National law School of India University PhD Admission 2025-26

National law School of India University invites application for the Ph.D. (Law) programme Admission 2025-26.

Eligibility

The following candidates shall be eligible to apply for the Ph.D. (Law) programme:

1. Candidates having a 5-year/ 10-semester/ 15-trimester bachelor’s degree in Law through regular mode from a recognized University having secured a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed (50% of marks or its equivalent grade in case of SC/ST/OBC- NCL/Persons with Disability.)
2. Candidates having a 3-year/ 6-semester/ 9-trimester bachelor’s degree in Law (LL.B.) through regular mode from a recognized University having secured a minimum of 55 % marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed (50% of marks or its equivalent grade in case of SC/ST/OBC-NCL Persons with Disability); and
3. Candidates having a Master of Laws degree (LL.M.) through regular mode from a recognized University having secured an aggregate of at least 55% marks or its equivalent grade (50% of marks or its equivalent grade in case of SC/ST/OBC-NCL)/ Persons with Disability);
4. Candidates having passed the Solicitors Examination conducted by the Bombay Incorporated Law Society and having completed a bachelor’s degree in Law (LL.B./LL.B. (Hons.)) degree from a recognized University through regular mode; or
5. Candidates having a Master of Business Laws (MBL) degree from the National Law School of India University with a minimum CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) of 4.00 and having completed a bachelor’s degree from a recognized University through regular mode.

Provided that candidates in their final year of study in the respective degrees in (a), (b) and (c) shall be eligible to apply, subject to the candidate securing the minimum marks or equivalent grade prior to the date of commencement of the Ph.D.

Admission Process

Candidates shall submit the application form duly filled up along with a research proposal of about 6-8 pages. The application form is available at nlsatadmissions.nls.ac.in.

The research proposal must:

1. Contain a Tentative Title,
2. Identify a research problem and discrete research questions,
3. Demonstrate background research and a thorough awareness and understanding of the relevant literature on the research problem,
4. Identify the methodological approach to respond adequately to these research questions.

Candidates who demonstrate a firm grasp of the foundational themes and methodological questions of the relevant discipline will be awarded higher marks. The research proposal must be prepared by the candidate without any external assistance or assistance of AI tools.

Admission Test (NLSAT-PhD)

• The National Law School Admissions Test-Ph.D. (NLSAT-Ph.D.) will be held on April 27, 2025, between 10.00 am to 12.30 pm in specified centres across the country. The duration of the test shall be 150 minutes.
• The NLSAT-Ph.D. shall test the students on Research Aptitude and subject-matter expertise.
• Candidates who secure not less than 50 marks in the written test will qualify for evaluation of their Research Proposal. They will be invited to make an oral presentation before a Panel of Experts on the date specified by the University.

Selection Process

Candidates will be selected based on the marks obtained by the candidate in the NLSAT-Ph.D., the research proposal, and the oral presentation. The weightage of each score component shall be as follows:

• NLSAT-Ph.D. Exam: 50%
• Research Proposal:  25%
• Oral Presentation:   25%

The dates for the oral presentation shall be announced after the completion of the NLSAT-Ph.D. They are likely to be held in May 2025. Classes for coursework component of the Ph.D. programme shall commence at the University in July 2025.

 

• Last Date for submitting application (extended): 30 March 2025
• Date of Entrance Examination (NLSAT-PhD): 27 April 2025

• View Corrigendum
• Notification
• Application Form
• NLSIU Website