School of Law, UPES University

The School of Law at the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun, represents a significant institutional shift in the Indian legal education landscape, moving away from traditional pedagogical models toward a specialized, industry-aligned framework. Established in 2007, the school has undergone a rapid evolution, positioning itself as a "New Age Law School" that prioritizes the intersection of jurisprudence with technology, energy, and corporate governance. Operating primarily from the Kandoli campus in the foothills of the Himalayas, the institution leverages its unique geographical and sectoral focus to provide a learning environment that is distinct from urban legal hubs. This article provides an exhaustive review of the institution’s standing, ranging from its academic architecture and research productivity to its global connectivity and employment outcomes, contextualizing its role within the broader educational landscape of Southern Asia.

Institutional Standings and the Ranking Landscape

In the contemporary educational environment, rankings serve as a critical metric for assessing institutional maturity and academic reputation. The School of Law at UPES has demonstrated a consistent upward trajectory across both national and international assessment frameworks, reflecting a systemic improvement in faculty quality, research output, and student outcomes. The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025, administered by the Ministry of Education, India, places the UPES School of Law at the 18th position in the Law category. This ranking is particularly significant when compared to its 2024 standing of 28th, indicating a robust leap in performance metrics within a single academic cycle. This advancement suggests that the institution has effectively addressed core NIRF parameters, such as Teaching, Learning, and Resources (TLR) and Research and Professional Practice (RPC).

The International Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) 2025 further validates this standing, ranking the institution 22nd among law colleges in India. The IIRF metrics, which often weigh industry income and placement quality heavily, underscore the school's success in aligning its curriculum with market demands. In the regional context of Uttarakhand, the school consistently maintains its position as the top-ranked private law college, often outperforming older government and private counterparts in the state.

Academic Portfolio and Pedagogical Philosophy

The academic architecture of the School of Law is built upon a foundation of interdisciplinary learning, combining traditional legal principles with specialized sectoral knowledge. The school offers a range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs that are approved by the Bar Council of India (BCI) and the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Undergraduate Integrated Programs

The hallmark of the undergraduate offering is the five-year integrated program, which allows students to earn a dual degree while specializing in high-growth legal domains. The curriculum is designed to be "future-ready," incorporating modules on Artificial Intelligence, blockchain, and data analytics.

The BBA LL.B. (Hons.) program is widely regarded as the flagship course, attracting students aiming for corporate law careers. This program integrates business management principles with legal studies, preparing graduates for roles in corporate legal departments, M&A firms, and financial institutions. In contrast, the BA LL.B. (Hons.) program caters to those interested in litigation, policy research, and the judiciary, offering a deeper dive into social sciences alongside law. A notable recent addition is the B.A. (AI and Law), which reflects the institution's commitment to addressing the regulatory and ethical challenges posed by emerging technologies.

Master of Laws (LL.M.) and Doctoral Research

The postgraduate and research programs are designed for specialization and advanced legal inquiry. The one-year LL.M. program is modeled after global standards, offering sector-specific specializations that are highly relevant to the modern economy.

The Ph.D. in Law program encourages interdisciplinary research into policy formulation, rules, and the legislative process. Scholars work under the guidance of experienced faculty on themes ranging from corporate governance to environmental trade law. The program is offered in both full-time and part-time formats, providing flexibility for legal professionals and academicians.

Admission Architecture and Eligibility Parameters

The admission process at the UPES School of Law is rigorous, utilizing a multi-pathway system to ensure a diverse and high-caliber student body. Admissions are divided into an entrance-based "Exam Pathway" and a merit-based "Non-Exam Pathway".

Entrance-Based Pathway: ULSAT

The UPES Legal Studies Aptitude Test (ULSAT) is the primary entrance examination for undergraduate and postgraduate law programs. It is an online, computer-based test (CBT) that evaluates the candidate’s aptitude for legal studies. For 2025, the ULSAT 5-year LLB exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to be completed within 120 minutes.

The ULSAT for the LL.M. program follows a similar 150-question structure but focuses on core legal domains: Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, and other law subjects, with 50 questions allocated to each. A defining feature of the ULSAT is the absence of negative marking, which allows candidates to maximize their scores based on comprehensive attempts.

