

The CLAT 2026 cut-off marks are likely to differ across National Law Universities (NLUs) and categories, as they depend on the exam’s difficulty level and the number of available seats each year. For leading NLUs such as NLSIU Bangalore and NALSAR Hyderabad, the expected cut-off for the general category is around 95 to 100 marks out of 120. For other well-known NLUs like WBNUJS Kolkata and NLU Jodhpur, the general category cut-off is projected to fall between 85 and 95 marks.
Candidates from reserved categories typically see slightly lower cut-offs. OBC and EWS applicants can expect cut-offs that are 5 to 10 marks below the general category. For SC and ST candidates, the cut-offs are usually 10 to 15 marks lower, with many top law schools keeping SC cut-offs around 74 to 90 and ST cut-offs around 70 to 86. General category candidates aiming for a seat in any NLU should target at least 85 to 90 marks to remain competitive, while the cut-offs for less competitive NLUs may be a bit lower
The Consortium of NLUs will publish the official CLAT 2026 cutoff for every NLU and category after each counseling round on its website. The cutoff scores largely depend on factors such as the total number of applicants, the exam’s difficulty level, and the number of seats available at each NLU.
Table of Contents
CLAT 2026 Expected Cut off for Top NLUs
The anticipated cut off scores for CLAT 2026 at leading National Law Universities (NLUs) are expected to align with recent patterns, with a slight rise possible due to increasing competition. Below is an approximate estimate of the expected CLAT 2026 cut off marks out of 120 for major NLUs in the General category.
| NLU | Expected Cut off Marks (General Category) |
|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | 100 to 108 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 97 to 104 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | 95 to 98 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 90 to 95 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | 85 to 90 |
| NLIU Bhopal | 85 to 90 |
| HNLU Raipur | 80 to 85 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | 80 to 85 |
For candidates from reserved categories such as OBC, SC and ST, the expected cut-off scores are usually lower by around 5 to 15 marks depending on the category and the institute. For instance, SC and ST candidates may find the cut-off range around 75 to 85 marks for top NLUs like NLSIU and NALSAR.
Students aiming for admission to NLSIU Bangalore and NALSAR Hyderabad should try to score above 100 marks, as this generally ensures a top 100 all India rank and increases the chances of securing a seat. A score range of 90 to 98 marks typically helps candidates get admission in institutes like WBNUJS Kolkata and NLU Jodhpur.
These figures are indicative and have been derived from previous years’ trends, variations in exam difficulty levels and the rising interest in NLUs. The official cut-off scores and ranks will be published by the Consortium of NLUs after the CLAT 2026 counseling rounds are completed.
CLAT 2026 Cut off Ranks for NLUs
Based on recent patterns and the previous years’ admission data, the estimated CLAT 2026 cut off ranks for different National Law Universities are given in the table below.
| NLU | Expected Closing Rank (General Category) | Estimated Marks (out of 120) |
|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | Around 85 | 103 to 107 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | Around 160 | 97 to 104 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | Around 250 | 94 to 98 |
| NLU Jodhpur | Around 375 | 90 to 95 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | Around 430 | 87 to 90 |
| NLIU Bhopal | Around 450 | 85 to 90 |
| HNLU Raipur | Around 750 | 80 to 85 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | Around 750 | 80 to 85 |
For reserved categories such as OBC, SC and ST, the required ranks vary and are usually higher. This means candidates from these categories can secure admission even with comparatively higher ranks due to reservation benefits.
Students who aim for top NLUs like NLSIU, NALSAR or WBNUJS should try to achieve an All India Rank (AIR) within the top 250 to 300. In most cases, a score above 100 out of 120 corresponds to a rank within the top 100, which increases the chances of getting a seat in these leading institutes.
The CLAT Consortium publishes the official cut off ranks after every round of counselling. Candidates should regularly visit the official website for the most recent updates and counselling results.
Factors Affecting CLAT 2026 Cutoffs
Several important elements determine the cut-off marks for CLAT 2026 across National Law Universities (NLUs). Understanding these aspects helps aspirants plan their preparation effectively and set achievable targets.
