| Chanakya National Law University | |
| Motto: | Gyandhanam Mahaddhanam |
| Mottoeng: | Knowledge is the greatest wealth |
| Vice Chancellor: | Faizan Mustafa[1] |
| Campus: | Residential |
Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) is a public law school and a National Law University in Patna, Bihar, India. It was established in 2006 by the Government of Bihar (Bihar Act 24 of 2006) as a public university dedicated to the field of legal education. The Chief Justice of Patna High Court is the ex officio chancellor of the university. It is one of the autonomous law schools in India. The campus is situated right near the heart of the city in the Mithapur area and has an area of approximately 18 Acres.
The university came into being on 15 August 2006 under the guidance of its vice-chancellor/pro-chancellor, Prof. Dr. A. Lakshminath, former dean and registrar, NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, HRD Principal Secretary Madan Mohan Jha, a 1977 batch IAS and Registrar(I/C) Vijay Kumar Himanshu Dy. Director of Higher education, HRD, Government of Bihar. CNLU was established under the Chanakya National Law University Act, 2006 (Bihar Act No. 24 of 2006) and included in section 2(f) & 12(B) of the U.G.C. Act, 1956.
Heading the administration of the university are:
CNLU offers a five-year integrated course into two following streams namely, B.A., LL.B(Hons), B.B.A, through a nationwide exam Common Law Admissions Test which is taken by approximately by upwards of 80,000 students every year.[3] A total of 140 seats are offered for admission out of which 10 seats are reserved for NRI and 10 for Foreign Nationals. CNLU follows a credit-based elective system, with certain mandatory courses, which requires students to earn 200 credits over a period of five years to earn the degree.[4]
CNLU offers one-year post-graduate LL.M program. Admission to the total 40 seats for LL.M course is provided through the Entrance Test conducted by the university.
The students of the CNLU has participated in some of the International and National Moots court competition. The students have brought laurels to the university.
The committees are reconstituted every year through student elections.
CNLU annual fest named JEEVATVA is being organised on 14–16 February. Students from many colleges across India have participated in this fest. It includes cultural, sports and academic events.[7]
The University has had a long culture of debating and has participated in the country's most renowned debates including the NLSIU Bangalore Debate, Mukerji Memorial Debate, etc.[8] It has also been organizing its own parliamentary debate speculated to be one of the largest debating events in eastern India.[9] CNLU also organised the first grand-scale Model United Nations event in Bihar.[10]
This society works for providing legal aid and awareness. This society basically helps people who are economically backward by helping them in their litigation. Programmes are organized by this society to make people aware of their rights and duties. It has worked in collaboration with NGOs like 'Bal Sakha' and 'Aman'.The society has organized its first National Legal Aid Fest Vidhikta consisting of which has witnessed the participation of various premier law schools and other different colleges based all over India.
CNLU has an active Increasing Diversity by Increasing Access (IDIA) chapter which trains underprivileged students for the law entrance exam CLAT.[11]
Sports facilities like volleyball, basketball, soccer, badminton, table tennis and cricket are available on the campus.
Chanakya Premier League (CPL) is organised every year on the lines of Indian Premier League. The students and the faculty members are allowed to own a team; they bid for the players in the auctions.