The CLAT 2026 exam has now been conducted, and students are eagerly waiting for the official answer key, which will be released on 10th December. Based on this year’s difficulty level, the CLAT 2026 cut-off is higher for top NLUs.
NLSIU Bengaluru may close around 98 marks (General), NALSAR around 95 marks, and NUJS Kolkata around 93 marks.
Top 10 NLUs are expected to fall in the 85–93 marks range, while lower NLUs may close between 74–84 marks. Let’s understand the complete category-wise and NLU-wise CLAT 2026 cut off to help you understand your admission chances clearly.

CLAT 2026 Cut-Off Marks
Find the CLAT cut-off marks 2026:
| NLU Category | General | EWS | OBC | SC | ST | PWD |
| Top 3 NLUs | 95 | 91 | 90 | 85 | 82 | 80 |
| Top 10 NLUs | 85 | 80 | 82 | 68 | 65 | 60 |
| Lower NLUs | 75 | 78 | 78 | 62 | 56 | 50 |
CLAT 2026 Cut Off for Top 3 NLUs
If you aspire to join one of the top 3 NLUs in India, then you need to score the following marks based on your category:
| Category | Expected Score |
| General | 95 |
| EWS | 91 |
| OBC | 90 |
| SC | 85 |
| ST | 82 |
| PWD | 80 |
CLAT 2026 Cut Off for Top 10 NLUs
For aspirants of top 10 NLUs, cut-off marks are:
| Category | Expected Score |
| General | 85 |
| EWS | 80 |
| OBC | 82 |
| SC | 68 |
| ST | 65 |
| PWD | 60 |
CLAT 2026 Cut Off for Lower NLUs
| Category | Expected Score |
| General | 75 |
| EWS | 78 |
| OBC | 78 |
| SC | 62 |
| ST | 56 |
| PWD | 50 |
NLU Cut-off 2026
Check the NLU cut-off for CLAT 2026:
| NLU | General | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | PWD |
| NLSIU, Bengaluru | 98 | 95 | 90 | 86 | 96 | 80 |
| NALSAR, Hyderabad | 95 | 93 | 86 | 82 | 94 | 75 |
| NLIU, Bhopal | 90 | 88 | 82 | 78 | 89 | 70 |
| WBNUJS, Kolkata | 93 | 90 | 84 | 80 | 92 | 78 |
| NLU, Jodhpur | 91 | 89 | 81 | 76 | 90 | 76 |
| HNLU, Raipur | 86 | 83 | 74 | 70 | 85 | 65 |
| GNLU, Gandhinagar | 89 | 84 | 76 | 72 | 86 | 60 |
| GNLU, Silvassa | 82 | 79 | 70 | 66 | 80 | 55 |
| RMLNLU, Lucknow | 86 | 84 | 76 | 72 | 85 | 55 |
| RGNUL, Punjab | 88 | 83 | 72 | 68 | 84 | 56 |
| CNLU, Patna | 84 | 81 | 71 | 67 | 82 | 50 |
| NUALS, Kochi | 83 | 80 | 70 | 66 | 81 | 48 |
| NLUO, Odisha | 84 | 80 | 70 | 66 | 82 | 46 |
| NUSRL, Ranchi | 82 | 79 | 69 | 65 | 80 | 47 |
| NLUJA, Assam | 81 | 78 | 68 | 64 | 79 | 45 |
| DSNLU, Visakhapatnam | 81 | 78 | 68 | 64 | 79 | 45 |
| TNNLU, Tiruchirappalli | 80 | 76 | 66 | 62 | 78 | 44 |
| MNLU, Mumbai | 88 | 83 | 72 | 68 | 85 | 50 |
| MNLU, Nagpur | 78 | 75 | 65 | 61 | 76 | 43 |
| MNLU, Aurangabad | 77 | 73 | 63 | 58 | 74 | 42 |
| HPNLU, Shimla | 76 | 72 | 62 | 57 | 73 | 40 |
| DNLU, Jabalpur | 75 | 71 | 61 | 56 | 72 | 35 |
| DBRANLU, Sonepat | 75 | 71 | 61 | 56 | 72 | 34 |
| NLUT, Agartala | 74 | 70 | 60 | 55 | 70 | 32 |
CLAT Cut-Off 2026 for General
Find the CLAT 2026 cut-off for general category students:
| NLU Group | Expected Cut Off |
| Top 3 NLUs | 95–98 |
| Top 10 NLUs | 85–93 |
| Lower NLUs | 74–84 |
CLAT 2026 Cut Off for OBC
Find the CLAT cut-off 2026 for OBC category students:
| NLU Group | Expected Cut Off |
| Top 3 NLUs | 88–95 |
| Top 10 NLUs | 79–90 |
| Lower NLUs | 70–81 |
CLAT 2026 Cut-Off for SC
Check the CLAT cut-off 2026 for SC category students:
| NLU Group | Expected Cut Off |
| Top 3 NLUs | 82–90 |
| Top 10 NLUs | 66–84 |
| Lower NLUs | 60–74 |
CLAT 2026 Cut Off for ST
ST students should target a score of 78+ for top 3 NLU admission:
