CLAT 2026 Cut-Offs: Expected Marks, NLU-wise Trends & Counselling Analysis
The CLAT 2026 cut-off analysis clearly shows how competitive admissions to National Law Universities (NLUs) have become over the years. Based on the CLAT 2026 results announced on 16 December, a detailed evaluation of the actual marks and ranks of the top 2000 candidates has been carried out to arrive at counselling-relevant and realistic cut-off estimates.
This approach ensures that aspirants do not rely on rough assumptions, but instead plan their counselling using data-backed rank trends from previous years.
One of the key highlights of CLAT 2026 is that the top three NLUs are expected to close within the top 350 ranks, once again reinforcing their elite status. With limited seats and consistently high demand, competition at the top has intensified further.
This year also witnessed a remarkable academic milestone, with Geetali Gupta securing AIR 1 in CLAT 2026, and a significant number of top ranks being secured by students from reputed coaching backgrounds. Such results further underline the rising level of preparation and rank compression at the top.
Overall, this comprehensive CLAT 2026 cut-off analysis is designed to help candidates realistically assess their chances, shortlist NLUs wisely, and approach counselling with clarity and confidence.
CLAT Exam Exams Updates
CLAT 2026 Expected Cut-Off (NLU-Wise)
Below is the expected opening and closing rank range for CLAT 2026 across all participating NLUs. These estimates are derived from recent trends and early counselling data.
NLU Cut-Off 2026 (Expected)
| NLU | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | 1 | 112 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 17 | 159 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata (BA LLB) | 57 | 327 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata (BSc LLB Hons) | 299 | 711 |
| NLIU Bhopal (BA LLB) | 257 | 480 |
| NLIU Bhopal (BSc LLB) | 486 | 915 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 159 | 367 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | 236 | 444 |
| GNLU Silvassa Campus | 755 | 1461 |
| HNLU Raipur | 480 | 807 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | 461 | 780 |
| RGNUL Patiala | 565 | 1279 |
| NUALS Kochi | 350 | 1346 |
| NLU Odisha (BA LLB) | 469 | 1013 |
| NLU Odisha (BBA LLB) | 552 | 1176 |
| MNLU Mumbai | 443 | 1473 |
| MNLU Nagpur (BA LLB) | 722 | 1529 |
| MNLU Nagpur (BBA LLB) | 1214 | 1623 |
| MNLU Aurangabad (BA LLB) | 1023 | 1949 |
| MNLU Aurangabad (BBA LLB) | 1361 | 2393 |
| CNLU Patna (BA LLB) | 882 | 1398 |
| CNLU Patna (BBA LLB) | 1215 | 1555 |
| NUSRL Ranchi (BA LLB) | 864 | 1667 |
| NUSRL Ranchi (BBA LLB) | 1164 | 1760 |
| DSNLU Visakhapatnam | 957 | 1682 |
| TNNLU Tiruchirappalli (BA LLB) | 1231 | 1763 |
| TNNLU Tiruchirappalli (BCom LLB) | 1259 | 1947 |
| HPNLU Shimla (BA LLB) | 949 | 2555 |
| HPNLU Shimla (BBA LLB) | 1298 | 2634 |
| DBRANLU Sonipat | 626 | 1930 |
| MPDNLU Jabalpur | 1371 | 2243 |
| RPNLU Prayagraj | 1446 | 2469 |
| NLUJA Assam | 1163 | 2141 |
| NLUT Agartala | 1964 | 2855 |
| IIULER Goa (BA LLB) | 1314 | 2784 |
| IIULER Goa (BA LLB – Alternate) | 1198 | 2832 |
Top 3 NLUs Cut-Off 2026
The top three NLUs continue to dominate the preference list of CLAT aspirants, with extremely tight closing ranks.
| NLU | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | 1 | 112 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 17 | 159 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata (BA LLB) | 57 | 327 |
CLAT Exam 2026-27 New Batches
Top 5 NLUs Cut-Off 2026
The following NLUs consistently remain within the highest demand bracket due to strong academic reputation, placements, and alumni network.
| NLU | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | 1 | 112 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 17 | 159 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata (BA LLB) | 57 | 327 |
| NLIU Bhopal (BA LLB) | 257 | 480 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 159 | 367 |
Top 10 NLUs Cut-Off 2026
The top 10 NLUs show a gradual expansion in closing ranks but remain highly competitive overall.
