12 of 2006, enacted by the Punjab Legislative Assembly as a university dedicated to the field of Legal Education.

RGNUL is affiliated to UGC and approved by the Bar Council of India.

The Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court is the de facto Chancellor of the university.

Originally located at Mohindra Kothi, The Mall, Patiala; the institution started functioning with effect from 26th May 2006.

From the session of 2013, Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law shifted to its now permanent 50-acre (20 ha)campus located at Sidhuwal, 12 km (7.5 mi) from Patiala.