Lok Sabha Question No. 4215 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-11
Subject: Admission to National Law Universities
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: MAHEISH GIRRI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4215 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2016

## Admission to National Law Universities

## 4215. SHRI MAHEISH GIRRI:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  criteria  and  procedure  adopted  for  admissions  in  various  National  Law Universities in the country;
- (b) whether  any  unified  admission  test  like  Common  Law  Admission  Test (CLAT) has been introduced for the purpose;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of the Universities participating in CLAT in the country; and
- (e) whether the National Law University, Delhi has been included in CLAT and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

(a),  (b)  and  (c)  :  The  Rajiv  Gandhi  National  University  of  Law,  Punjab  has  informed  that Admission  to  National  Universities  of  Law  is  done  through  entrance  test.  Common  Law Admission  Test  (CLAT)  as  per  Memorandum  of  Understanding  between  the  member National Universities of Law is held at all India Level. The CLAT is conducted to provide lists of candidates on the basis of 'merit-cum-preference' of the candidates to each University for  admission  to  their  UG/PG  Programmes,  as  per  the  eligibility,  reservation  and  other criteria laid down under the respective statutes of the participating Universities. The CLAT is conducted  each  year  by  a  member  National  Law  University  on  rotational  basis.  The  first CLAT was held in 2008 by the National Law School of India University, Bangalore.

(d) : The Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab has informed that presently there are following 17 member National Law Universities who are part of CLAT:-

1. National Law School of India University, Bangalore (NLSIU).
2. National Academy of Legal Study and Research University of Law, Hyderabad (NALSAR).
3. The National Law Institute University, Bhopal (NLIU).
4. The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata (WBNUJS).
5. National Law University, Jodhpur (NLUJ).
6. Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur (HNLU).
7. Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar (GNLU).
8. Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow (RMLNLU).
9. Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab (RGNUL).
10. Chanakya National Law Univeristy, Patna (CNLU).
11. The National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi (NUALS).
12. National Law University Odisha, Cuttack (NLUO).
13. National University of study and Research in Law, Ranchi (NUSRL).
14. National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam (NLUJAA).
15. Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Visakhapatnam (DSNLU).
16. Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirappalli (TNNLS).
17. Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai (MNLU).

(e) :   The National Law University, Delhi has informed that the CLAT is outcome of Public Interest  Litigation  (PIL)  filed  in  the  Supreme Court of  India in  2006. Seven National  Law Universities (NLUs) were made parties in the PIL. Hon'ble Supreme Court gave directions to hold  CLAT for  these  seven  Universities  when  all  these  Universities  agreed  to  do  so.  The National Law University, Delhi was established in 2008 and it was not a party in the PIL. The Universities autonomous bodies have the autonomy to take decisions in the matters of admissions.  The  other  Law  Universities  have  opted  at  their  own  to  join  CLAT  except national  Law  University,  Delhi.  This  matter  has  been  deliberated  in  the  University  bodies including Governing council Chaired by the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India or his nominee as Visitor and it has been decided to continue with separate Entrance Test i.e. All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) for admission to its academic programmes.

****