Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) is a state-funded National Law University established on July 15, 2006, under the Chanakya National Law University Act, 2006 (Bihar Act No. 24 of 2006). Located on an 18-acre campus in Nyaya Nagar, Mithapur, Patna, it operates under UGC Sections 2(f) and 12(B). CNLU holds NIRF 2025 Law rank 17 (score 62.40), a jump of 14 places from rank 31 in 2024. CNLU first appeared in NIRF Law rankings in 2024; it was not listed in the 2023 edition. The university holds NAAC Grade B (CGPA 2.17, Cycle 2, valid to June 2027). It is the only National Law University in Bihar.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | State National Law University |
| Location | Nyaya Nagar, Mithapur, Patna-800001, Bihar |
| Established | 2006 |
| Campus Area | 18 acres |
| NAAC Grade | B (CGPA 2.17, Cycle 2, valid to June 2027) |
| NIRF Law 2025 | Rank 17, Score 62.40 |
| NIRF Law 2024 | Rank 31, Score 51.70 |
| NIRF Law 2023 | Not ranked (debut year 2024) |
| UG Seats (5-yr) | 69 BA LLB + 69 BBA LLB (CLAT) |
| UG Seats (3-yr) | 60 LLB (CNLU-ET) |
| Annual Fee (Day Scholar) | Approximately Rs 1.74 lakh (2024-25) |
| Admission Route (5-yr) | CLAT |
| Admission Route (3-yr) | CNLU-ET (Patna only) |
| Programme | Duration | Seats | Admission Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA LLB (Hons.) | 5 years | 69 | CLAT |
| BBA LLB (Hons.) | 5 years | 69 | CLAT |
| LLB (Hons.) | 3 years | 60 | CNLU-ET |
| LLM | 1 year | Not disclosed | CNLU LLM Entrance Exam |
| PG Diploma (Human Rights / Cyber Law / IPR / CSR / Child Rights) | 1 year each | Not disclosed | University process |
| PhD in Law | Variable | Not disclosed | PhD Entrance Test + Interview |
CNLU does not operate a standalone merit scholarship programme. Students may apply for Post-Matric Scholarship, Central Sector Scheme for SC, OBC, EBC, and DNT students, and National Scholarship for ST Students through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in). Eligible students receive partial tuition fee reimbursement under these government schemes.
PhD scholars receive standard UGC and CSIR fellowship rates through their research programmes. Students from low-income families may approach the university's office for assistance with bank loan processing for educational loans under the Indian Banks Association (IBA) model.
| Framework | Category | Rank | Score | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NIRF | Law | 17 | 62.40 | 2025 |
| NIRF | Law | 31 | 51.70 | 2024 |
| NAAC | -- | Grade B (CGPA 2.17) | -- | 2021 (Cycle 2) |
CNLU first appeared in NIRF Law rankings in 2024 (rank 31, score 51.70) and improved sharply to rank 17 (score 62.40) in 2025, a gain of 14 positions in a single year. The university was absent from the NIRF 2023 Law rankings. Research and Professional Practice sub-score improvement drove much of the 2025 rank gain according to NIRF methodology.
Sources: nirfindia.org/Rankings/2025/LawRanking.html, /2024/LawRanking.html
CNLU's 18-acre campus in Patna features Dr. Rajendra Prasad Boys' Hall and Gargi Girls' Hall with 24-hour electricity, Wi-Fi, hot water, and gym facilities. The Sehat Kendra, a four-story health centre inaugurated in 2025, provides round-the-clock medical care. Smart classrooms with interactive projectors and high-speed internet support the academic programme. Student-led bodies include the Cultural Committee, Academics and Debating Committee, Moot Court Association, and Legal Aid Society. Additional campus amenities include multiple dining outlets, a Nescafe outlet, and Sudha Dairy stall.
Admission to the 5-year BA LLB (Hons.) and BBA LLB (Hons.) programmes (69 seats each) is through CLAT All India Rank. Around 50 per cent of seats are reserved for Bihar domicile candidates across SC, ST, BC, EBC, and EWS categories. The 3-year LLB (Hons.) programme (60 seats) admits candidates through the university's own CNLU Entrance Test (CNLU-ET) held annually in Patna. Annual tuition and associated fees for UG students are approximately Rs 1.74 lakh per year for day scholars (2024-25 fee notice).
Rose from rank 31 (2024) to rank 17 (2025), the largest single-year gain among NLUs in the 2025 Law rankings
Former Supreme Court and High Court judges participate in teaching and research; one 2024 batch student qualified the Supreme Court Law Clerk examination
Approximately 50% seats reserved for Bihar SC, ST, BC, EBC, and EWS candidates, increasing access for in-state students
Sehat Kendra (4-floor health facility, inaugurated 2025), separate hostels for men and women, 24/7 Wi-Fi, gyms, and four meals a day
Active Moot Court Association, Legal Aid Society, Chanakya Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (CCADR), and five PG Diploma programmes in human rights, cyber law, IPR, CSR, and child rights
Honest caveat: CNLU does not publicly disclose aggregate placement statistics such as average LPA, highest package, or placement percentage. The Career Development Cell publishes a year-wise placement list (2017-2024) listing individual employers, but quantitative salary data is not available in any official public document reviewed. CNLU's NAAC accreditation declined from Grade A (CGPA 3.15) in Cycle 1 (2016) to Grade B (CGPA 2.17) in Cycle 2 (2021); the current grade is B, valid to June 2027. Bihar-domicile seat reservation means a significant portion of cohort seats are not open to all-India candidates, which affects CLAT cutoff comparisons with other NLUs.
| Framework | Category | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIRF | Law | 2025 | #17 |
| NIRF | Law | 2024 | #31 |
3 courses offered. Fees in INR lakhs.
| Course | Specialization | Duration | Total seats | Total fee | Avg package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LLB (Bachelor of Laws) | — | 36 months | — | ₹0.9L | — |
| LLB (Bachelor of Laws) | BA LLB | — | 60 | — | — |
| LLM (Master of Laws) | — | 24 months | — | ₹1.6L | — |
1 cutoff records across exams, courses, and categories.
| Year | R | Exam | Course | Category | Gender | Quota | Opening | Closing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | CLAT | LLB (Bachelor of Laws) | General | Gender-Neutral | AI | — | 1358 |
Campus size, faculty strength, hostel facilities, and academic infrastructure.
