UGC EntitledEst. 2007

Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law

Patiala, Punjab

Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law is situated in Patiala, Punjab, and it is one of the premier institutes for law students in India. Founded in 2006 by the Punjab government, this National Law U...

RGNUL Highlights 2026

Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law is situated in Patiala, Punjab, and it is one of the premier institutes for law students in India. Founded in 2006 by the Punjab government, this National Law University occupies 47 acres of land on the Sidhuwal-Bhadson Road, presenting a modern campus with serene surroundings ideal for learning.


RGNUL is dedicated to training competent, socially responsible lawyers. The primary courses are the five-year integrated B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) and the one-year Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree. Admission to these programs requires clearing the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). RGNUL is recognized by the University Grants Commission and approved by the Bar Council of India with an 'A' Grade accreditation by NAAC.

Highlights

Established: 2007
Type: regular
UGC Entitled
Placement: ₹18.00 LPA

RGNUL Courses and Fees 2026

RGNUL Patiala provides a research-based legal curriculum which is designed for international careers. A university-led entrance exam is required for admission to Ph.D. Law programs, while CLAT scores are required for the flagship B.A., LL.B. (Hons.), and LL.M. programs.

RGNUL has a competitive fee schedule because it is a state-funded National Law University. The LL.M. program costs roughly INR 2.43 lakhs, while the undergraduate program costs about INR 2.92 lakhs. At INR 9,000, specialized courses like the PG Diploma in Prison Administration are reasonably priced, making RGNUL a cost-effective leader in Indian legal education.

Criminal Law

LL.M. Criminal Law

PG
Duration
1 Years
Fee (Annual)
₹ 1,00,000
Business Law

LL.M. Business Law

PG
Duration
1 Years
Fee (Annual)
₹ 1,00,000

Unknown Course

UG
Duration
2 Years
Fee (Annual)
₹ 45,000
Law

Ph.D in Law

Doctorate
Duration
3 Years
Fee (Annual)
₹ 1,62,000
International Law

LL.M. International Law

PG
Duration
1 Years
Fee (Annual)
₹ 1,00,000

B.A. LL.B. (Hons.)

UG
Duration
5 Years
Fee (Annual)
₹ 35,00,000
Constitutional Law

LL.M. Constitutional Law

PG
Duration
1 Years
Fee (Annual)
₹ 1,00,000
Prison Administration

PG Diploma in Prison Administration

Postgraduate Diploma
Duration
2 Years
Fee (Annual)
₹ 18,000

RGNUL Admission and Eligibility Criteria

RGNUL admission process is completely merit-based, for the year 2026. The requirement for an applicant to the RGNUL BA LLB (Hons) program is a 10+2 certificate with a minimum of 45% marks and a valid score on the CLAT UG entrance exam. For the RGNUL LLM program, an LLB degree with 55% marks and a CLAT PG qualification are required. Entrance to the RGNUL PhD law program involves a written entrance test of the university followed by an interview. The university has 180 seats for UG admission and 60 for PG. So candidates should fill out their applications online through the CLAT Consortium or via the official RGNUL website. Details of RGNUL Patiala admission and eligibility criteria are mentioned below:

Program Level

Eligibility Requirement

Undergraduate (BA LLB)

10+2 pass from a recognized board with at least 45% marks (40% for SC/ST). Candidates appearing for their final exams in April/May 2026 are also eligible.

Postgraduate (LLM)

LLB or an equivalent degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST).

PhD (Doctoral)

Master’s degree in Law or Social Sciences with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/SAP). Selection includes a research proposal and an interview.

Selection Basis

Entrance Exam Based: CLAT UG (for BA LLB), CLAT PG (for LLM), and RGNUL Entrance Test (for PhD).

Application Mode

Online via the Consortium of NLUs website (for CLAT) or the RGNUL official website (rgnul.ac.in) for PhD and Diploma courses.

01

Registration for CLAT

Candidates must register online at the official website of the Consortium of NLUs. The application forms usually open in July/August of the preceding year (e.g., August 2025 for the 2026 academic session).

02

Appearing for the Exam

Candidates must appear for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) on the scheduled date, typically in December.

03

Declaration of Result

The CLAT results and merit lists are declared online.

04

Counselling Process

Qualified candidates must participate in the centralized counselling process. During this stage, candidates must indicate RGNUL Patiala as their preferred NLU.

05

Seat Allotment

Seats are allotted based on the candidate's All India Rank (AIR), category, and preference order.

