CLAT Cut-Off Marks Category Wise Analysis for Top NLUs
The highly anticipated CLAT 2025 examination concluded successfully on 1st December 2024, marking a major milestone for thousands of aspiring law students across the country. The excitement further escalated with the release of the CLAT 2025 results on 7th December 2024, as candidates now shift their focus toward understanding the CLAT 2025 cut-off marks and ranks—key metrics that determine admission into prestigious National Law Universities (NLUs) such as NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, and WBNUJS Kolkata.
To aid aspirants in this crucial phase, we’ve provided a detailed category-wise CLAT cut-off 2025, curated by seasoned CLAT mentors. This analysis takes into account the difficulty level of the exam, the number of applicants, and the availability of seats across NLUs, offering valuable insights to help you plan your counseling strategy effectively.
What is CLAT Cut-Off?
The CLAT cut-off refers to the minimum score required by candidates to secure admission into participating National Law Universities (NLUs). This benchmark is not static—it varies each year based on a combination of factors including:
Category of the candidate (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD, etc.)
Choice of NLU
Domicile-based reservation
Difficulty level of the exam
Number of seats available at each NLU
For instance, if the CLAT question paper is deemed more difficult compared to previous years, the cut-off tends to be slightly lower. On the other hand, a moderately easy paper results in higher cut-off scores.
CLAT Cut-Off 2025 (Category-Wise)
Mentioned below is the CLAT 2025 cut-off range for various categories. These projections are based on expert analysis and trends observed after the completion of the examination:
| Category | CLAT Cut-Off Marks 2025 |
|---|---|
| General | 87–98 |
| OBC | 83–95 |
| SC | 74–90 |
| ST | 70–86 |
| EWS | 85–96 |
| PwD | 65–80 |
EWS Category: The cut-off for EWS (Economically Weaker Section) candidates closely mirrors that of the General category, typically ranging between 85 to 96 marks.
General Category: Historically, General category aspirants require the highest score to gain admission, and for CLAT 2025, this range is estimated to be 87 to 98 marks.
OBC Category: For OBC candidates, the cut-off varies from 83 to 95 marks, depending on the NLU’s seat matrix and reservation structure.
SC Category: Candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) category can expect a cut-off range between 74 to 90 marks.
ST Category: For Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates, the cut-off generally falls between 70 to 86 marks, though it may vary slightly across NLUs.
CLAT 2025 Cut-Off for Top 3 NLUs
Aspirants aiming to crack the top-tier NLUs such as NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, and WBNUJS Kolkata must take note of the cut-off marks required for admission in these institutes. These universities have consistently maintained high closing ranks, making them the most competitive among all NLUs.
| Category | Cut-Off Marks for Top 3 NLUs |
|---|---|
| General | 95–98 |
| OBC | 92–95 |
| SC | 86–90 |
| ST | 82–86 |
| EWS | 94–96 |
| PwD | 78–80 |
Admission into these top 3 institutions demands stellar performance across all sections of the CLAT exam. Even a few marks can significantly impact your chances of making it through the first few rounds of counseling.
CLAT 2025 Cut-Off Marks for Top 10 NLUs
For aspirants aiming to secure a seat in one of the top 10 NLUs in India, the CLAT 2025 cut-off marks will vary based on the candidate’s category and the NLU’s ranking. These institutes not only offer excellent academics but also provide robust internship and placement opportunities.
| Category | CLAT Cut-Off Marks 2025 |
|---|---|
| General | 87–98 |
| OBC | 83–95 |
| SC | 74–90 |
| ST | 70–86 |
| EWS | 85–96 |
| PwD | 65–80 |
Top 10 NLUs Considered in the List:
NLSIU Bangalore
NALSAR Hyderabad
NLIU Bhopal
NLU Jodhpur
WBNUJS Kolkata
HNLU Raipur
GNLU Gandhinagar
RMLNLU Lucknow
RGNUL Punjab
CNLU Patna
These institutions are known for their academic rigour and elite alumni networks, so knowing the correct CLAT 2025 cut-off marks is crucial while locking your preferences during counseling.
