Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University, Prayagraj (RPNLUP), also known as NLU Prayagraj, is a government-run law university established in 2020. Situated in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, the institution holds approvals from both the UGC and the Bar Council of India (BCI). It offers structured legal education at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels, making it one of the newer additions to the National Law University network in India.

NLU Prayagraj currently offers three programmes: B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), LL.M. (Public Policy and Governance), and Ph.D. in Law. Admissions to the UG and PG programmes are conducted through CLAT scores via the CLAT Consortium counselling process, while the doctoral programme requires UGC NET qualification. The first-year tuition fee for the B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) programme stands at INR 3,14,400, and for LL.M., it is INR 1,99,000.

Note: Admissions for the current academic year are ongoing, with counselling still in progress. The third merit list for CLAT is scheduled to be published on 5th February, followed by the seat confirmation payment window open until 12th February 2026.

NLU Prayagraj Courses and Fees 2026

NLU Prayagraj offers three programmes in the field of law. The B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) is a five-year integrated undergraduate programme with a total fee of INR 13.97 Lakhs and a first-year fee of INR 3.14 Lakhs. The LL.M. in Public Policy and Governance is a one-year postgraduate programme with a fee of INR 1,99,000. The Ph.D. in Law is a three-year doctoral programme with a first-year fee of INR 1.32 Lakhs and a total programme fee of INR 3.39 Lakhs. The complete course-wise fee breakdown is given below.

Course Duration (Years) 1st Year Total Fees Total Fees
B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) 5 INR 3.14 Lakhs INR 13.97 Lakhs
LL.M. (Public Policy and Governance) 1 INR 1,99,000 -
Ph.D. in Law 3 INR 1.32 Lakhs INR 3.39 Lakhs

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm.

NLU Prayagraj Courses and Fees FAQs

Ques. Does NLU Prayagraj provide any fee relief or scholarships for students from reserved or economically weaker sections?

Ans. Yes, NLU Prayagraj extends various scholarship and fee-relief options to eligible students. These include government-funded scholarships for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and minority category students, accessible through the relevant state or central scholarship portals. The university may also offer merit-based or need-based financial support to deserving candidates, subject to institutional guidelines and timely application submission.

Ques. How does the academic environment and faculty quality at NLU Prayagraj compare with other National Law Universities?

Ans. NLU Prayagraj follows a structured academic framework consistent with the standards maintained by National Law Universities across India, with a strong focus on research-driven learning and practical legal training. The faculty comprises experienced academicians, legal researchers, and practitioners from varied areas of law, providing students with both theoretical depth and practical exposure. Although a relatively young institution, the university is steadily building its academic standing through curriculum development, seminars, and collaborations with other national-level institutions.

NLU Prayagraj Admissions 2026

Admissions to NLU Prayagraj are entirely entrance-based. The B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) programme accepts students through CLAT UG scores, while the LL.M. programme uses CLAT PG scores. Both are processed through the centralised counselling mechanism of the CLAT Consortium. If seats remain vacant after all regular counselling rounds are completed, the university may conduct spot admissions to fill those positions.

For Ph.D. in Law admissions, candidates who are currently employed must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer, confirming that they will be granted leave to attend the full-time coursework. Applications submitted without a valid NOC are rejected outright, and no fee refund is provided in such cases.

NLU Prayagraj follows strict document verification procedures throughout the admission process. Any candidate found to have submitted forged or false documents at any stage is liable to immediate cancellation of admission, and penal action may also be initiated against them.

Course Intake and Reservation Selection Criteria Admission Fee
B.A. LL.B. (Hons.)

Unreserved: 24

EWS: 6

OBC-NCL: 17

SC: 12

ST: 1

 10+2 + CLAT UG INR 20,000
LL.M.

Unreserved: 4

EWS: 1

OBC-NCL: 3

SC: 2

 Graduation + CLAT PG INR 12,000
Ph.D. in Law 6 Post Graduation + NET INR 10,000

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm.

NLU Prayagraj Admissions FAQs 2026

Ques. Can a student get admission to NLU Prayagraj without going through the CLAT counselling process?

Ans. In general, admissions to the B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) and LL.M. programmes at NLU Prayagraj are conducted exclusively through the CLAT counselling process managed by the Consortium of NLUs. However, if seats remain unfilled after all official counselling rounds, the university may announce spot or vacant seat admissions conducted independently by the institution. Such admissions are subject to seat availability, eligibility criteria, and official notifications published on the university's website.

Ques. Is it necessary to be a resident of Uttar Pradesh to get admission to NLU Prayagraj?

Ans. No, Uttar Pradesh domicile is not a requirement for admission under the All India category at NLU Prayagraj. Students from any state in India can apply through CLAT and secure admission purely on the basis of merit and rank. However, certain horizontal reservation benefits, such as those for PwD candidates from UP or dependents of defence personnel deployed in UP, are applicable only to candidates who hold the relevant state-specific documentation.

Ques. What horizontal reservations are available for B.A. LL.B. and LL.M. admissions at NLU Prayagraj?

Ans. Yes, NLU Prayagraj provides horizontal reservations for both the B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) and LL.M. programmes. These include 20% reservation for female candidates, 5% for PwD candidates from Uttar Pradesh, 2% for dependents of Freedom Fighters from UP, and 5% for sons and daughters of defence personnel from UP who were killed, retired, or disabled in action.

NLU Prayagraj Cutoff 2026

NLU Prayagraj uses CLAT scores as the basis for admission. For the General Category under the All India quota, the CLAT UG closing rank in Round 1 was 1930, which extended to 2032 in Round 2 for the B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) programme. For the LL.M. programme, the CLAT PG Round 1 closing rank for the General Category stood at 811. Candidates aiming for NLU Prayagraj should target a rank at or better than the Round 1 cutoff for a stronger chance of securing admission.

