National Law Universities – NLUs

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India has some of the best law institutions in the world. These institutions produce great lawyers and judges. Most well-reputed law colleges and institutes in our country belong to the list of National Law Universities. We have often heard of these National Law Universities or NLUs. Let us look at what these NLUs are and how the institutions function.

Law Education before National Law Universities

Traditionally non-specialized universities granted law degrees like any other graduate degree. These universities referred to and taught the curriculum prescribed by the Bar Council of India. However, they were under the overall control and supervision of the University Grants Commission and it was not possible for the Bar Council to effectively pursue reforms in legal education. This led to calls for reforms because of the falling standards. The first concrete decision to this end was taken in 1984 to improve legal education in India. One of the proposals was to establish specialized institutions to impart legal education in an integrated and diversified manner.

Structure of National Law Universities

• Autonomous status – The National Law Universities have an autonomous status that lets them grant their own recognized degree.
• Five-year law program – Earlier law degrees were granted only to those candidates who had already completed their graduation and after three years of formal legal education. However, NLUs also offer a five-year course that can be taken immediately after the completion of the 12^th standard.
• Integrated degrees – Students at the National Law Universities can study for a law degree in integration with another degree of their choice. This allows prospective advocates to have an understanding of areas other than law.
• National status of law schools – These Schools are recognized by the university grants commission as “state universities” and are affiliated to the Bar Council of India. They are required to establish and practice high standards at par with other national-level institutions.

What are NLUs?

From the information given above we can realize that NLUs are independent autonomous institutions. They can decide their own syllabus and the rules and regulations of other universities do not bind them in any way. In some ways, the National Law Universities can be called the IITs of law. Similar to the IITs, they also have a group of colleges under them that are present in various regions of the country. The fact that the colleges are under the supervision of the Bar council of India helps elevate the status of the National Law Universities. This is because being under the supervision of the Bar Council helps them keep up with the current needs and demands of the law. It also keeps them up-to-date with any changes.

Out of the 29 states in India, 20 states have at least one National Law University. NLUs are single-discipline universities that offer integrated honours as well as law degrees to aspirants. These institutions have amazing facilities and infrastructure that they provide to their students so that they can get some exposure.

Facilities Provided by NLUs

Some of the facilities that the National Law Universities provide to their students include libraries where they can browse through various journals as well as past records of court cases. They also have auditoriums and seminar rooms. The National Law Universities also have computer centres so that students can access relevant information online. The colleges also have moot courts where students can have a simulation of events that take place in actual courts. This helps students understand the procedures as well as the functioning of the system of law.

In addition to these academic facilities, the colleges provide various other facilities. They include hostels and transport facilities that help improve the on-campus life of students. The National Law Universities also have medical centres and banking facilities. NLUs also provide facilities for sports and games for students interested in them. The colleges also have excellent, experienced and knowledgeable faculty. They help provide the right guidance to the students and educate them in every aspect of law.

National Law Universities in India

• National Law School of India University, Bangalore (established in 1986)
• NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad (established in 1998)
• National Law Institute University, Bhopal (established in 1997)
• West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata (established in 1999)
• Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar (established in 2003)
• National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi (established in 2005)
• National Law University, Delhi (established in 2008)
• Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Vishakhapatnam (established in 2008)
• Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai (established in 2014) 
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University, Sonipat, Haryana (established in 2019)

Rankings

NLSIU, Bangalore

It is one of the best colleges in India. It has constantly been ranked as the no. 1 law institute in India. Established in 1986 as the first NLU, it became a residential institute in 1991. It offers courses like LL.B. (Honours), LL.M- Master of Laws, MPP, PhD, LL.D. and DED.

WBNUJS, Kolkata

The NIRF ranking has ranked it among the top 5 law colleges in India. WBNUJS has a well-built infrastructure like an academic block, halls of residence, flats for faculties, guest house, gymnasium and an auditorium. It offers courses like LL.B. (Honours), LL.M- Master of Laws, M. Phil, PhD and LL.D.

NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad

The college has excelled rapidly since its establishment in 1998. It collaborates with many other institutes to provide to its students as much exposure as possible. The courses it offers include B.A.LL.B. (Hons.), LL.M., M.Phil., Doctoral programs, Diploma courses and Distance education courses.

NLU, Delhi

The institute is one of the best law colleges in India. The NIRF ranking has ranked it among the top 2 law colleges in India in 2019. The college offers various courses in law. Some of the courses it offers include LL.B.(Hons.), LL.M. Program, Post Graduate Diploma in Urban Environmental Management and Law, Post Graduate Diploma in Tourism and Environmental Laws, Ph.D. in law and a Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Law and Policy.

NLIU, Bhopal

Established in 1998, the NIRF Rankings has ranked it at the 11^th position among law colleges in India. It has established many cells and centres like Athena-Cultural Committee Center for Business and Commercial Laws Center for Research and Environmental law Cares Environmental Law Cell Gender Justice Cell and the Moot Court Association. The courses it offers include B.A.LL.B.(Hons.), LL.M. Degree and a Research Degree program.

Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala

Established in 2006, the campus covers an area of around 50 acres. It has a huge library, auditorium, halls of residence for boys and girls, guest house, community hall and a sports complex among other facilities. It offers programs like B.A.LL.B.(Hons.), LL.M. Degree and a Research Degree program.

Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow

Established in 2005, the university has quickly risen to become one of the best law colleges in India. NIRF ranked it 14^th in 2019 among the country’s best law colleges. The courses it offers include B.A.LL.B.(Hons.), LL.M. Degree and a Research Degree program. Admission to these courses is on the bases of the marks obtained in the CLAT exam.

NLU, Jodhpur

It was established in 1999 with the objective to impart the rich heritage of legal thought and tradition. The NIRF has ranked it at the 6^th place among law institutes in the country. It offers programs like B.B.A. – LL.B. (Hons.), B.A. – LL.B. (Hons.), LL.M. (Corporate Laws), LL.M. (IPR) and a Ph.D. in law.

Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar

Established in 2003, it has become one of India’s leading law universities. The institute is a member of the Association of Indian universities, United Nations Academic Impact, International Association of Law Schools and the Asian Law Institute. The courses it offers include BA/BCom/BBA/BSc/BSW LL.B. (Hons.), LL.M., MBA in Financial Management and Business Laws and a Ph.D.

NLU Odisha

Established in 2008, the campus of NLU Odisha is spread over 50 acresand has some of the best facilities. It has halls of residence, language labs, a huge auditorium, an open-air amphitheatre, multi-cuisine food court and a dedicated library building among other facilities. It offers programs like B.A.- LL.B.(Hons.), BB.A.- LL.B.(Hons.), LL.M. Program, M.Phil and a Ph.D.

Placements Offered

The National Law Universities are considered as some of the best colleges in India. Their reputation brings to them a wide range of companies that hire students. Some of the companies that have hired students from NLUs include ICICI Bank, Star India, PepsiCo, Reliance, etc. Other than these companies; judges and senior advocates also hire students as assistants. Law firms like Advani & Co.,ASA Law Firm and AZB & Partners have hired students from NLUs. Ministries and state departments as well as non-government organizations have hired students from these universities.

Alumni of NLUs

Since the NLUs have some of the best professors, they also produce some of the best students. The graduates from the National Law Universities have become very successful. They have excelled in their field and have made a great name for themselves. Some people who have studied at NLUs include-

• Vikramjit Banerjee – Additional Solicitor General of India
• Dushyant Chautala – Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana
• Justice C. Saravanan – Judge at High court of Madras
• Justice Shekhar B. Saraf – Judge at High Court of Calcutta