Best Law Colleges in Delhi

Delhi is not just India’s capital. For a law aspirant, it is arguably the best city in the country to study law. The Supreme Court of India, the Delhi High Court, the Bar Council of India, hundreds of top law firms, government ministries, and international organisations are all within reach. No other city gives law students this kind of daily exposure to the actual practice of law before they even graduate.

This guide covers the best law colleges in Delhi worth knowing about in 2026, across government, central university, and private categories. You will find NIRF rankings, fee structures, entrance exams, seat counts, placement data, and a clear verdict on who each college is best suited for.

Why Study Law in Delhi? The Case for the Capital

Before the college list, it helps to understand what makes Delhi different from other law education hubs like Bangalore or Hyderabad.

Proximity to courts: Law students in Delhi can attend Supreme Court and Delhi High Court proceedings with almost no effort. Watching actual arguments, reading cause lists, and observing senior advocates in court is something no textbook or classroom replicates. Students who make use of this come out significantly better prepared than peers at colleges in other cities.

Internship access: Delhi houses Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, AZB and Partners, Khaitan and Co, Luthra and Luthra, Trilegal, and virtually every other major Indian law firm. For students chasing corporate law careers, this city is where the opportunities are concentrated.

Policy and government law: Civil services, legislative drafting, and regulatory bodies like the Competition Commission, SEBI, TRAI, and RBI all have strong Delhi presences. If your interest is in public law, constitutional law, or policy-facing roles, Delhi gives you a natural head start from Day 1.

Judiciary preparation: Delhi’s law colleges have produced a significant number of judicial services candidates over the years. The availability of coaching institutes, mock courts, and mentors who have already cleared judiciary exams is unmatched here.

Affordability at the top end: DU’s Faculty of Law offers a 3-year LLB for under Rs. 20,000 for the full course. Even the most prestigious option in the city, NLU Delhi, is far more affordable than comparable private universities elsewhere.

At a Glance: Best Law Colleges in Delhi 2026

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1. National Law University, Delhi (NLU Delhi / NLUD)

NIRF 2025 Rank: #2 in Law

NLU Delhi is the most prestigious and one of the best law colleges in Delhi by a clear margin, and the second-ranked law school in India after NLSIU Bangalore. It was established in 2008 and has, in a relatively short span, built a reputation that matches institutions more than twice its age. It is accredited NAAC A grade and recognised by both the UGC and Bar Council of India.

What sets NLU Delhi apart from every other college on this list is a simple fact: it does not accept CLAT. NLU Delhi is the only National Law University in the country that runs its own entrance exam, the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET). This means that if NLU Delhi is your target, you need a separate and dedicated preparation strategy for AILET alongside or instead of CLAT.

Courses Offered

Fees at NLU Delhi 2026

The 5-year total for BA LLB including tuition and hostel is approximately Rs. 21 lakh, making it one of the most affordable top-tier professional degrees you will find anywhere in India.

Admission: AILET 2026

AILET is conducted once a year, typically in December. The AILET 2026 exam was held on December 14, 2025. For AILET 2027, applications are expected to open around August 2026.

AILET 2026 Cutoff (BA LLB, Round 1): Around 53 rank for General category. The closing rank in later rounds goes higher, but students targeting NLU Delhi should aim to be within the top 100 in AILET.

AILET eligibility: Class 12 pass with minimum 45% marks for General/OBC/PwD candidates and 40% for SC/ST. No upper age limit.

AILET pattern (UG): 150 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes, covering English, General Knowledge, Reasoning, Legal Aptitude, and Elementary Mathematics. Unlike CLAT, AILET retains a more traditional section-based format without the fully passage-based approach.

Placements at NLU Delhi

NLU Delhi’s placement record is consistently one of the strongest among all NLUs.

The highest package offered in 2025 was Rs. 25 LPA. Top recruiters include Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, AZB and Partners, Khaitan and Co, Trilegal, Nishith Desai Associates, P and A Law Offices, and corporates like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, HDFC, and ICICI Bank.

