Choosing the right law school is a critical decision that shapes a student’s legal career trajectory. With numerous options available across India, understanding how institutions compare in terms of quality, placement opportunities, and overall excellence becomes essential. This article examines the latest rankings of India’s premier law schools, analyzing the factors that determine their standings and what these rankings mean for prospective law students.
Understanding the Ranking System
The comprehensive evaluation system for law schools in India is based on several key parameters that collectively provide a comprehensive assessment of each institution’s performance. These parameters include:
- IQG (Institutional Quality and Governance) – Maximum score: 210 points
- ACE (Academic Excellence) – Maximum score: 300 points
- ILE (Industry Linkage and Exposure) – Maximum score: 180 points
- PLD (Placement and Career Development) – Maximum score: 240 points
- PCP (Perception and Credibility Profile) – Maximum score: 270 points
- O.S. (Overall Score) – Maximum score: 1200 points
- P.S. (Perception Score) – Maximum score: 800 points
- T.S. (Total Score) – Maximum score: 2000 points
These metrics ensure that rankings reflect not just academic excellence but also practical aspects like industry connections and career outcomes.
Top Law Schools in India:
1. National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru
Maintaining its top position from 2023, NLSIU Bengaluru continues to be the gold standard for legal education in India. With an impressive total score of 1823.7 points, NLSIU excels particularly in Academic Excellence (265.4/300) and Perception and Credibility (216.2/270). The institution’s consistent performance across all parameters demonstrates why it remains the most sought-after law school in the country.
2. The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata
WBNUJS holds onto its second position with a total score of 1774.2 points. The institution stands out for its exceptional Perception and Credibility Profile (241.4/270) – the highest among all top law schools. This indicates strong industry identification and public trust in the quality of its legal education.
3. Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar
GNLU has moved up one position from 2023, now ranking third with a total score of 1745.7 points. The university demonstrates remarkable balance across all parameters, with particularly strong showings in Academic Excellence (230.6/300) and Placement and Career Development (222.3/240), highlighting its growing reputation for producing industry-ready legal professionals.
4. National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal
NLIU Bhopal has slipped one position to fourth place, achieving a total score of 1690.3 points. Despite this slight drop, the institution maintains excellent Academic Excellence scores (244.1/300) – the second-highest among all ranked institutions. However, relatively lower scores in Placement and Career Development (164.3/240) suggest areas for potential improvement.
5. Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur
HNLU has made a significant leap from sixth to fifth place, with a total score of 1658.2 points. The university shows balanced performance, with strong scores in Placement and Career Development (212.3/240), indicating effective career service initiatives and industry connections.
6. Symbiosis Law School, Pune
Ranked sixth with a total score of 1620 points, Symbiosis Law School has dropped one position from 2023. Nevertheless, it maintains strong overall performance, particularly in Perception and Credibility (197.5/270), reflecting its established reputation in the legal education landscape.
7. Lloyd Law College, Greater Noida
The most impressive climb in the rankings belongs to Lloyd Law College, which jumped from 14th position in 2023 to 10th in 2024. With a total score of 1467.9 points, Lloyd Law College demonstrates exceptional Academic Excellence (232.4/300) and Perception and Credibility (211.8/270), marking it as an institution to watch in the coming years.