IIT Kharagpur Commences Admissions for Specialised Law and Public Policy Programmes for 2026 Academic Year
The prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur has officially opened the admission portal for its highly sought-after specialised law and public policy programmes for the academic session commencing in 2026. This announcement marks a significant opportunity for aspiring legal professionals and policy experts to pursue cutting-edge education at one of India's premier technical institutions.
Application Details and Important Dates
Online applications for all three programmes began on December 15, 2025, and will remain open until February 20, 2026. Prospective candidates can access comprehensive admission guidelines and submit their applications through the official institute portals at iitkgp.ac.in/llb-llm and iitkgp.ac.in/mpplg.
LLB (Honours in Intellectual Property Law) Programme
The three-year, full-time LLB (Honours in Intellectual Property Law) programme represents a unique interdisciplinary approach designed specifically for graduates from engineering, technology, science, medicine, and allied disciplines. This innovative curriculum aims to facilitate a smooth transition into the legal profession with specialised focus on intellectual property and technology-driven legal practice.
Eligibility Criteria for LLB Programme:
- First Class Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Technology, or Medicine, or equivalent qualification
- OR First Class Master's degree in Science or Pharmacy, or equivalent
- OR First Class MBA degree combined with any of the above qualifications
- For institutions where "First Class" is not explicitly awarded, minimum 60 percent marks or CGPA of 6.5 on a 10-point scale
- Final-year students may apply provisionally, subject to meeting eligibility requirements at admission time
Admission Process and Fee Structure:
Admission to the LLB programme will be determined through a computer-based test conducted by IIT Kharagpur. This two-hour online examination evaluates candidates across multiple domains including mathematics aptitude, science aptitude, English proficiency, logical reasoning, legal aptitude, and current affairs, with no negative marking system. The entrance test will be administered across four major cities: Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru, and Kolkata.
The application fee has been set at Rs 3,000 for male candidates from General and OBC categories, while female, third gender, SC, ST, PwD, and EWS candidates are required to pay Rs 1,500, in accordance with established institute norms.
Master's in Public Policy, Law and Governance (MPPLG)
In addition to the law programmes, IIT Kharagpur has opened applications for its two-year, full-time Master's in Public Policy, Law and Governance (MPPLG) programme. This comprehensive postgraduate offering is administered by the Centre of Excellence in Public Policy, Law and Governance (CoEPPLG) and provides an integrated understanding of public policy frameworks, legal systems, and governance structures.
Programme Structure and Career Prospects:
The MPPLG curriculum has been meticulously designed to prepare professionals for diverse roles across government agencies, civil society organizations, industry sectors, international institutions, and academic environments. The programme emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and practical application of policy concepts within contemporary governance contexts.
Eligibility Requirements for MPPLG:
- Bachelor's degree (minimum four years duration) in Science, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Commerce, or Arts disciplines
- Minimum 65 percent marks or 7 CGPA for General, OBC, and EWS category candidates
- Minimum 60 percent marks or 6.5 CGPA for SC, ST, and PwD category candidates
- Upper age limit of 30 years for General/OBC/EWS and 35 years for SC/ST/PwD candidates as of January 1, 2026
- Age relaxation provisions available for working professionals as per institute regulations
- Preference given to female candidates and applicants with relevant professional experience
- Final-year students may apply provisionally with appropriate documentation
Selection Process and Application Fee:
Admission to the MPPLG programme follows a rigorous two-stage selection process. The initial phase consists of a Computer-Based written test assessing English language skills, quantitative aptitude, current affairs knowledge, and logical reasoning abilities. Shortlisted candidates will then proceed to group discussion and personal interview rounds.
The application fee mirrors that of the LLB programme, with Rs 3,000 for male candidates from General and OBC categories, and Rs 1,500 for female, third gender, SC, ST, PwD, and EWS candidates. This fee is non-refundable once submitted.
Institutional Vision and Leadership Perspective
Commenting on the programme launch, Prof Dipa Dube, Dean of RGSOIPL at IIT Kharagpur, emphasized the contemporary relevance of these offerings. "Legal and policy education today must respond to a world shaped by rapid technological, economic, and social transformation. Our programmes are designed to equip students with interdisciplinary knowledge and analytical depth, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to law, governance, policy-making, and institutional development in India and globally," she stated.
This strategic expansion of IIT Kharagpur's academic portfolio reflects the institution's commitment to addressing evolving societal needs through innovative educational programmes that bridge technical expertise with legal and policy frameworks.
