integrated undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in law.
Campus Life at NLUs
Campus life at NLUs is intellectually stimulating, competitive, and vibrant. Here’s what to expect:
Academic Culture
- Rigorous Curriculum: The 5-year integrated programs (like BA LL.B., BBA LL.B.) are intensive and interdisciplinary.
- Research-Oriented Learning: Emphasis on legal research, constitutional law, policy studies, and comparative jurisprudence.
- Moot Courts & Debates: Students are encouraged to participate in national and international moot court competitions, parliamentary debates, and client counseling competitions.
Student Committees & Activities
- Each NLU has various student-run committees:
- Moot Court Society
- Debating Society
- Cultural Committee
- Legal Aid Clinic
- Placement Committee
- These provide platforms for leadership, networking, and skill-building.
Infrastructure & Facilities
- Libraries with vast legal databases like SCC Online, HeinOnline, Manupatra.
- Sports Complexes for cricket, football, tennis, and gymnasiums.
- Hostels with 24/7 internet, study areas, and student mess facilities.
Internships at NLUs
Internships are a mandatory and integral part of legal education at NLUs.
Structure of Internships
Students usually intern:
- 1st year: NGOs, think tanks, or grassroots-level organizations.
- 2nd year: Trial courts or legal aid organizations.
- 3rd year: High courts, public prosecutors, research projects.
- 4th year: Law firms, corporate in-house teams, regulatory bodies.
- 5th year: Top-tier internships for pre-placement offers (PPOs).
Support from Internship & Placement Cells
- Each NLU has a Career Development Cell or Internship Committee that:
- Helps students find internship opportunities.
- Connects students with alumni networks and HRs.
- Organizes resume-building workshops and interview training.
Career Opportunities & Placements
NLUs offer unmatched placement opportunities across sectors:
Top Recruiters
- Law Firms: AZB & Partners, Khaitan & Co., Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Trilegal.
- Corporate Houses: ICICI Bank, Tata, Reliance, Infosys.
- Litigation & Judiciary: Clerkships with Supreme Court judges, High Court practice.
- Policy Think Tanks: Vidhi Legal Policy, PRS Legislative Research.
- LAMP Fellowships, UN internships, and international LLMs are common.
Pre-Placement Offers (PPOs)
- Students who intern with firms during their 4th year often receive PPOs based on performance.
Personal Growth
Life at an NLU is also about shaping your personality and legal philosophy:
- You’ll meet brilliant peers from all parts of India.
- Learn to handle academic pressure and deadlines.
- Explore diverse career paths: litigation, academics, policy, entrepreneurship, or corporate law.
Final Thoughts
NLUs are not just colleges; they are incubators of India’s legal future. If you’re passionate about law and ready to challenge yourself, the NLU experience will equip you with knowledge, exposure, and lifelong networks.