| NLU Group | Expected Cut Off |
| Top 3 NLUs | 78–86 |
| Top 10 NLUs | 62–80 |
| Lower NLUs | 55–70 |
CLAT 2026 Cut Off for EWS
| NLU Group | Expected Cut Off |
| Top 3 NLUs | 89–96 |
| Top 10 NLUs | 72–92 |
| Lower NLUs | 70–85 |
CLAT 2026 Cut Off for PwD
| NLU Group | Expected Cut Off |
| Top 3 NLUs | 75–80 |
| Top 10 NLUs | 43–78 |
| Lower NLUs | 32–56 |
CLAT Cut Off 2025 (General Category)
These were the CLAT 2025 cut-off ranks after round-3 of counselling:
| NLU | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
| NLSIU Bengaluru Cut Off | 1 | 112 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad Cut Off | 17 | 159 |
| NLIU Bhopal Cut Off (BA LLB) | 257 | 480 |
| NLIU Bhopal (BSc LLB) | 486 | 915 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata Cut Off (BA LLB) | 57 | 327 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata (BSc LLB) | 299 | 711 |
| NLU Jodhpur Cut Off | 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 Cut Off | 1198 | 2832 |
CLAT 2025 Cut Off (for Other Categories)
These were the CLAT cut-off ranks after round-3 of counseling, for EWS, OBC, ST, and ST categories:
| 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 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata – BSc LLB | — | 4168*–4596* | 4244–6987 | 8994–9739 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 542–986 | 1333–1776 | 3343–5445 | 4343–5955 |
| HNLU Raipur | — | 2156–2408 | 6232–7660 | 9746–10507 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | 819–1118 | 1396–2303 | 974–5934 | 4457–8568 |
| GNLU Silvassa | 1447–2620 | 2745–2620 | 8584–8826 | 12320–15112 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | 1327*–2088* | 1064*–3769* | 1832*–11228* | 19305* |
| RGNUL Patiala | — | — | 2067–8625 | 7540–12742 |
| CNLU Patna – BA LLB | 1420*–1950* | 1861*–7359* | 7884*–12662* | 16829* |
| CNLU Patna – BBA LLB | 1928*–2316* | 3106*–8364* | 12269*–15833* | 27043* |
| NUALS Kochi | 4238*–22632* | — | 9871*–15029* | 32306* |
| NLU Odisha – BA LLB | — | — | 3196–7247 | 8920–12967 |
| NLU Odisha – BBA LLB | — | — | 7630–7891 | 10921–15161 |
| NUSRL Ranchi – BA LLB | 1501–2551 | 1671–3597 | 8542–9902 | 10015–15023 |
| NUSRL Ranchi – BBA LLB | 2052–2714 | 1845–4096 | 8493–38622* | 10573–13619 |
| NLUJA Assam | 3740*–18701* | 10753*–40275* | 4020*–26413* | 8513*–39689* |
| DSNLU Visakhapatnam | 1506–2571 | 2472–3813 | 8198–9330 | 13506–15632 |
| TNNLU – BA LLB | — | 2045–4082 | 6291–10327 | 14211–15384 |
| TNNLU – BCom LLB | — | — | 3432–4987 | 6571 |
| MNLU Mumbai | 2524*–7523* | 4161*–8067* | 7180*–15622* | 10288*–13124* |
| MNLU Nagpur – BA LLB | 7863*–16868* | 2230*–15059* | 13180*–27496* | 43425*–16868* |
| MNLU Nagpur – BBA LLB | 13166*–19846* | 9041*–16794* | 17024*–26619* | 41775*–19846* |
| MNLU Aurangabad – BA LLB | 8328*–23203* | 11062*–19813* | 7378*–30029* | 55196*–23203* |
| MNLU Aurangabad – BBA LLB | 8244*–19846* | 15631*–21108* | 22029*–31652* | 56594*–19846* |
| HPNLU Shimla – BA LLB | — | — | 8641–11597 | 13499–18083 |
| HPNLU Shimla – BBA LLB | — | — | 9542–13886 | 15632–19910 |
| MPDNLU Jabalpur | 2112–2922 | 3766–4228 | 9959–11065 | 13674–20674 |
| DBRANLU Sonepat | 1768–2727 | 2173–4210 | 7991–12802 | 12630–19973 |
| NLUT Agartala | — | — | 29955*–49197* | 25887* |
| RPNLU Prayagraj | 2636*–3726* | 3454*–5559* | 12017*–21354* | 25539* |
| 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.