Non-Exam Pathway and Academic Eligibility

UPES reserves up to 20% of its seats for candidates who demonstrate excellence in national-level examinations or board results.

• CLAT/LSAT-India Merit: Candidates with a valid Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) rank (generally up to 15,000 for top consideration) or a valid LSAT-India score are eligible for direct admission consideration.

• Board Merit: Students who have secured at least 75% aggregate marks in Class 10th and 12th (with English as a compulsory subject) are exempted from the ULSAT and may be admitted based on their academic record.

• Postgraduate Eligibility: For the LL.M. program, candidates must have a minimum of 50% in Class 10th and 12th, and a minimum of 50% in their LL.B. degree from a recognized university.

• Doctoral Eligibility: Ph.D. candidates require a Master's degree with at least 55% marks. Those who have qualified for the UGC NET are exempted from the Research Entrance Test (RET).

Financial Architecture: Fees and Scholarships

Legal education at UPES is a significant investment, reflecting its private university status and the intensive infrastructure and faculty resources provided. However, the university maintains a comprehensive scholarship ecosystem to ensure that merit is rewarded and financial barriers are mitigated.

Fee Structure for 2025-2026

The fees for law programs are inclusive of tuition and academic service components, payable semester-wise. The following table illustrates the cost of the integrated 5-year programs.

Note: For the 3-year LLB, the total fee is approximately ₹9.98 Lakh to ₹15.18 Lakh, while the LL.M. program costs roughly ₹3.57 Lakh to ₹3.95 Lakh.

Scholarship Schemes (Shakti, Jyoti, and Vijay)

UPES provides diverse financial aid initiatives aimed at different student profiles, including gender-based, merit-based, and need-based support.

• Shakti Scholarship (Merit for Girls): Female students with more than 60% in Class 12th are eligible for a 20% scholarship on tuition fees for the first year.

• Jyoti Scholarship (Need-based): Full tuition waivers (100% freeships) are awarded to exceptionally meritorious students from economically underprivileged backgrounds (family income < ₹8 lakhs/annum).

• Vijay Scholarship (Sports): Students who have excelled in sports at the national or international level within the last two years are provided with sports scholarships.

• Board Merit Scholarship: Based on Class 12th marks, both boys and girls can earn waivers ranging from 15% to 30%.
  

Additionally, the university reserves 15% of its seats for Uttarakhand residents, who are eligible for domicile-based fee concessions.

Research Infrastructure and Intellectual Capital

Research at the UPES School of Law is focused on generating impactful legal scholarship that addresses contemporary societal and industrial challenges. The institution has invested in creating an ecosystem where faculty and students can collaborate on high-level research.

UPES Law Review and Publications

The UPES Law Review is a leading UGC CARE-listed academic journal that provides a platform for scholarly discourse on law, society, and politics. Established in 2013, the peer-reviewed annual journal is published by the Eastern Book Company (EBC). It maintains high standards of integrity and transparency, often focusing on themes such as "Contemporary Issues in Law and Policy" and the intersection of law with disruptive technologies.

The faculty at UPES is recognized globally for its research quality. According to the Stanford list, over 50 UPES faculty members are ranked among the top 2% of researchers in the world. The university's H-index of 125 and its citation count of over 160,000 recognize the academic excellence and global impact of its research activities.

Research Support Frameworks (SEED and SHODH)

The university provides internal funding to accelerate research through two main schemes:

• SEED Funding: This framework provides researchers with flexible working capital for consumables, travel grants, software, and equipment. The goal is to leverage these internal funds to secure substantial external funding or industrial support.

• SHODH Scheme: Specially launched for undergraduate students, this scheme introduces them to the research ecosystem. It empowers students to innovate through investigation and validation under expert faculty mentorship, often resulting in patents and original research articles.

Centers of Research Excellence

Advanced legal research is channeled through several specialized centers:

• Center for Post Graduate Legal Studies (CPGLS): A hub for advanced education and research focusing on evolving legal landscapes.

• Center for Inter-Disciplinary Research and Innovation (CIDRI): A platform for interaction across disciplines such as law, health, environment, and computer science to address transdisciplinary challenges.

• Center for Data-Science and Artificial Intelligence (C-DSAI): Explores the role of AI and tech-enabled legal frameworks.