Who Should Target NLU Delhi

NLU Delhi is for students who are serious enough to prepare for both CLAT and AILET simultaneously, or for those who specifically want Delhi as their city and are ready to put in the extra work for a separate entrance exam. The brand, placements, and proximity to the Supreme Court make it worth the effort. If you are in the top 100 AILET ranks or close to it, this is your first choice.

2. Faculty of Law, University of Delhi (DU Law Faculty)

NIRF 2025 Rank: #9 in Law | IIRF 2025: #7

The Faculty of Law at Delhi University is the oldest and most historically significant law school in Delhi, established in 1924. Over its 100-year run, it has produced Chief Justices, Solicitor Generals, Cabinet Ministers, and some of the most prominent names in Indian legal history.

What makes DU’s Faculty of Law exceptional is not prestige alone. It is the combination of a century-old alumni network, the practical legal culture of Delhi, and some of the most affordable law education available at any top-ranked institution in India.

The Faculty of Law operates through three centres: the Campus Law Centre (CLC) on the North Campus, Law Centre-I in Kashmere Gate, and Law Centre-II in Dwarka. The flagship North Campus location is the most sought-after.

Courses Offered

Fees at DU Faculty of Law 2026

This is where DU becomes genuinely remarkable.

The 3-year LLB at DU costs Rs. 18,030 for the entire course. That is not per year. That is the total. The annual fee works out to around Rs. 6,000. For anyone looking for the best possible law education at the lowest possible cost, DU’s 3-year LLB is one of the most compelling options in the entire country.

Admission to DU Faculty of Law 2026

For BA LLB and BBA LLB (5-year): Admission is through CLAT UG. DU participates in the CLAT counselling process for its 5-year integrated programmes. Only 57 seats each for BA LLB and BBA LLB means the CLAT cutoff rank for DU is competitive, typically within the top 500 to 700 General category ranks.

For 3-year LLB: Admission is through CUET PG. The General category CUET cutoff for 2024 was around 200 to 205 marks. For SC, it was 143 to 164 and for ST around 90 to 124.

Eligibility for 5-year programmes: Class 12 with minimum 50% marks (General) or 45% (SC/ST).

Eligibility for 3-year LLB: Bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% marks (General) or 45% (SC/ST).

Placements at DU Faculty of Law

DU’s placement data is difficult to compare directly with NLUs because a large number of its students, particularly from the 3-year LLB programme, pursue litigation independently, judiciary exams, and civil services rather than campus placements.

From available data, the average salary package for campus-placed students is around Rs. 10 to 12 LPA. Top recruiters include Khaitan and Co, Trilegal, and other major Delhi-based law firms. The alumni network, however, is arguably the strongest of any law college in Delhi, given 100 years of graduates across every field of law.

DU Law’s NAAC accreditation is A+ grade, which is higher than several more prominently ranked colleges.

Who Should Target DU Faculty of Law

DU is ideal for two very different student profiles. First, CLAT students who want a government-backed, affordable 5-year integrated degree with a strong brand and an incomparable alumni network in Delhi’s legal ecosystem. Second, graduates from any discipline who want to pursue law through the 3-year LLB route at essentially no cost, while being based in India’s legal capital.

3. Faculty of Law, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI)

NIRF 2025 Rank: #8 in Law

Jamia Millia Islamia is a Central University established in 1920 and its Faculty of Law has been consistently ranked among the top 10 law schools in India. In NIRF 2025, it ranks 8th in the Law category nationally, placing it just ahead of many older and better-known institutions.

JMI’s Faculty of Law was established in 1989 and offers a 5-year BA LLB (Hons.) programme as its primary undergraduate offering. The university runs its own entrance examination for law admissions, though it also accepts CUET scores for some programmes.

JMI has a strong profile for students interested in criminal law, constitutional law, and public interest litigation. Its location in South Delhi and its strong ties to the legal community in the capital make it a practical choice.

Courses Offered

LLM specialisations available: Corporate Law, Criminal Law, Personal Law (Regular and Self-Financed versions for both Corporate and Criminal Law).