06

Document Verification and Fee Payment

Once a seat is allotted at RGNUL, candidates must verify their documents and pay the requisite admission fee to confirm their seat.

Admission Deadlines

For students aiming to secure admission at Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Patiala, for the 2026 session, staying updated with the timeline is vital. Since admission to the RGNUL BA LLB (Hons.) and LLM programs depends on the national-level CLAT 2026 exam, following the schedule of the Consortium of NLUs is essential. The university follows a strict admission cycle. Below are the key deadlines for the 2026 academic year:

Event

Timeline

CLAT 2026 Admission Notification

July 20, 2025

CLAT 2026 Online Application Starts

August 1, 2025

Last Date to Apply for CLAT

October 31, 2025

CLAT 2026 Exam Date

December 7, 2025

Declaration of CLAT Results

December 17, 2025

CLAT 1st Merit List (Allotment)

January 7, 2026

CLAT 5th & Final Merit List

May 15, 2026

Last Date for University Fee Payment

May 30, 2026

Commencement of Regular Classes

July/August 2026

RGNUL Examination Pattern

01

Internal Assessment (30–40%)

RGNUL emphasizes consistent performance through diverse evaluation methods:

  • Mid-Semester Exams: Students take these exams halfway through the semester to test their understanding of initial modules.
  • Project Work & Viva: Every student must submit a detailed research project for each subject. A viva-voce follows to test their depth of knowledge.
  • Attendance: A minimum of 85% attendance is mandatory. Students falling below 70% are generally not allowed to appear in final exams unless granted special condonation.
  • Moot Court & Seminars: Practical participation in moot courts and presentations contributes significantly to the internal score.
02

External Examinations (60–70%)

The university conducts end-semester examinations at the close of each term:

  • Odd Semester: Held in December.
  • Even Semester: Held in May/June.
  • Pattern: Exams include both theoretical and problem-based questions to assess legal reasoning and application skills.
03

Evaluation System

RGNUL uses a sophisticated grading system based on a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). Students must secure a minimum percentage (usually 50%) in both internal and external components to pass. High-performing students are awarded honors based on their final CGPA.

RGNUL Placements and Scholarships Highlights 2026

Placement Rate
70-80%
Highest Package
₹18.00 LPA
Hiring Partners
16+


RGNUL Internship and Placement Committee (IPC) actively bridges the gap between students and the legal industry. The cell focuses on career counseling, resume building, and mock interviews to boost employability. For the 2026 session, the university maintains a strong placement record, especially in corporate law. While many students pursue judicial services, those opting for placements see a median package of ₹9 LPA, with the highest packages reaching up to ₹16-18 LPA at top-tier law firms.

RGNUL Placement Details are as follow:

Placement Particulars

Details

Highest Package

Approx. ₹18.00 LPA (Top Law Firms)

Median Package (UG)

₹9.00 LPA (as per latest reports)

Median Package (PG)

₹5.75 LPA

Placement Rate

Varies (High percentage for those opting for corporate roles)

Recruiter Types

Law Firms, Corporate Houses, LPOs, and NGOs

Placement Support

IPC Workshops, Internship Assistance, Judicial Coaching


RGNUL Patiala Scholarships

The university offers various financial aid programs to ensure that talented students can complete their education regardless of their financial background.

  • Top Class Education Scheme (SC/ST): Full tuition fee waiver and living expenses for eligible SC/ST students funded by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

  • University Merit Scholarship: Up to 50% tuition fee concession for the top two most deserving and meritorious students in each class.

  • State Domicile Scholarships: Various schemes for Punjab residents, including the Post-Matric Scholarship for reserved categories.

  • National Scholarship Portal (NSP): Access to central schemes like the Ishan Uday (NER) and scholarships for Persons with Disabilities (PwD).

  • Adani Gyan Jyoti Scholarship: Financial support for meritorious students based on family income criteria.

