Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Legal Studies, CSJM University, Kanpur
Description
About Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Legal Studies
Verified by Lawsection.in Editorial Team | Updated: April 18, 2026
Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Legal Studies is the dedicated law school of Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The university was established by the Government of Uttar Pradesh in 1966, while the School of Legal Studies itself was established in 2017 to strengthen professional legal education, legal research and policy-oriented legal studies within the university.
The school functions as a constituent institution of CSJMU and offers Bar Council of India-compliant law programmes at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels. In addition, the institution focuses on practical legal training through moot courts, legal aid, research, policy studies and interdisciplinary learning.
The law school is particularly known for:
- BCI-compliant legal education
- Integrated BA LL.B. (Hons.) and BBA LL.B. (Hons.) programmes
- Three-year LL.B. (Hons.) programme
- One-year and Two-year LL.M. programmes
- Ph.D. in Law and specialised legal research
- Certificate Programme in Intellectual Property Laws
- Moot courts, legal aid initiatives and research-based learning
These programmes are designed for students who wish to pursue careers in litigation, judiciary, corporate law, academia, public administration and legal research.
University Snapshot of Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Legal Studies
Location
Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
University Established
1966
Law School Established
2017
University Type
Public State University
NAAC Accreditation
A++
NIRF Law Ranking
Not listed among the Top 50 institutions in NIRF Law Rankings
Intake Months
July–August (Primary Intake)
Law Programs Offered by Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Legal Studies
The School of Legal Studies offers a broad range of professional law programmes. Therefore, students can choose a course according to their academic background and long-term career goals.
LL.B. (3 Years)
Duration: 3 Years
Eligibility: Graduation in any discipline
Minimum Marks: Normally 45% in graduation, with relaxation for reserved categories
Estimated Fee Range: ₹35,000 – ₹50,000 per year
The LL.B. (Hons.) programme offers academic exposure to Business Law and Criminal Law. Moreover, the curriculum develops analytical, advocacy and legal reasoning skills required for litigation and judicial careers.
BA LL.B. (Hons.) – 5 Years
Duration: 5 Years (Integrated)
Eligibility: 10+2 or equivalent examination
Admission: Merit / University admission process
Estimated Fee Range: ₹60,000 – ₹75,000 per year
The integrated programme combines arts and legal education. As a result, students develop a strong foundation in constitutional law, political science, sociology and legal studies.
BBA LL.B. (Hons.) – 5 Years
Duration: 5 Years (Integrated)
Eligibility: 10+2 or equivalent examination
Admission: Merit / University admission process
Estimated Fee Range: ₹60,000 – ₹75,000 per year
This integrated course combines management studies with law. Consequently, it is especially useful for students who plan to work in corporate legal departments, law firms or business advisory roles.
LL.M. ( 1-2 years)
Duration: 1-2 Years
Eligibility: LL.B. degree from a recognised university
Admission Process:As per the University Norms
Estimated Fee Range: ₹40,000 – ₹55,000 per year
The School of Legal Studies offers both one-year and two-year LL.M. programmes. Therefore, students can choose the duration that best matches their academic and professional goals. While the two-year programme provides broader coursework and research exposure, the one-year LL.M. offers a faster route to advanced legal specialisation. The one-year LL.M. has been introduced from the 2025–26 academic session.
Ph.D. in Law
Duration: 3–6 Years
Eligibility: LL.M. with the required percentage prescribed by the university
Admission: University Ph.D. entrance process
Fees: As per university norms
The Ph.D. in Law programme is designed for candidates who wish to pursue advanced legal research, teaching, legal scholarship and policy studies. The programme usually takes three to six years, depending on the research work and university regulations.
Certificate Programme in Intellectual Property Laws
The department also offers a Certificate Programme in Intellectual Property Laws. This specialised programme helps students understand copyright, patents, trademarks and other aspects of intellectual property protection.
Estimated fee range based on recent university admissions data. Students should verify the latest fee structure from the official CSJMU admission brochure before applying.
Recognition and Accreditation of Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Legal Studies
Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Legal Studies operates under a UGC-recognised public state university. In addition, the law programmes are conducted in accordance with applicable Bar Council of India norms.
