The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, has kept the NLSAT 2026 registration window open for 3-year LLB and PhD programs. Aspirants have until March 23 to complete their online applications and pay the required fees on the official portal. This entrance exam, scheduled for April 26, is the gateway to one of India’s most prestigious legal institutions. Ensure all necessary documents, including a 2-page CV and academic transcripts, are uploaded before the final deadline to avoid disqualification.

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, continues to accept applications for its highly competitive entrance examination, the NLSAT 2026. As of January 28, the university has confirmed that the registration portal will remain active for nearly two more months, providing ample time for graduates from all disciplines to apply. The National Law School Admission Test (NLSAT) is the mandatory gateway for admission into the 3-Year LL.B. (Hons.), Master of Public Policy, and Ph.D. programs for the 2026-27 academic session. Candidates are encouraged to complete their registration early to avoid the last-minute technical congestion often seen on the portal as the March 23 deadline approaches.

Application Requirements and Fee Structure

The registration process for the 2026 cycle is conducted exclusively online through the university’s dedicated admission portal. Candidates must ensure they meet the minimum eligibility criteria of 45% aggregate marks in their undergraduate degree (40% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PWD).

• Mandatory Documents: Applicants are required to upload a passport-size photograph, signature, and a curriculum vitae (CV) not exceeding two pages.
• Final Year Students: Those currently in their final year of graduation are eligible for registration, provided they can submit proof of passing by December 31, 2026.
• General Category Fee: The application fee for General and EWS category candidates is set at ₹2,500.
• Reserved Category Fee: Candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PWD categories must pay a reduced fee of ₹2,000 to complete their registration on the official NLSAT website.

Exam Pattern and Selection Process

The entrance test, scheduled for April 26, 2026, follows a rigorous two-part structure designed to test analytical and writing capabilities. Successful completion of the registration phase is only the first step toward clearing this high-stakes entrance exam.

• Part A (Objective): This section includes Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) covering English comprehension, current affairs, and critical reasoning.
• Part B (Subjective): This part consists of legal reasoning and an analytical essay. It is only evaluated for candidates who score above the cutoff in Part A.
• Shortlisting Ratio: For every available seat, approximately five candidates are shortlisted for Part B evaluation based on their entrance scores.
• Final Merit: The final admission offers are based on the cumulative performance in both parts, with the official list expected by the end of May 2026.

Strategic Planning for Aspirants

With the registration window closing on March 23, candidates have approximately 12 weeks remaining for intensive preparation. NLSIU has emphasized that no offline applications will be entertained under any circumstances.

• Test Centre Selection: During the registration phase, applicants can choose up to three preferred cities for the offline pen-and-paper test.
• Admit Card Release: Successfully registered candidates will be able to download their hall tickets in mid-April through their login credentials.
• Preparation Resources: Aspirants can find detailed syllabus information and previous years' question paper formats on the University's academic portal.
• Helpdesk Support: For any technical or login issues during the registration process, candidates can contact the university via email at nlsat.query@nls.ac.in.

Conclusion

The availability of the registration portal until March 23 offers a significant window for prospective law students to join India's top-ranked law school. While the deadline seems distant, the complexity of the document requirements—including the specific two-page CV—necessitates an early start. Completing the registration successfully ensures that candidates can shift their focus entirely to the demanding preparation required for the April 26 exam. As NLSIU continues to lead legal education in South Asia, the 2026 intake is expected to be one of the most competitive in the university's history.