{"id":34815,"date":"2026-01-09T05:43:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T05:43:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawpreptutorial.com\/blog\/?page_id=34815"},"modified":"2026-01-09T05:43:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T05:43:25","slug":"air-18-clat-2024","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.lawpreptutorial.com\/blog\/clat\/toppers\/air-18-clat-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"From GNLU to NLSIU: Gaurav Bishnoi\u2019s Inspiring Drop-Year CLAT Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Every year, thousands of aspirants struggle with one question: Should I drop a year for CLAT?<\/em> The fear of being left behind, the pressure of expectations, and the uncertainty of outcomes make the decision overwhelming. But some journeys prove that clarity is more powerful than fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meet Gaurav Bishnoi, a student who secured admission to GNLU Gandhinagar<\/a> in his first attempt, yet chose to drop out and reappear for CLAT<\/a> \u2014 not out of disappointment, but out of ambition. His dream was clear from the beginning: NLSIU Bangalore<\/a>. In his second attempt, he secured AIR-18 in CLAT 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This interview is a rare, honest insight into the mind of a drop-year aspirant who made a bold decision, stayed mentally strong, rebuilt his reading habits from scratch, and transformed himself from a non-reader into someone who finished 30 books in a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gaurav\u2019s story is a reminder that one year of focus can change the next five years of your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"CLAT<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Do check All India CLAT 2026 Toppers<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

About Gaurav Bishnoi, AIR-18 CLAT 2024<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gaurav comes from a grounded, deeply supportive family in Rajasthan, and his educational journey reflects clarity, courage, and conviction. He appeared for CLAT, secured admission at GNLU, and still chose to withdraw and attempt the exam again \u2014 solely because he wanted NLSIU Bangalore. The decision wasn\u2019t impulsive; he spent months thinking through it, discussing it with family, and observing the opportunities his sister received at NLS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A non-reader initially, Gaurav pushed himself to build a reading habit that ultimately transformed his comprehension, vocabulary, accuracy, and confidence. His CLAT preparation<\/a><\/strong> focused on strong mental conditioning, consistent newspaper reading, and deep immersion in thriller and horror fiction. His journey stands as a practical, realistic example of how clarity and consistency beat pressure and fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview of Gaurav Bishnoi, CLAT 2024 AIR-18<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep: <\/strong>Welcome, Gaurav! You travelled from Bhilwara today, right? But you\u2019re originally from Bikaner?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gaurav: <\/strong>Yes, ma\u2019am. I travel a lot these days. I\u2019ve just completed my 12th and finished CLAT again, so I\u2019m completely free right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep: <\/strong>I remember calling you at 3 PM last year and you were still sleeping! You seemed so relaxed.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gaurav: <\/strong>(laughs) Yes, ma\u2019am. Since I didn\u2019t have school, my routine was different. My full focus was CLAT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep: <\/strong>You got GNLU last year, took admission, and still dropped out. Why?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gaurav: <\/strong>Because my goal was very clear \u2014 NLS Bangalore. I had decided months earlier that I would give myself one more attempt. I wasn\u2019t confused; I believed I could do better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep: <\/strong>Students struggle with the \u201cdrop or not\u201d dilemma. How did you decide?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gaurav:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, take 10\u201315 days and think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you decide, don\u2019t go back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My clarity was strong \u2014 NLS or nothing. That made the decision easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Important Resources After CLAT Exam:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CLAT 2026 College Predictor<\/a><\/strong><\/td>CLAT 2026 Answer Key<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr>
CLAT 2026 Counselling<\/strong><\/a><\/td>CLAT 2026 Rank Predictor<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
CLAT 2026 Marks vs Rank<\/strong><\/a><\/td>CLAT 2026 Result<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
CLAT 2026 Allotment List<\/a><\/strong><\/td>CLAT 2026 Objection Form<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
CLAT 2026 Cut Off<\/a><\/strong><\/td>CLAT 2026 Question Paper<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep: <\/strong>Your sister Priyanka also scored AIR 30 with us. Did her NLS journey influence you?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gaurav: <\/strong>Absolutely. Seeing her campus life, exposure, and opportunities made me realise what NLS offers. That inspired me a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep: <\/strong>Did you fear being \u201cleft behind\u201d when friends moved ahead?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gaurav: <\/strong>Not at all. My family said, \u201cIf one extra year gets you your dream college, take it.\u201d I wasn\u2019t comparing myself with anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep: <\/strong>What changed in your preparation this year?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gaurav: <\/strong>Mental toughness. The first CLAT mocks<\/a><\/strong> this year was shocking \u2014 tough GK, lengthy QT \u2014 but I didn\u2019t panic. I told myself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Easy paper? I\u2019ll do well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Difficult paper? I\u2019ll still stay calm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep: <\/strong>How did you approach comprehension and GK this time?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gaurav:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • I started reading newspapers daily<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • I built background knowledge<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • I strengthened fundamentals instead of shortcuts<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • GK became meaningful only when I understood events in depth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Law Prep: <\/strong>You weren\u2019t a reader earlier. How did you start reading?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Gaurav:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I got bored initially. I tried Sapiens, couldn\u2019t continue. Then I picked a genre I liked \u2014 horror and thrillers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    My first book was Five Nights at Freddy\u2019s. I read 30 pages daily. Slowly, I built the habit. By the end of the year, I had read 25\u201330 books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Law Prep: <\/strong>How did reading transform your CLAT performance?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Gaurav:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Faster comprehension<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Better vocabulary<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • More accuracy<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • More confidence<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Stronger logical and critical reasoning<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Reading changes everything.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Law Prep: <\/strong>Your family seems extremely supportive. Did that help?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Gaurav: <\/strong>A lot. They never pressured me. Never said, \u201cStudy this many hours.\u201d They trusted me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      My siblings are all doing well academically, so the environment at home was very motivating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Law Prep: <\/strong>Your final advice to CLAT aspirants?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Gaurav:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Be 100% clear about your goal<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Take time before deciding to drop<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Once you decide, don\u2019t doubt yourself<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Prepare for the toughest possible paper<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Read every single day<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Don\u2019t compare your timeline with others<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • One year is nothing in return for your dream college<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Know more about Law Colleges & Universities in India:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        List of NLUs in India<\/strong><\/a><\/td>CLAT Colleges in India<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr>
        NALSAR Hyderabad<\/a><\/strong><\/td>NLU Prayagraj<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
        NLU Jodhpur<\/a><\/strong><\/td>NLU Delhi<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
        NUJS Kolkata<\/a><\/strong><\/td>NLIU Bhopal<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
        MNLU Nagpur<\/a><\/strong><\/td>IIULER Goa<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
        NLU Ranchi<\/a><\/strong><\/td>RMNLU Lucknow<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
        NLU Shimla<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        Watch Interview of AIR-18 CLAT 2024<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
        \n