![Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University - [DSNLU]](https://img.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/logos/1441258157nnt.png?h=71.7&w=71.7&mode=stretch)
Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU), Visakhapatnam, is Andhra Pradesh’s National Law University, established in 2008 under the Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University Act. It is recognised by the Bar Council of India (BCI) and is a member of the CLAT Consortium of NLUs. DSNLU holds NAAC accreditation.
As per NIRF Law 2025, DSNLU is ranked #39 in Law in India.
The campus is located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Separate hostel facilities are available for boys and girls on campus with annual charges up to INR 35,000.
- BA LLB (Hons.) - 5 years; approximately 120 seats; admission through CLAT
- LLB - 3 years; 138 seats; admission through DSNLU Entrance Test (DET)
- LLM - 1 year; admission through CLAT PG
- Ph.D. (Law) and Ph.D. (Executive) - doctoral research programmes
- LL.D. - advanced doctorate
The total BA LLB (Hons.) fee is INR 9,00,000 for five years under general quota (NRI quota: INR 21,50,000). The 3-year LLB costs INR 5,40,000 and LLM costs INR 1,80,000 for one year.
Central and state government scholarship schemes including Post Matric Scholarship and AP ePASS are available for SC/ST/OBC/EWS students to offset tuition costs.
NIRF 2025 data shows 38 UG placements with a median salary of INR 7.5 LPA (2023-24). A significant share of graduates pursue litigation, judiciary exams, or higher studies.
DSNLU Admission Dates 2027
Admissions for the 2026-27 session have concluded at DSNLU, with classes commencing July 13, 2026. The next BA LLB (Hons.) and LLM cycle (2027-28) is anchored by CLAT 2027. The tentative 2027 cycle timeline below is based on the 2026 cycle pattern.
| Event | 2026 Cycle (Concluded) | 2027 Cycle (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| CLAT Registration Opens | August 2025 | August 2026 (Expected) |
| CLAT Exam | December 7, 2025 | December 2026 (Expected) |
| CLAT Result | December 16, 2025 | December 2026 (Expected) |
| First Allotment List | January 7, 2026 | January 2027 (Expected) |
| 2026 General Category Closing Rank (Round 1) | 1,281 | Check consortiumofnlus.ac.in |
| Classes Commence | July 13, 2026 | July 2027 (Expected) |
The 3-Year LLB is admitted through DSNLU’s own Entrance Test (DET). The next DET notification is expected in April 2027. The table below shows programme-wise entrance exams at DSNLU.
| Programme | Entrance Exam | Next Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| BA LLB (Hons.) - 5 Years | CLAT UG | CLAT 2027 (December 2026) |
| LLB - 3 Years | DSNLU Entrance Test (DET) | April 2027 (Expected) |
| LLM - 1 Year | CLAT PG | CLAT 2027 PG |
| Ph.D. (Law / Executive) | Institute entrance + Interview | Check dsnlu.ac.in |
DSNLU Courses and Fees
DSNLU Visakhapatnam offers six law programmes spanning UG integrated, PG, and doctoral levels. The flagship BA LLB (Hons.) runs for five years with an intake of approximately 120 seats.
| Course | Duration | Eligibility | General Quota Fees (Total) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA LLB (Hons.) | 5 years | 10+2 with 45% (40% SC/ST); CLAT UG | INR 9,00,000 |
| LLB | 3 years | Any bachelor degree with 45%; DET | INR 5,40,000 |
| LLM | 1 year | LLB/BA LLB with 50%; CLAT PG | INR 1,80,000 |
| Ph.D. (Law) | 3 years (minimum) | LLM with 55%; Institute entrance + Interview | INR 2,55,000 |
| Ph.D. (Executive) | Part-time | LLM with 55% + work experience | INR 4,25,000 |
| LL.D. | Post-doctoral | Ph.D. in Law + published work | INR 4,22,000 |
NRI quota BA LLB seats carry a total fee of INR 21,50,000 for five years. NRI quota LLM is INR 3,00,000 for one year. Hostel charges are up to INR 35,000 per year for both boys and girls hostels.