| NLU | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | 1 | 112 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 17 | 159 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata (BA LLB) | 57 | 327 |
| NLIU Bhopal (BA LLB) | 257 | 480 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 159 | 367 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | 236 | 444 |
| HNLU Raipur | 480 | 807 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | 461 | 780 |
| NUALS Kochi | 350 | 1346 |
| MNLU Mumbai | 443 | 1473 |
CLAT 2025 Cut-Off (General Category – Round 3)
The CLAT 2025 general category cut-offs provide a strong reference point for understanding CLAT 2026 trends.
| NLU | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bengaluru | 1 | 112 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 17 | 159 |
| NLIU Bhopal (BA LLB) | 257 | 480 |
| NLIU Bhopal (BSc LLB) | 486 | 915 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata (BA LLB) | 57 | 327 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata (BSc LLB) | 299 | 711 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 159 | 367 |
| HNLU Raipur | 480 | 807 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | 236 | 444 |
| GNLU Silvassa | 755 | 1461 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | 461 | 780 |
| RGNUL Patiala | 565 | 1279 |
| CNLU Patna (BA LLB) | 882 | 1398 |
| CNLU Patna (BBA LLB) | 1215 | 1555 |
| NUALS Kochi | 350 | 1346 |
| NLU Odisha (BA LLB) | 469 | 1013 |
| NLU Odisha (BBA LLB) | 552 | 1176 |
| NUSRL Ranchi (BA LLB) | 864 | 1667 |
| NUSRL Ranchi (BBA LLB) | 1164 | 1760 |
| NLUJA Assam | 1163 | 2141 |
| DSNLU Visakhapatnam | 957 | 1682 |
| TNNLU (BA LLB) | 1231 | 1763 |
| TNNLU (BCom LLB) | 1259 | 1947 |
| MNLU Mumbai | 443 | 1473 |
| MNLU Nagpur (BA LLB) | 722 | 1529 |
| MNLU Nagpur (BBA LLB) | 1214 | 1623 |
| MNLU Aurangabad (BA LLB) | 1023 | 1949 |
| MNLU Aurangabad (BBA LLB) | 1361 | 2393 |
| HPNLU Shimla (BA LLB) | 949 | 2555 |
| HPNLU Shimla (BBA LLB) | 1298 | 2634 |
| MPDNLU Jabalpur | 1371 | 2243 |
| DBRANLU Sonepat | 626 | 1930 |
| NLUT Agartala | 1964 | 2855 |
| RPNLU Prayagraj | 1446 | 2469 |
| IIULER Goa | 1198 | 2832 |
CLAT Exam 2026-27 Mock Tests
CLAT 2025 Cut-Off: Other Categories (Round 3)
The category-wise cut-offs show significant variation across NLUs, influenced by reservation norms, domicile quotas, and seat availability.
| NLU | EWS | OBC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bengaluru | 119–119 | 703–209 | 1541–182 | 3133–678 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 372–?* | 546–333 | 1219–1483 | 3273–1311 |
| NLIU Bhopal – BA LLB | 787–1377 | 1658–1757 | 5077–5763 | 6166 |
| NLIU Bhopal – BSc LLB | 1338–1997 | 2217–2464 | 6764–8625 | 10384–11901 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata – BA LLB | — | 1359*–4168* | 3048–4753 | 4823–6343 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 542–986 | 1333–1776 | 3343–5445 | 4343–5955 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | 819–1118 | 1396–2303 | 974–5934 | 4457–8568 |
| MNLU Mumbai | 2524*–7523* | 4161*–8067* | 7180*–15622* | 10288*–13124* |
| IIULER Goa – BA LLB (Entry 1) | 2446–3623 | 2721–5597 | 6774–14412 | 12362–21325 |
| IIULER Goa – BA LLB (Entry 2) | 2727–3751 | 4440–5892 | 11342–14867 | 11093–22260 |
(State quota included where marked)
Note: Wide rank ranges reflect the high fluctuation in category seats.
Quick Analysis of CLAT 2025 Cut-Off Trends
- Top NLUs became even more competitive, with NLSIU closing at rank 112, NALSAR at 159, and WBNUJS at 327, indicating extreme rank compression.
