As of January 27, 2026, the application portal for the National Law School Admissions Test (NLSAT) 2026 remains open for graduates across all disciplines. Interested candidates can apply for the 3-year LLB (Hons), MPP, and PhD programs at NLSIU Bengaluru until the March 23 deadline. The entrance exam is scheduled for April 26, 2026, and will be conducted in an offline, pen-and-paper format across major cities in India. Prospective students are encouraged to complete their online registration and fee payment of ₹2500 early to avoid the last-minute rush on the official admission website.

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bengaluru is continuing to accept online applications for the NLSAT 2026, the mandatory entrance test for its postgraduate professional programs. As of January 27, 2026, the portal has been live for over two months, facilitating registrations for the highly sought-after 3-year LLB (Hons) and Master’s in Public Policy (MPP). Candidates have until 11:59 PM on March 23, 2026, to submit their forms and complete the enrollment fee payment. This extended window provides ample time for graduates from diverse academic backgrounds—including arts, sciences, and commerce—to transition into an elite legal education at India’s top-ranked law school.

Key Dates and Examination Schedule

The NLSAT 2026 official notification confirms that the examination will be held in a single shift on April 26, 2026.

• Application Deadline: March 23, 2026 (Final date for submission).
• Exam Date: April 26, 2026 (10:00 AM to 12:30 PM).
• Mode of Conduct: The test will be an offline, pen-and-paper examination.
• Result Declaration: The final merit list for enrollment is expected to be published by the end of May 2026.
• Session Start: The academic year for the 2026-27 batch will officially commence on July 1, 2026.

Eligibility and Registration Process

To access the NLSAT portal, candidates must first create an account using a valid email and mobile number. The university has simplified the process into seven distinct steps to ensure transparency.

• Academic Criteria: Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree with at least 45% marks (40% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PWD).
• Final Year Students: Those currently in the final year of their undergraduate degree are eligible for provisional enrollment, provided they complete their degree by December 2026.
• Document Checklist: Candidates must upload a digital portal dossier including their Class 10/12 mark sheets, a passport-size photo, and a current CV not exceeding two pages.
• Application Fee: The fee is ₹2500 for General category and ₹2000 for reserved categories, payable via the integrated payment gateway.

NLSAT 2026 Exam Pattern

The entrance test is uniquely structured to assess both objective aptitude and subjective analytical skills.

• Part A (75 Marks): Consists of MCQs covering English comprehension, current affairs, and critical reasoning.
• Part B (75 Marks): Includes 10 short-answer legal reasoning questions and one analytical essay.
• Negative Marking: There is a deduction of 0.25 marks for every wrong or unattempted question in Part A, but no negative marking in Part B.
• Shortlisting Ratio: Only five candidates per seat (1:5 ratio) based on Part A performance will have their Part B evaluated for final enrollment.

Conclusion

With the March 23 deadline approaching, the NLSAT portal remains the only gateway for graduates to enter the prestigious 3-year law program at NLSIU. Aspiring lawyers should use this time to meticulously verify their documents and complete the enrollment process well in advance. As the university prepares for the April 26 exam, the focus is on maintaining a fair and rigorous selection process that identifies the best analytical minds in the country. Ensuring your application is submitted before the late-March cutoff is the first step toward a successful legal career starting this July.