NLSIU Bengaluru Launches NLSAT 2026 Registration Process
The prestigious National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru has officially commenced the registration process for the National Law School Admissions Test (NLSAT) 2026. Aspiring law students can now access the application forms through the official university website at nls.ac.in, marking the beginning of the admission cycle for the 2026-27 academic year.
Important Dates and Application Timeline
The registration window opened on November 15, 2025, and will remain active until March 23, 2026, at 11:59 PM. The highly anticipated NLSAT 2026 examination is scheduled for April 26, 2026, and will be conducted in a single session from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM across various examination centers throughout India.
Key dates for prospective applicants:
- Application submission deadline: March 23, 2026
- NLSAT 2026 exam date: April 26, 2026
- Final admissions list announcement: End of May 2026
- Academic year commencement: July 1, 2026
Programs Offered and Seat Availability
NLSAT 2026 will serve as the gateway for admission to multiple prestigious programs at NLSIU Bengaluru. The university will utilize the test scores for selection into their 3-year LLB (Hons) program, which has a maximum intake of 120 seats for the 2026-27 academic session.
Additionally, the examination will be used for admissions to:
- NLS BA (Hons) program
- 2-year Master's programs in Public Policy
- PhD programs across law, social sciences, humanities, and public policy
The university has clearly stated that only candidates meeting the specified admission criteria will be considered for these programs, emphasizing the importance of qualifying through the NLSAT process.
Examination Pattern and Marking Scheme
The NLSAT 2026 will be conducted in traditional pen-and-paper mode with a total duration of 150 minutes. The test structure is divided into two distinct parts designed to evaluate different skill sets essential for legal education.
Part A will assess candidates in:
- Comprehension skills
- Current affairs knowledge
- Critical reasoning abilities (both legal and logical)
Part B will focus on:
- Legal aptitude reasoning
- Analytical ability
The marking scheme follows a standardized pattern where candidates will earn 1 mark for every correct answer, while 0.25 marks will be deducted for every incorrect response or unanswered question. This negative marking system emphasizes the importance of accuracy and strategic attempt planning during the examination.
Admission Process and Final Selection
Admissions to all programs will be determined primarily based on NLSAT 2026 performance. The university has clarified that provisional admissions offered to successful candidates will only become final after completion of document verification and full payment of the prescribed fees.
The final admissions list is expected to be announced by the end of May 2026, giving selected candidates approximately one month to complete all formalities before the academic year begins on July 1, 2026.
Prospective applicants are advised to regularly check the official NLSIU website for updates and ensure they meet all eligibility criteria before submitting their applications. With limited seats available, particularly in the popular 3-year LLB program, early and careful preparation is recommended for all aspiring law students.
