National Law Institute University, Bhopal was established in 1997 by the Act No. 41 of the State Legislature of Madhya Pradesh in 1997. The University launched its first academic programme in 1998. Recognized by the Bar Council of India, the university admits 80 undergraduates each year through the Common Law Admission Test, who complete 15 trimesters before being awarded a combined B.A., LL.B (Hons.) degree. The post-graduate course offered at the university is the LL.M. degree. The University is a member of the Association of Indian Universities and the patron of the university is the Hon. Chief Justice of India. It works closely with the High Court of Madhya Pradesh, as well as the neighboring National Judicial Academy. NLIU has been in an iconoclastic mould to develop: The University is devoted to the use of modern methods of teaching and evaluation. It emphasizes the advantages of learning through small groups in clinical setting. The year is divided into three trimesters of 70 working days each. The lectures are accompanied by extensive teaching material prepared and consistently revised by the faculty.