CLAT Cut Off 2026: NLU-Wise Closing Ranks, Marks & Admission Chances

For every CLAT aspirant, the CLAT cut off is one of the most important numbers to track after the exam. Your score tells you how well you performed, but your rank and the closing rank of an NLU give you a much clearer idea of where you may get admission.

For students preparing in Delhi, understanding the cutoff is particularly useful when creating an NLU preference list. Instead of focusing only on one dream college, you can compare your rank with previous and current closing trends and make more practical counselling choices.

The CLAT 2026 admission cycle has already produced useful rank data. Based on available 2026 counselling-related analysis, the most competitive NLUs continued to close at very high ranks, with NLSIU Bengaluru around the top 100–120 range and other leading NLUs following closely.

Important: CLAT cutoffs vary by year, category, NLU, programme, domicile, reservation, and counselling round. Treat rank ranges as guidance rather than a guaranteed admission prediction.

What Is the CLAT Cut Off?

The CLAT cut off is the minimum level of performance or the final rank at which admission is offered to a particular NLU or programme.

In practical terms, students usually discuss CLAT cutoff in two ways:

Cutoff marks: The approximate score needed to remain competitive.

Cutoff rank: The closing All India Rank at which seats are filled.

For admission planning, rank is generally more useful than marks because the same score can correspond to different ranks in different years depending on the difficulty of the paper and the overall performance of candidates.

CLAT 2026 Cut Off: NLU-Wise Closing Ranks

The following table gives an indicative picture of CLAT 2026 UG closing ranks based on available admission analysis.

NLU / Programme	Approx. Closing Rank
NLSIU Bengaluru	112
NALSAR Hyderabad	159
WBNUJS Kolkata – BA LL.B.	327
NLU Jodhpur	367
GNLU Gandhinagar	444
NLIU Bhopal – BA LL.B.	480
MNLU Mumbai	1,473
HNLU Raipur	807
RMLNLU Lucknow	780
RGNUL Patiala	1,279
NUALS Kochi	1,346
NLU Odisha – BA LL.B.	1,013
NUSRL Ranchi – BA LL.B.	1,667
CNLU Patna – BA LL.B.	1,398
NLUJA Assam	2,141
HPNLU Shimla – BA LL.B.	2,555
MPDNLU Jabalpur	2,243
RPNLU Prayagraj	2,469
NLUT Agartala	2,855

These figures are useful for understanding the competitive landscape, but individual category cutoffs and later counselling rounds can be significantly different.

Which NLUs Have the Highest CLAT Cut Off?

The highest-demand NLUs generally close at the lowest ranks.

For the 2026 cycle, the available analysis places:

NLSIU Bengaluru around the top 112 ranks
NALSAR Hyderabad around rank 159
WBNUJS Kolkata around rank 327
NLU Jodhpur around rank 367
GNLU Gandhinagar around rank 444
NLIU Bhopal around rank 480

This demonstrates why a student targeting a top NLU should aim for a very strong All India Rank rather than simply targeting a particular number of marks.

How Many Marks Are Needed for CLAT?

There is no single fixed score that guarantees an NLU seat every year.

The required marks depend on:

Difficulty of the CLAT paper
Number of candidates
Overall score distribution
Number of seats
Category
NLU preference
Reservation
Domicile
Counselling movement

For CLAT 2026, pre-result estimates suggested that a General-category candidate targeting the top NLUs would need roughly 90–100+ marks, but actual admission outcomes are better evaluated using rank and counselling data rather than marks alone.

CLAT Cut Off for General Category

General-category candidates generally face the most competitive closing ranks because they do not receive category-based relaxation.

For the top NLUs, the competition is extremely intense.

A student aiming for NLSIU, NALSAR, NUJS, NLU Jodhpur, GNLU, or NLIU Bhopal should ideally aim for the highest possible score rather than preparing around the minimum expected cutoff.

For example, the available 2026 analysis puts the closing rank of NLSIU Bengaluru at approximately 112 and NALSAR Hyderabad at approximately 159.

CLAT Cut Off for OBC, SC, ST and EWS Categories

The cutoff is not identical for every category.

NLUs may have separate seats and reservation policies for categories such as:

Some universities also have domicile-based reservations.

As a result, a candidate's category rank, All India Rank, domicile, and the specific NLU's reservation policy can all influence admission chances.

Do not compare your expected admission chances solely with the General-category closing rank.

Does CLAT Cut Off Change Every Year?

Yes.

There is no permanent CLAT cutoff.

Imagine that one year the paper is relatively difficult and another year it is easier. Even if the number of seats remains similar, the score required for a particular rank can change considerably.

That is why students should avoid statements such as:

"You need exactly 95 marks for NLU X."

A better approach is to look at rank trends, recent closing ranks, category-wise movement, and the current counselling situation.

CLAT Cut Off vs CLAT Qualifying Marks

These two terms are often confused.

Qualifying Marks

This refers to the minimum academic eligibility or any prescribed requirement needed to participate in the admission process.

Admission Cutoff

This refers to the rank or score at which seats are actually being offered.

A candidate can be eligible to appear for CLAT but still not have a rank competitive enough for a particular NLU.

So, being eligible for CLAT does not mean you will automatically qualify for admission to an NLU.

Why CLAT Rank Matters More Than Marks

Suppose one student scores 92 marks in one year and another scores 92 marks in a different year.