Course Round 1 (Closing Rank) Round 2 (Closing Rank)
B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) 1930 2032
Course Round 1 (Closing Rank)
LL.M. 811

NLU Prayagraj Cutoff FAQs 2026

Ques. Does the CLAT cutoff for NLU Prayagraj shift between different counselling rounds?

Ans. Yes, the CLAT cutoff at NLU Prayagraj can vary from one counselling round to the next, depending on seat availability and candidate choices. Round 1 typically reflects a tighter closing rank, while subsequent rounds may see minor shifts if candidates withdraw or move to other NLUs. That said, significant changes between rounds are uncommon, and students targeting NLU Prayagraj should ideally aim for a rank close to or better than the Round 1 closing rank.

Ques. What are the key factors that determine the CLAT cutoff at NLU Prayagraj each year?

Ans. The CLAT cutoff at NLU Prayagraj is shaped by multiple factors, including the total number of applicants, the difficulty level of the CLAT exam in that year, the seat intake, reservation policies, and the overall preference for the university among candidates. As a relatively newer NLU, shifts in student demand can also affect cutoff trends from year to year. Changes in counselling patterns and the overall performance of candidates in CLAT also play a significant role in determining the final closing ranks.

NLU Prayagraj Campus

NLU Prayagraj currently operates from a temporary campus located at Phaphamau, Prayagraj, while its permanent campus is being developed on 28.599 acres of land. Despite being a temporary setup, the campus is well-equipped with all essential academic and student facilities, including a library, a moot court hall, a seminar room, common rooms for both male and female students, a legal aid clinic, and several student societies for co-curricular participation. Once the permanent campus becomes operational, it is expected to offer significantly expanded infrastructure and facilities beyond what is currently available.

NLU Prayagraj Hostel

NLU Prayagraj is a fully residential university, and staying in the university hostel is mandatory for all students, both male and female. The hostel fee structure for NLU Prayagraj is provided in the table below.

Hostel Fee Details
For detailed hostel fee information, refer to the official RPNLUP brochure available on the university's official website.

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm.

NLU Prayagraj Campus and Hostel FAQs

Ques. By when is the permanent campus of NLU Prayagraj likely to be ready for use?

Ans. The permanent campus of NLU Prayagraj is currently under construction on 28.599 acres of land, with infrastructure being developed in a phased manner. No official public timeline has been announced for the complete relocation to the new campus. In the meantime, the university continues to function fully from its temporary campus at Phaphamau, with all necessary academic and residential facilities available to students.

Ques. Can students at NLU Prayagraj choose to live outside the hostel?

Ans. No, NLU Prayagraj enforces a strict residential university policy that makes hostel residence compulsory for all students, regardless of gender. This rule is in place to maintain academic discipline, ensure student safety, and promote active participation in academic and co-curricular activities. Any exceptions to this policy are considered only under special circumstances and are granted solely at the discretion of the university administration.

NLU Prayagraj vs NLU Delhi vs NLU Lucknow

The table below presents a side-by-side comparison of NLU Prayagraj, NLU Delhi, and NLU Lucknow across key parameters to help students make an informed choice.

Particulars NLU Prayagraj NLU Delhi NLU Lucknow
Courses Offered B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), LL.M., Ph.D. in Law B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), LL.M., PG Diploma, Ph.D. B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), LL.M., PG Diploma, Certification, Ph.D.
Admission Criteria Entrance-based Merit and Entrance-based Merit and Entrance-based
Entrance Exam CLAT and UGC NET All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) CLAT
Cutoff 2026 1930 (CLAT UG) 34 - 2649 (AILET, LL.M.) 747 (CLAT UG)
Total Fees INR 3.14 Lakhs INR 8.5 Lakhs INR 2.05 Lakhs

NLU Prayagraj FAQs 2026

Ques. What is the total fee for the B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) programme at NLU Prayagraj?

Ans. The total fee for the five-year B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) programme at NLU Prayagraj is INR 13.97 Lakhs, with the first-year fee amounting to INR 3.14 Lakhs. Students are advised to check the official university website for the most current and detailed fee breakdown.

Ques. What is the CLAT UG cutoff rank required for admission to NLU Prayagraj?

Ans. For the General Category under the All India quota, the CLAT UG closing rank for NLU Prayagraj was 1930 in Round 1 and 2032 in Round 2 for the 2026 admissions cycle. Candidates should aim for a rank at or better than the Round 1 cutoff to improve their chances of securing a seat.

Ques. Is NLU Prayagraj a residential university, and is hostel stay compulsory?

Ans. Yes, NLU Prayagraj is a fully residential university, and hostel accommodation is mandatory for all enrolled students, both male and female. The university enforces this policy to maintain academic discipline and encourage active participation in campus life. Exceptions are granted only in special circumstances, at the sole discretion of the university administration.

Ques. What is the seat intake for the LL.M. programme at NLU Prayagraj, and how are seats distributed?

Ans. The LL.M. programme at NLU Prayagraj has a total seat intake distributed as follows: 4 seats for the Unreserved category, 1 seat for EWS, 3 seats for OBC-NCL, and 2 seats for SC candidates. Admission is based on CLAT PG scores through the centralised counselling process of the CLAT Consortium.

Ques. Is NLU Prayagraj a suitable choice for students aiming for careers in judicial services or public policy?

Ans. Yes, NLU Prayagraj is well-suited for students interested in judicial services or public policy careers. The university offers an LL.M. specialisation in Public Policy and Governance, and its curriculum places strong emphasis on constitutional law, governance, and public law. Internship opportunities with courts and government bodies further help students build a solid academic and practical foundation for these career paths.