Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad (MNLU-A) is a premier State University established in 2017 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Offering rigorous legal education, MNLU-A is renowned for its flagship BA.LL.B. (Hons.) and LL.M. programs, fostering a vibrant academic environment for aspiring legal professionals.
About Maharashtra National Law University - [MNLUA] Aurangabad
Maharashtra National Law University, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (earlier Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad) is a state university established in 2017 under the Maharashtra National Law University Act, 2014 by the Government of Maharashtra. Located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), Maharashtra, it is one of the youngest National Law Universities in India and forms part of the network of NLUs created by the state. The university functions as a residential institution dedicated to legal education and research.
The university is recognised by the University Grants Commission and approved by the Bar Council of India to offer professional law degrees. It offers integrated B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) and B.B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) programmes through CLAT, along with postgraduate and research opportunities in law. The institution hosts academic platforms like the MNLU-CS Student Law Review and engages in contemporary legal research and activities at regional and national levels.
Key Highlights
Admission Process
Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad (MNLUA) admits students mainly through national-level exams: CLAT UG for BA LL.B (Hons) and BBA LL.B (Hons), CLAT PG for LL.M, and its own entrance tests/interviews for PhD and LL.D. Applications are submitted online through the university website and, for UG/LLM, via CLAT counselling.
BA LL.B (Hons) & BBA LL.B (Hons) Admission
Steps to Apply
- Register and apply for CLAT UG on the Consortium of NLUs portal.
- Appear for CLAT UG and obtain a valid score.
- Register for CLAT counselling and give MNLU Aurangabad as a preferred NLU.
- Accept allotted seat for MNLUA during CLAT counselling and pay the CLAT counselling/confirmation fee.
- Fill the MNLUA admission form online and pay the university application fee.
- Report to MNLUA for document verification and pay first-year university fees to confirm admission.
LL.M Admission
Steps to Apply
- Register and apply for CLAT PG on the Consortium of NLUs portal.
- Appear for CLAT PG and secure a qualifying score.
- Participate in CLAT PG counselling and choose MNLU Aurangabad as a preferred NLU.
- Accept LL.M seat allotted for MNLUA in counselling and pay required CLAT fees.
- Complete MNLUA LL.M online application and pay the LL.M application fee.
- Submit documents at MNLUA campus and deposit first-year LL.M fees to finalize admission.
PhD in Law/Related Fields Admission
Steps to Apply
- Check PhD admission notification and guidelines on the MNLUA official website.
- Fill the online PhD application form and pay the MNLUA PhD entrance test fee.
- Appear for the MNLUA PhD entrance examination (exempted if NET/SLET/JRF qualified).
- Submit detailed research proposal and academic details through the online portal.
- Attend personal interview/viva before the PhD Research Committee.
- On selection, complete document verification and pay the annual PhD programme fee.
LL.D Admission
Steps to Apply
- Check LL.D admission notification and eligibility on MNLUA website.
- Submit online LL.D application with academic and research credentials.
- Prepare and upload a detailed research proposal in the chosen area of law.
- Present the proposal orally before the Prescribed Doctoral Research Committee (PDRC).
- On recommendation by PDRC, complete admission formalities and pay LL.D course fees.
Eligibility Criteria & Fees
Documents Required
- Class 10 marksheet and pass certificate
- Class 12 marksheet and pass certificate (for UG)
- LL.B marksheets and degree certificate (for LL.M)
- Postgraduate marksheets and degree certificates (for PhD/LL.D)
- CLAT UG/PG admit card and score card (for BA LL.B/BBA LL.B/LL.M)
- Migration certificate from last institution
- Transfer/School Leaving certificate
- Character certificate from head of institution last attended
- Caste/Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) if applicable
- PwD certificate if applicable
- Proof of date of birth (Class 10 certificate or birth certificate)
- Recent passport-size colour photographs
- Photo identity proof (Aadhaar card/passport, etc.)
Placements 2025
Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad shows improving placement outcomes in 2025, with offers clustered around the mid-range for new NLUs. Graduates secure roles in corporate law firms, in-house legal teams and litigation chambers, while many also opt for litigation and higher studies, which are not fully captured in placement figures.