RGNUL Rankings and Accreditations

Bar Councel of India (BCI)
National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NACC)
National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)
University Grants Commission (UGC)
Association of Indian Universities (AIU)

RGNUL is one of the best National Law Universities in India with an NAAC rating of 'A'. It always features at the top in NIRF and IIRF rankings, making it an excellent choice for legal studies in India. It being the "Cleanest Government Residential University", and also UGC Graded Autonomy is testimony to its excellence in both campus life and academics. Given below are details about the RGNUL rankings and accreditations for the year 2026:

Category

Details

NAAC Accreditation

'A' Grade (First NLU in India to achieve this)

NIRF Ranking 2024 (Law)

Rank #24 in the Law Category

IIRF Ranking 2025

Rank #17 among top Law Colleges in India

India Today Ranking

Regularly ranked among the Top 10 Government Law Schools

UGC Status

Recognized under Section 2(f) & 12(B) of the UGC Act

BCI Approval

Fully approved by the Bar Council of India

Swachh Campus Rank

Rank #1 (Cleanest Government Residential University by MHRD)

Graded Autonomy

Accorded Category-II Graded Autonomy by the UGC

Global Recognition

Member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU)

Research Excellence

Houses 10+ Specialized Centers for Legal Research

RGNUL Sample Degree

Upon successful completion of the course, students are awarded degrees recognized globally.

RGNUL Faculty & Mentors

Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law consists of distinguished legal scholars, researchers, and academic leaders. With a team of highly qualified members, the university provides students with high-quality legal education and practical courtroom insights. The teaching staff emphasizes research and personal mentorship to help students excel in RGNUL law courses and prepare for prestigious judicial and corporate careers. Details of RGNUL Patiala faculty and administration are given below:

Category

Details

University Administration

Prof. (Dr.) Jai Shankar Singh (Vice-Chancellor & International Law Expert), Dr. Ivneet Kaur Walia (Registrar Officiating), and Dr. Shruti Goyal (Controller of Examinations).

Legal Research Experts

Prof. (Dr.) Naresh Kumar Vats (Dean Academics) and Prof. (Dr.) Kamaljit Kaur (Dean Research); leading experts in Consumer Law and Family Law.

Specialized Law Faculty

Senior professors specializing in Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, and Intellectual Property Rights; many serve as coordinators for RGNUL’s 10+ research centers.

Social Sciences & Humanities

Faculty includes PhD holders in Sociology, Political Science, and Economics who support the interdisciplinary approach of the BA LLB admissions.

Distinguished Visiting Faculty

Regular lectures by former Chief Justices of India, Senior Advocates of the Supreme Court, and legal scholars from international universities.

Eminent Professors

Includes renowned figures like Prof. (Dr.) Ranbir Singh and Dr. K.P. Singh (IPS) who provides guidance on advanced legal and police administration topics.


Student Reviews for RGNUL

RGNUL has the best infrastructure among all NLUs. Every hostel room has an air conditioner, which is a lifesaver during Punjab summers. The library is one of the largest single-subject law libraries in Asia and stays open late during exams. While the campus is far from Patiala city, the facility area on campus provides everything from a bank to a fruit shop, making life very convenient.

Aditya Tiwari (B.A. LL.B. Hons.)

I chose RGNUL for my post-graduation because of its incredible research culture. The university has over ten specialized research centers that help you dive deep into subjects like Criminal Law or IPR. The faculty members are approachable and act more like mentors than just teachers. They truly help us analyze the law beyond just what is written in the textbooks.

Sonal Iyer (LL.M. Program)

For any aspiring litigator, RGNUL is a paradise. The mooting culture here is world-class, and our teams consistently win national and international competitions. The university hosts its flagship event, 'Zelus,' which is a massive sports fest that brings the whole campus to life. Whether it’s in the courtroom or on the football field, the energy here pushes you to be your best.

Ishaan Sharma (Moot Court Committee)

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Frequently Asked Question for RGNUL

What is CLAT 2026 cutoff for RGNUL Patiala?
The general category cutoff rank usually closes around 1059 for the first round. Competition remains high because it is a top National Law University. You should check the official merit list for specific category-wise ranks.
What are RGNUL BA LLB fees for 2026?
The total fees for the five-year integrated program are approximately ₹11.88 lakhs. This amount includes your tuition, campus development, and other academic charges. You must pay these fees semester-wise to maintain your enrollment.
How do I apply for RGNUL admission 2026?
You must first register and appear for the national-level CLAT entrance examination. Selection depends entirely on your CLAT score and the subsequent centralized counseling process. Always submit your online application through the official Consortium of NLUs website.
What is the latest RGNUL placement record for 2026?
The university recently reported a strong median package of ₹9 LPA for law graduates. Top legal firms like Khaitan & Co and Trilegal actively recruit from this campus. The student-led placement committee provides excellent training for all corporate interviews.
Are hostel facilities mandatory at the RGNUL Patiala campus?
RGNUL is a 100% residential university and requires all students to live on campus. The university provides fully air-conditioned rooms and modern amenities for every student. This residential setup helps you participate fully in late-night moot court sessions.