Leading private law universities in India are currently accepting applications for the 2026 intake, offering a vital secondary pathway for aspirants. Institutions like Jindal Global, NMIMS, and UPES have kept their portals active for BA LLB and BBA LLB programs. With many national-level exams concluded, these independent windows allow candidates to apply based on LSAT—India, SLAT, or institutional test scores. Interested students must monitor upcoming deadlines in February and March 2026 to secure their seats in the upcoming academic session.

As the primary counseling rounds for National Law Universities (NLUs) progress, the focus for many legal aspirants has shifted toward the independent admission windows of India’s top-tier private law schools. As of January 28, several premier institutions have maintained active application portals to accommodate the growing demand for the 2026 academic batch. These universities, known for their global collaborations and specialized legal tracks, offer a diverse range of five-year integrated programs. While national entrance results are being utilized for allotments elsewhere, the current intake cycle for private colleges remains a critical opportunity for students to secure high-quality legal education through university-specific entrance tests or merit-based pathways.

Key Private Universities with Open Portals

For the 2026 session, the landscape of private legal education is defined by institutions that offer early admission advantages and flexible entry criteria.

• Jindal Global Law School (JGLS): The application for the 2026 session is currently live. The university is accepting scores from the LSAT—India 2026, with the second phase of early admissions set to close on February 28, 2026.
• NMIMS Kirit P. Mehta School of Law: The registration for the NMIMS-LAT 2026 is fully operational. This entrance serves as the primary intake gateway for its campuses in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Navi Mumbai.
• UPES Dehradun: Known for its focus on Energy and Cyber Laws, the UPES School of Law is currently accepting applications via the ULSAT 2026 portal. It also considers CLAT and LSAT—India scores for direct admission rounds.
• Symbiosis Law Schools (SLS): While the primary SLAT exam has concluded, several of the university's institutions are still processing registrations for subsequent selection rounds based on vacant seats and merit list movement.

Admission Criteria and Holistic Evaluation

Unlike the purely rank-based system of public universities, many private institutions for the 2026 intake have adopted a more comprehensive selection model. This approach ensures that a candidate's potential is measured beyond a single entrance test score.

• Academic Threshold: Most private law schools maintain a minimum requirement of 45% aggregate marks in the Class 12 (10+2) board examinations for the general category.
• Personal Interaction: For the current intake cycle, universities like Christ University and Symbiosis are emphasizing the importance of Personal Interviews (PI) to assess the legal aptitude of applicants.
• Statement of Purpose (SOP): Several premier schools now require a written SOP as part of the digital application, allowing students to highlight their extracurricular achievements and motivation for pursuing law.
• Scholarship Windows: Applying during the January-February window is advantageous, as many merit-cum-means scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Diversifying the Application Portfolio

The ongoing availability of these applications provides a safety net for students who may not have secured their preferred NLU in the second allotment. By exploring different institutions, students can find programs that better align with specific career goals, such as corporate law or international arbitration.

• Integrated Specializations: The 2026 intake highlights a trend toward specialized BBA LLB (Hons.) programs that integrate business management with legal studies.
• Global Exposure: Many of these private schools have used the current window to promote their semester-exchange programs with renowned law schools in the UK and USA.
• Clinical Education: The curriculum for the 2026 session across these private portals emphasizes mandatory moot court participation and mediation workshops as part of the core credits.
• Final Deadlines: Aspirants are reminded that while portals are open today, January 28, the most sought-after private institutions typically begin closing their registration windows by the end of March to prepare for their fial selection phases.

Conclusion

The continued availability of application portals for the 2026 intake offers a strategic advantage to law aspirants nationwide. By January 28, the competitive landscape has become clear, and these private institutions stand as robust alternatives to the NLU system, often providing superior infrastructure and industry connections. Candidates are encouraged to complete their document uploads and fee payments before the late February deadlines to ensure they remain eligible for merit scholarships. Securing a place in a top-tier private law school now can provide peace of mind and a clear academic trajectory as the 2026 legal admission season reaches its peak.