Quick Answer: Law (LLB) in Tamil Nadu is offered as a 5-year integrated programme (BA LLB / BBA LLB after 12th) or a 3-year LLB after any bachelor's degree. Admission is through CLAT (for NLUs) or TAMILNADU LAW COMMON ENTRANCE TEST (TNLCET). Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU), Tiruchirappalli is the top law institution. Lawyers earn ₹5–50 lakh/year based on specialisation and experience.
Top Law Colleges in Tamil Nadu 2026
| College | Type | Programme | Annual Fee | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU), Trichy | Government (NLU) | BA LLB (5 yr) | ₹85,000 | CLAT |
| School of Excellence in Law (SOEL), Chennai | Government (TNDALU) | BA LLB, BBA LLB | ₹50,000 | TNLCET |
| Madras Law College (Govt) | Government | 3-year LLB | ₹15,000 | Merit |
| School of Law, SASTRA | Deemed | BA LLB | ₹1,00,000 | CLAT / SASTRA |
| VIT School of Law | Deemed | BA LLB, BBA LLB | ₹1,20,000 | SLAT |
| SRM School of Law | Deemed | BA LLB | ₹1,10,000 | SRMJEEE Law |
CLAT vs TNLCET — Which Exam to Target?
CLAT (Common Law Admission Test): For National Law Universities (NLUs) across India. TNNLU Trichy is through CLAT. 150 mark exam — English, Current Affairs, Legal Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Techniques.
TNLCET (Tamil Nadu Law Common Entrance Test): For Tamil Nadu state law colleges. Conducted by TNDALU. Easier than CLAT — tests Tamil Nadu-specific legal and general knowledge.