- Mid-tier NLUs such as HNLU, RMLNLU, GNLU Silvassa, and CNLU Patna displayed wider opening-closing rank gaps, reflecting varied performance in the middle rank bands.
- Newer NLUs like NLUT Agartala, RPNLU Prayagraj, IIULER Goa, and DBRANLU Sonipat witnessed significant cut-off movement due to higher seat availability.
- Category-wise cut-offs showed massive rank differences, especially for SC/ST and OBC categories, ranging from 7,000 to over 40,000 ranks in certain NLUs.
CLAT 2026 Cut-Off Rank for Domicile Students
| NLU | General | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | PWD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | 381 | 3724 | 8067 | 14349 | 4219 | 4937 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 871 | 6410 | 7804 | 8843 | 5595 | 31179 |
| NLU Bhopal | 825 | 5566 | 6872 | 17269 | – | – |
| NLU Kolkata | 988 | 3349 | 10135 | 12954 | – | 30484 |
Factors Affecting CLAT 2026 Cut-Off
The CLAT cut-off is influenced by multiple academic and administrative factors:
1. Difficulty Level of the Exam
A tougher paper results in lower cut-offs, while a moderate paper pushes cut-offs higher. Past trends clearly show this variation.
2. Number of Candidates Appearing
With approximately 65,000 candidates expected for CLAT 2026, increased participation directly intensifies competition.
3. Number of Seats Available
With nearly 3,700 NLU seats, limited availability continues to push cut-offs upward.
4. Overall Performance of Candidates
Higher average scores across candidates lead to increased cut-offs.
5. Reservation Policies
Different reservation categories lead to varied qualifying ranks across NLUs.
6. Domicile Quotas
Home-state candidates often benefit from relatively lower cut-offs in certain NLUs.
7. NLU Preference
Top-tier NLUs consistently attract the highest cut-offs due to reputation, placements, and academic legacy.
Marks of CLAT Toppers (AIR-1): Year-Wise Trend Analysis
The marks secured by CLAT toppers over the years provide a clear picture of how the difficulty level and exam pattern have evolved. A consistent decline in topper scores reflects increased complexity, tighter competition, and changes in marking schemes.
CLAT Topper Marks Over the Years
| Year | Topper Score | Total Marks | Key Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLAT 2020 | 127.25 | 150 | High score due to a relatively moderate paper |
| CLAT 2021 | 125.5 | 150 | Lengthy but moderate paper kept topper score high |
| CLAT 2022 | 121 | 150 | Slight increase in difficulty caused score reduction |
| CLAT 2023 | 116.75 | 150 | Toughest paper in recent years; sharp drop in score |
| CLAT 2024 | 108 | 120 | Pattern change + reduced total marks increased difficulty |
| CLAT 2025 | 106.75 | 120 | Saksham Gautam (AIR-1) topped in a competitive paper |
Key Observations from Topper Scores
- Over the last five years, topper scores have steadily declined, highlighting increased difficulty.
- CLAT 2023 was the toughest paper, reflected in a sharp dip in AIR-1 marks.
- CLAT 2024 introduced a major pattern shift, reducing total marks from 150 to 120, which directly impacted scoring.
- CLAT 2025 maintained high competitiveness with marginal score compression at the top.
How CLAT 2026 Cut Off Will Move in Each Counselling Round
Understanding counselling-round-wise cut-off movement is crucial for smart preference filling and avoiding panic decisions.
1. Round 1: Highest Cut Offs & Maximum Competition
The first allotment list of CLAT 2026 always records the tightest and highest cut offs, especially for the top 10 NLUs. Almost every aspirant lists their dream NLUs at the top, leaving very little movement.
Institutes like NLSIU, NALSAR, WBNUJS, NLU Jodhpur, and GNLU usually show minimal change. However, some students do not complete fee payment or exit voluntarily, creating vacancies for the next round.
2. Round 2: First Major Seat Shifting
Round 2 is where real cut-off movement begins, especially for mid-tier NLUs such as:
HNLU, RMLNLU, CNLU, NUALS, and NUSRL.
Students allotted seats in Round 1 often move upward to preferred NLUs, triggering a domino effect. As a result, closing ranks may drop by several hundred positions.