Quick Analysis of CLAT 2025 Cut Offs
- Top NLUs Became Even More Competitive: NLSIU closed at rank 112, NALSAR at 159, and NUJS at 327. This confirms heavy score and rank compression at the top.
- Mid-Tier NLUs Saw Wider Cut Off Ranges: HNLU, RMLNLU, NUSRL, GNLU Silvassa, and CNLU had wide opening-closing gaps, showing uneven performance in the 80–90 marks range.
- New NLUs Had Large Cut Off Spread: NLUT Agartala, RPNLU Prayagraj, IIULER Goa, and DBRANLU Sonepat showed significant movement due to high availability of seats and category variations.
- Categories Showed Massive Differences: SC/ST and OBC cut offs in some NLUs ranged between 7,000 to 40,000 ranks, showing higher fluctuation than general seats.
Important Resources After CLAT Exam:
| CLAT Result 2026 | CLAT Toppers 2026 |
| CLAT Answer Key 2026 | CLAT 2026 Question Paper |
| CLAT Marks vs Rank 2026 | CLAT 2026 Rank Predictor |
| CLAT 2026 College Predictor |
Free CLAT Study Material for You:
| CLAT Previous Year Question Paper | CLAT Sample Papers |
| CLAT Topper Interviews | Free CLAT Coaching |
| CLAT Current Affairs |
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 Cut-off 2026
Following are the key factors that affect the Cut-off of CLAT exam:
1. Difficulty Level of the Exam
The difficulty level of the CLAT paper plays a significant role in determining the cut-off. In a tough paper, the cut-off tends to be lower, while in a moderate paper, the cut-off is higher.
For example, CLAT 2023, the most difficult exam in recent years, had lower cut-offs compared to CLAT 2021, which was lengthy but moderate.
2. Number of Candidates Appearing
The number of candidates taking the exam directly impacts the CLAT cut-off marks. A higher number of applicants increases competition, which results in higher cut-off marks.
The number of applicants for CLAT 2026 will be around 65,000.
3. Number of Seats Available
The total number of seats in NLUs for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs affects the CLAT cut-off marks. Fewer seats lead to a higher cut-off due to increased competition for limited slots.
The total NLU seats for 2026 is around 3700.
4. Performance of the Candidates
If a large percentage of students perform well, the CLAT cut-off will naturally rise. Conversely, if overall performance is lower, the cut-off decreases.
5. Reservation Policies
Category-based reservations (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, etc.) affect the CLAT cut-off as each category has different qualifying marks based on the number of reserved seats.
6. Domicile Quotas
Certain NLUs offer domicile-based reservations, where candidates from the home state have a lower cut-off compared to out-of-state candidates.
7. NLU Preference
Cut-offs vary by university, with top-tier NLUs like NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, and NUJS Kolkata having higher cut-offs due to greater demand, while mid and lower-tier NLUs have relatively lower cut-offs.
Law Colleges Information Related to CLAT:
| NLSIU Bangalore | NLU Prayagraj |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | NLU Delhi |
| NLU Jodhpur | NLIU Bhopal |
| NUJS Kolkata | IIULER Goa |
| GNLU Gujarat | RMNLU Lucknow |
| NLU Ranchi | MNLU Nagpur |
| NLU Shimla |
Marks of CLAT Toppers (AIR-1)
| 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 | 106.75 | 120 | CLAT 2025 AIR-1 (Saksham Gautam) scored 106.75. |
- Over the last five years, the topper scores have gradually decreased, reflecting an increase in the difficulty level of the CLAT exam.
- CLAT 2023 had the most challenging paper, leading to a notable dip in the top score compared to previous years.
- The CLAT 2024 pattern change brought a shift in scoring, with the top score significantly lower due to the complexity of the paper and the reduction in total marks from 150 to 120.
How CLAT 2026 Cut Off Will Move in Each Couselling Round?
