The announcement that CNLU Patna was granted permission to launch a 3-year LLB batch marks a historic step in Indian legal education.
As the fourth National Law University (after NLSIU Bengaluru, NLU Odisha, and DSNLU Visakhapatnam) to introduce a 3-year LLB programme, CNLU Patna now provides graduates and professionals an alternative pathway into law.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has formally permitted this expansion, confirming that CNLU Patna could launch a 3-year LLB batch for the academic session 2025–26.
Importantly, this does not violate the earlier moratorium on new law colleges since CNLU is an already established, UGC-recognised university adding an additional course.
Formal approval received from the Bar Council of India.
CNLU Patna’s 3-year LLB batch as an additional offering to its 5-year integrated BA LLB.
Initial intake capacity and seat matrix will be notified by the university.
Eligibility and admission process details will be published in CNLU’s official Admissions Notice.
Why this matters: CNLU becomes one of the very few NLUs offering a 3-year LLB alongside the flagship 5-year programme, cementing its reputation as a state NLU of national importance.
The launch of this programme positions CNLU among the top destinations for graduate-entry legal education.
State National Law University with UGC recognition.
Led by Prof. (Dr.) Faizan Mustafa, an academic leader.
Ranked consistently among the Top 10 NLUs for 5-year BA LLB.
Signed an MoU with University of Leicester Law School (UK), offering 30% fee concession for CNLU graduates pursuing LLM abroad.
Known as a notable national performer in academics and placements.
Graduates preparing for competitive law careers.
Working professionals aiming for a career switch into law.
Aspirants preparing for other national 3-year LLB programmes like NLSAT LLB, DET, or NAIET.
The CNLU Patna 3-year LLB batch has inclusive eligibility rules:
Graduate degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
Minimum Marks Required:
General Category – 45%
SC/ST Category – 40%
Final year undergraduates may also apply, subject to producing degree completion proof within CNLU’s deadlines.
As of now, CNLU Patna has not released its official Admissions Brochure.
However, based on models from other NLUs, the CNLU Patna 3-year LLB batch is expected to follow a university-specific entrance test.
Likely syllabus for CNLU Patna’s 3-year LLB exam:
Critical reasoning
General knowledge and current affairs
Subjective/essay-based answer writing
Based on the 5-year BA LLB fees, the expected annual fees for the CNLU Patna 3-year LLB batch are:
Note: Limited hostel capacity exists; CNLU is planning off-campus accommodation.
CNLU Patna offers a vibrant 18-acre campus at Nyaya Nagar, Mithapur, Patna.
Spacious, air-conditioned classrooms with AV teaching aids.
Multipurpose moot-court hall (120-seat capacity).
Wi-Fi enabled campus with digital legal resources.
On-campus banking, medical and security facilities.
16,357 sq. ft. library with 14,000+ books and 23+ journals.
Sections for textbooks, references, journals, and newspapers.
Open from 9 AM to 9 PM (six days a week).
Separate hostels for boys and girls.
Amenities: Wi-Fi, biometric attendance, geysers, purified water, gymnasium, common rooms.
Mess serves vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals across multiple cuisines.
Strict discipline and warden-supervised hostels with monitored entry/exit.
Graduates of the CNLU Patna 3-year LLB batch will have diverse career pathways:
Litigation: Register with State Bar Council, appear for the All-India Bar Exam.
Corporate Law: Recruitments via Career Development & Recruitment Committee.
Judiciary Exams and Civil Services.
Policy, Think-Tanks, Compliance, PSU, Legal Tech, IP Law.
Higher Studies: LLM abroad, including the University of Leicester with fee concession.
Since CNLU Patna launches a 3-year LLB batch in 2025–26, aspirants should begin preparation now.
Study past-year papers of NLSAT, DET, and NAIET.
Keep documents ready: degree, marksheets, ID proofs, category certificate, domicile, photos, scanned PDFs.
Focus on logical aptitude and essay writing.
NLTI National Law Training provides leading coaching for 3-year LLB entrance exams with:
Hardcopy study material.
Mock tests and personalised essay feedback.
Model essays and topper copies.
65–70 selections in NLSAT 2025.
Q1. When will admissions open now that CNLU Patna received permission for a 3-year LLB batch?
Admissions are expected for the academic session 2025–26, with notifications to be released on CNLU’s official website.
Q2. What is the eligibility for CNLU Patna’s 3-year LLB batch?
Applicants must hold a graduate degree in any discipline with 45% (General) or 40% (SC/ST) marks. Final-year students may apply provisionally.
Q3. What is the fee structure for CNLU Patna’s 3-year LLB batch?
The annual fee is around ₹2,20,000, including tuition, hostel, mess, and miscellaneous charges.
Q4. How will admission be conducted for CNLU Patna’s 3-year LLB batch?
Likely through a university-specific entrance exam, similar in structure to NLSAT, DET, or NAIET, focusing on reasoning, GK, and essays.
Q5. What career options are available after CNLU Patna’s 3-year LLB batch?
Graduates can pursue litigation, corporate law, judiciary, policy, compliance, legal tech, and higher studies abroad.
Q6. Does CNLU Patna provide hostel facilities for 3-year LLB students?
Yes, CNLU has separate hostels for boys and girls, though capacity is limited. Off-campus housing is being planned.
The fact that CNLU Patna will launch an LLB batch from possibly 2025–26 marks a significant expansion in graduate-entry law education. With Bar Council approval, a transparent admission process, modern infrastructure, reasonable fee structure, and global opportunities, the programme positions CNLU among the most attractive destinations for legal aspirants.
For graduates and professionals, the CNLU Patna 3-year LLB batch is not just a degree, it is a gateway to litigation, corporate law, public policy, and international higher studies.