Fees at JMI Faculty of Law 2026

JMI is one of the most affordable top-ranked law schools in India. The BA LLB total fee of approximately Rs. 2.62 lakh for the full 5-year programme is remarkable for a centrally funded university that ranks in the national top 10.

Admission to JMI Faculty of Law 2026

JMI conducts its own entrance examination for the BA LLB programme. The exam tests legal aptitude, current affairs, English, and reasoning. After the written test, shortlisted students appear for an interview. Admission is strictly merit-based.

For CUET-based admissions to select programmes, candidates apply through the NTA CUET portal.

Eligibility for BA LLB: Class 12 pass with minimum 50% marks in best five subjects from a recognised board.

Eligibility for LLM: LLB degree with minimum 50% marks.

Placements at JMI Faculty of Law

As per NIRF data, the median placement package for BA LLB (Hons.) students at JMI was Rs. 5.40 LPA and for LLM students Rs. 6.60 LPA in recent placement cycles. More recent data from 2023 placement drives shows the highest packages reaching Rs. 20 to 25 LPA, with the median in the range of Rs. 8 to 10 LPA.

JMI’s notable alumni include former Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir, former Solicitor General Harish Salve, and former Attorney General Soli Sorabjee, making its alumni legacy one of the strongest in the country.

Who Should Target JMI

JMI is an excellent choice for students who want a top-10 ranked law degree from a Central University at an extremely affordable cost. It is particularly good for students interested in constitutional law, criminal law, and public interest work. The entrance exam is JMI-specific, so if you are not targeting NLU Delhi via AILET, JMI is a strong parallel application.

4. Indian Law Institute (ILI), New Delhi

NIRF 2025 Rank: #35 in Law

The Indian Law Institute is different from every other institution on this list. It does not offer undergraduate law education. ILI does not admit students after Class 12 or even after a general bachelor’s degree. It is exclusively a postgraduate and research institution for students who already hold an LLB degree.

ILI was established in 1956, inaugurated by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President, and was granted deemed university status in 2004. It sits directly opposite the Supreme Court of India on Bhagwan Das Road, making it arguably the most strategically located law institution in the country.

ILI’s library is one of the finest legal libraries in India, with over 81,000 volumes and 190 periodicals. It is part of the National Digital Library of India and has dedicated resources for visually impaired students as well.

Courses Offered

Fees at ILI Delhi 2026

Admission to ILI 2026

Admission to LLM is through the ILI Common Admission Test (ILI CAT), a national-level entrance exam. Candidates must hold an LLB degree with minimum 50% marks from a BCI-recognised institution.

After clearing ILI CAT, candidates appear for a viva voce interview. Final selection is merit-based on combined performance.

PhD admissions are based on UGC NET (Law) scores followed by an interview and research proposal evaluation.

PG Diploma admissions are merit-based on qualifying examination marks. LLB, CA, CMA, and CS graduates get a 5% weightage advantage.

Placements at ILI

As per NIRF 2025 data, the median salary at ILI Delhi stood at Rs. 10.25 LPA. In 2023, 112 out of 157 eligible students were placed, a placement rate of approximately 71%. ILI does not have a traditional campus placement cell, but faculty support and the institution’s location near the Supreme Court helps students secure positions at national and multinational law firms and organisations.

ILI also offers a Merit Scholarship of Rs. 30,000 per year to the top two students admitted to the LLM programme.

Who Should Target ILI

ILI is for law graduates who want advanced postgraduate education in law with research depth, in an institution with one of the finest legal libraries in India and a location that cannot be beaten. It is not for Class 12 students. It is the right choice for LLB graduates who want a serious, research-oriented LLM experience without the corporate placement focus of an NLU.

5. Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) School of Law

GGSIPU is a state university established in 1998 by the Government of NCT of Delhi. It does not have its own law faculty in the traditional sense but affiliates multiple law schools across Delhi and NCR, all of which are provisionally ranked and admit students through IPU CET (the university’s own common entrance test).

GGSIPU-affiliated law colleges collectively form the largest law education network in the Delhi NCR region by seat count.

Key GGSIPU-Affiliated Law Schools in Delhi

Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies (VIPS): One of the more prominent GGSIPU law colleges, known for its moot court culture and placement activity.

Amity Law School, Delhi (GGSIPU affiliated for some programmes): Offers both GGSIPU-affiliated programmes and its own Amity University programmes.

New Law College, Bharati Vidyapeeth: Another major affiliated institution.

Fees at GGSIPU Law Colleges

Annual fees at GGSIPU-affiliated law colleges typically range from Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 1.5 lakh per year for the BA LLB programme, depending on the specific college.

Admission through IPU CET 2026

IPU CET is a state-level entrance exam conducted by GGSIPU. The exam covers English, Legal Aptitude, General Knowledge, and Reasoning. Admission is through centralised counselling based on IPU CET rank.

The median salary package for GGSIPU law college placements ranges from around Rs. 6 to 8 LPA, with some colleges reporting higher figures based on specific batch performance.

Who Should Target GGSIPU Colleges

GGSIPU-affiliated law schools are practical choices for students who want to study law in Delhi but do not make the cut for NLU Delhi, DU, or JMI. The exposure to Delhi’s legal ecosystem is available to all students regardless of which law college they attend, and GGSIPU colleges are reasonably priced government-affiliated institutions.

6. Amity Law School, Delhi (Private)

Amity Law School operates under Amity University, one of India’s largest private university networks. It is one of the few private law schools in Delhi that has meaningful brand recognition outside the city.

Amity Law School, Delhi has a separate campus from Amity University Noida. It offers BA LLB, BBA LLB, and LLM programmes. Admission is through the Amity’s own entrance test or based on CLAT/AILET scores, depending on the programme.

Annual fees at Amity Law School Delhi are in the range of Rs. 1.5 to 2 lakh per year for the integrated programmes. Placements are campus-driven with corporate law firms and in-house legal departments being the primary recruiters.

Amity Law School is a reasonable private option for students who specifically want to remain in Delhi and are willing to pay private university fees for a law degree with a recognised brand name and decent placement infrastructure.

Beyond Delhi: Jindal Global Law School (Near Delhi, Sonepat)

Technically located in Sonepat, Haryana, O.P. Jindal Global Law School (JGLS) is worth mentioning here because it is within the Delhi NCR region and a significant number of Delhi-based students consider it seriously.

JGLS is India’s most prominent private law school. It does not use CLAT or AILET for admissions. Instead, it accepts LSAT India scores and conducts its own selection process. Fees are substantially higher than any government institution, in the range of Rs. 5 to 7 lakh per year, making the 5-year total well over Rs. 30 lakh.

JGLS offers a genuinely global academic environment with international faculty, exchange programmes, and strong placements at international law firms. It is Ranked 3rd among private law schools by various agency rankings.

If you are comfortable with the high cost and want international exposure and corporate law placements, JGLS is worth considering alongside Delhi government options. If cost is a factor, every government college on this list offers significantly better value.

Government vs Private Law Colleges in Delhi: How to Choose

For the vast majority of CLAT aspirants, the priority order in Delhi is: NLU Delhi (via AILET) first, then DU Faculty of Law (via CLAT), then JMI (via JMI Entrance), then GGSIPU-affiliated colleges (via IPU CET). Private colleges come into consideration only when government seats are not available or when specific programme features justify the cost.

Entrance Exams for the Best Law Colleges in Delhi 2026: Quick Reference

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Eligibility Criteria for Delhi Law Colleges 2026

For 5-Year Integrated BA LLB / BBA LLB Programmes

For 3-Year LLB

For LLM

Career Opportunities After a Delhi Law Degree

Studying law in Delhi gives you access to a career ecosystem that students at law colleges in other cities simply do not have at the same scale.

Litigation: Delhi has more senior advocates, district courts, and tribunals than any other city in India. Students who want litigation careers have the Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, and various district courts to build their practice in.

Corporate law firms: The major commercial law firms in India maintain their largest offices in Delhi. Recruitment from NLU Delhi, DU, and JMI by firms like Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, AZB, Khaitan, and Trilegal is consistent every year.