3. Round 3: Stabilisation Phase
By the third round, most top-rankers settle into their colleges. Cut-off movement slows but does not stop, particularly for:
- NLUs with larger intake
- Newer NLUs
Candidates in the AIR 3000–9000 range benefit the most during this phase.
4. Round 4: Vacancy-Filling Effect
Round 4 is driven by exits of students opting for:
NLU Delhi, Jindal Global Law School, Symbiosis, NMIMS, or foreign universities.
This creates backfill vacancies, leading to further cut-off drops, especially in:
- BBA LLB courses
- New NLUs
- State domicile categories
5. Round 5: Final Closing Ranks
Round 5 usually shows maximum movement for newer NLUs, such as:
NLUT Agartala, RPNLU Prayagraj, IIULER Goa, DBRANLU Sonipat, and HPNLU Shimla.
General category withdrawals at this stage allow unexpected opportunities for lower-ranked candidates. However, top 8–10 NLUs see negligible movement.
6. Spot Counselling: Last-Chance Opportunities
If seats remain vacant after Round 5, spot counselling is conducted. Cut-offs may drop sharply for certain categories, purely based on availability.
While spot counselling can be rewarding, depending entirely on it is risky.
How to Use CLAT Cut Off to Finalise Your NLU Preference List
1. Identify Your Realistic Rank Band
Use your expected score and past cut-off data to define your actual range.
For example:
AIR 1500–3000 → Aim for top 10 NLUs but add strong mid-tier backups.
2. Divide NLUs into Reach, Match & Safe
- Reach NLUs: Dream colleges (NUJS, NLUJ)
- Match NLUs: Comfortable rank fit
- Safe NLUs: Guaranteed admission options
This layered approach prevents counselling regret.
3. Prioritise Colleges Over Courses
Unless you have a strong interest in commerce or business law, prioritise NLU reputation over BA LLB vs BBA LLB, as placements and faculty matter more.
4. Track Category-Wise Trends Separately
SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD cut-offs behave very differently from general category. Always rely on category-specific historical data.
5. Use Domicile Quotas Strategically
States like Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Assam offer significant domicile advantages. Use them wisely to improve admission chances.
6. Fill Preferences Generously
Never limit your options. Cut-offs move across rounds, and a longer preference list increases the probability of seat allotment.
7. Don’t Panic After Round 1
Many students secure far better colleges in later rounds. Track trends patiently instead of making emotional exits.
What Is CLAT Cut Off?
CLAT cut off is the minimum score or rank required for admission into an NLU. It varies based on:
- Category
- NLU
- Domicile reservation
- Exam difficulty
- Seat availability
A tougher paper lowers cut offs, while a moderate paper pushes them higher.
CLAT Cut-Off 2024 (Category-Wise)
| NLU | General (Opening – Closing Rank) | OBC (Opening – Closing Rank) | SC (Opening – Closing Rank) | ST (Opening – Closing Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | 1 – 102 | 107 – 971 | 372 – 3007 | 224 – 7487 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 4 – 167 | 189 – 1116 | 319 – 3574 | 263 – 6083 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | 140 – 279 | — | 2056 – 4503 | 2856 – 8860 |
| NLIU Bhopal | 159 – 452 | 879 – 1315 | 3161 – 5178 | 8860 – 11527 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 112 – 379 | 487 – 1424 | 3574 – 5178 | 4411 – 8960 |
