Overview
Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU), Shimla, is Himachal Pradesh's National Law University, set in the scenic Ghandal area in the Himalayan foothills near Shimla. Established in 2016 under a state Act, it admits students through CLAT, is a member of the Consortium of National Law Universities, and is ranked 34th in the NIRF 2025 law list. HPNLU is distinctive for letting BA LLB students choose an academic major, for a recent MBA in Corporate Law, and for placement outcomes that punch above its ranking. This profile covers its ranking, courses, eligibility, admission, seats, cutoff, fees, hostel, scholarships and placements.
Why HPNLU Shimla stands out
HPNLU holds 34th place in the NIRF 2025 law ranking with a score of 53.49, and it is frequently placed among the stronger newer NLUs on cutoff-based lists. For a university founded in 2016, its placement outcomes are notable, with a median package on par with universities ranked well above it, and recruiters including leading national law firms. Its quiet Himalayan setting appeals to students who want a focused academic environment away from a metro.
Courses offered at HPNLU Shimla
HPNLU offers two five-year integrated undergraduate law degrees admitted through CLAT: the BA LLB (Hons), in which students choose a major from economics, political science or sociology, and a BBA LLB (Hons). At the postgraduate level it offers a one-year LLM in specialisations including criminal law, constitutional law with forensic science and intellectual property rights through CLAT PG, along with a recently added MBA in Corporate Law and PhD programmes. Most CLAT aspirants target the BA LLB, which is the focus of the sections below unless stated otherwise.
HPNLU Shimla eligibility criteria
For the BA LLB (Hons) and BBA LLB (Hons), you must have passed class 12 or an equivalent examination with at least 45 percent marks, or 40 percent for candidates in the SC and ST categories. Candidates awaiting their class 12 results may apply and appear for CLAT, subject to meeting the requirement at admission, and there is no upper age limit. For the LLM, you need an LLB degree with at least 50 percent marks, or 45 percent for SC and ST candidates.
HPNLU Shimla admission process and how to apply
HPNLU admits students to the BA LLB and BBA LLB through CLAT, run by the Consortium of National Law Universities, and to the LLM through CLAT PG. Register for CLAT on the Consortium website during the application window, appear for the exam, and after results take part in the centralised CLAT counselling, placing HPNLU high in your preference order. Himachal Pradesh home-state candidates should claim the domicile quota with the required documents. If a seat is allotted, you report to the Shimla campus for document verification and fee payment. The MBA and PhD are admitted through separate tests.
HPNLU Shimla seats and reservation
HPNLU has a small intake, with 60 seats in the BA LLB (Hons), 60 in the BBA LLB (Hons), 80 in the LLM and 20 in the PhD. A share of seats is reserved for Himachal Pradesh home-state candidates, and seats are further reserved vertically for the SC, ST, OBC and EWS categories, with horizontal reservation for persons with disabilities. The home-state quota makes Himachal Pradesh domicile seats close at more relaxed ranks than the all-India list.
HPNLU Shimla CLAT cutoff
HPNLU is a competitive newer NLU by cutoff. In the general all-India category, its BA LLB (Hons) closed within roughly the top 1824 CLAT ranks in 2026, with a round one opening rank around 930 and a closing rank near 1824. Reserved categories and Himachal Pradesh home-state seats close at more relaxed ranks. The exact closing rank moves each year with the applicant pool and counselling movement, so treat any single figure as indicative. To check whether your expected rank is in range, use the CLAT college predictor, and see the NLU cut-offs page for round by round closing ranks.
HPNLU Shimla fees
HPNLU's fee is on the higher side for an NLU. The five-year BA LLB (Hons) works out to about 16 lakh rupees all-inclusive, and the one-year LLM is about 2.83 lakh rupees. The cost is a consideration to weigh against the university's strong placement outcomes.
| Programme | Approximate fee |
|---|---|
| BA LLB (Hons), five-year all-inclusive | About 16 lakh rupees |
| LLM, one-year | About 2.83 lakh rupees |
To compare HPNLU against the other NLUs on total cost, see the NLU fees comparison.
HPNLU Shimla hostel and campus
HPNLU occupies a compact campus of about 10 acres in the scenic Ghandal area near Shimla, in the Himalayan foothills. It offers separate hostels for men and women, a library and research centres, separate gyms, sports facilities and a healthcare centre. The tranquil hill setting is a genuine draw for students who prefer a focused environment, and MoUs with the Himachal Pradesh Police and the Army Institute of Law add practical exposure.
Scholarships at HPNLU Shimla
HPNLU offers scholarships for needy and deserving students across its programmes, and SC and ST students can access government scholarships and fee reimbursements. Given the relatively high fee, it is worth checking each year's official notification for the current eligibility bands and amounts.
HPNLU Shimla placements: packages and recruiters
HPNLU has strong placements for a newer NLU. In the NIRF 2025 data its median undergraduate package was about 10 lakh rupees a year and its LLM median was about 15 lakh rupees, with 88 students placed in 2024. Regular recruiters include AZB and Partners, Khaitan and Co, Fox Mandal and Co, ALG India Law Offices and AG Law Chambers, alongside placements with NGOs and under judges. Many graduates also pursue litigation, the judiciary and higher studies. For how HPNLU compares with the other NLUs, see the NLU placements comparison.
| Placement metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Median UG package, NIRF 2025 | About 10 LPA |
| Median LLM package, NIRF 2025 | About 15 LPA |
| Students placed, 2024 | 88 |
Related NLUs
Comparing your options is the smart way to build a CLAT preference list. See the profiles of the premier NLUs: NLSIU Bengaluru, NLU Delhi, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata and GNLU Gandhinagar, or return to the NLU profiles hub for the full list.
How to get into HPNLU Shimla
Because HPNLU closes within roughly the top 1800 general-category ranks for the BA LLB, it is a realistic target for a solid CLAT score, and the Himachal Pradesh home-state quota helps local candidates considerably. Aim for steady accuracy across the comprehension-heavy English, current affairs, legal reasoning, logical reasoning and quantitative sections, with enough mock-test practice to hold a strong rank. Law Prep Tutorial Delhi trains aspirants for these NLU cutoffs. Explore the college predictor to see your realistic NLU options, then return to the NLU profiles hub to build your full preference list.