NLU Cut-Off Marks 2025 (Complete List)
If you’re looking to explore options beyond the top-tier NLUs, it’s essential to have a complete view of the CLAT 2025 cut-off marks for all NLUs in India. Whether you’re applying under General, Reserved, or Domicile categories, this data will help you make informed choices.
| NLU | General | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | PwD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | 98 | 95 | 90 | 86 | 96 | 80 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 96 | 93 | 86 | 82 | 94 | 78 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | 94 | 90 | 84 | 80 | 92 | 78 |
| NLIU Bhopal | 91 | 88 | 82 | 78 | 89 | 70 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 92 | 89 | 81 | 76 | 90 | 76 |
| HNLU Raipur | 87 | 83 | 74 | 70 | 85 | 65 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | 90 | 84 | 76 | 72 | 86 | 60 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | 87 | 84 | 76 | 72 | 85 | 55 |
| RGNUL Punjab | 89 | 83 | 72 | 68 | 84 | 56 |
| CNLU Patna | 85 | 82 | 70 | 66 | 83 | 52 |
| NLU Odisha | 84 | 81 | 68 | 64 | 82 | 50 |
| NLUJAA Assam | 80 | 78 | 65 | 60 | 79 | 48 |
| DSNLU Vizag | 79 | 76 | 63 | 59 | 78 | 45 |
| TNNLU Trichy | 81 | 79 | 64 | 61 | 80 | 47 |
Each NLU has its unique admission criteria and seat reservation policies. Hence, it’s important to match your CLAT score with the respective institute’s cut-off trends to improve your chances of selection.
What’s a Good Score in CLAT 2025? (For Top 5 NLUs)
Based on the difficulty level of the CLAT 2025 question paper, our mentors have analyzed the good attempts and ideal scores required for admission into the top 5 NLUs. This is a helpful benchmark to evaluate your performance and understand your standing.
| Section | No. of Questions | Good Attempt | Good Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 24 | 20 | 16–18 |
| GK and Current Affairs | 28 | 25 | 23–24 |
| Legal Reasoning | 32 | 28 | 24–26 |
| Logical Reasoning | 24 | 20 | 16–18 |
| Quantitative Techniques | 12 | 10 | 6–8 |
| Total | 120 | 100 | 85–94 |
Remember, a few extra correct attempts can make a big difference in final allotments. Try to estimate your score based on official and unofficial answer keys.
CLAT Cut-Off Rank 2025 (Rank-Wise Seat Allotment)
Apart from marks, the CLAT Rank 2025 is a critical factor during counseling. Since NLU admissions are offered on the basis of All India Ranks (AIR), even minor differences in rank can shift your seat allocation to a different NLU.
| NLU | General | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | PWD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | 140 | 1001 | 3000 | 8000 | 600 | 5000 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 186 | 1186 | 3427 | 6083 | 564 | 9185 |
| NLU Bhopal | 460 | 1315 | 5178 | 11527 | 1115 | – |
| NLU Kolkata | 277 | – | 4503 | 8860 | – | 11100 |
Understanding the rank-to-marks conversion will give you clarity on your position in the merit list and what NLUs are realistically within your reach.
CLAT 2025 Cut-Off Rank for Domicile Students
Several National Law Universities in India offer domicile-based reservations, allowing candidates from the respective home states to secure admission at a relatively lower rank compared to All India General category candidates. These cut-off ranks for domicile students are highly significant for aspirants seeking admission to NLUs in their own state.
| 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 |
It is important to note that domicile cut-off ranks vary widely across universities, depending on the number of reserved seats, state-wise applicant volume, and university preference trends. For example, NLUs like HNLU Raipur, RMLNLU Lucknow, and CNLU Patna are known to reserve a considerable percentage of seats for domicile students, thereby offering more opportunities for in-state candidates.
Factors Affecting CLAT Cut-off Marks 2025
Understanding the factors that shape the CLAT 2025 cut-off marks is crucial for evaluating your chances of admission. These variables not only influence the overall merit list but also determine cut-offs across categories and NLUs.
1. Difficulty Level of the Exam
The complexity of the CLAT question paper significantly impacts the cut-off. A more difficult paper usually results in lower cut-offs, while an easier or moderately challenging paper leads to higher qualifying marks.