| HNLU Raipur | 413 – 791 | 1858 – 2069 | 5192 – 6765 | 9218 – 12035 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | 8 – 464 | 1284 – 1858 | 4988 – 6175 | 7712 – 11580 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | 357 – 764 | — | 3234 – 10253 | — |
| RGNUL Punjab | 220 – 1250 | — | 3234 – 10253 | 9562 – 16875 |
| CNLU Patna | 790 – 1358 | — | Reserved for Domicile | — |
| NUALS Kochi | 231 – 1136 | — | Reserved for Domicile | — |
| NLU Odisha | 591 – 1205 | — | 5997 – 9869 | 11580 – 16676 |
| NUSRL Ranchi | 637 – 1594 | 1943 – 3005 | 5972 – 11124 | 16875 – 19635 |
| TNNLU Tiruchirappalli | 806 – 1628 | 1672 – 3135 | 10681 – 11289 | Reserved for Domicile |
| DSNLU Vishakhapatnam | 656 – 1390 | 2068 – 2940 | 8057 – 10568 | 12009 – 18342 |
| MNLU Mumbai | 222 – 590 | Reserved for Maharashtra Domicile | Reserved for Maharashtra Domicile | Reserved for Maharashtra Domicile |
CLAT Cut-Off 2023 (Category-Wise)
| NLU | General (Open – Close Rank) | EWS (Open – Close Rank) | OBC (Open – Close Rank) | SC (Open – Close Rank) | ST (Open – Close Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bengaluru | 1 – 114 | 129 – 510 | 171 – 923 | 181 – 2674 | 1781 – 2835 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 25 – 177 | 365 – 680 | 931 – 1116 | 702 – 3388 | 3375 – 6174 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | 136 – 260 | — | 1397 – 7119 | 588 – 4217 | 6121 – 7792 |
| NLIU Bhopal | 186 – 463 | 796 – 1290 | 591 – 1268 | 4505 – 5311 | 8143 – 10960 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 70 – 383 | — | — | 2360 – 4457 | 6689 – 8076 |
| HNLU Raipur | 481 – 805 | — | 2031 – 2061 | 6997 – 7137 | 10117 – 11277 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | 147 – 462 | 488 – 1210 | 1150 – 1878 | 3680 – 5683 | 8790 – 10837 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | 432 – 749 | 1432 – 1845 | 772 – 3088 | 6014 – 9582 | 18980 – 27764 |
| RGNUL Patiala | 563 – 1307 | — | — | 5693 – 8856 | 10300 – 15585 |
| CNLU Patna | 628 – 1541 | 2002 – 2501 | 1511 – 5260 | 7741 – 13369 | 20004 – — |
| NUALS Kochi | 638 – 1461 | 5660 – 41647 | — | 6498 – 26009 | 27055 – 28147 |
| NLU Odisha | 504 – 1207 | — | — | 6147 – 7957 | 13445 – 16910 |
| NUSRL Ranchi | 939 – 1895 | 2332 – 2688 | 2248 – 2756 | 7695 – 10032 | 14248 – 18477 |
| TNNLU Tiruchirapalli | 704 – 2045 | — | 2509 – 4119 | 6192 – 10557 | 14452 – — |
| DSNLU Vishakhapatnam | 538 – 2080 | 2477 – 3285 | 7113 – 16077 | 9337 – 17282 | 13295 – — |
| MNLU Mumbai | 325 – 590 | 2034 – 4878 | 3078 – 9880 | 5963 – 8923 | 17578 – 32870 |
| MNLU Nagpur | 878 – 2102 | 2710 – 14738 | 7420 – 22745 | 4921 – 21215 | 23125 – 39121 |
| MNLU Aurangabad | 1824 – 2655 | 13589 – — | 12558 – 24704 | 21626 – 26769 | 37995 – — |
| NLUJA Assam | 1375 – 2569 | — | 4913 – 38136 | 15318 – 31993 | 25618 – 42731 |
| HPNLU Shimla | 822 – 2816 | — | — | 8337 – 11982 | 13021 – 20699 |
| DNLU Jabalpur | 1696 – 2698 | 2969 – 3513 | 3905 – 4318 | 10030 – 12073 | 17883 – 23002 |
| DBRANLU Sonipat | 767 – 2713 | 2584 – 3412 | 2533 – 4515 | 9611 – 11010 | 10923 – 21673 |
| GNLU Silvassa Campus | 810 – 1820 | 1863 – 2984 | 2435 – 3992 | 8339 – 10104 | 13276 – 14846 |
CLAT Cut-Off 2022 (Category-Wise)
| NLU | General Open Rank | General Close Rank | OBC Open Rank | OBC Close Rank | SC Open Rank | SC Close Rank | ST Open Rank | ST Close Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bengaluru | 1 | 85 | 88 | 638 | 431 | 2224 | 554 | 3428 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 8 | 162 | 505 | 7849 | 1252 | 2761 | 3818 | 5158 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | 117 | 257 | 1989 | 11472 | 2503 | 4933 | 5084 | 7238 |
