NLSAT 2026 Registration Remains Open Ahead of April 26 Examination

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, is currently accepting applications for the National Law School Admission Test (NLSAT) 2026. Prospective candidates for the 3-year LLB (Hons), MPP, and PhD programs must submit their online forms by the March 23 deadline. The all-India entrance examination is strictly scheduled for April 26, 2026, across multiple national centers, marking a crucial step for graduates transitioning into legal studies.

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, continues to facilitate the registration window for the National Law School Admission Test (NLSAT) 2026. As of today, February 15, the university has reaffirmed that the application portal will remain active until March 23, 2026. This entrance test serves as the exclusive gateway for graduates from any discipline seeking entry into the prestigious 3-year LLB (Hons) program, as well as aspirants for the Master’s Programme in Public Policy (MPP) and various PhD tracks. With the examination date firmly set for April 26, 2026, candidates are in a critical preparation phase. The 2026-27 academic session is scheduled to commence on July 1, making this admission cycle a top priority for those looking to secure one of the 120 available seats at India’s premier legal institute.

Application Mechanics and Mandatory Documentation

The official NLSAT admissions portal is the sole platform for submitting the 2026 application. NLSIU has streamlined the process to ensure that candidates can upload their credentials securely while adhering to strict eligibility standards.

• Eligibility Thresholds: Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least 45% aggregate marks for the General category and 40% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD categories. Final-year students are eligible to apply provided they submit a bonafide certificate from their current institute.
• Document Checklist: The online form requires a passport-size photograph, scanned signature, and a curriculum vitae (CV) not exceeding two pages. Additionally, transcripts for all completed years of graduation must be uploaded in PDF or JPEG format.
• Fee Structure: The registration fee is set at ₹2,500 for General candidates and ₹2,000 for those in reserved categories. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid through the integrated payment gateway before the March 23 cutoff.

Examination Format: Part A and Part B

The NLSAT 2026 will be conducted as a single-session offline examination lasting 150 minutes. The paper is bifurcated into two distinct sections, both of which are mandatory for all test-takers.

• Part A (Objective): This section comprises 75 multiple-choice questions covering English comprehension, current affairs, and critical reasoning. A negative marking of 0.25 is applied for every wrong or unanswered question.
• Part B (Subjective): This part consists of legal aptitude reasoning and analytical ability. Candidates are required to write ten short descriptive answers and one comprehensive essay. Part B is only evaluated for those who meet the Part A cutoff, typically in a 1:5 ratio per seat.
• Testing Centers: The university has designated centers in major cities nationwide. Candidates must select their top three preferences during the initial registration to ensure proximity.

Conclusion

As the February 15 milestone passes, the countdown to the April 26 examination has truly begun. The NLSIU Bengaluru official website remains the primary source for the detailed 2026 information brochure and syllabus updates. Aspirants are encouraged to complete their registration early to avoid the last-minute rush that often affects portal stability. Following the result declaration in May, the university will initiate the final counselling and document verification process. Given the high stakes and the limited seat matrix, the NLSAT remains one of the most competitive post-graduate entrance tests in the country. Candidates should utilize the remaining weeks to hone their analytical writing skills for Part B, which often serves as the deciding factor in the final merit list. For any technical queries, the NLSIU helpdesk is available to assist applicants throughout the admission journey.

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