NLSAT 2026 Applications Open: NLSIU Bengaluru Invites Graduates for 3-Year LL. B. (Hons.) & Master's Programs
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, consistently ranked as India's premier law institution, has officially opened its admission portal for the National Law School Admissions Test (NLSAT) 2026. This entrance test is the exclusive gateway for admission to the highly coveted 3-Year LL. B. (Hons.) program, as well as the NLS BA (Hons.), Master's in Public Policy, and Ph.D. programs.
The online application window is currently active, having commenced on November 15, 2025. All eligible graduates and final-year students must complete their application and fee payment before the strict deadline of March 23, 2026, at 11:59 PM IST. Early application is strongly encouraged due to the high competition for the limited seats (120 for the 3-Year LL. B. (Hons.) program).
NLSAT 2026 Key Dates for Aspirants
Candidates are urged to plan their preparation and application submission around this core timeline:
| Event | Date | Significance |
| Application Forms Available | November 15, 2025 | Registration is ongoing on the NLSIU portal. |
| Last Date to Apply | March 23, 2026 | Mandatory application and fee submission deadline. |
| NLSAT 2026 Exam Date | April 26, 2026 | Offline (Pen-and-Paper) test, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM. |
| Final Admissions List | End of May 2026 | Final results and merit list announced. |
| Academic Year Commencement | July 1, 2026 | Start of the new academic session. |
Eligibility and Selection Process Overview
The 3-Year LL. B. (Hons.) program is unique as it is open to candidates from any academic discipline (Arts, Science, Commerce), making it ideal for working professionals or career-switchers.
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree from a recognized university. Final-year students are also eligible to apply provisionally.
- Minimum Marks: General Category candidates require a minimum of 45% aggregate marks in their graduation; SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PWD candidates require 40%.
- No Age Limit: There is no upper age limit, adding to the program's appeal.
The Two-Part NLSAT Exam Pattern
The NLSAT 2026 is a single, 150-minute (2.5 hours) offline test divided into two mandatory parts: Part A (Objective) and Part B (Subjective). The total marks are 150, split equally.
| Section | Format | Questions | Marks | Key Focus |
| Part A (Objective) | MCQs | 75 | 75 | Comprehension, Current Affairs, Critical Reasoning. |
| Part B (Subjective) | Descriptive | 11 | 75 | Legal Aptitude/Reasoning (10 short answers) & Analytical Essay (1 essay). |
Crucial Evaluation Criterion: Part A acts as the qualifier. Part B scripts are only evaluated for candidates who score above the Part A sectional cut-off (approximately top 5 candidates per seat). There is negative marking of -0.25 for wrong or unanswered questions in Part A only.
For comprehensive details on the syllabus breakdown, application fee structure (₹2,500 for General), and reservation policies (including the 25% horizontal reservation for Karnataka students), follow Only Education News. The race for NLSIU begins now—don't miss the March 23 application deadline.
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