Skip to main content

Chanakya National Law University, Patna

· 7 min read
Priyansh Khodiyar
Priyansh Khodiyar
Vaquill co-founder

1. General Information​

  • Name: Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna
  • Official Website: https://cnlu.ac.in/
  • Contact Email: registrarcnlu@gmail.com
  • Establishment Year: 2006
  • Government Rank (NIRF 2023): 19
  • Type: Government (State University)
  • Location: Nyaya Nagar, Mithapur, Patna, Bihar - 800001

2. Courses Offered​

Undergraduate​

  • Degree: B.A. LL.B (Hons) & B.B.A. LL.B (Hons)
    • Duration: 5-year integrated program
    • Fees: INR 1.74 Lakhs (First Year)
    • Eligibility Criteria: 10+2 with a minimum of 45% marks (40% for SC/ST)
    • Selection Criteria: Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)

Postgraduate​

  • Degree: LLM (Master of Laws)
    • Duration: 1-year program
    • Fees: INR 1.36 Lakhs (First Year)
    • Eligibility Criteria: LLB with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwD)
    • Selection Criteria: CLAT PG

Doctoral Programs​

  • Degree: Ph.D. in Law
    • Duration: 3-6 years
    • Fees: INR 80,000 (First Year)
    • Eligibility Criteria: Master’s degree in law or related fields with a minimum of 55% marks
    • Selection Criteria: Research proposal and personal interview

3. Infrastructure and Facilities​

  • Library: The library at CNLU has a vast collection of over 14,000 books, law journals, and e-resources like SCC Online and Manupatra. It offers access to international legal databases as well.

  • Hostels: Separate hostels for boys and girls with facilities such as Wi-Fi, study rooms, mess, and recreational areas. The hostels are designed to provide a conducive learning environment.

  • Classrooms and Seminar Halls: The university has well-equipped classrooms with smart learning systems, seminar halls, and moot courtrooms for practical training.

  • Sports Facilities: CNLU promotes physical well-being through its sports facilities. The campus has a football ground, basketball court, and table tennis.

  • Moot Court Hall: CNLU has a dedicated moot court hall to train students in advocacy and prepare them for real-world courtroom experiences.

  • Medical Facilities: A health center provides medical assistance to students and staff, along with regular health check-up camps.

4. Campus Life​

  • Clubs and Societies: CNLU boasts several student-run clubs, including:

    • Moot Court Society (MCS): Organizes moots, debates, and legal seminars.
    • Cultural Society: Hosts cultural events, dance, music, and drama performances.
    • Legal Aid Cell: Works to provide free legal assistance to the underprivileged sections of society.
    • Sports Committee: Organizes sports fests and inter-college competitions.

  • Annual Events:
    Juris Fest: CNLU’s annual cultural and legal festival, including events like debates, quizzes, and mooting.
    Sports Fest: A week-long event that involves various sports like football, basketball, volleyball, and indoor games.

5. Compare Key Metrics: CNLU vs Other Top NLUs​

MetricsCNLU (Patna)NALSAR (Hyderabad)NLSIU (Bangalore)NLU Delhi
Established2006199819872008
Govt Rank (NIRF 2023)19312
B.A. LL.B Fees (1st Yr)INR 1.74 LakhsINR 2.42 LakhsINR 2.50 LakhsINR 1.86 Lakhs
LLM Fees (1st Yr)INR 1.36 LakhsINR 1.30 LakhsINR 1.91 LakhsINR 1.38 Lakhs
Hostel Fees (1st Yr)INR 80,000INR 1.20 LakhsINR 1.25 LakhsINR 1.15 Lakhs
Global PartnershipsLimited25+ International Universities20+ International Universities15+ International Universities
Placement Rate85%100% (2023)100% (2023)98% (2023)

6. Global Collaborations and Exchange Programs​

CNLU, though relatively newer compared to top NLUs, is making strides in establishing global collaborations:

  • Exchange Programs: CNLU has initiated a few exchange programs with foreign universities to promote international exposure and research collaboration.

  • Moot Court Collaborations: Students from CNLU regularly participate in international moot competitions like Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot and Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot.

  • International Conferences: The university organizes and participates in international conferences on law and allied fields.

7. Placement Opportunities​

CNLU has a dedicated Placement and Internship Cell that coordinates placements and internships for students. Some of the top recruiters include:

  • Top Recruiters:
    Law Firms: Khaitan & Co., Trilegal, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas
    Corporates: Reliance Industries, Aditya Birla Group, Tata Steel
    Government & PSUs: Reserve Bank of India, NTPC, SAIL
    International Law Firms: Limited, though a few students have secured international positions in law firms based in Dubai and Singapore.

  • Average Package: INR 8-10 Lakhs per annum.

  • Highest Package: INR 18 Lakhs per annum.

  • Internships: CNLU’s students have interned with top-tier law firms, Supreme Court and High Court judges, NGOs, and international organizations.

8. Institute’s Unique Features​

  • Focus on Mooting and Advocacy: CNLU has a strong mooting culture, which helps students develop practical legal skills and gain experience in advocacy.

  • Specialized Research Centers: CNLU has set up research centers for constitutional law, human rights, and environmental law.

  • Student-Run Legal Aid Clinics: These clinics offer students an opportunity to work with the local community and offer legal services to those who cannot afford them.

  • Affordable Education: Compared to other top NLUs, CNLU offers quality legal education at relatively lower fees.

9. Why Choose CNLU?​

  • Cost-Effective Legal Education: With relatively lower tuition and hostel fees, CNLU offers a more affordable legal education compared to other top-tier NLUs.

  • Focus on Mooting: The emphasis on moot courts prepares students for practical legal careers and helps them gain recognition on national and international platforms.

  • Good Placement Record: CNLU boasts a decent placement rate, with students placed in top law firms, corporates, and government organizations.

  • Opportunities for Growth: Although newer than other NLUs, CNLU is rapidly establishing itself as a hub for legal research and student development.

10. Notable Alumni​

CNLU, though a relatively young law school, has produced alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields:

  • Arjun Agarwal: Partner at Khaitan & Co., one of the leading law firms in India.

  • Shivani Sinha: Legal Counsel at Aditya Birla Group, handling corporate and commercial law.

  • Prateek Rajesh: Advocate practicing at the Supreme Court of India, with specialization in constitutional law.

11. What’s Bad About CNLU? What Critics Say​

  • Limited Global Exposure: Compared to more established NLUs like NALSAR or NLSIU, CNLU lacks international collaborations and foreign faculty exchanges.

  • Placements Could Improve: While the placement rate is decent, CNLU still lags behind older NLUs in terms of the number of top-tier law firms recruiting students.

  • Lack of Urban Exposure: Located in Patna, some students feel the lack of opportunities for internships and corporate exposure that cities like Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai offer.

  • Faculty Turnover: Some students have noted the issue of faculty turnover, which affects the continuity and quality of education in certain specialized areas.

12. Student Reviews​

  • Academics: "The curriculum is well-rounded, with a good mix of theoretical

and practical subjects."

  • Campus Life: "CNLU has a vibrant campus life with a lot of student-run activities and events."

  • Placements: "Placements are improving, though there’s still a gap between CNLU and the top three NLUs in terms of firm presence."