NLSAT 2026 Registration, Eligibility, Dates, Syllabus

NLSAT 2026: The NLSAT 2026 (National Law School Admissions Test) is the national‑level entrance test conducted by the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, for admission into its 3‑Year LL.B (Hons.), BA (Hons), LLB (Hons), Master of Public Policy (MPP), PhD (Law), and PhD (Interdisciplinary) programs for the academic year 2026‑27. With the notification published and registrations opening from 15 November 2025, and the registrations will close on March 23, 2026. 

NLSAT 2026 Overview

NLSAT 2026 Important Dates

What is NLSAT?

The NLSAT is the entrance test for admission into the 3‑Year LL.B (Hons.) programme at NLSIU. It is designed to assess candidates’ aptitude for legal studies, including critical reasoning, reading competence, legal reasoning, and analytical ability.

NLSIU 3‑Year LL.B (Hons) Admission

The 3-year LLB (Hons) is a postgraduate professional degree programme that is open to graduates from all disciplines. It is a qualifying degree for admission to legal practice. The programme meets all requirements of the Bar Council of India and builds on top of that to deliver a rigorous legal education in keeping with NLSIU’ s unique curricular and pedagogic approach.

Eligibility

Any person holding a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized national or international University is eligible to apply to the programme. Applicants in the General Category should have graduated with an aggregate of not less than 45% of total marks. Applicants in the SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PWD  Category should have graduated with an aggregate of not less than 40% of total marks. Students in the final year of their Bachelor’s degree are also eligible to apply. However, their final offer of admission shall be contingent upon successful completion of their Bachelor’s degree with the minimum aggregate marks specified above. Proof of completion of the qualifying degree has to be submitted no later than December 31, 2026.

Admission Process

The maximum intake for the 3-year LL.B (Hons.) programme in the Academic Year 2026-27 is 120 and ONLY students qualifying as per the criteria set out below will be admitted. Admission to the programme will be through an all-India written admissions test, the National Law School Admissions Test (NLSAT-LLB).

Application Fee

The NLSAT-LLB will be held on April 26, 2026 (Sunday) between 10.00 am to 12.30 pm in specified centres across the country. Application forms for the programme will be available on NLSIU’s website (www.nls.ac.in) from November 15, 2025. Application fees of Rs. 2500 (Rupees Two Thousand Five Hundred only) shall be payable at the time of submission of the application. Candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PWD/EWS category shall be required to pay Rs. 2000 (Rupees Two Thousand only). Applications shall be accepted till 11:59 pm on March 23, 2026.

NLSIU BA (Hons.) Admission

NLSIU announces admission to its 3-year BA (Hons.) programme with the option of an additional 4^th year in the research track. The academic year for the programme will commence on July 1, 2026.

Eligibility

Any person who has secured the higher secondary qualification [10+2 or an equivalent examination or programme] from any recognized board or school of education is eligible to apply to the programme. Applicants in the general category should have graduated with an aggregate of not less than 55% of total marks. Applicants in the SC/ST category should have graduated with an aggregate of not less than 45% of total marks.

Admission Process

The maximum intake for the NLS BA (Hons) Programme for the Academic Year 2026-27 is 60 and ONLY students qualifying as per the criteria set out below will be admitted. Admission to the programme will be through an all-India written admissions test: NLSAT-BA.

Application Fee

Application forms for the programme will be available on NLSIU’s website (www.nls.ac.in) from November 15, 2025. Application fees of Rs. 2500 (Rupees Two Thousand Five Hundred only) shall be payable at the time of submission of the application. Candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PWD/EWS category shall be required to pay Rs. 2000 (Rupees Two Thousand only). Applications shall be accepted till 11:59 pm on March 23, 2026.

NLSIU 2-year MPP Programme Admission

NLSIU announces admission to its 2-year MPP programme for the academic year 2026-27. The Academic Year will commence on July 1, 2026.

Eligibility

Any person holding a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized national or international University is eligible to apply to the programme. Applicants in the General Category should have graduated with an aggregate of not less than 45% of total marks. Applicants in the SC or ST or OBC-NCL or PWD category should have graduated with an aggregate of not less than 40% of total marks. Students in the final year of their Bachelor’s degree are also eligible to apply. However, their final offer of admission shall be contingent upon successful completion of their Bachelor’s degree with the minimum aggregate marks specified above. Proof of completion of the qualifying degree has to be submitted no later than December 31, 2026.

Admission Process

The maximum intake for the MPP programme in the Academic Year 2026-27 is 60 and ONLY students qualifying as per the criteria set out below will be admitted. Admission to the programme will be through an all-India written admissions test, the NLSAT-MPP.

Application Fee

Application forms for the programme will be available on NLSIU’s website (www.nls.ac.in) from November 15, 2025. Application fees of Rs. 2500 (Rupees Two Thousand Five Hundred only) shall be payable at the time of submission of the application. Candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PWD/EWS category shall be required to pay Rs. 2000 (Rupees Two Thousand only). Applications shall be accepted till 11:59 pm on March 23, 2026.

Research Degree Programme Admission

Applications are invited for admission to the following Research Degree Programmes at the National Law School oflndia University (NLSIU) for Academic Year 2026-27:

• Ph.D. (Law)
• Ph.D. (Social Sciences, Humanities and Public Policy)

 Eligibility

Admission Process

Candidates shall submit the application form duly filled up along with a research proposal of about 6-8 pages. The application form shall be available on the University website.

Application Fee

An application fee of Rs. 3000/- (Rupees Three Thousand Only) shall be payable at the time of submission of the application.

How to Apply

1. Visit the official portal: nlsatadmissions.nls.ac.in

2. Register and fill out the application form with personal, academic, and contact details. Upload required documents: photograph, signature, educational certificates, and ID proof.

3. Choose preferred exam centres and submit the application fee.

4. Submit the form and keep the confirmation page and payment receipt.

Official Links

• NLSAT 2026 Application Portal: nlsatadmissions.nls.ac.in

• NLSIU Admissions Page: nls.ac.in/admissions