NLU placements 2026: average salary ₹15-20 lakh, top recruiters announced

National Law Universities (NLUs) across India are conducting placements for their undergraduate (5-year integrated LLB) and postgraduate (1-year PG) law courses, with processes typically beginning between April and May annually. These placements aim to connect students with top law firms, corporate houses, government agencies, and public interest organizations.

The placement data from NLUs is a significant factor influencing student preferences in the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) and contributes to the parameters of the NIRF Ranking. The 2026 NIRF data reflects placement cycles from 2024-2025, indicating an average salary package for NLU graduates in India ranging from INR 15-20 lakhs per annum.

NLU Placement Process and Salary Trends

Each NLU operates its own ‘Placement Bureau’ or ‘Recruitment Committee’ to manage the campus placement process. This process includes Pre-Placement Talks and a Pre-Interview Screening Process, which involves group discussions, recruiter shortlisting, and CV submission. Placement offers are extended to candidates who successfully clear the interview round.

NLU placements are primarily categorised into Zero-day NLU Placements, where fourth-year internships can lead to pre-placement offers, and NLU Placements from Earlier Years, for students not secured through zero-day internships. The highest package recorded for undergraduate courses in the 2024-2025 report was INR 16.50 Lakh per annum, while the lowest was INR 6.5 Lakh per annum. The median salary at NLU Delhi notably increased from INR 14 lakh in 2023 to INR 19 lakh in 2024.

Top Recruiters and Evolving Demands

Leading law firms actively recruiting from NLUs include Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, Khaitan & Co., Trilegal, and Luthra & Luthra Law Offices. Major companies such as Wipro, Tata Group, Infosys, HCL Technologies, and Mahindra Group also recruit NLU graduates. In addition, government organizations engage NLU talent for roles like Legal Advisor and Public Prosecutor.

The recruitment pattern in 2024 showed a shift, with law firms seeking students with specializations in areas such as international attributes, environmental law, and cyber law. There is also an increasing demand for in-house legal teams, indicating a move towards internal legal management within corporations. NLU graduates are now expected to possess proficiency in legal software and tools, including artificial intelligence for research and document reviewing, alongside strong soft skills like teamwork and communication.

Placement Statistics for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Courses (2024-2025)

The 2026 NIRF data, reflecting placement cycles from 2024-2025, indicates an average salary package for NLU graduates in India ranging from INR 15-20 lakhs per annum. For undergraduate courses during this period, the highest recorded package was INR 16.50 Lakh per annum, while the lowest was INR 6.5 Lakh per annum. The median salary at NLU Delhi saw a notable increase, rising from INR 14 lakh in 2023 to INR 19 lakh in 2024.

Detailed placement reports for undergraduate courses in 2024-2025 show varying average domestic CTCs and student placements across NLUs. For instance, The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata, reported an average domestic CTC of INR 20 LPA with 122 students placed, while National Law University, Delhi, had an average of INR 18 LPA for 65 students. In postgraduate courses for the same period, NLSIU Bangalore reported an average domestic CTC of INR 7 LPA for 77 students, and NLU Delhi recorded INR 10.68 LPA for 48 students.

Admission and Institutional Framework

The National Law Universities offer 5-year integrated LLB and 1-year PG courses, primarily through the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). The Consortium of NLUs is responsible for conducting the CLAT exam and selecting candidates for 22 participating NLUs. However, NLU Delhi conducts its own admission process via the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET), independent of CLAT.

The reputation of a university, the quality of its education, and a student’s academic and internship performance are noted as crucial factors influencing placement trends. The active involvement of alumni and strategic efforts by placement cells have contributed significantly to placement success across the NLUs.

Further reading

• NLU placements 2026: average salary packages range from ₹7 LPA to ₹20 LPA
• IIM Lucknow 2026-28 batch records 100% placements, highest monthly stipend Rs 3.5 lakh

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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