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. CNLU was established under the Chanakya National Law University Act, 2006 and included in section 2 & 12 of the U.G.C. Act, 1956.
Administration
Heading the administration of the university are:
Chancellor: Honb'le Justice Sanjay Karol Chief Justice of the Patna High Court.
CNLU offers a five-year integrated course into two following streams namely B.A., LL.B/B.B.A, LL.B through a nationwide exam CLAT which is taken by approximately by upwards of 80,000 students every year. 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. 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 Student Bar Council The Student Bar Council is the regulatory body that coordinates all student activities. It works on the motto of "Of the students, by the students and for the students". The SBC has created activity-based committees which regulate student activities within the law university. At present, CNLU has four committees which coordinate the activities of the Student Bar Council, headed by the President of the university along with the Vice-president and other members of the committees. The committees are:
Academic and Debating Committee
Mooting Committee
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.
28th Bar Council of India Moot, 2012 organized by National Law University, Delhi: Adjudged as Winners.
Hostel and Mess Committee
Cultural Committee
The committees are reconstituted every year through student elections.
Quizzing
Students at CNLU are fond of quizzing. The intra-quizzing competition takes place every semester and is organised by the Quizzica under the aegis of Academic and Debating Committee.
Jeevatva (The CNLU Fest)
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.
Debating
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. It has also been organizing its own parliamentary debate speculated to be one of the largest debating events in eastern India. CNLU also organised the first grand-scale Model United Nations event in Bihar.
Sports
Sports facilities like volleyball, basketball, soccer, badminton, table tennis and cricket are available on the campus.
Chanakya Premier League
Chanakya Premier League 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.
Counter Strike tournament
Counter-Strike Tournaments are also held every year in the respective halls of residence of boys and girls.
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 chapter which trains underprivileged students for the law entrance exam CLAT.