Placement Statistics
Top Recruiters
IT: TATA Steel (in-house legal roles)
Consulting: LegaLogic
Core: Luthra and Luthra, Chandiok & Mahajan, Indus Law, L&L Partners, Phoenix Legal, Fox Mandal & Associates, DMD Advocates, HSA Advocates, India Law LLP
Branch-wise Placement
Rankings & Accreditations
Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad (now Maharashtra National Law University, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) does not feature in the NIRF Law rankings for 2025 or 2024. It is also not listed in major private rankings such as India Today, Outlook, QS or THE for law schools up to 2025, and the university’s official website does not mention any national ranking.
Accreditations
- NAAC: Not on the official MNLU Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) website
- NBA: Not for any law programmes on the official website
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Maharashtra National Law University, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) supports students mainly through government scholarships routed via the National Scholarship Portal and Maharashtra state portals, assisted by a dedicated Scholarship Section. Institute-level concessions are largely aligned with EWS, domicile and reserved-category policies notified by the Government of Maharashtra.
Institute Scholarships
Government Scholarships
External Scholarships
- Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for Central Armed Police Forces & Assam Rifles: ₹30,000–₹36,000 per year for wards/widows of CAPF, AR and state police personnel, subject to minimum 60% in qualifying exam and professional degree enrolment such as BA LL.B (Hons); applied through NSP.
Comparison
Maharashtra National Law University Aurangabad is a newer National Law University in Maharashtra, so students usually compare it with other emerging government NLUs in the region and similar tier, such as Himachal Pradesh National Law University Shimla and National Law University and Judicial Academy Assam. All three offer 5-year integrated BA LL.B (Hons.) through CLAT with relatively comparable fees and growing placement records.
Key Strengths
- Maharashtra National Law University - [MNLUA] Aurangabad: Strong location advantage in Maharashtra with growing recruiter base, active mooting and research culture, and relatively moderate fee among NLUs.
- Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU) Shimla: Scenic residential campus with good student–teacher ratio, steady NIRF performance, and focus on constitutional and environmental law.
- National Law University and Judicial Academy (NLUJAA) Assam: Among the older eastern NLUs with improving placements, good exposure to Northeast legal issues, and regular internships with courts and government bodies.
Campus & Infrastructure
Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) presently operates from a temporary campus within the Government College of Education premises in Aurangabad city, with an upcoming dedicated permanent campus at Kanchanwadi on the Aurangabad–Paithan road as detailed in the CLAT 2026–27 brochure and university notifications. The location provides urban access while transitioning toward a planned self-contained law university campus.
Campus Details
Academic Facilities
- Library: 7,000+ print books, 10+ law databases and e-resources (including SCC Online, Manupatra, HeinOnline, JSTOR, Westlaw) as stated in the MNLUA brochure and university library profile
Hostel
Other Facilities
- Auditorium seating capacity 200 (within Government College of Education campus block used by MNLUA)
- Moot court hall with seating for 60 students
- Computer lab with 40 workstations for research and database access
Frequently Asked Questions
Does MNLU Aurangabad use CLAT for BA LL.B (Hons) admissions and what is the basic eligibility?
Yes, BA LL.B (Hons) intake is through CLAT UG All India Rank. Applicants must have passed 10+2 with at least 45% marks (40% for SC/ST) from a recognised board and meet age and document requirements published each year by the university and CLAT Consortium.
How many seats are there in BA LL.B (Hons) at MNLU Aurangabad and is there any domicile quota?
The CLAT information brochure shows a total sanctioned BA LL.B (Hons) intake of around 60 seats for MNLU Aurangabad, with a defined share for Maharashtra domicile candidates within categories and the remaining for All India candidates, as notified in the yearly CLAT seat matrix.
Is there any separate entrance or interview for LL.M at MNLU Aurangabad?
LL.M admission is based on CLAT PG score, followed by the centralised counselling process. The university publishes category-wise provisional and spot-round merit lists on its website each year; there is no separate institutional entrance test beyond CLAT for the regular LL.M seats.
What is the approximate annual fee for BA LL.B (Hons) at MNLU Aurangabad?
The university’s fee notifications show tuition plus other charges for BA LL.B (Hons) in the range of ₹1.6–₹1.8 lakh per year, excluding hostel and mess. Exact break-up of tuition, hostel, examination and other fees is given in the official fee structure uploaded for each batch.
How much are hostel and mess charges at MNLU Aurangabad?
Student reviews and university documents indicate hostel charges plus mess together work out to roughly ₹60,000–₹70,000 per year, with mess charges alone around ₹16,000–₹17,000 annually. Charges differ slightly by room type and are revised in the yearly hostel fee circular.