Incubation and Innovation Cell: The Runway Incubator

A defining feature of the UPES experience is its integration of entrepreneurship with academic study. The institution has established a robust startup ecosystem through the Runway Incubator, an initiative by the UPES Council for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (UCIE).

Incubator Services and Methodology

Runway is not a traditional classroom; it is an intense, mentor-driven program designed to help innovators transition ideas into scalable businesses.

• Cohort Cycles: The incubator recently launched Cohort 4.0, having pre-incubated 100 startups in this cycle alone. Since 2021, over 250 startups have been incubated at Runway.

• Support Services: Startups receive legal and incorporation support, grants of up to ₹1 lakh, and access to workspace and high-end labs equipped with 3D printers and specialized software.

• Funding Ecosystem: To date, Runway-incubated startups have raised over ₹20 crore in external funding. The university itself also invests in several of these startups.

Top Success Stories

The incubator has nurtured several breakthroughs across various sectors:

• Envinova Smartech: Focuses on solar-powered infrastructure (Smart Solar Huts), scaling to 30+ locations and raising over ₹43 lakh.

• UGreen Technologies: Developed India's first carbon capture pilot for the E&P sector, raising over ₹92 lakh.

• Aignosis: An AI-based autism screening tool featured on Shark Tank India, which secured ₹15 lakh in grants.

• Bridgit: Co-founded by UPES students Arshiya Gusain and Shreyansh, this assistive tech startup for the deaf community received a grant of ₹2 lakh from Startup Uttarakhand.
  

For law students, this ecosystem offers practical exposure to the legal aspects of venture capital, intellectual property management, and corporate compliance in real-world settings.

International Tie-ups and Global Collaborations

The School of Law has a global outlook, maintained through the Department of International Affairs (DIA). This department manages inbound and outbound student mobility, international faculty hosting, and institutional partnerships.

Centre of Excellence with The University of Law (ULaw), UK

In April 2025, UPES signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The University of Law, UK, one of the world's longest-established legal institutions. This partnership resulted in the launch of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) at the UPES campus.

• AI and Ethics Research: A critical pillar of the CoE is collaborative research in AI and ethics, aiming to produce global impacts on AI policy.

• Student Mobility: The CoE facilitates semester-abroad programs, allowing UPES students to undertake a full year of study in England.

• Professional Development: The partnership offers Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses and joint faculty exchange programs to share teaching best practices.

Global Pathway Program (GPP)

The GPP allows exceptional students to complete a portion of their degree at UPES and the remainder at a partner university abroad. Upon graduation, students receive a degree from the international partner university and a certificate from UPES.

These collaborations provide students with global credentials at a cost that is 45%-65% lower than direct international enrollment, while also providing post-study work permit advantages in the destination countries.

Employability and Career Infrastructure

Employability is a core outcome metric for the UPES School of Law. The university boasts a high placement rate, supported by a proactive career services team that manages industry connections and pre-placement training.

Placement Statistics (2024-2025)

The ongoing 2025 placement season for the Law batch has shown significant growth in salary packages. The overall highest package offered to the university batch was ₹49 LPA, but for the School of Law specifically, the highest package reached ₹22.5 LPA.

The institution has a consistent record of placing roughly 70-75% of its law graduates, with many others choosing to pursue higher studies abroad or practice independently.

Major Recruiters and Industry Interface

The school’s strong industry connect is evident in the caliber of companies and firms visiting for campus placements. These include "Magic Circle" law firms, leading corporate houses, and international consultancies.

• Law Firms: Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Khaitan & Co., AZB & Partners, Luthra & Luthra, Trilegal, Link Legal, and IC Universal Legal.

• Corporate & Consultancies: EY, PwC, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), HCL, Samsung Research, and Reliance.

• Sector Leaders: ONGC, Sterlite Power, Indian Oil, and Noida Power Company Ltd.
  

The school also emphasizes clinical legal education through initiatives like the M&A and ADR Labs, and pre-placement "boot camps" that prepare students for Group Discussions (GD) and Personal Interviews (PI).

Infrastructure: The Kandoli Campus Experience

The School of Law is situated at the Kandoli Campus, which is dedicated specifically to law and business programs. Spread across 44 acres, the campus is known for its modern architecture and scenic location north of Dehradun.