1. Round 1: Highest Cut Offs & Maximum Competition
Round 1 or the 1st allotment list of CLAT 2026 always shows the tightest and highest cut offs, especially for the top 10 NLUs. This is because every student lists their dream colleges at the top of their preference list.
You will see very little movement at this stage for NLSIU, NALSAR, NUJS, NLUJ, and GNLU. Even so, many students leave seats or don’t complete payment, creating natural vacancy for the next round.
2. Round 2: First Major Seat-Shifting Happens
Round 2 or the 2nd allotment list of CLAT 2026 is usually where you see meaningful cut-off drops, particularly for mid-tier NLUs like HNLU, RMLNLU, CNLU, NUALS, and NUSRL.
Students who got a seat in Round 1 but were waiting for a better NLU move upward, leaving seats behind. This domino effect brings down closing ranks by several hundred points for many NLUs.
3. Round 3: Stabilisation Phase With Predictable Closing Ranks
By Round 3, most high-ranked students settle with their allotted colleges. Cut off movement slows down, but still remains noticeable for new NLUs or those with larger seat capacities.
At this stage, students in the mid-rank ranges (AIR 3000–9000) see the maximum benefit, and some NLUs open up unexpectedly depending on vacancy.
4. Round 4: Vacancy-Filling Effect Begins
Round 4 in CLAT 2026 counselling is triggered by students who drop out for other opportunities like NLU Delhi, Jindal, Symbiosis, NMIMS, or foreign universities through other law entrance exams.
These exits create backfill seats, allowing some NLUs to drop their closing ranks further, especially for BBA LLB courses, newly established NLUs, and state-domicile categories.
5. Round 5: Final Closing Ranks & Maximum Flexibility for Lower NLUs
Round 5 shows the biggest jumps for newer NLUs such as NLUT Agartala, RPNLU Prayagraj, IIULER Goa, DBRANLU, and HPNLU.
Many general category students withdraw at this stage, making room for ranks that seemed impossible earlier. However, movement for top 8–10 NLUs remains minimal in this round.
6. Spot Counselling: Last-Stage Movement Based on Vacancies
If any NLU has unfilled seats after Round 5, spot counselling is conducted. Here, CLAT cut-off may drop significantly for certain categories, depending purely on vacancy.
Students who remain patient till this stage often get unexpected opportunities, but relying solely on spot counselling is risky.
How to Use CLAT Cut Off to Finalise Your NLU Preference List?
1. Understand Your Realistic Range Before Locking Options
Use your expected score and past-year CLAT cut-off data to identify the NLU band you truly fall in.
If you fall between AIR 1,500–3,000, aim for top 10 NLUs but include strong mid-tier backups. This prevents you from overestimating or underestimating your actual chances.
2. Divide Your NLU List Into Reach, Match, and Safe Colleges
- Reach NLUs are your dream colleges (e.g., NUJS, NLUJ).
- Match NLUs are where your rank comfortably fits.
- Safe NLUs ensure you do not miss out on an NLU altogether. Structuring preferences in this layered manner protects you from getting stuck with poor seat offers.
3. Prioritise Colleges, Not Courses, Unless You Have a Clear Preference
Most students benefit by prioritising the NLU name over BA LLB or BBA LLB distinctions, since placements, faculty, and reputation matter more.
Only give course preference priority if you have a clear interest in business or commerce-based law programs.
4. Account for Category-Wise Movements Separately
SC, ST, OBC, and EWS cut-off for NLUs move differently from general category trends. Use your category’s historical ranges instead of relying on general cut offs. This ensures a more accurate and personalised preference list.
5. Keep Domicile Quotas in Mind for Advantage States
Several NLUs offer strong home-state quota advantages, especially RMLNLU Lucknow, HNLU Raipur, NLU Odisha, and NLUJA Assam. If you belong to one of these states, include domicile seats strategically to secure higher success probability.
6. Fill Preferences Generously
Many students make the mistake of adding too few options. Always fill all NLUs you are eligible for. NLU cut-off moves throughout the rounds, and having a long, well-structured list gives you more opportunities during upward movement.
7. Track Cut Off Movement Across Rounds Instead of Panicking Early
If you do not get your preferred NLU in Round 1, do not assume the process is over. Use NLU cut-off data from past years to anticipate where movement will happen in Rounds 2–5. You may get a much better seat by simply staying confident and waiting.
What is CLAT Cut-Off?
