The Army Institute of Law (AIL) was established in July 1999 by the Indian Army under the aegis of the
Army Welfare Education Society (AWES) at its interim location at Patiala.

In July 2003, the Institute shifted to Sector 68, Mohali. On December 1, 2003, the Mohali Campus was inaugurated by H.E. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the then President of India. The Institute is affiliated to the Punjabi University, Patiala and approved by the Bar Council of India. With 'Aspire & Achieve' as its motto, the Institute has grown as a Centre of Excellence in the field of legal education.