NLSAT 2027 on April 25: NLSIU opens BA, LLB, MPP and PhD admissions

By TUF News Desk · Published 14 October 2026 · 3 min read

Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy

Law aspirants eyeing Bengaluru now have a date to work towards. The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) has announced that NLSAT 2027 will be held on April 25, 2027, for admission to its BA (Honours), three-year LLB (Honours), Master’s Programme in Public Policy (MPP) and PhD programmes for the 2027-28 academic session.

The notification came out on October 9. Application forms will go live on the official NLSIU website in November 2026, and the new academic session is set to begin on July 1, 2027. For two of the programmes there is already a firm closing date. Applications for the three-year LLB (Honours) and the MPP close on March 23, 2027, with final admission lists expected by the end of May 2027.

What NLSAT covers, and what it does not

NLSAT is NLSIU’s own entrance test for these programmes. It sits apart from CLAT, which remains the route into the five-year integrated BA LLB. Students often mix the two up, so the distinction is worth getting straight before applying. If you want the three-year LLB after graduation, or the BA (Honours), the MPP or a PhD at NLSIU, NLSAT is the test that counts.

Four programmes, one test

The BA (Honours) is a three-year undergraduate programme with an option to add a fourth year on the research track. The curriculum mixes foundational courses with majors and minors, open electives, languages, practical courses and internships.

The three-year LLB (Honours) is a postgraduate professional law degree, open to graduates from any discipline. It is built for people who decided on law after finishing a first degree, and it leads towards legal practice.

The MPP is a two-year postgraduate programme covering public policy, social sciences, governance and the role of law in policy-making. The PhD programmes cover Law and Social Sciences, Humanities and Public Policy.

Dates to keep

The university has so far published a closing date only for the LLB and MPP. Applicants for the BA and PhD should watch the November application release for their deadlines and programme-specific instructions. The exam itself will be held at designated test centres across India, so candidates should also check the notification for test-centre choices when the forms open.

How to apply

When the forms release in November, candidates can apply through the official NLSIU admission portal. The usual steps are to open the admissions section, read the programme notification for eligibility and instructions, fill in the application form, upload the requested documents and photograph, pay the application fee and save a copy of the submitted form and payment confirmation. Before applying, check the admission documents checklist so the paperwork is ready when the portal opens.

Frequently asked questions

When is the NLSAT 2027 exam?

NLSAT 2027 will be held on April 25, 2027, at test centres across India, for admission to NLSIU Bengaluru’s BA (Honours), three-year LLB (Honours), MPP and PhD programmes.

When do NLSAT 2027 applications open?

Application forms will be released on the official NLSIU website, nls.ac.in, in November 2026.

What is the last date to apply for the NLSIU three-year LLB and MPP?

Applications for the three-year LLB (Honours) and the MPP close on March 23, 2027, with final admission lists expected by the end of May 2027.

Is NLSAT the same as CLAT?

No. NLSAT is NLSIU’s own entrance test for the BA (Honours), three-year LLB, MPP and PhD programmes. CLAT remains the route into the five-year integrated BA LLB.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: The Indian Express, JagranJosh, Careers360