Difficulty Level of the Exam: When the CLAT question paper is easier, more candidates score high marks, which generally results in higher cut-offs. If the exam is more challenging, fewer students achieve top scores, leading to relatively lower cut-offs.
Number of Candidates Appearing: An increase in the total number of test takers raises competition between students. This higher demand for limited seats usually makes the cut-off marks more competitive.
Seat Availability in NLUs: A higher number of seats in an individual NLU or across all NLUs improves the chances of admission for candidates and often results in slightly lower cut-offs. For example, expanded intake in institutions like NLSIU Bangalore has previously reduced the cut-off to some extent.
Candidate Performance Distribution: The way scores are spread out affects how cut-offs shift. When many candidates score within the same mid to high range, the cut-off for that range tends to rise.
Reservation Policies: Category-based reservation significantly influences cut-off scores. Candidates from reserved categories such as SC and ST usually have lower cut-offs than those in the general category.
Tie-breakers and Sectional Strength: A strong score in legal reasoning or logical reasoning can play a key role in resolving ties. This often affects final rankings and indirectly impacts cut-offs.
Changes in Exam Pattern: Any revisions in the types of questions, the number of questions, or the marking scheme can influence overall scoring trends, which then affects cut-off marks.
In conclusion, cut-off scores for CLAT 2026 will depend on the difficulty of the exam, the number and performance of candidates, changes in seat availability, and reservation rules. Aspirants targeting top NLUs should aim for a score of 95 or above out of 120. However, many strong NLUs still admit candidates with scores around 85 to 90. Regular evaluation of mock tests and previous year cut-offs can help students fine-tune their preparation.
Number of Candidates Appearing: When more students sit for the exam, the competition increases and the cut-off marks generally become higher due to greater demand for limited seats.
CLAT 2025 Cut off Ranks for NLUs
The CLAT 2025 cut-off ranks for different NLUs show the final rank at which candidates were admitted in each category. Using last year's data and overall trends, the following are the approximate cut-off ranks for the top NLUs in 2025
| NLU Name | General Closing Rank | OBC Closing Rank | SC Closing Rank | ST Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | Around 83 | Not applicable | 2112 | 3042 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | Around 172 | Not applicable | 2884 | 6854 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | Around 241 | Reserved for WB Domicile | 3644 | 8125 |
| NLIU Bhopal | Around 378 | 1045 | 4086 | 14684 |
| NLU Jodhpur | Around 356 | Not applicable | 5983 | 15063 |
| HNLU Raipur | Around 765 | 2061 | 9735 | 8454 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | Around 375 | 1693 | 7277 | 14753 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | Around 676 | Reserved for UP Domicile | Reserved for UP Domicile | Reserved for UP Domicile |
| RGNUL Punjab | Around 1075 | Not applicable | 10357 | 18707 |
Key Highlights
Top NLU (NLSIU Bangalore): A rank within the top 100 usually secures admission, while candidates from reserved categories may still have good chances with ranks between 100 and 200.
Other NLUs: Ranks in the range of 200 to 400 are generally enough for well-known institutions such as NALSAR, WBNUJS, and NLIU.
Important Notes
These ranks are approximate and based on previous years’ cut-off trends.
The actual cut-offs after counseling may differ depending on factors like exam difficulty, the total number of candidates, and seat availability.
Candidates, especially those from the general category, should target a rank comfortably within the top 100 to improve their chances of getting a seat in the top NLUs.
CLAT 2024 Cut off Ranks for NLUs
The CLAT 2024 cut off ranks for different NLUs give a clear idea of the closing ranks at which candidates were admitted in the previous year. Using the data and trends from the 2024 exam, the approximate cut off ranks for some leading NLUs are presented below.
