Hello Rohit

First of all, I would like to make a distinction among the NLUs themselves because most of the newer NLUs still lag way behind the older NLUs and in my opinion, they should not be grouped together.

So, dividing the NLUs into two tiers with the first tier NLUs being the ones that are better than almost all private law colleges, and the second tier NLUs being the ones which one might actually reject for a good private college, we get the following classification:

Tier 1:

NLS Bangalore

NALSAR Hyderabad

NLU Delhi

NUJS Kolkata

NLIU Bhopal

NLU Jodhpur

GNLU Gandhinagar

HNLU Raipur

Tier 2:

All the others.

Obviously, you still have to carefully make your decision while choosing between a Tier 2 NLU and a Private college. Just as an example, I would probably choose RMLNLU Lucknow over Christ College of Law, Bangalore.

Now, if you’re doing Law from any one the Tier 1 NLUs, for five years you would have the advantages of being surrounded by a great crowd, having a very active Mooting/ADR/Debating scene in College and of course, having relatively easy access to good internships.

Most private law colleges in India don’t have a very great mooting/debating/ADR scene in comparison to the Tier 1 NLUs. Also, at these private colleges, it would be tougher to get internships at good firms on your own without using contacts. Placement figures for most of these private colleges are also horrible.

Some of the Tier 2 NLUs are almost just as bad and would generally provide you with nothing much except for your degree. Thus, choose wisely.