| NLIU Bhopal | 241 | 451 | 774 | 1510 | 3618 | 4793 | 6076 | 10189 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 155 | 378 | – | – | 2318 | 5881 | 1727 | 7620 |
| HNLU Raipur | 430 | 756 | 1721 | 1980 | 4918 | 8797 | 11785 | 12027 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | 175 | 430 | 752 | 1747 | 3779 | 6527 | 6155 | 12014 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | 377 | 756 | 902 | 3568 | 4565 | 10476 | 15889 | 19504 |
| RGNUL Patiala | 437 | 1184 | – | – | 6134 | 9434 | 6449 | 16179 |
| CNLU Patna | 932 | 1498 | 1882 | 9085 | 9825 | 18386 | 29956 | 29956 |
| NUALS Kochi | 413 | 1315 | 2114 | 20999 | 8411 | 25640 | 16977 | 16977 |
| NLUO Odisha | 470 | 1191 | – | – | 5800 | 9726 | 13361 | 17417 |
| NUSRL Ranchi | 933 | 1603 | 1386 | 2698 | 3540 | 21084 | 13311 | 31604 |
| TNNLU Tiruchirapalli | 807 | 1816 | 1770 | 3789 | 6909 | 12015 | 15682 | 16880 |
| DSNLU Visakhapatnam | 1002 | 1589 | 8881 | 11160 | 10847 | 10847 | 24160 | 24160 |
| MNLU Mumbai | 64 | 548 | 1310 | 8987 | 4874 | 16251 | 14752 | 43608 |
| MNLU Nagpur | 999 | 1657 | 6293 | 18196 | 16251 | 36646 | 30004 | 30479 |
| MNLU Aurangabad | 1390 | 2323 | 19850 | 34225 | 20505 | 45669 | 44623 | 46061 |
| NLUJA Assam | 1131 | 1979 | 5542 | 39724 | 25357 | 41911 | 16817 | 40718 |
| HPNLU Shimla | 1056 | 2302 | – | – | 7229 | 12507 | 12778 | 22145 |
| DNLU Jabalpur | 1314 | 2262 | 1647 | 3489 | 10967 | 12925 | 15638 | 22762 |
| DBRANLU Sonipat | 1094 | 2333 | 1917 | 4018 | 6448 | 12213 | 12177 | 23212 |
How to Set Your Target Cut-Off for CLAT 2026
1. Study Past 3–5 Year Trends
Top 10 NLUs usually close around 85–95 marks (General category) in recent years.
2. Factor in Paper Difficulty
Adjust targets based on expected difficulty level.
3. Category-Wise Target Scores
- General:
Top NLUs – 90–100 | Mid NLUs – 80–90 - OBC: 75–85
- SC/ST: 55–65
- EWS: 70–85
- PwD: 55–65
4. Maintain a Safety Margin
Always aim 5–10 marks above expected cut off to stay safe.
5. Use Mock Tests as Reality Checks
Track progress, analyze mistakes, and align mock scores with target marks.
6. Focus on Gradual Improvement
If you are scoring 60, target 70 first. Incremental growth leads to stable performance.
FAQs on CLAT Cut Off
How is CLAT cut off calculated?
It depends on paper difficulty, student performance, total seats, and category-wise distribution.
Does CLAT cut off change every year?
Yes. Difficulty level and candidate performance heavily influence yearly variation.
Is 90 marks enough for a top NLU?
Often yes. It may secure NALSAR, NUJS, NLUJ, or GNLU depending on the year.
What rank is safe for NALSAR Hyderabad?
AIR 150–180 for general category students.
Is 80 marks enough for top 10 NLUs?
Not top 5, but possible for HNLU, NUALS, CNLU, RMLNLU, or DSNLU.
Does category affect cut off?
Yes. Each category has a separate cut-off range.
Which NLUs have the lowest cut offs?
Newer NLUs like NLUT Agartala, RPNLU Prayagraj, DBRANLU, and IIULER Goa.
Is 70 a good CLAT score?
It usually falls in AIR 9000–12000, suitable for newer NLUs.
Does CLAT have sectional cut offs?
No. Only overall score matters.
Can 1 mark change rank significantly?
Yes. At the top, 1 mark can shift 70–100 ranks.
Will CLAT 2026 cut off be higher than 2025?
Yes. Due to a relatively easier paper, cut offs are expected to rise slightly.