CLAT 2024 Cut Off Ranks (Approximate)
| NLU Name | General Category Closing Rank | Rank Range (Approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | Around 99 | 1 to 99 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | Around 164 | 4 to 164 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | Around 275 | 140 to 275 |
| NLIU Bhopal | Around 452 | 159 to 452 |
| NLU Jodhpur | Around 365 | 112 to 365 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | Around 434 | 8 to 434 |
| HNLU Raipur | Around 765 | 413 to 765 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | Around 733 | 357 to 733 |
Note: These figures are taken from the second allotment list for CLAT 2024. The numbers may vary slightly depending on counseling rounds and candidate performance. Cutoffs for reserved categories are usually higher in terms of priority which means they close at lower rank numbers.
Summary
To secure admission in top NLUs such as NLSIU Bangalore and NALSAR Hyderabad in 2024, candidates generally needed to achieve a rank within the top 200.
For other well-known NLUs like WBNUJS or NLIU, the required ranks typically fell within the top 300 to 400 range.
These rank ranges help aspirants understand what they should aim for, as scoring high enough to fall within these limits improves the chances of getting a seat in leading NLUs.
For exact and updated cut-offs, candidates should refer to the official CLAT counselling updates released after the results are announced.
CLAT 2023 Cut off Ranks for NLUs
The CLAT 2023 cut off ranks for different National Law Universities (NLUs) indicate the final ranks at which admissions closed for each category. Based on official counselling data and overall trends from 2023, the following are the approximate closing ranks for the general category in major NLUs:
| NLU Name | General Category Closing Rank (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | Around 85 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | Around 160 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | Around 250 |
| NLIU Bhopal | Around 450 |
| NLU Jodhpur | Around 375 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | Around 430 |
| HNLU Raipur | Around 830 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | Around 750 |
| RGNUL Punjab | Around 1180 |
| CNLU Patna | Around 1300 |
| NUALS Kochi | Around 1150 |
| NLU Odisha | Around 1200 |
| NUSRL Ranchi | Around 1500 |
For reserved categories like OBC, SC and ST, the closing ranks are comparatively higher because of the reservation policy. For example, SC and ST ranks may vary from around 2000 to more than 10000 depending on the NLU and category.
Candidates aiming for top NLUs like NLSIU Bangalore and NALSAR Hyderabad should target a rank within the top 200 to increase their chances of admission. For several other NLUs, ranks between 400 and 800 may be sufficient depending on category and home state quotas.
These ranks are only indicative and may vary based on the difficulty level of the exam, the total number of candidates, and the availability of seats each year. Aspirants should check the official counseling notifications for the latest and most accurate cut-off lists released after the CLAT 2023 results.
CLAT Cut off 2022
The CLAT 2022 closing ranks for the General category, based on official counselling data, are listed below for each National Law University (NLU). These figures indicate the approximate last rank at which admission was offered.
| NLU | General Category Closing Rank (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | Around 85 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | Around 162 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | Around 257 |
| NLIU Bhopal | Around 451 |
| NLU Jodhpur | Around 378 |
| HNLU Raipur | Around 756 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | Around 430 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | Around 756 |
| RGNUL Patiala | Around 1184 |
| CNLU Patna | Around 1498 |
| NUALS Kochi | Around 1315 |
| NLU Odisha | Around 1191 |
| NUSRL Ranchi | Around 1603 |
| TNNLS Tiruchirappalli | Around 1816 |
| DSNLU Visakhapatnam | Around 1589 |
| MNLU Mumbai | Around 548 |
| MNLU Nagpur | Around 1657 |
| MNLU Aurangabad | Around 2323 |
| NLUJAA Guwahati | Around 1979 |
| HPNLU Shimla | Around 2302 |
| DNLU Jabalpur | Around 2262 |
| NLU Sonipat | Around 2333 |
Closing ranks for reserved categories such as OBC, SC and ST are significantly higher because of the reservation policies in place.
These cut-offs give aspirants a clear benchmark of the rank required for different NLUs. Top NLUs like NLSIU, NALSAR and WBNUJS usually close within the top 300 ranks, while newer NLUs tend to have higher closing ranks. This information helps candidates estimate their chances of admission based on their expected All India Rank.