NLSAT 2026 Applications Continue Ahead of April 26 Examination
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, is currently accepting applications for NLSAT 2026.Law aspirants seeking admission to the 3-Year LLB, Master’s in Public Policy (MPP), and PhD programs must apply by the March 23 deadline. The entrance test is scheduled for April 26, 2026, in an offline format. Ensure your eligibility and documentation are verified on the official NLSAT portal to secure your participation in this prestigious national-level selection process.

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, has confirmed that the application window for the National Law School Admission Test (NLSAT) 2026 remains active as of 11 February 2026. This entrance examination serves as the exclusive gateway for graduates from various disciplines seeking admission into the university’s highly competitive three-year professional law degree (LLB Hons.) and its Master’s Programme in Public Policy (MPP). With the official deadline for submission set for March 23, 2026, the university is currently processing a significant volume of registrations from across the country. The upcoming examination, scheduled for April 26, 2026, represents a critical milestone for aspirants aiming to join India's top-ranked law school for the 2026-27 academic session.
Program Diversity and Selection Criteria
The National Law School of India University has designed the NLSAT to evaluate analytical depth and critical reasoning rather than rote memorization. For the 3-Year LLB (Hons) program, the intake is strictly limited to 120 seats, making the selection process one of the most rigorous in legal education. Candidates holding a Bachelor's degree in any stream—be it engineering, humanities, or commerce—are eligible to apply, provided they meet the minimum aggregate marks mandate. This interdisciplinary approach ensures a diverse classroom environment, fostering a rich exchange of ideas between students from varied professional backgrounds.
- 3-Year LLB (Hons): Requires a Bachelor's degree with at least 45% aggregate (40% for reserved categories).
- Master’s in Public Policy (MPP): A two-year program open to graduates seeking to interface law with sustainable development.
- PhD Programs: Available in Law, Social Sciences, and Humanities, requiring a specific research proposal during the selection stage.
- International Track: A separate NLSAT-International portal is active for students applying under the international category.
Examination Structure and National Timeline
The NLSAT 2026 will be conducted in an offline, pen-and-paper format on April 26, starting at 10:00 AM. The test is bifurcated into two distinct parts: Part A, which consists of Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) covering English comprehension and current affairs, and Part B, which involves subjective legal reasoning and an analytical essay. According to the Official NLSAT Portal, only those aspirants who clear the Part A cutoff will have their Part B papers evaluated. This dual-layered scrutiny ensures that only candidates with both high aptitude and strong writing skills progress to the final merit list.
| Event Category | Key Date | Deadline Status |
| Application Starts | 15 November 2025 | Completed |
| Last Date to Apply | 23 March 2026 | Deadline Active |
| Admit Card Release | Mid-April 2026 | Upcoming |
| NLSAT Exam Date | 26 April 2026 | Fixed |
| Academic Session Begins | 01 July 2026 | Scheduled |
- Negative Marking: Part A carries a penalty of 0.25 marks for every incorrect response.
- National Centers: The exam will be held simultaneously across multiple cities to accommodate the growing number of aspirants.
- Final Year Eligibility: Students currently in their final year of graduation are eligible for provisional enrollment, provided they meet the marks deadline later in the year.
Conclusion
As the 11 February selection phase continues, the university administration has urged all applicants to complete their forms well before the March deadline to avoid potential server issues. The NLSAT remains a premier benchmark in the Indian legal environment, prioritizing candidates who can demonstrate a firm grasp of foundational themes and logical application. Successful candidates from this cycle will be integrated into a world-class academic community that has consistently shaped the legal and policy landscape of the nation. With the April 26 exam date approaching, the focus now shifts toward strategic preparation and the release of digital admit cards. Interested graduates are encouraged to visit the official NLSIU Admissions Page to finalize their journey toward professional excellence in law and public policy.
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