DSNLU Admission Process
BA LLB (Hons.) Admission
BA LLB (Hons.) admission at DSNLU is entirely through CLAT UG, conducted by the Consortium of NLUs. DSNLU offers both an All India quota and an AP State quota for home-state Andhra Pradesh candidates alongside the central CLAT merit list.
- Eligibility: 10+2 with minimum 45% aggregate (40% for SC/ST candidates)
- Entrance: CLAT UG score via consortiumofnlus.ac.in
- CLAT 2026 General Category closing rank (Round 1): 1,281
- CLAT 2026 OBC closing rank (Round 1): 2,508
- No management quota for CLAT-route seats - all seats are merit-based
- NRI/Foreign Country quota available: fee INR 21,50,000; not through CLAT counselling
3-Year LLB Admission
DSNLU is the only NLU that admits to a 3-Year LLB programme through its own Entrance Test (DET) rather than CLAT. The total intake is 138 seats (120 sanctioned plus 18 supernumerary). Eligibility is any recognised bachelor degree with minimum 45% marks. Candidates must apply directly on dsnlu.ac.in when the DET notification is released.
LLM Admission
LLM admission at DSNLU is based on CLAT PG score. Candidates must hold an LLB or BA LLB degree with minimum 50% aggregate. Seats are allotted through the CLAT Consortium PG counselling process. CLAT PG results and counselling follow the same timeline as CLAT UG.
DSNLU Placements and Career Outcomes
DSNLU Visakhapatnam’s NIRF 2025 placement data (for 2023-24) shows 38 UG students placed with a median salary of INR 7.5 LPA, up from INR 6 LPA in 2022-23. Law graduates from NLUs typically spread across litigation, law firm employment, judiciary preparation, and corporate legal careers.
| Metric | 2023-24 | 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|
| UG Students Placed | 38 | Data as per NIRF |
| Median Salary (UG Placed) | INR 7.5 LPA | INR 6 LPA |
Campus placement covers only those students actively opting for recruitment drives. A significant share of DSNLU graduates pursue litigation, prepare for All India Bar Examination, appear for state judicial services exams, or enrol in LLM programmes. Law firms, corporate legal departments, and government legal services are the primary placement avenues.
DSNLU Rankings
DSNLU Visakhapatnam participates in NIRF Law rankings. It holds the #39 position under the Law category for 2025.
| Ranking Body | Category | 2025 Rank |
|---|---|---|
| NIRF | Law | 39 |
DSNLU’s NIRF Law rank of 39 places it among the newer generation NLUs established between 2007 and 2012. As a state NLU with a dedicated CLAT route and Bar Council recognition, its institutional standing reflects its National Law University status, regardless of rank position.
DSNLU Scholarships
Students at DSNLU can access central and state government scholarship schemes to offset tuition. The university facilitates applications through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and AP state scholarship mechanisms.
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Post Matric Scholarship (SC/ST) | SC/ST students with family income below INR 2.5 Lakhs; via NSP | Full course fee reimbursement |
| Post Matric Scholarship (OBC) | OBC students with family income below INR 1 Lakh; via NSP | Partial maintenance allowance |
| PM-USP (Minority) | Minority community students with 50%+ in previous class; family income below INR 2 Lakhs | INR 30,000 per annum |
| AP ePASS | SC/ST/BC students with AP domicile; income within limits | As per AP government scheme norms |
| Education Loan Assistance | All admitted students | Loan facilitation through nationalised banks |
NRI quota students are not eligible for government-funded scholarship schemes linked to general quota seats. Students are advised to apply for applicable scholarships at the beginning of each academic year through the NSP portal.
DSNLU Campus and Infrastructure
Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University is located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The campus houses the law library, moot court hall, seminar and conference rooms, and IT lab. The moot court facility supports practical legal training and national moot court competitions.
Separate boys and girls hostels are available on campus. Hostel charges are up to INR 35,000 per year, covering accommodation and boarding. Visakhapatnam’s position as a major port city and legal services hub supports opportunities for internships at courts, law firms, and corporate legal offices in the region.
