Bihar's premier national law university dedicated to advancing legal education, research, and jurisprudence. Established to produce world-class legal professionals and scholars committed to the cause of justice, governance, and rule of law.
Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) was established on 1st November 2008 under the Chanakya National Law University Act, 2008 (Act No. 13 of 2008) passed by the Bihar Legislature. Located in the historic city of Patna, the capital of Bihar, the university was named after the legendary ancient Indian jurist, philosopher, and political strategist Acharya Chanakya (Kautilya), whose seminal work 'Arthashastra' continues to influence governance and jurisprudence globally.
Recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and approved by the Bar Council of India (BCI), CNLU is one of the prestigious National Law Universities in India. The university offers comprehensive undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in law, including the integrated BA LLB (Hons.), BBA LLB (Hons.), LLM with various specializations, and Ph.D. in Law.
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University Type
State National Law University
Location
Patna, Bihar, India
Mission
Excellence in Legal Education & Jurisprudence
Recognition
UGC Recognized & BCI Approved
Integrated Law Programs
BA LLB (Hons.), BBA LLB (Hons.) - 5-Year Integrated Professional Law Programs
Postgraduate Law Programs
LLM in Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Corporate Law, Human Rights & IPR
Doctoral Programs
Ph.D. in Law - Research in Constitutional, Criminal, Corporate & International Law
Diploma & Certificate Courses
PG Diploma in Cyber Law, Human Rights, Intellectual Property Rights & Taxation
Specialized Legal Studies
Courses in Criminal Justice, International Trade Law, Environmental Law & Human Rights
Moot Court Training
Intensive Moot Court, Client Counseling & Trial Advocacy Skills Development
Clinical Legal Education
Legal Aid Clinics, Internships, Live Projects & Community Legal Awareness Programs
Continuing Legal Education
CPD Programs, Workshops, Seminars & Conferences on Contemporary Legal Issues
Chanakya National Law University features a robust academic structure with specialized faculties, departments, and research centers dedicated to advancing legal scholarship and professional legal education. The university's academic framework is designed to foster critical thinking, research excellence, and practical advocacy skills essential for the legal profession.
Disclaimer: The academic faculties, departments, and centers listed below are provided for informational purposes. Academic units and programmes may be updated by the university from time to time. Please visit the official university website for the latest information.
| S.No. | Academic School / Department | Primary Focus | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Faculty of Constitutional & Administrative Law | Constitutional Interpretation, Governance, Human Rights & Public Law | Academic Faculty |
| 02 | Faculty of Criminal Law | Criminal Jurisprudence, Forensic Evidence, Criminology & Criminal Justice | Academic Faculty |
| 03 | Faculty of Corporate & Business Law | Company Law, Securities Law, Mergers & Acquisitions, Insolvency & Competition Law | Academic Faculty |
| 04 | Faculty of International Law | Public International Law, International Humanitarian Law & WTO Law | Academic Faculty |
| 05 | Faculty of Intellectual Property Rights | Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, Trade Secrets & Innovation Law | Academic Faculty |
| 06 | Faculty of Human Rights & Humanitarian Law | Human Rights Jurisprudence, Refugee Law & Gender Justice | Academic Faculty |
| 07 | Centre for Moot Court & Advocacy Training | Moot Court Competitions, Trial Advocacy & Legal Argumentation Skills | Specialized Centre |
| 08 | Legal Aid & Community Outreach Cell | Free Legal Clinics, Prisoner Rights, Women Empowerment & Legal Awareness | Clinical Programme |
| 09 | Centre for Comparative Law & Jurisprudence | Comparative Legal Systems, Legal Philosophy & Legal History | Research Centre |
| 10 | Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre | Arbitration, Mediation, Conciliation & Negotiation Skills Training | Specialized Centre |
| 11 | CNLU Central Law Library | Comprehensive Collection of Law Reports, Journals, Digital Databases & Treatises | Learning Resource |
| 12 | Research & Publications Cell | CNLU Law Journal, Research Papers, Books & Collaborative Research Projects | Research Support |
| 13 | Placement & Internship Cell | Law Firm Placements, Judicial Clerkships, Corporate Internships & Career Guidance | Student Support |
| 14 | Office of the Controller of Examinations | Semester Examinations, Bar Council Mandatory Assessments & Certification | Administrative Unit |
Legacy of Chanakya
Named after the legendary jurist and political strategist Acharya Chanakya, the university draws inspiration from his profound wisdom on governance, jurisprudence, and statecraft, offering a truly unique and holistic legal education experience.
Academic Excellence
CNLU follows the rigorous curriculum prescribed by the Bar Council of India, with a strong emphasis on academic research, legal writing, and contemporary legal issues, ensuring students are prepared for the complexities of modern law.
Moot Court Culture
CNLU boasts a vibrant moot court culture with students participating in national and international competitions, honing their advocacy, research, and argumentation skills under the guidance of experienced faculty and legal practitioners.
Clinical Legal Education
Through Legal Aid Clinics, students gain practical exposure by assisting real clients, drafting pleadings, and advocating for the underprivileged, reinforcing their commitment to social justice and access to justice.
Expert Faculty & Mentorship
CNLU is guided by a distinguished faculty comprising renowned academicians, former judges, senior advocates, and legal experts who provide unparalleled mentorship and insight into the judicial and legal system.
Excellent Career Opportunities
CNLU graduates are highly sought after by top law firms, corporate houses, judicial services, government agencies, and international organizations, reflecting the university's exceptional reputation and placement track record.
Follow these comprehensive steps to secure admission into Bihar's premier national law university.
Note: Admission to the BA LLB (Hons.) and BBA LLB (Hons.) programs at CNLU is exclusively through the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities. For LLM programs, admission is through CLAT-PG or university-specific entrance tests. Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria including minimum marks in qualifying examinations. Reservation policies as per Government of Bihar norms and CLAT guidelines are strictly followed.
01
Explore the integrated law programs (BA LLB Hons., BBA LLB Hons.), postgraduate LLM specializations, Ph.D. programs, and diploma courses offered at CNLU to align with your legal career aspirations.
02
For UG programs, ensure you have passed 10+2 with the required minimum marks. For PG programs, you must have an LLB degree from a recognized university. Review specific subject and age requirements if applicable.
03
For UG admission, register for the CLAT exam through the official Consortium website. For LLM and other programs, register for the CNLU entrance test or CLAT-PG as applicable. Pay the requisite application fee online.
04
Download your admit card and appear for CLAT or the university entrance test. The exam typically tests Legal Aptitude, English, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Knowledge as per the prescribed pattern.
05
Based on your CLAT rank or entrance test score, CNLU will publish a merit list. Shortlisted candidates will be called for counselling, document verification, and seat allocation at the Patna campus.
06
After seat confirmation, pay the prescribed tuition and other fees, submit original documents for verification, attend the orientation program, and begin your legal education journey at Chanakya National Law University.
Join Bihar's premier national law university and become a legal professional of tomorrow.