Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) is in Patna, Bihar and was established in 2006. CNLU is affiliated with the University Grants Commission (UGC) and recognised by the Bar Council of India (BCI). It offers integrated UG courses in B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) and B.B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), postgraduate LL.M. and doctoral level Ph.D. and LL.D. programs, in addition to various PG Diplomas in legal specialisations. Admissions are based on performance in CLAT for UG and PG courses, while admission to doctoral programs such as Ph.D. and LL.D. is based on either a university-specific entrance exam called the CNLU-PET, or national-level tests like UGC-NET, CSIR-NET or GATE.
The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) has released the CLAT Notification for 2026. The CLAT 2026 Application Process will begin on 1 August 2025. The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026 will be conducted for undergraduate and postgraduate law programs offered at National Law Universities (NLUs) in India and will be held on 7 December 2025. The CLAT 2026 Exam Date is the same for both PG courses.
Candidates can fill out the CLAT Application Form by visiting the official website.
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CLAT 2026 Important Dates
CLAT 2025 Registration Details
Chanakya National Law University UG Admission 2025
CNLU offers two full-time Integrated UG courses, admission to which are based on performance in the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)
- To be eligible need to have passed class 12th or equivalent examination with a minimum of 45% marks (40% for SC/ST candidates).
Chanakya National Law University PG Admission 2025
Admission to the PG courses depends on candidates’ performance in CLAT PG.
- To be eligible for LLM, candidates need to have a LLB degree from a recognised university, with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks for general category, while 50% is required for SC/ST candidates.
- For Diploma courses, while an LLB degree is generally preferred, some PG Diploma programs may also accept candidates with a Bachelor's degree in a non-law discipline.
Chanakya National Law University Doctoral Admission 2025
- For admission to Ph.D course, CNLU conducts its own university exam known as the CNLU-PET, apart from excepting other national exams like UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR NET and GATE for which candidates need to apply directly on the official university website. To be eligible candidates need a Master's degree in Law with a minimum of 55% marks or equivalent grade
- To be eligible for the LL.D course candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Law from a recognised institution and should have either 5 years of teaching or research experience in law after the Ph.D., or demonstrate exceptional academic achievements in law or related interdisciplinary fields. Admission is based on an evaluation of the candidate's qualifications and research experience.
Chanakya National Law University Application Process 2025
The admission process for programs at Chanakya National Law University is based on performance in the CLAT examination for the UG and PG courses. For Ph.D. programs, CNLU conducts its own entrance test. The general application procedure involves the following steps:
- Candidates need to apply online through the official CLAT consortium website for UG and PG courses.
- For Ph.D. and PG Diploma courses, applications can be submitted directly through the CNLU official website.
- Candidates should make sure that they appear for CLAT on the specific date of exam (7 December 2025) and the CNLU Ph.D. Entrance Test for Ph.D admissions.
- Based on the CLAT scores, CNLU will release merit lists on the official website.
- Shortlisted candidates for UG and PG courses participate in CLAT counselling.
- For Ph.D., a personal interview and presentation based on a research proposal are conducted.
- Upon selection, candidates need to pay the course fees to confirm their admission.
Documents Required
Chanakya National Law University Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What courses does Chanakya National Law University offer?
CNLU offers B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) and B.B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) at the undergraduate level, LL.M. at the postgraduate level, and Ph.D. and LL.D. at the doctoral level. Additionally, it offers PG Diploma programs in various specializations such as Cyber Law, Human Rights Law and Intellectual Property Law.
What is the admission process for UG and PG courses at CNLU?
Admission to UG (B.A. LL.B., B.B.A. LL.B.) and PG (LL.M.) courses at CNLU is based on scores obtained in the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). After registering and appearing for CLAT, candidates must participate in the CLAT counseling process.
Will there be CLAT in 2025?
Yes, the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is conducted annually by the Consortium of National Law Universities. CLAT 2026, for admissions in the 2026 academic session, will be held on 7 December 2025, and the application window will be open from 1 August to 31 August 2025.
What is a good score for CLAT 2025?
A score of 95+ out of 120 is generally considered competitive for UG admissions at top NLUs like CNLU Patna under the general category. For PG (LL.M.), a score above 65 - 70 is considered good for admission to reputed institutions.
How many candidates appeared for CLAT in 2025?
For the CLAT 2025 exam held in December 2024, approximately 57,000 candidates appeared for the UG CLAT and around 6,000 candidates appeared for the PG CLAT, as per data from the Consortium of NLUs.
What are the total fees for undergraduate programs at CNLU?
The approximate total fees for undergraduate programs such as B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) and B.B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) range between INR 8.5 to 9 Lakhs for the five-year duration.
Does CNLU Patna provide good placements?
Yes, CNLU has a strong placement record. As per NIRF 2025, the median salary offered to B.A. LL.B. students was INR 10.80 LPA, with a placement rate of approximately 80.88% in 2024.
What is the intake for LL.M. at CNLU Patna?
The total seat intake for the LL.M. program at CNLU Patna is 60.
What is the eligibility for Ph.D. admission at CNLU?
Candidates must have a Master’s degree with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST) to be eligible. Admission is based on a university-conducted entrance exam followed by an interview and research presentation.