DSNLU vs MNLU Nagpur vs NLU Tripura
Aspirants with CLAT scores in the 1,000 to 2,000 General category rank range often compare DSNLU Visakhapatnam with Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) Nagpur and National Law University and Judicial Academy (NLUJA) Tripura. All three are CLAT Consortium NLUs established in the 2012 to 2016 period and serve the same applicant pool in this rank band.
| Parameter | DSNLU, Visakhapatnam | MNLU, Nagpur | NLUJA, Tripura |
|---|---|---|---|
| Established | 2008 | 2016 | 2010 |
| NIRF Law 2025 | 39 | Check NIRF portal | Check NIRF portal |
| CLAT 2026 General Closing Rank (Round 1) | 1,281 | Check consortiumofnlus.ac.in | Check consortiumofnlus.ac.in |
| BA LLB (5-year) Fees | INR 9,00,000 | As per MNLU official | As per NLUJA official |
| 3-Year LLB | Yes (via DET - unique to DSNLU) | No | No |
| NLU Median UG Package | INR 7.5 LPA (NIRF 2025) | Check NIRF 2025 | Check NIRF 2025 |
| Hostel | Available (up to INR 35,000/year) | Available | Available |
DSNLU’s unique offering of a 3-Year LLB through its own entrance test (DET) is a distinguishing feature among NLUs. Its NIRF #39 Law ranking and CLAT 2026 General closing rank of 1,281 position it within the mid-tier NLU band. Aspirants choosing among these NLUs should cross-check current CLAT closing ranks, fee structures, and hostel availability from the respective official portals before finalising preferences in CLAT counselling.
DSNLU FAQs
Ques. Is DSNLU a National Law University?
Ans. Yes. Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU), Visakhapatnam, is Andhra Pradesh’s National Law University, established in 2008 under the Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University Act. It is recognised by the Bar Council of India and is a member of the CLAT Consortium of NLUs.
Ques. What is the CLAT 2026 cutoff at DSNLU for General category?
Ans. The CLAT 2026 General category closing rank at DSNLU in Round 1 was 1,281. The OBC closing rank was 2,508. SC, ST, and EWS category cutoffs are lower as per reservation norms.
Ques. Does DSNLU admit through JoSAA or management quota?
Ans. No. DSNLU BA LLB (Hons.) and LLM admissions are entirely through CLAT conducted by the Consortium of NLUs. There is no management quota for CLAT-route seats. A separate NRI/Foreign Country quota exists for BA LLB at a fee of INR 21,50,000 for five years, not through CLAT.
Ques. What is the total BA LLB fee at DSNLU Visakhapatnam?
Ans. The total BA LLB (Hons.) fee at DSNLU Visakhapatnam is INR 9,00,000 for five years under general quota. NRI quota BA LLB costs INR 21,50,000 for five years. The 3-year LLB costs INR 5,40,000 and LLM costs INR 1,80,000.
Ques. What are DSNLU placements like?
Ans. NIRF 2025 data shows 38 UG students placed in 2023-24 with a median salary of INR 7.5 LPA. Campus placement covers students opting for recruitment drives. Many DSNLU graduates pursue litigation, judicial services exams, or postgraduate law programmes rather than campus placements.
Ques. What is DSNLU NIRF rank?
Ans. DSNLU is ranked #39 in Law by NIRF 2025.
Ques. Does DSNLU have hostel facilities?
Ans. Yes. Separate boys and girls hostels are available on the DSNLU campus. Annual hostel charges are up to INR 35,000 per year, covering accommodation and boarding.
Ques. What is the DSNLU Entrance Test (DET) for 3-Year LLB?
Ans. DSNLU is the only NLU that admits to a 3-Year LLB through its own entrance test (DET) rather than CLAT. The total intake is 138 seats. Eligibility is any bachelor degree with minimum 45% marks. Candidates apply directly at dsnlu.ac.in when the DET notification is released, typically in April of the admission year.
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In 2025 for B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), DSNLU’s closing All-India Rank (AIR) for the General (AI quota) category was 1682 after the final counselling round. For the EWS category (AI quota) in 2025, the closing rank was 2571.
You can apply online from the official website of the Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University for the admission. The admissions are based on the score obtained in the CLAT.
Check here for CLAT Round Wise Cutoffs at Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University
The admissions are done on the basis of the entrance examination. Check here for the DSNLU Admission 2023 (Open): Eligibility, Cutoff, Courses, Fees, Selection Process.