In-house legal roles: Corporates including Amazon, Google, Reliance, HDFC, and dozens of other large companies recruit law graduates for their Delhi-based legal teams.

Civil services and government law: Delhi’s concentration of IAS coaching, UPSC preparation resources, and government offices makes it the natural base for students who combine law with civil services aspirations.

Judiciary exams: Delhi Judicial Services and various state judiciary exams are pursued by a significant proportion of DU and JMI law graduates each year.

Public policy and NGOs: Think tanks, international organisations like UNDP and World Bank India offices, and public interest law organisations are substantially based in Delhi.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Law Colleges in Delhi

Which is the number 1 law college in Delhi?

National Law University, Delhi (NLU Delhi) is the top-ranked law college in Delhi. It holds NIRF Rank 2 in India under the Law category as of 2025. Admission is through AILET, not CLAT.

Does NLU Delhi accept CLAT scores?

No. NLU Delhi is the only National Law University in India that does not accept CLAT. It conducts its own exam, AILET, for both BA LLB and LLM admissions.

Which Delhi law college accepts CLAT scores?

The Faculty of Law, University of Delhi accepts CLAT scores for its 5-year BA LLB (Hons.) and BBA LLB (Hons.) programmes. This is the primary CLAT-accepting law college in Delhi.

What is the cheapest law college in Delhi?

DU’s Faculty of Law offers the 3-year LLB at a total course fee of Rs. 18,030 for the entire three years. JMI’s BA LLB (Hons.) for 5 years costs approximately Rs. 2.62 lakh total. Both are government institutions with strong national rankings.

Is DU’s Faculty of Law good for corporate law placements?

DU places students at major law firms, but the college is stronger for litigation, judiciary, and civil services career paths. Students who specifically want corporate law careers should target NLU Delhi (AILET) or consider JGLS, which has a stronger corporate placement record.

Can I get into ILI Delhi after my BA LLB?

Yes. ILI Delhi’s LLM programme is open to any LLB graduate with at least 50% marks. Admission is through ILI CAT followed by a viva voce interview. ILI does not admit Class 12 or general graduation students.

What CLAT rank is needed for DU Faculty of Law?

The CLAT cutoff rank for DU Faculty of Law (BA LLB, General category) has historically been in the range of top 500 to 700 overall ranks, though this varies by year and category. It is competitive and goes much lower for reserved categories.

Which Delhi law college has the best placements?

By median package data, NLU Delhi leads with a median of Rs. 18 LPA for BA LLB graduates (NIRF 2025 data). JMI and DU both have strong placement histories in the context of the wider legal ecosystem, with particularly strong outcomes for students who pursue litigation, judiciary, and civil services.

Is Jamia Millia Islamia a good law college?

Yes. JMI’s Faculty of Law is ranked 8th in India by NIRF 2025, which places it above many older and more prominently discussed institutions. It is a Central University, it is centrally funded, fees are extremely affordable, and the alumni network includes some of India’s most distinguished legal figures.

How CLATapult Helps You Get Into the Best Law Colleges in Delhi

The government law colleges in Delhi, specifically NLU Delhi and DU Faculty of Law, have the most competitive cutoffs. For NLU Delhi you need to be among the top AILET performers in the country. For DU Faculty of Law you need a strong CLAT rank, typically in the first few hundred for the General category.

CLATapult’s preparation modules are built around the exact skills these exams test: reading comprehension, legal reasoning, current affairs, logical analysis, and quantitative techniques. With section-specific courses, full-length mock tests that mirror actual CLAT and AILET conditions, and monthly current affairs resources calibrated to what these exams actually ask, CLATapult gives you the preparation infrastructure you need to compete for these seats.

If Delhi is your goal and NLU Delhi or DU is your target, start with a clear plan and the right preparation. The cutoffs are demanding but they are not out of reach for a student who prepares with focus and consistency over 8 to 12 months.

Contact us to explore courses, enroll in the CLATapult Probe test series, or get admissions guidance.