For example, CLAT 2023 was considered one of the toughest in recent years, which caused a notable drop in cut-off scores, while CLAT 2021, though lengthy, was moderate and had higher cut-offs.
2. Number of Candidates Appearing
The volume of applicants directly affects competition. A greater number of candidates vying for limited seats leads to a rise in cut-off marks.
It is estimated that approximately 60,000 candidates appeared for CLAT 2025, indicating stiff competition.
3. Number of Seats Available
The total number of seats in participating NLUs, especially for UG and PG law programs, is a defining factor. With around 3700 seats available in CLAT 2025, the seat-to-applicant ratio remains low, naturally pushing the cut-off higher.
4. Performance of the Candidates
The overall quality of performance among candidates influences the cut-off as well. If a large portion of test-takers score high, the cut-off marks rise. If the average performance is low, the cut-off drops accordingly.
5. Reservation Policies
CLAT has well-defined reservation policies for various categories like SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD. These categories have different qualifying marks and separate seat allotments, leading to varying cut-off trends.
6. Domicile Quotas
Many NLUs implement state domicile quotas, offering preferential access to local candidates. This often results in lower cut-off ranks for eligible state residents, improving their chances of securing a seat.
7. NLU Preference
Each NLU attracts a different level of demand. Top-ranked NLUs such as NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, and WBNUJS Kolkata witness high cut-offs, while newer or mid-tier NLUs generally have more relaxed cut-offs due to less demand.
Marks of CLAT Toppers
A key indicator of exam difficulty and scoring trends is the performance of CLAT toppers over the years. Reviewing the top scores gives candidates a benchmark for understanding what it takes to lead the merit list.
| Year | Topper Score | Total Marks | Insights |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLAT 2020 | 127.25 | 150 | High score due to a relatively moderate paper. |
| CLAT 2021 | 125.5 | 150 | The paper was lengthy, but still moderate in difficulty, leading to a high topper score. |
| CLAT 2022 | 121 | 150 | Slightly tougher paper compared to previous years, causing a drop in the top score. |
| CLAT 2023 | 116.75 | 150 | The most difficult paper in the last five years, resulting in a significant drop in the topper score. |
| CLAT 2024 | 108 | 120 | The pattern changed, making the paper more difficult; Jai Bohara secured AIR 1 with a lower score. |
| CLAT 2025 | 103.5 | 116 | CLAT UG topper in 2025 scored 103.5. |
In the past five years, a noticeable decline in topper scores has been observed, largely due to increasing complexity and evolving exam patterns.
The CLAT 2023 exam, widely regarded as the most challenging of recent years, saw a significant drop in the highest scores.
The pattern change in CLAT 2024, which reduced the total number of questions from 150 to 120, also resulted in a lower top score, reflecting the more analytical nature of the paper.
CLAT Cut-Off 2024
Here is the category-wise CLAT 2024 cut-off, including both opening and closing ranks for various NLUs. These figures offer valuable reference points for CLAT 2025 aspirants looking to compare trends and set realistic expectations.
| 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
The CLAT 2023 cut-off marks were significantly affected by the difficulty of the paper, leading to noticeable changes in admission trends across all categories and universities.
| 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 |
These figures illustrate how test complexity and seat availability can impact admission prospects, especially for General category students.
CLAT Cut-Off 2022
The CLAT 2022 cut-off ranks were more in line with traditional trends, with only moderate variation observed across categories.
| NLU | General (Open – Close Rank) | OBC (Open – Close Rank) | SC (Open – Close Rank) | ST (Open – 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 |
This year serves as a good reference point for students looking to understand how much scores have fluctuated over time due to changes in exam patterns and difficulty.
Final Thoughts
The CLAT 2025 cut-off marks and ranks are a vital component of the law school admission process. With increased competition, evolving paper patterns, and changing seat matrices, candidates must stay informed and plan their counseling preferences accordingly.
By analyzing category-wise, NLU-specific, and domicile-based cut-offs, students can make more strategic decisions that enhance their chances of admission to a top-tier National Law University.
It is also crucial to monitor updates from the Consortium of NLUs, participate actively in the counseling rounds, and prepare all necessary documents well in advance to ensure a smooth admission process.
Stay focused, stay updated, and take strategic steps towards your legal career with confidence.
