National Law University, Delhi (NLU Delhi) is a state public university located in Dwarka, in the South West district of Delhi, India. It is one of the National Law Universities (NLUs) established in India to impart specialised legal education at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The university is known for its undergraduate B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) programme and for conducting its own admission test, the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET), which is held independently of the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) used by most other NLUs.
Key facts
| Name | National Law University, Delhi |
|---|---|
| Type | State public university |
| Specialisation | Legal education and research |
| Location | Dwarka, South West Delhi, India |
| Country | India |
| Admission test | All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) |
| Category | National Law University |
Background
NLU Delhi was established by the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi through a state legislation, on the model of earlier National Law Universities such as the National Law School of India University, Bangalore. Like other NLUs, it was set up as an autonomous institution dedicated to advancing legal education, scholarship, and research in India.
The university operates from a campus in Sector 14, Dwarka, in South West Delhi. Its location in the national capital places it in proximity to the Supreme Court of India, the Delhi High Court, central government ministries, regulatory bodies, and several research institutions, which provides students with significant opportunities for internships, moot courts, and academic engagement.
Academic programmes
NLU Delhi offers a five-year integrated B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) degree as its flagship undergraduate programme. At the postgraduate level, it offers the LL.M. degree, alongside doctoral research programmes (Ph.D.) in law. The university also hosts specialised research centres focusing on areas such as constitutional law, criminal law, intellectual property, communication governance, innovation, environmental law, and human rights.
Admissions
Admission to NLU Delhi's degree programmes is conducted through the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET). Unlike the majority of National Law Universities, which admit students through the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), NLU Delhi conducts AILET separately each year for its B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), LL.M., and Ph.D. programmes.
Significance
As one of the prominent National Law Universities in India, NLU Delhi has contributed to the broader project of reforming Indian legal education that began with the establishment of the NLU system in the late twentieth century. Its graduates are represented in the legal profession, the judiciary, academia, civil services, policy organisations, and corporate practice. The university's research centres regularly publish reports, working papers, and journals that engage with contemporary issues in Indian law and policy.
Campus and location
The campus is situated in Dwarka, a planned sub-city in South West Delhi, and is connected to other parts of the National Capital Region through the Delhi Metro and major arterial roads. The campus houses academic blocks, a law library, hostels for students, and faculty residences.
Related topics
- National Law Universities
- All India Law Entrance Test
- Common Law Admission Test
- National Law School of India University
- Legal education in India
- Bar Council of India
- Dwarka, Delhi
- Supreme Court of India
References
- Wikidata entry: Q6974032 — National Law University, Delhi.