The CLAT cut off is the minimum score a candidate needs to secure admission into various National Law Universities (NLUs). The cut-off varies based on factors like category (General, OBC, SC/ST), NLU, and whether the student has domicile reservations.
The difficulty level of the exam also impacts the cut-off. Difficult papers generally have lower cut-offs, while moderate papers result in higher cut-offs.
Must Know for Every CLAT Aspirant:
| CLAT Eligibility Criteria | CLAT Exam Pattern |
| CLAT Age Limit | CLAT Marking Scheme |
| How to Prepare for CLAT? | CLAT Preparation Books |
CLAT Cut-Off 2024
Check the CLAT 2024 cut-off category-wise (opening and closing ranks):
| 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
Check the CLAT cut-off category-wise in 2023 exam:
| 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
Check CLAT cut-off ranks in 2022:
| NLU | General | OBC | SC | ST | ||||
| Open Rank | Close Rank | Open Rank | Close Rank | Open Rank | Close Rank | Open Rank | 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?
Setting a realistic and strategic target score is crucial for maximizing your chances of getting into a top National Law University (NLU).
1. Analyze Previous Year CLAT Cut-offs
Begin by studying the cut-off trends from previous CLAT exams, especially the last 3-5 years.
For example, the top 10 NLU cut-offs for general category candidates have been around 85-95 marks in recent years. Use this data to gauge the score range you need to aim for.
2. Consider the Paper Difficulty Level
Keep in mind that the paper difficulty plays a major role in determining the cut-off. Adjust your target score based on whether the paper is expected to be moderate or difficult.
3. Category-Based Target Score for CLAT 2026
Set your target score according to your category:
- General Category: Aim for at least 90-100 marks for top-tier NLUs and 80-90 marks for mid/lower-tier NLUs.
- OBC Category: Target a score of 75-85 marks for top-tier NLUs.
- SC/ST Categories: Set a target of 60-65 marks for top-tier NLUs and 55-60 marks for mid-tier NLUs.
- EWS: Aim for 70-85 marks depending on your preferred NLU.
- PwD: Target 55-65 marks for top-tier NLUs.
4. Account for Safety Margin
Always set a safety margin of 5-10 marks above the expected CLAT 2025 cut-off. For example, if you expect the cut-off for top-tier NLUs to be around 85 marks, aim for at least 90-95 marks to ensure you have a buffer in case the cut-off is higher than expected.
5. Assess Mock Test Performance
Use CLAT mock tests to assess your current performance and identify how far you are from your target score. Regularly compare your mock scores with your target and analyze your performance to make necessary adjustments in your study plan.
6. Plan for Incremental Improvement
If your mock test scores are significantly below your target, set incremental goals. For example, if you are currently scoring 60 marks, aim to improve by 10 marks over the next month. Gradual improvement will help you reach your final target score.
FAQs About CLAT Cut Off
Cut off is based on four factors: paper difficulty, student performance, total seats, and category-wise distribution. NLUs compare candidate ranks and fill seats until the category quota is met.
Yes, cut offs change depending on the exam difficulty, number of applicants, score distribution, and NLU seats availability. A difficult paper lowers cut offs; an easier paper raises them.
Yes, 90 marks often fall within AIR 300–900, which may secure NALSAR, NUJS, NLUJ, or GNLU depending on the year’s cut off movement.
A rank within AIR 150–180 is considered safe for general category students
Not for the top 5 NLUs. But with 80–84 marks, you may get NUALS, CNLU, HNLU, DSNLU, or RMLNLU depending on the year.
Yes. Category-based reservations create separate cut offs for GEN, OBC, EWS, SC, ST, PwD, and domicile categories. These cut offs differ significantly.
New NLUs like NLUT Agartala, RPNLU Prayagraj, DBRANLU Sonepat, and IIULER Goa have the lowest cut offs in the general category.
A score around 70 may fall between AIR 9,000–12,000 and is typically suitable for newer NLUs or state colleges.
No. CLAT does not have sectional cut offs. Only overall score and rank matter for admission.
Yes. At the top, a 1-mark difference can shift ranks by 70–100 positions, and sometimes more.
75 marks may secure a seat in some newer NLUs depending on your category, seat availability, and yearly difficulty.
HNLU usually closes between AIR 2300–3500 for general category students.
Yes. In some NLUs, BBA LLB cut offs go slightly lower because fewer students choose the course, but the difference is not always large.
If the paper difficulty remains similar or easier, cut offs may rise slightly. If the paper is tougher, cut offs will drop across NLUs.
Explore CLAT coaching centers across different cities:

