Quick Overview
Essential highlights of HPNLU


Courses, Admission 2026, Cutoff, Ranking, Placement, Reviews
Essential highlights of HPNLU
Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla, or HPNLU, is a government law university established in 2016 under the Himachal Pradesh National Law University Act. It is located in Ghandal, around 12 km from the heart of Shimla city. HPNLU is among India’s newer NLUs but has quickly earned a reputation for quality legal education. It offers BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), LLM, and Ph.D. programs in law. The university is recognised by the UGC and Bar Council of India (BCI), and admission is done through CLAT (Common Law Admission Test).
What makes HPNLU special is its focus on both classroom learning and practical legal training. The campus provides modern classrooms, a law library, a moot court, and a student-friendly environment. Students take part in moot court competitions, debates, legal aid camps, and internships with law firms, courts, and NGOs. The faculty includes top law professors and practitioners. Some of its top recruiters include AZB & Partners, Fox Mandal & Co, Keystone Partners, Khaitan & Co, Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan, Optimus Legal, and PS Law Advocates & Solicitors.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Institute Name | HPNLU |
| Established Year | 2016 |
| Institute Type | Public |
| Location | Shimla, Himachal Pradesh |
| Recognitions | UGC, BCI |
| Top Courses Offered | B.A LLB |
| Admission Criteria | Entrance and Merit-Based |
| Entrance Exams Accepted | CLAT |
| Top recruiters | AZB & Partners, Fox Mandal & Co, Keystone Partners, Khaitan & Co, Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan, Optimus Legal, and PS Law Advocates & Solicitors |
| Alumni | 2,000+ |
| Official Website | https://hpnlu.ac.in/ |
Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla, offers B.A LLB, BBA LLB and LLM courses. Its annual fees are around INR 2,20,500. Also, candidates with a mark of 45% in 10+2 can apply for admission.
| Course | Specialisation | Eligibility | Duration | Fees (Annual) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B.A LLB Hons. | General | 12th-passed candidates | 5 Years | INR 2,20,500 |
| BBA LLB Hons. | General | 12th with 45% marks | 5 Years | INR 2,20,500 |
| LLM | General | LLB | 2 Years | -/- |
| Ph.D. | Law | Master’s degree | 3-5 Years | -/- |
Getting admission into Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU), Shimla, is simple if students understand the steps. For all UG and PG law courses like BA LLB (Hons) and LLM, students must appear for the CLAT (Common Law Admission Test). Students have to register online for CLAT, write the exam, and then take part in centralised counselling based on their CLAT rank. Seats are allotted based on rank, category, and choice preference. Once students get a seat in HPNLU, they need to complete the admission formalities, which include document verification and fee payment.
For PhD programs, the university conducts its own entrance test and interview. If they're already qualified through UGC-NET, JRF, or a similar national exam, they may be exempted from the written test. Admissions usually open around December-January (for CLAT) and vary for PhD.
Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla’s 2025 placements are in progress. It offers excellent placements for students each year. It achieved 100+ offers in 2023-24. Some of its major recruiters include AZB & Partners, Fox Mandal & Co, Keystone Partners, Khaitan & Co, Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan, Optimus Legal, and PS Law Advocates & Solicitors.
| Academic Year | Total Offers | Top Recruiters |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 100+ | AZB & Partners, Fox Mandal & Co, Keystone Partners, Khaitan & Co, Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan, Optimus Legal, and PS Law Advocates & Solicitors |
Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla, was ranked 37th under the ‘Law’ category by the IIRF Ranking 2025.
| Year | Ranking Body | Category | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | IIRF | Law | #37 |
Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla, offers institute-level and government scholarships, such as Merit and NSP Scholarships.
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| University Merit-cum-Means Scholarship | • Family income ≤ INR 2.5L/year • Meritorious academic record |
| National Scholarships (NSP) | Varies by scheme (SC/ST/OBC/Minority/Others) |
Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla, offers various campus facilities, such as classrooms, a library, canteens, labs and a court hall.
Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla, has the best law faculty. Candidates have to check the detailed faculty of HPNLU, as mentioned below:
| Name | Designation | Department |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Ruchi Sapahia | Associate Professor of Law | Law |
| Dr. Chandreshwari Minhas | Associate Professor of Law | Law |
| Dr. Santosh Kumar Sharma | Associate Professor of Law | Law |
| Dr. Sachin Sharma | Associate Professor of Law | Law |
| Prof. (Dr.) S.S. Jaswal | Professor of Law | Law |
| Prof. (Dr.) Girjesh Shukla | Professor of Law | Law |
| Prof. (Dr.) Chanchal K. Singh | Professor of Law | Law |
| Prof. (Dr.) Alok Kumar | Professor of Law | Law |
| Dr. Navditya Tanwar Kaundal | Assistant Professor of Law | Law |
| Dr. Hari Chand | Assistant Professor of Economics | Economics |
| Dr. Ved Parkash Sharma | Assistant Professor of Political Science | Political Science |
| Dr. Ruchi Gupta | Assistant Professor of Law | Law |
| Dr. Ambika | Assistant Professor of Law | Law |
| Dr. Sarita | Assistant Professor of Law | Law |
| Dr. Deepika Gautam | Assistant Professor of Management | Management |
| Dr. Praveen Kumar | Assistant Professor of Management | Management |
| Dr. Esha Sharma Bhagra | Assistant Professor of Management | Management |
| Dr. Honey Kumar | Assistant Professor of Sociology | Sociology |
| Dr. Shaifali Dixit | Assistant Professor of Law | Law |
| Dr. Mritunjay Kumar | Assistant Professor of Law | Law |
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HPNLU provides campus placement to students in various fields. It is known for its excellent placement records throughout the year.
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