Does MNLU Aurangabad provide any fee waiver or scholarships for financially weak students?
MNLU Aurangabad allows students to use central and Maharashtra state scholarships such as e-scholarship schemes, and EWS or reserved-category students who qualify CLAT with required documents can seek tuition fee reimbursement or concession under government norms through the university.
What kind of placements has MNLU Aurangabad recorded till now?
Being a 2017-established NLU, it has had only a few graduating batches, with a modest but growing placement record. The placement cell primarily facilitates internships and final offers with law firms, corporate legal departments, NGOs and government organisations; exact salary statistics are batch-specific.
Does the university have a dedicated placement and internship cell?
Yes, MNLU Aurangabad has a placement and internship committee that coordinates internships from the first year itself. Internships with law firms, advocates, corporates, NGOs and legal aid bodies are treated as mandatory each semester, and the cell helps with opportunities and documentation.
Are internships compulsory in every semester at MNLU Aurangabad?
Yes, the academic structure requires students to complete internships during breaks from the first semester onwards. Students typically intern with trial and appellate lawyers, law firms, quasi-judicial bodies, NGOs, commissions and corporate legal teams, which is reflected in internship records and certificates.
How rigorous is the academic schedule for BA LL.B (Hons) at MNLU Aurangabad?
The BA LL.B (Hons) is a five-year integrated programme with two exams per semester, continuous assessments and compulsory projects. The curriculum combines core law papers with social science subjects and includes moots, research work and presentations, leading to a fairly intensive weekly timetable.
What is the quality of faculty like at MNLU Aurangabad?
The faculty includes several PhD holders and members with prior industry and litigation experience. Teaching involves classroom lectures, PowerPoint-based sessions, group discussions, moots and viva voce, with most students describing faculty as academically strong and accessible for guidance.
Does MNLU Aurangabad offer good moot court and practical training facilities?
The university has a dedicated moot court hall used for internal and external moots, mock trials and advocacy training. A Legal Aid Clinic and student-run moot and debate committees conduct moots, client counselling and legal literacy activities, integrating practical skills into the academic schedule.
Where is the MNLU Aurangabad campus located and how do students commute for classes?
The academic block operates from a government B.Ed. College campus in Padampura, while hostels are at Kanchanwadi on the outskirts. The university provides shuttle or bus transport between the hostel site and academic campus at fixed timings to manage daily student commute.
What are the hostel facilities and room types at MNLU Aurangabad?
The Kanchanwadi hostel complex is multi-storey with separate hostels for boys and girls. Rooms are mostly double-occupancy with some single-occupancy options, furnished with beds, study tables and cupboards; hostels have Wi‑Fi, common rooms, indoor games, basic medical support and 24×7 security.
How is the mess food quality and what are typical mess timings?
Student feedback indicates mess food is hygienic and basic, more on the nutritious than spicy side. The dining hall can seat over 200 students, and meals are served only during fixed breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner slots, with late entry discouraged because of hostel rules.
What kind of student clubs and cultural activities exist at MNLU Aurangabad?
The campus has active committees and societies such as cultural committee, debating society, moot court association, research and development cell and sports committee. Students participate in intra- and inter-university moots, debates, cultural evenings and law fests organised periodically on campus.
Is hostel stay compulsory for first-year students at MNLU Aurangabad?
Given the distance between the academic block and city centre, first-year students are strongly encouraged and in practice expected to stay in university hostels. Day scholars are fewer and must manage their own commute within class and library timings, subject to attendance requirements.
Is there any dress code or uniform for regular classes?
MNLU Aurangabad follows a semi-formal dress code for regular classes and a strict professional dress code for moots, presentations and official events. For court visits, internships and formal programmes, students must wear prescribed black-and-white advocacy attire with bands where applicable.
How is MNLU Aurangabad’s reputation compared to older NLUs like Bangalore, Hyderabad or Bhopal?
MNLU Aurangabad is still classified informally as a younger, developing or “tier-three” NLU, with infrastructure and placements maturing. The NLU tag, integrated curriculum and faculty quality provide strong academics, though its national brand recognition and recruiter base remain below the oldest NLUs.
What is the return on investment (ROI) if I choose MNLU Aurangabad over a good private law college?
With annual academic plus hostel costs typically under ₹3 lakh and five years of NLU-level training, many students view the degree as cost-effective versus premium private law schools. As placements and alumni base expand over coming batches, the perceived ROI for motivated students is improving.