[Breaking] NLSIU Backs Out Of CLAT 2020; Admissions For 2020-21 Based On Separate Test

In a significant move, the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore, India's premier law university, has decided to back out of Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) for the admissions to five year integrated B.A LL.B(Hons) course for the academic year 2020-21.

"The University will not accept CLAT 2020 scores for admission to Academic Year 2020-21",  said a revised admission notification issued by the University.

The admissions for the academic year 2020-21 will be based on a National Law Admission Test (NLAT) to be conducted by the University.

"Any student who seeks admission to NLSIU must apply directly to the University and complete the NLAT UG 2020 Entrance examination", the notification said.

The total intake of students shall be 120 (One Hundred and Twenty).

The Online Application portal will open on 3rd September, 2020 and will close at Midnight on 10th September, 2020. 

The Test shall be an online entrance examination to be held on 12th September, 2020

The NLSIU has cited the repeated postponement of the CLAT exam amid COVID-19 pandemic for this new decision. It stated that the  it is "uniquely disadvantaged" due to the repeated postponement of CLAT as it follows a trimester system and that if it is unable to complete admissions before the end of September 2020, it will result in a "zero year" with no admission.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has however caused unforeseen difficulties and delays in the conduct of CLAT 2020. The repeated postponement of the examination has resulted in uncertainty for students, parents and the participating Universities. NLSIU is uniquely disadvantaged as it follows a trimester system where every academic year is made up of three terms of 90 days duration. Moreover, each term must accommodate 60 hours of classroom instruction in each course and adequately provide for examination and evaluation processes. Further, the academic offering for the 3rd, 4th and 5th year of the B.A., LL.B programme as well as the LL.M programme is fully integrated and requires a common academic calendar.

Hence, if NLSIU is unable to complete admissions before the end of September 2020 it will inevitably result in a 'Zero Year' with no admission. This will deprive law students of the opportunity to pursue their studies this year at India's premier law university. We are fully committed to ensuring that no student is denied the opportunity to study at NLSIU this Academic Year. Hence, NLSIU is compelled by the current circumstances to conduct a separate admissions process for the B.A., LL.B and LL.M programmes for the Academic Year 2020-21", the notification.

On August 28, the Executive Committee of the Consortium of National Law Universities postponed CLAT 2020 from September 7th to September 28th 2020. 

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