NLSAT 2026 Registration Portal Remains Active for April 26 Exam

Aspiring lawyers who already hold a graduation degree have a significant opportunity ahead. As of today, the registration portal for the National Law School Admission Test (NLSAT 2026) remains fully functional. Conducted by the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, this exam is the only way to get into their highly-ranked 3-year LLB (Hons) program. While many other law exams are for school students, NLSAT is specially designed for those who have already completed or are in the final year of their college degree.

Important Deadlines to Remember

The official NLSIU admissions portal has been accepting forms since November. However, the window is now entering its final weeks. According to the official notification, the last date to submit the application and pay the fee is March 23, 2026.

Following the registration phase, the university will conduct the offline, pen-and-paper entrance test on April 26, 2026. The exam will take place in a single session from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM at various centers across India.

Eligibility and Seat Matrix

For the 2026-27 session, the university has announced a total of 120 seats. This makes the competition very tough. To be eligible, a law candidate must meet the following criteria:

• General/EWS Category: Must have a Bachelor’s degree with at least 45% total marks.
• SC/ST/OBC/PwD Category: Must have at least 40% total marks in graduation.
• Final Year Students: If you are finishing your degree in 2026, you can apply, but you must provide proof of passing by December 31, 2026.

Understanding the Exam Pattern

The NLSAT is unique because it tests more than just memory. The paper is divided into two parts, both attempted in the same 150-minute session.

1. Part A (Objective): This section has 75 multiple-choice questions on English, Current Affairs, and Critical Reasoning. Beware of the negative marking—0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer.
2. Part B (Subjective): This part is only checked for students who pass Part A. It requires writing short answers and an essay to test your analytical thinking.

Application Fees

The fee for the NLSAT 2026 must be paid online. For General category applicants, the cost is ₹2,500. For those in the SC, ST, OBC-NCL, PwD, or EWS categories, the fee is ₹2,000. It is important to note that this fee is non-refundable. Detailed instructions on document uploads, including a mandatory two-page Curriculum Vitae (CV), are available on the NLSIU program page.

Conclusion

With the exam date of April 26 firmly set, a law candidate should not delay their application. NLSIU Bengaluru is ranked as the top law school in India, and the NLSAT is the gateway to a world-class legal education. Ensure you have your graduation transcripts and ID proofs ready before you start the application process.