The NLSIU is open to all persons irrespective of sex, race, caste, sexual orientation, class or religion. Our 400 odd students come from 28 states and eleven foreign countries. They come from big metros and small towns. They speak over 18 languages, come from a variety of backgrounds and each student brings her own perspective to law school. Bright, capable, energetic, interesting and diverse might just begin to describe students at the National Law School. Their interests are numerous and their experiences vast. This diversity supports a vibrant atmosphere. You'll meet people who are remarkably like you and - perhaps more importantly - many who are not.

The NLSIU is a residential institution. At the under-graduate level it offers a five-year integrated B.A., LL.B (Hons) programme for students who have passed Higher Secondary School or Pre-university or its equivalent examination. At the post-graduate level it offers LL.M., J.S.D. M.Phil and Ll.D. programmes in law and a Ph.D. programme in social science subjects.

Admissions to the B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) Degree Programme are made purely on the basis of merit as assessed through an Admission Test conducted for the purpose which will carry a maximum of 200 marks. A maximum of five foreign students, preferably from SAARC countries are considered for selection. However, they are required to take a test in English language. Admission to the Post-graduate programme, also on merit, is made on a combined assessment of (a) the performance at an Admission Test conducted for the purpose; (b) the past academic record at the qualifying examination; and (c) performance at the interview to determine the aptitude for higher studies and research in a specific branch of legal studies. The date and timing of the Test will be intimated individually and also notified separately.

The teaching methods adopted for the degree programme are such as to promote multi-disciplinary inquiry and practical appreciation of problems. The method of teaching involves lectures, discussions, case studies, Moot Courts and project work. An innovative feature of the teaching method followed by the NLSIU is the co-operative teaching where two or more teachers jointly offer a course and interact with the students in the same class.

This is particularly useful for the multi-disciplinary analysis of socio-legal problems. There is a high degree of interaction between the students and the teachers in the classroom. This is largely facilitated by the fact that at the commencement of the Trimester, each student is given a set of reading materials containing the course outline, teaching plan, reading lists and a fairly large volume of study materials in respect of each course. They consist of case studies, judicial decisions, articles and excerpts from reports. With this material in the hands of the students in advance, they are expected to come prepared for the class and actively participate in class and actively participate in class discussions.

Faculty at the law school are very accessible. If you take a walk down the academic block corridors, you will find that professors often leave their doors open. Generally, should you walk into one of the offices to ask a question, talk about a project you might wish to pursue, or simply say 'hello'; you will be welcome. Although it would be possible to pass through the Law School without getting to know any professors well, it would be very hard to be anonymous. The small size of the college means several professors are likely to know who you are by your second year.

Faculty accessibility and the small size of the Law School translates into exciting classes. Students speak their minds openly, and their views are welcomed by professors. Even a lecture with one hundred students in attendance can turn into a lively discussion about the social value of a particular legal doctrine. And while it is true that a professor is likely to have a strong intellectual orientation that affects his or her interpretation of the law, this is so simply because the professor has integrated his beliefs with his convictions about the way the world should be. This is a desirable thing. It does not mean that the professor insists his students share his world view. Indeed, competing beliefs underlie some of the most interesting discussions in our classes. But because everyone is required to come up with evidence and arguments for a position, bald assertions are frowned upon, and people actually end up talking to each other in (and after) class.

Beyond exchanges between students and faculty in the classroom, there are more formal means of communications aimed at improving the class experience and student life. At the end of each course, students complete anonymous surveys critiquing the professor's performance. These forms are taken seriously by students and faculty. Many professors specifically ask their classes to write extensive comments on the surveys, so that they can more accurately identify students concerns especially in courses that they are teaching for the first time. In addition to the surveys, each class elects two representatives to the academic council, whose job it is to communicate student desires to the faculty.

The 'clinical method' of legal education is an other innovative method of teaching adopted in the NLSIU, which tries to integrate actual fieldwork with classroom instruction.

Project assignment is yet another component of each course. Project work requires not just library research but also field investigations. It is a valuable method of self-study under supervision. It develops in the students varied skills in collection and assimilation of knowledge and critical writing. It helps improve her analytical abilities and communication skills.

One of the characteristic features of the NLSIU is the number of working days it devotes for its teaching programmes every year. The Trimester system of instruction demands maximum number of working days in each trimester for completing the course requirements. Accordingly, NLSIU schedule provides for instruction extending to net less than seventy-five (75) days in each term excluding the period for holding examinations. Thus NLSIU has over 225 working days each year devoted for instructional purposes alone.

The NLSIU's daily schedule of classes extends from 8.50 A.M. to 1.30 P.M. - Monday through Saturday. Co-curricular activities are usually scheduled between 3 P.M. to 5 P.M. during which period language instruction is also organized.

The academic year of the NLSIU begins on July 1, even if it is declared a holiday and ends in middle of June. The NLSIU has three vacation periods each year, the first between the first and second trimester (about two weeks in October), the second between the Second and Third Trimester (about seven weeks during January-March)* and the third at the end of third trimester (about two weeks in June).

