The National Law School Admission Test (NLSAT) is the exclusive entrance exam for admission to the prestigious 3-Year LL.B. (Hons.) program at NLSIU Bengaluru, India’s first and consistently top-ranked National Law University (as per NIRF 2023).
Introduced in 2022, the exam is designed by legal education experts at NLSIU and tests critical reasoning, legal aptitude, and analytical writing—key skills required for success in law school and legal careers.
Quick Facts – NLSAT 2026
Conducted by: NLSIU Bengaluru
Mode: Offline
Duration: 150 minutes
Seats: 120 (General + Reserved)
Eligibility: Any UG degree (Final year eligible)
This program attracts graduates from diverse disciplines—engineering, management, humanities—seeking a rigorous and research-focused legal education. According to NLSIU’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) Sudhir Krishnaswamy, this course aims to produce “future leaders in law and public policy, not just courtroom advocates.”
Based on the structure and admission process over the last 3 years, candidates can expect a highly competitive test, with less than 2% of applicants typically securing admission.
The NLSAT 2026 is expected to be conducted in the last week of April 2026, following the timeline of the previous years. While the official notification is yet to be released by NLSIU Bengaluru, candidates should begin preparing in advance and stay updated with the official website for announcements.
Below is a tentative timeline of important events related to NLSAT 2026:
Note: These dates are tentative and based on previous year trends. Official confirmation will be released by NLSIU
The eligibility criteria for the NLSAT 2026 are essential for aspiring candidates who wish to appear for the exam. Understanding these requirements ensures that you meet the necessary qualifications before applying. Below is a detailed breakdown of the eligibility criteria for various categories.
The NLSAT 2026 Exam Pattern is designed to test candidates' skills in various areas, including comprehension, reasoning, legal aptitude, and analytical ability. The exam is divided into two parts, Part A and Part B, with different question types and evaluation processes. Here's a breakdown of each part:
The exam consists of a single question paper divided into two parts:
Part A (Objective)
Part B (Subjective)
Format
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
Total Marks
75 marks
Sections Included:
Comprehension
Current Affairs
Critical Reasoning
Marking Scheme:
+1 mark for each correct answer
-0.25 marks for each incorrect or unanswered question
Purpose: Part A assesses your general knowledge, comprehension skills, and reasoning abilities, forming the basis for eligibility to have Part B evaluated.
Total Marks: 75 marks
Questio Types:
Legal Aptitude/Reasoning
5 questions, each worth 12 marks
Analytical Ability Essay
1 essay question worth 15 marks
Evaluation: Part B will only be evaluated for the top candidates, chosen based on their performance in Part A. Typically, only the top 1:5 ratio (top candidates per available seat) will have their Part B responses considered for final scoring.
The NLSAT 2026 Syllabus is designed to evaluate the candidate's overall aptitude, legal reasoning, and analytical skills through two distinct parts: Part A (Objective) and Part B (Subjective). Here's an in-depth look at the syllabus for each section:
Comprehension:
Focus
This section will assess your ability to read and comprehend passages effectively.
Task
You will be given a passage followed by questions that test your understanding, interpretation, and critical analysis of the text.
Current Affairs:
Focus
This section evaluates your awareness of recent events and general knowledge.
Task
Questions may cover national and international news, politics, economics, sports, and other important developments.
Critical Reasoning:
Focus
This section is designed to assess your logical thinking and analytical skills.
Task
You will be presented with scenarios or arguments, followed by questions that require you to analyze and draw conclusions based on logic and reasoning.
Legal Aptitude/Reasoning:
Focus
This section is intended to assess your understanding of legal concepts and your ability to reason through legal problems.
Task
You will be given problem-based questions related to legal principles, which will test your ability to apply legal knowledge and reason through complex situations.
Analytical Ability:
Focus
This section evaluates your writing skills and ability to analyze contemporary issues.
Task
You will be required to write an essay on a current topic, demonstrating not only your writing proficiency but also your ability to think critically and logically about contemporary societal issues.
Part A (Objective) focuses on comprehension, current affairs, and critical reasoning, testing your general knowledge, reading, and logical abilities.
Part B (Subjective) includes legal reasoning and an essay-based analysis of contemporary issues, designed to evaluate your legal aptitude and analytical writing skills.
Based on cut-off data released by NLSIU for the 2022, 2023, and 2024 admissions (available on admissions.nls.ac.in), general category cut-offs have hovered between 65–72 out of 100, factoring in both the difficulty level and number of applicants. For instance, in NLSAT 2024, AIR 1 scored 108.5/135, while the last admitted candidate (post waitlist) had a score of 88.5.
Expert Insights
According to mentors at NLTI, “Candidates aiming for the general category should target a minimum of 90+ marks to stay competitive, especially with rising applicant numbers and stronger prep trends.
Based on data from NLSAT 2022 to 2024, the cut-off for the general category typically ranges between 65 to 72 marks out of 100. However, this can vary depending on the paper’s difficulty and applicant pool.
Number of Applicants
Higher the competition, the higher the cut-off.
Difficulty Level of the Exam
A tougher paper may result in a lower cut-off, and vice versa.
Vacancy of Seats
The number of seats available (generally around 60–80) directly impacts the cut-off range.\
Category-wise Reservation
Cut-off marks vary for different categories (SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwD).
Performance Trends
The overall performance of the candidate pool also plays a significant role.
To help aspirants better understand what it takes to secure admission to NLSIU Bengaluru, here’s a snapshot of actual scores from NLSAT 2024:
Top Ranker AIR 1
Part A
61.25 (out of 75)
Part B
47.25 (out of 60)
Overall Score
108.5
Last Admitted Rank (Post Waitlist Conversion) AIR 44
Part A
51.25
Part B:
37.25
Overall Score
88.5
Download the NLSAT 2025 Official Answer Key PDF Here:
Download Answer Key PDF
Preparing for the NLSAT 2026 requires a focused, consistent, and strategic approach, as the exam is designed to test both aptitude and legal reasoning in depth. With only a limited number of seats available for the prestigious 3-Year LL.B. (Hons.) program at NLSIU Bengaluru, candidates must aim for both conceptual clarity and speed.
Understand the Exam Pattern & Syllabus
Begin by thoroughly understanding both Part A (Objective) and Part B (Subjective) of the exam. Know what areas are tested comprehension, logical reasoning, legal aptitude, and essay writing.
Create a Realistic Study Plan
Divide your preparation into daily and weekly goals. Allocate time to reading, solving questions, revision, and writing practice (especially for the essay in Part B).
Focus on Core Skills
Practice with editorials, legal opinions, and case summaries, and try to solve puzzles, argument-based questions, and practice pattern recognition.
Mock Tests simulate the actual exam environment and help improve time management.
Analyzing mock results helps identify weak areas and track improvement.
Solving previous year NLSAT papers familiarizes you with the question style and helps develop legal reasoning patterns.
Writing practice for Part B is essential. Practise articulating arguments clearly, concisely, and logically.
Ready to Crack NLSAT 2026 with Expert Guidance?
Join the National Law Training Institute (NLTI), India’s leading platform for NLSAT coaching.
1. What is NLSAT 2026?
NLSAT 2026 is the entrance exam conducted by NLSIU Bengaluru for admission to its 3-Year LL.B. (Hons.) program. It tests candidates on English, reasoning, legal aptitude, and essay writing.
2. Who is eligible to apply for NLSAT 2026?
Any candidate who holds a Bachelor's degree in any discipline with at least 45% marks (40% for SC/ST/OBC) is eligible to apply.
3. What is the exam pattern for NLSAT 2026?
The exam consists of two parts:
Part A
Objective (MCQs) – English comprehension, reasoning, and current affairs.
Part B
Subjective – Short legal reasoning answers and one analytical essay.
4. When will NLSAT 2026 be conducted?
NLSAT 2026 is tentatively scheduled for the last week of April 2026. Official dates will be announced on admissions.nls.ac.in.
5. How many seats are offered under NLSAT 2026?
Approximately 60–80 seats are offered for the 3-Year LL.B. program at NLSIU Bengaluru.
6. Is there negative marking in NLSAT 2026?
Yes, there is negative marking in Part A for incorrect answers. There is no negative marking in Part B.
7. How should I prepare for the essay in Part B of NLSAT?
Practice writing analytical essays on legal and socio-political topics. Focus on structure, clarity, logical flow, and argumentation.
8. Are mock tests important for NLSAT preparation?
Absolutely. Mock tests help improve time management, identify weak areas, and simulate the real exam environment.
9. Can students from non-law backgrounds apply for NLSAT?
Yes. The 3-Year LL.B. is open to graduates from any academic discipline.
10. Where can I get coaching or guidance for NLSAT 2026?
You can enroll with the National Law Training Institute (NLTI) for structured mentorship, mock tests, and expert-led preparation.