Academic and Specialized Facilities

The campus is equipped with every modern facility required for a high-end legal education:

• Moot Court simulations: The school features replica courtrooms where students act as professionals in mock trials, developing oratory and persuasive skills.

• AR/VR Labs: Immersive tools are used for law labs, developed in collaboration with leading firms to bridge the theory-practice gap.

• Library: The central library has a seating capacity of over 400 and houses over 73,000 volumes, including rare reports and international journals gifted by organizations like IFP France and Shell.

• Classrooms: All classrooms are multimedia-enabled with smart boards and ergonomic seating arrangements.

Residential and Health Facilities

The residential infrastructure is designed to accommodate over 2000 students at both Kandoli and the main Bidholi campuses.

• Hostels: Separate blocks for boys and girls provide triple-sharing and double-sharing room options, including air-conditioned rooms. Hostels are Wi-Fi enabled and have 24/7 power backup.

• Dining: Multi-storied food courts and cafeterias serve nutritious meals, including north Indian, south Indian, and continental cuisines.

• Health and Wellness: An infirmary functions 24/7, and an ambulance is available for emergencies. A modern gymnasium is also provided for student well-being.

Alumni Base and Judicial Success

The UPES School of Law has developed a robust alumni network, with former students excelling in the judiciary, corporate world, and public service. The "NEST" alumni support program provides graduates with lifetime placement opportunities and upskilling courses.

Alumni in Judiciary and JAG

The institution has an impressive record of alumni qualifying for the state judicial services and the Judge Advocate General (JAG) department of the Indian Armed Forces.

Notable Corporate Alumni

UPES law alumni are prominently placed as partners and associates in some of the most prestigious law firms and in-house legal departments globally.

• Partners and Associates: Ankit Jain (Partner Designate, Luthra and Luthra), Bhupendra Verma (Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas), and Lokit Khurana (Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas).

• In-house Counsel: Rohit Rajagopal (Legal Counsel, Shell India), Saloni Goel (Citi Private Bank), and Vatsal Kishore (Isun, Inc., North America).

• Legal Tech and Policy: Suketu Mehta (Reviewer for RBI Monetary Policy), and scholars awarded by HUDCO for their contributions to legal literature.

Student Governance and Co-curricular Landscape

Student life at UPES is vibrant, managed through a series of apolitical student councils and chapters that foster leadership and personal growth.

Student Committees and Moots

The Moot Court Committee (MCC) is a student-led body responsible for mooting excellence at the school. It organizes prestigious events like the "International Moot Court Competition," the "Surana & Surana and UPES National Insolvency Law Moot," and "Vidhi Utsav," the flagship law fest. In 2025, the UPES team achieved quarter-finalist status at the 23rd Red Cross International Humanitarian Law Moot in Hong Kong, highlighting their global advocacy skills.

Other key committees include:

• Cultural Committee: Organizes annual festivals like "Uurja" and "Ignite".

• Sports Committee: Manages district and state-level sports tournaments hosted on campus.

• NSS and Social Initiatives: Through the National Service Scheme, students engage in environmental conservation, tree plantations, and health drives in adopted villages.

Synthesis and Future Outlook

The School of Law at UPES University has successfully navigated the challenges of a competitive educational landscape by differentiating itself through sectoral specialization and a "tech-first" pedagogical approach. Its ranking as the 18th best law school in India by NIRF 2025 marks its transition into the elite tier of Indian legal institutions. The university's strategic collaborations, particularly the Centre of Excellence with The University of Law, UK, and the integration of the Runway Incubator, suggest that the future of the school is rooted in internationalization and the "Legal-Tech" frontier.

While the high fee structure remains a point of consideration for many, the extensive scholarship programs—ranging from the Shakti scheme for girls to the 100% Jyoti freeships—demonstrate an institutional commitment to inclusivity. The success of its alumni in the judiciary and top-tier law firms provides empirical evidence of the rigor of its training programs. As the school continues to expand its research output and global footprint, it is likely to play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of ethical, innovative, and tech-savvy legal professionals in Southern Asia. The institution's location in the tranquil mountain setting of Dehradun, combined with its high-speed digital infrastructure, creates a unique environment for the holistic development of the legal mind.