On each working day, under-graduate students will have four class sessions, each of 60 minutes' duration. Besides, tutorials, library and project work assignments are scheduled in the afternoons between 3 P.M. and 5 P.M. Participation in the activities of the Legal Services Clinic and other specialized centers is encouraged outside class hours.

The minimum attendance requirement for taking the examination is seventy five per cent. Attendance is calculated on a trimesterly basis and no concession whatsoever is allowed in attendance requirements. For attendance above 75 per cent in each course, students are awarded credit up to 5 marks proportionately out of the 100 marks assigned to each course (subject).

NLSIU has a unique and innovative curriculum of which Practical Training occupies an important place. Practical Training attempts to expose the students to different aspects of legal work in lawyer's chambers, court, administrative offices, quasi-judicial establishments, prosecution departments, police and correctional institutions, commercial corporate establishments, government law offices, legal aid centres, legislative secretariats etc. Placement Training also aims to teach professional skills, essential aspects of professional ethics and social responsibility issues and management of challenging situations in practical and professional life. It further provides opportunities for public service, developing useful professional contacts and for relating theoretical knowledge obtained in the library and the class room to social realities.

No professional education can be complete without clinical education. In NLSIU the entire curriculum is geared to self-learning through intellectually challenging assignments right from the very first Trimester of the first year B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) programme. Thus, in the first Trimester the student is taught a full course on Legal Method which includes the intelligent use of library resources and computers. This is followed by guidance for project work necessary as part of every course (subject) which helps the student to learn various approaches to problem solving techniques, information gathering, styles of legal writing, skills of argumentation and presentation, and study of law through cases. She is then introduced to Moot Courts, Mock Trials, Court visits and legal aid support services. The legal Services Clinic at NLSIU assigns interested students to work in Lok Adalats, Legal Literacy courses and Socio-legal research. For second year students, a placement is optional. They are encouraged to work with NGOs, it they are interested.

The placement provided every year is followed up by regular clinical and seminar courses. The placement programme provides the student abundant opportunities to investigate and write for her clinical and seminar courses. Placement Training is compulsory for all students in the 3rd, 4th and 5th years.

The Students make an application in the form prescribed on or before August 15 each year for placement during January-March the next year and submit the same to the Director.

On the basis of the recommendations of the Placement Committee, the NLSIU corresponds with Advocates, Judges, Law Officers companies and other establishments of law to get their approval for accepting the candidate on placement. On receipt of their concurrence, the candidates concerned will be informed to prepare for undertaking the assignment.

All placement candidates are given an orientation on work to be done, procedure to be followed, record to be kept, report to be written and the standard of respect, loyalty and professionalism to be maintained while under training.

The NLSIU has plans to develop programmes for visit of its students to reputed Law Schools abroad. Regulations of the NLSIU relating to Under-graduate Programme provides for credit being given to the course undergone in Foreign Universities. The NLSIU has already developed inter-Institution relationship with the London School of Economics, and University of Hamburg, for exchange of students for a trimester/semester. Similar Exchange programmes with Universities in France have also been finalized.

There is a four point career guidance scheme introduced in fourth and fifth years of the undergraduate course. The first stage gives an exposure to various career opportunities and challenges. At this stage experts from various services, professional bodies, career opportunity areas deliver lectures and guide the students as to how to prepare for their career. In the second stage students are guided to select their special papers in clinical and seminar. A student may be given at this stage individual guidance through 'aptitude test'. In the third stage students shall be suitably placed through the placement programme so that the assignment experience with lawyers, law firms, NGOs and companies helps them in planning their career. In the fourth stage, students are provided with the opportunity for being selected by professional seniors as well as reputed law firms and companies. For this purpose the SBA organises a student recruitment programme every year.

Graduates from law school follow a variety of career paths. A number of them have choosen to go into 'practice' i.e. litigation at the courts. Law School alumni may be found at the Supreme Court and most High Courts in the country either in independent practice or working under India's top lawyers. Other Lawschoolities have choosen to go into law firms. Most major law firms in India a good representation of law school alumni. Alumni may also be found litigating in the US, UK and Singapore.

Some students choose to go into companies as legal advisors. A large number of graduating students decide to pursue higher studies. Many others pursue specializations in a variety of fields including public international law, international trade law and intellectual property laws. Of scholarships available to graduating students, students from NLSIU have won seven of India's prestigious Rhodes scholarships for study at Oxford over the last four years. There are other scholarships that law school students claim almost every year, namely, the Radhakrishnan, the Global Hauser fellowship and the British Chevening scholarships. NLS alumni have studied at Harvard Law School, London School of Economics, Oxford University, Cambridge University, New York University, Columbia University, University of Michigan, the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and several other top American and British Universities.

The Law School tries to address relevant social issues through its courses. The effect of such exposure is reflected in the fact that a sizeable number of students join Non-Governmental Organisations that work with these areas. Alumni from public interest groups like the Lawyers Collective and the Alternative Law Forum to specialized agencies like the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative.