Never go by LI comments, especially negative ones. There are a bunch of frustrated trolls who hang around here pooping on everyone's parade taking the advantage of anonymity. As someone who graduated from NUJS in 2021, I will tell you the following:
1. Faculty: Several good ones have left in the recent past. That does not mean that there aren't good ones still left there. Several mediocre and below average people too. Some young people have joined on contract recently, some of them decent, others so-so. Faculty-wise, NLSIU will be ahead at this stage, maybe even NALSAR, but everywhere else, this is what you are likely to get. There are a few faculty who are doing good research and if you can show them that you are willing to learn and make efforts, you can get good guidance and mentorship. I personally did.
2. Admin: The VC is open to student initiatives. Perhaps one of the most approachable NLU VCs. The next rung of admin is rather bad. Students need to keep pushing to make things happen. Some weird inertia of status quo prevails in the acad and accounts section. Not the ideal stuff, but honestly, if you can plan for that, you can get around it. Once you are here, listen to seniors about how to make things happen by using jugaad. At the same time, admin will not interfere in most of your life. As much freedom available as you want, though it is up to you to use that to the best of your advantage in a responsible manner.
3. Infra: Hostel is just about average. Don't look for huge comfort. Mess food is as you get in most NLUs (I have availed of the mess facilities in 3 others). Some of the infra like acad block AC is wonky. Occasional wi-fi trouble exists because of BSNL, but you will get extensions for assignments etc. if that happens. Get a basic personal internet pack via sim as a back up. The library is actually rather good and the remote access facilities can be a life saver, especially during internships or moots. The place is getting a little crowded with a large number of Lallams (LLMs) these days, but the latter won't be there in the hostels at least. It is a small campus, but right in the middle of the city. There's a small gym. You can avail of the SAI facilities though if you are serious about sports, that's very near. Loads of excellent food joints all around. Kolkata food scene is really very good and affordable.
4. Peer group: This will be mixed. Get a few like-minded people and form a small group to support each other for assignments, notes, prep, life hacks in general. There exists a divide on political lines, though libs are in the majority. Don't pay too much attention to it. There will be a number of excellent students in every batch and the overall average is okay enough. You need to keep reminding yourself that the system won't push you to do better though, rather leave you alone to make that decision whether to go that extra mile, the motivation has to come from your own self. There has been a decrease in batch cohesiveness lately, but from what I have heard, this is a common problem across most NLUs now. You can have plenty of fun here, no worries on that count. Students are asked to take up loads of responsibilities here (at times because the admin is clueless), which may seem frustrating at times, but also helps us to be more ready for life outside and get an additional degree in jugaad besides our LLB.
5. Recruitment: This is still superb and unlikely to go down anytime soon. The alum support a lot when they come for Day Z. Internships can be obtained regularly via the RPC if you maintain above average grades and okayish CVs. Try to get into the batch RPC/CRC and the alumni cell. There are alum teaching here, if you are someone who works hard and smart, you can ask them for contacts and references. I did and got that too myself. Vac schemes will happen at least 4 in every batch, most of which get converted into TCs. Attendance can be negotiated on internship grounds, especially if the batch sticks together.
6. Credit courses: Loads of outsiders from law firms and lawyers, as well as faculty from other universities, including alum, offer courses these days, both online and offline. At least 5-6 such courses will happen every sem. You can take your pick based on your preferences and swap those for regular courses even from 4th year onward.
7. Moot, ADR etc.: If you have got the aptitude, then you will do well. There are student-run societies, though not without the usual politics. Again, form a small group of like-minded peers. There are some alum who are open to providing guidance if you ask them nicely. There are a few who may even put you up when you go abroad to attend international rounds. Some fellowships like Meta are also available. We have had several Rhodes scholars and other scholarship winner alumni, whom you can approach for advice if you wish to pursue higher studies abroad.
Overall, this may no longer be as good a place as the 'good old days' of Menon, Chimni and MP Singh (whom I have heard about from alum), but not a bad place at all to spend 5 years in. You can learn and have fun at the same time. If you do join, I can tell you about which faculty/admin to go to for support, advice etc. Students too, though I would only be knowing your 4th/5th years.
p.s. If you do get NLS though, go for it! That's just basic horse sense at this stage.
1. Faculty: Several good ones have left in the recent past. That does not mean that there aren't good ones still left there. Several mediocre and below average people too. Some young people have joined on contract recently, some of them decent, others so-so. Faculty-wise, NLSIU will be ahead at this stage, maybe even NALSAR, but everywhere else, this is what you are likely to get. There are a few faculty who are doing good research and if you can show them that you are willing to learn and make efforts, you can get good guidance and mentorship. I personally did.
2. Admin: The VC is open to student initiatives. Perhaps one of the most approachable NLU VCs. The next rung of admin is rather bad. Students need to keep pushing to make things happen. Some weird inertia of status quo prevails in the acad and accounts section. Not the ideal stuff, but honestly, if you can plan for that, you can get around it. Once you are here, listen to seniors about how to make things happen by using jugaad. At the same time, admin will not interfere in most of your life. As much freedom available as you want, though it is up to you to use that to the best of your advantage in a responsible manner.
3. Infra: Hostel is just about average. Don't look for huge comfort. Mess food is as you get in most NLUs (I have availed of the mess facilities in 3 others). Some of the infra like acad block AC is wonky. Occasional wi-fi trouble exists because of BSNL, but you will get extensions for assignments etc. if that happens. Get a basic personal internet pack via sim as a back up. The library is actually rather good and the remote access facilities can be a life saver, especially during internships or moots. The place is getting a little crowded with a large number of Lallams (LLMs) these days, but the latter won't be there in the hostels at least. It is a small campus, but right in the middle of the city. There's a small gym. You can avail of the SAI facilities though if you are serious about sports, that's very near. Loads of excellent food joints all around. Kolkata food scene is really very good and affordable.
4. Peer group: This will be mixed. Get a few like-minded people and form a small group to support each other for assignments, notes, prep, life hacks in general. There exists a divide on political lines, though libs are in the majority. Don't pay too much attention to it. There will be a number of excellent students in every batch and the overall average is okay enough. You need to keep reminding yourself that the system won't push you to do better though, rather leave you alone to make that decision whether to go that extra mile, the motivation has to come from your own self. There has been a decrease in batch cohesiveness lately, but from what I have heard, this is a common problem across most NLUs now. You can have plenty of fun here, no worries on that count. Students are asked to take up loads of responsibilities here (at times because the admin is clueless), which may seem frustrating at times, but also helps us to be more ready for life outside and get an additional degree in jugaad besides our LLB.
5. Recruitment: This is still superb and unlikely to go down anytime soon. The alum support a lot when they come for Day Z. Internships can be obtained regularly via the RPC if you maintain above average grades and okayish CVs. Try to get into the batch RPC/CRC and the alumni cell. There are alum teaching here, if you are someone who works hard and smart, you can ask them for contacts and references. I did and got that too myself. Vac schemes will happen at least 4 in every batch, most of which get converted into TCs. Attendance can be negotiated on internship grounds, especially if the batch sticks together.
6. Credit courses: Loads of outsiders from law firms and lawyers, as well as faculty from other universities, including alum, offer courses these days, both online and offline. At least 5-6 such courses will happen every sem. You can take your pick based on your preferences and swap those for regular courses even from 4th year onward.
7. Moot, ADR etc.: If you have got the aptitude, then you will do well. There are student-run societies, though not without the usual politics. Again, form a small group of like-minded peers. There are some alum who are open to providing guidance if you ask them nicely. There are a few who may even put you up when you go abroad to attend international rounds. Some fellowships like Meta are also available. We have had several Rhodes scholars and other scholarship winner alumni, whom you can approach for advice if you wish to pursue higher studies abroad.
Overall, this may no longer be as good a place as the 'good old days' of Menon, Chimni and MP Singh (whom I have heard about from alum), but not a bad place at all to spend 5 years in. You can learn and have fun at the same time. If you do join, I can tell you about which faculty/admin to go to for support, advice etc. Students too, though I would only be knowing your 4th/5th years.
p.s. If you do get NLS though, go for it! That's just basic horse sense at this stage.