The institution is academically supported by the following recognitions:
- Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
- The law programmes are conducted in accordance with applicable Bar Council of India norms.
- The university holds NAAC A++ accreditation.
- The university participates in NIRF rankings.
Accordingly, the law school offers legally recognised and professionally relevant degrees for higher studies and legal careers in India.
Why Students Choose Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Legal Studies
Students generally prefer Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Legal Studies because it offers an affordable public university environment along with professional legal education. Furthermore, the institution provides strong preparation for multiple career pathways.
This law school is especially suitable for:
- Students seeking affordable legal education in Uttar Pradesh
- Aspirants preparing for PCS-J, APO, UPSC and other competitive examinations
- Candidates planning to pursue litigation or legal practice
- Students interested in corporate law and business law
- Aspirants looking for postgraduate legal research and Ph.D. opportunities
- Students who prefer a recognised state university with NAAC A++ accreditation
Rankings and Reputation
Although the law school is not currently ranked among India’s leading National Law Universities (NLUs), it continues to maintain a respectable reputation in Uttar Pradesh and North India.
The institution has developed a strong regional profile because of:
- Its affiliation with a NAAC A++ accredited public university
- Its focus on practical legal training and legal research
- Its BCI-compliant professional law programmes
- Its growing emphasis on moot courts, legal aid and policy-oriented learning
Therefore, the school remains a practical option for students who want recognised legal education without the significantly higher cost of private universities or NLUs.
Documents Required for Admission
Applicants generally need the following documents at the time of admission:
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- Graduation mark sheets and degree certificate (for LL.B. and LL.M.)
- LL.B. degree and mark sheets (for LL.M. and Ph.D.)
- Transfer Certificate
- Migration Certificate, if applicable
- Passport-size photographs
- Valid identity proof
- Category certificate, if applicable
- Entrance examination scorecard, if applicable
Application Process
Students can apply for admission through the official CSJMU admission portal. The process usually includes the following steps:
- Visit the official CSJMU website: https://csjmu.ac.in/departments/atal-bihari-vajpayee-school-of-legal-studies/
- Select the relevant law programme.
- Read the eligibility criteria carefully.
- Complete the online application form.
- Upload all required documents.
- Submit the application fee.
- Appear for the entrance test, if required.
- Check the merit list or counselling schedule.
- Pay the admission fee and confirm admission.
For the 2025–26 admission cycle, the university application process began in April and continued through June.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Legal Studies a good choice for law in Uttar Pradesh?
Yes. Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Legal Studies is a suitable option for students who want affordable legal education, BCI-compliant courses and the credibility of a public state university.
2. Is the law degree valid for becoming an advocate in India?
Yes. The law programmes are offered under a UGC-recognised university and follow Bar Council of India norms. After completing the degree and meeting BCI requirements, graduates may enrol for legal practice in India.
3. Do I need CLAT for admission?
No. Admission is generally based on the university’s own admission process, merit or entrance criteria. CLAT is not usually required for admission to this law school.
4. Which course is better: BA LL.B. or BBA LL.B.?
BA LL.B. is more suitable for students interested in judiciary, litigation and civil services. On the other hand, BBA LL.B. is usually preferred by students who want to build a career in corporate law, company law or business law.
5. Can I prepare for PCS-J and judiciary exams from this law school?
Yes. Many students choose this law school because its curriculum supports preparation for PCS-J, APO and other judicial service examinations.
6. Does the law school provide both 1-year and 2-year LL.M. programmes?
Yes. Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Legal Studies offers both one-year and two-year LL.M. programmes, so students can choose the option that best suits their career plans.
Study LLM Abroad: Top Law Universities in UK, USA & Canada
Planning to pursue an LLM abroad? Explore carefully curated and verified guides to top-ranked law universities in the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada. These country-wise pages provide structured information on admission requirements, eligibility criteria, tuition fees, intakes, scholarships, and career prospects — based on official university sources and updated as of 2026. Compare destinations confidently and choose the best pathway for your global legal career.
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This information is curated by Lawsection’s editorial team as part of our Study Law Abroad and Global Law College Directory initiatives.
All information has been cross-checked with the official CSJMU website and applicable UGC, BCI and university sources.
Address
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