CLAT 2025 Seat Allocation: NLSIU, NALSAR, NLU Delhi Domicile Debate Explained
Candidates taking the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT 2025) on December 1 saw an unexpected change last month when the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore, added 10 extra seats for Karnataka students in its undergraduate program. This decision was made after Bangalore University provided seven acres of land to the institute. These new seats are in addition to the 25% already reserved for Karnataka students since 2021.
Growth and Structure of NLUs
Over the past four decades, 27 National Law Universities (NLUs) have been established across India, aiming to improve legal education. Many of the older NLUs, like NLSIU, consistently rank among the top choices for students aspiring to become lawyers.
Though NLUs are often compared to institutes like IITs and IIMs due to their high standards and national entrance exam (CLAT), their setup is different. Unlike IITs and IIMs, which are funded by the central government, NLUs are created by state laws and receive land and initial funding from state governments. While some states provide ongoing financial support, it is usually modest.
State Quotas in NLUs
State governments often require NLUs to reserve seats for local students. These "domicile quotas" vary, ranging from 10% at RGNUL Patiala to as much as 72% at Maharashtra National Law Universities (MNLUs). Proponents of these quotas argue that since states provide resources to establish and maintain NLUs, local students should have priority.
Critics, including former and current NLU leaders and student groups, argue that such quotas reduce the national diversity of the NLUs and limit students’ exposure to peers from other regions. Some have suggested bringing NLUs under central legislation to eliminate such quotas and enhance their national character.
Differing Views on Local Reservations
Opinions on local quotas differ across NLU campuses. While some still criticize the impact of these reservations on the quality of education and the "national" identity of NLUs, many students have come to accept their presence, as long as they remain limited.
The stakes are especially high for admission to older, prestigious NLUs like NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, and WBNUJS Kolkata, which continue to attract the most applicants. Former NLU leaders, such as Ranbir Singh, a founding vice-chancellor of both NALSAR and NLU Delhi, have expressed strong opposition to local quotas, arguing that they hinder the goal of creating model legal education institutes.
"Some institutes should be free from state quotas," he said. "Reservation policies are not ideal for institutions focused on excellence and definitely affect the quality of education." He pointed out that NLU Delhi conducts its own entrance exam, the AILET, and is not part of the CLAT consortium.
While acknowledging that domicile quotas can benefit states with significant tribal populations, he added, "Reservations add a local touch, but in many cases, they have turned these institutions into glorified law colleges."
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