The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) has announced the commencement of online applications for admission to its specialised law and public policy programmes for the academic year 2026. Applications are now open for the LL.B. (Honours in Intellectual Property Law), LL.M., and the Master’s in Public Policy, Law and Governance (MPPLG) programmes, offering aspirants the opportunity to pursue interdisciplinary education at one of India’s most prestigious institutions.
The law programmes are offered by the Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law (RGSOIPL), established in 2006 with the vision of cultivating lawyers capable of navigating complex legal challenges arising from technological innovation. RGSOIPL is the only law school within the IIT ecosystem with a dedicated focus on intellectual property and technology law, drawing on IIT Kharagpur’s strengths in science, engineering, and technology to deliver future-ready legal education.
The three-year, full-time LL.B. (Honours in Intellectual Property Law) programme is designed primarily for graduates from engineering, technology, science, medicine, and allied disciplines who aspire to transition into the legal profession and specialise in intellectual property and technology-driven legal practice.
Eligibility criteria for the LL.B. (Honours) programme include:
- First Class Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technology, or Medicine, or equivalent
- OR First Class Master’s degree in Science or Pharmacy, or equivalent
- OR First Class MBA degree in combination with any of the above qualifications
- In cases where “First Class” is not explicitly awarded, a minimum of 60 percent marks or a CGPA of 6.5 on a 10-point scale
- Final-year students are eligible to apply, subject to fulfilment of eligibility requirements at the time of admission
Admission to the LL.B. programme will be through a Computer-Based Test (CBT) conducted by IIT Kharagpur. The two-hour online examination assesses candidates on mathematics aptitude, science aptitude, English, logical reasoning, legal aptitude, and current affairs, with no negative marking. The entrance test will be conducted in Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. The application fee is INR 3,000 for male candidates (General/OBC) and INR 1,500 for female, third gender, SC, ST, PwD, and EWS candidates, in accordance with institute norms.
RGSOIPL also offers a two-year LL.M. programme with specialisations in Intellectual Property Law, Criminal Law, and International Law, aimed at law graduates seeking advanced academic and professional specialisation.
Eligibility criteria for the LL.M. programme include:
- First Class (or equivalent) in LL.B./B.L. (5-year) programme from a recognised university
- OR First Class (or equivalent) in LL.B./B.L. (3-year) programme along with a Bachelor’s degree (minimum three years) in Humanities, Science, Commerce, or equivalent
- Final-year students are eligible to apply, subject to fulfilment of eligibility requirements
Admission to the LL.M. programme will be based on performance in a Computer-Based Test, conducted in Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. The application fee is INR 4,000 for male candidates (General/OBC) and INR 2,000 for female, third gender, SC, ST, PwD, and EWS candidates.
In addition, IIT Kharagpur has opened applications for the Master’s in Public Policy, Law and Governance (MPPLG), a two-year, full-time postgraduate programme offered by the Centre of Excellence in Public Policy, Law and Governance (CoEPPLG). The programme provides an integrated understanding of public policy, legal frameworks, and governance structures, preparing professionals for roles across government, civil society, industry, international organisations, and academia.
Eligibility criteria for the MPPLG programme include:
- Bachelor’s degree (minimum four years) in Science, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Commerce, or Arts
- Minimum 65 percent marks or 7 CGPA for General/OBC/EWS candidates
- Minimum 60 percent marks or 6.5 CGPA for SC/ST/PwD candidates
- Upper age limit of 30 years for General/OBC/EWS and 35 years for SC/ST/PwD candidates as on 1 January 2026
- Age relaxation applicable for working professionals, as per institute norms
- Preference given to female candidates and those with relevant work experience
- Final-year students are eligible to apply provisionally
Admission to the MPPLG programme will be conducted in two stages, beginning with a Computer-Based Written Test assessing English, quantitative aptitude, current affairs, and logical reasoning, followed by group discussion and personal interview for shortlisted candidates. The entrance test will be conducted in Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. The application fee is INR 3,000 for male candidates (General/OBC) and INR 1,500 for female, third gender, SC, ST, PwD, and EWS candidates, and is non-refundable.
Commenting on the announcement, Prof. Dipa Dube, Dean, RGSOIPL, IIT Kharagpur, said, “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.”
For all programmes, online applications commenced on 15 December 2025, and the last date for submission is 20 February 2026. Detailed admission guidelines and application links are available at https://www.iitkgp.ac.in/llb-llm and https://www.iitkgp.ac.in/mpplg.
For admissions-related queries, candidates may contact the Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law, IIT Kharagpur, at +91-3222-282237 or write to admissions@rgsoipl.iitkgp.ac.in.