Their ranks may not be identical.

Why?

Because the rank depends on how everyone else performs.

If the paper is easier and many students score highly, even a strong score may produce a comparatively lower rank. If the paper is tougher, the same score may result in a better rank.

Therefore, once results are announced, focus on:

Your AIR → Category → NLU preferences → Closing ranks → Counselling movement

rather than looking at marks in isolation.

What Is a Safe Rank for Top NLUs?

There is no rank that can be called universally "safe" because admissions depend on the year and category.

However, recent CLAT 2026 analysis gives a useful broad picture:

Approx. AIR	Possible Competitive Zone
1–150	Strongest NLU options
150–350	Several top NLUs
350–700	Strong Tier-1 NLU possibilities
700–1,300	Several established NLUs
1,300–2,000	Multiple NLU options depending on category and course
2,000+	Later-round and lower-closing NLU possibilities

This should be used as a planning framework, not as an admission guarantee. Actual closing ranks vary by category, programme and counselling round.

CLAT Cut Off and Counselling Rounds

One of the biggest mistakes students make is assuming that the first allotment list tells the complete story.

It doesn't.

Seats can move during subsequent rounds because candidates may:

Accept another NLU
Withdraw
Choose a different programme
Fail to complete admission formalities
Opt for another college
Move through the counselling process

This means a candidate who misses an NLU in an earlier round may still have an opportunity later, depending on the available seats and counselling rules.

However, students should never assume that a later round will definitely bring a lower cutoff.

How to Check Your CLAT Admission Chances

After receiving your CLAT result, use this simple process.

Step 1: Check Your AIR

Your All India Rank is the first number you should note.

Step 2: Check Your Category

Your category can affect your available seats and cutoff.

Step 3: Check Domicile Requirements

Some NLUs provide state-domicile reservations or preferences.

Step 4: Compare Previous Closing Ranks

Look at recent closing ranks rather than relying on one year's data.

Step 5: Prepare a Broad Preference List

Don't put only two or three NLUs on your list.

Include realistic options as well as ambitious choices.

Step 6: Follow Every Counselling Update

Keep checking official counselling announcements and deadlines.

CLAT Cut Off for Students Preparing in Delhi

If you're preparing for CLAT in Delhi, don't restrict your college choices only to institutions located in or around Delhi.

CLAT provides access to participating NLUs across different parts of India.

A student from Delhi could potentially consider universities in:

Karnataka
Telangana
West Bengal
Rajasthan
Gujarat
Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra
Punjab
Uttar Pradesh
Kerala
Odisha
Chhattisgarh
Himachal Pradesh
Assam
Other participating regions

Your NLU preference should be based on factors such as academic reputation, course structure, placements, fees, location, campus environment and your career goals—not simply distance from home.

How to Improve Your Chances of Meeting the CLAT Cut Off

If you're still preparing for the exam, don't spend all your time predicting the cutoff.

Work on improving your score.

Take Regular Mock Tests

Mocks help you understand where you're losing marks.

Analyse Every Mock

Don't simply record your score. Categorise your mistakes into:

Conceptual errors
Reading mistakes
Calculation mistakes
Guessing errors
Time-management issues

Improve Reading Speed

CLAT requires candidates to process passages efficiently. Regular reading can help you become more comfortable with dense information.

Strengthen Legal Reasoning

Focus on applying principles to facts rather than trying to memorise large amounts of legal information.

Stay Updated With Current Affairs

Maintain concise notes and revise them regularly.

Work on Accuracy

Because CLAT has negative marking, random guessing can hurt your final score.

Set a Higher Target

Don't prepare merely to cross the expected cutoff. Aim to maximise your score.

Common Mistakes Students Make About CLAT Cut Off

Mistake 1: Focusing Only on Marks

Marks are useful, but rank is more relevant for admission decisions.

Mistake 2: Looking at Only One Year's Cutoff

A single year can be unusual. Compare multiple years wherever possible.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Category and Domicile

Your admission chances can change considerably based on applicable reservations.

Mistake 4: Giving Up After the First List

Counselling movement can create additional opportunities.

Mistake 5: Choosing an NLU Only Because It Has a Lower Cutoff

Consider academics, fees, placements, location and your long-term career plans.

Mistake 6: Treating Expected Cutoffs as Guaranteed

Predicted cutoffs are estimates. Actual admission depends on the final counselling process.

Frequently Asked Questions About CLAT Cut Off

What is the CLAT cut off?

The CLAT cutoff refers to the score or, more commonly for admission analysis, the closing rank associated with admission to a particular NLU and programme.

What is a good CLAT rank?

A good rank depends on the NLU you're targeting. For the most competitive NLUs, candidates generally need very high ranks. Recent 2026 data shows top NLUs closing within the first few hundred ranks.

Is 90 a good score in CLAT?

It can be competitive, but the answer depends on the year's difficulty, candidate performance, category and NLU preferences. Don't treat 90 as a guaranteed cutoff.

Which NLU has the highest CLAT cutoff?

NLSIU Bengaluru is among the most competitive NLUs and had a closing rank around 112 in the available CLAT 2026 analysis.

Does category affect the CLAT cutoff?

Yes. Category, reservation, domicile and programme can all affect the closing rank.

Can I get an NLU with a rank above 2,000?

Possibly. Several NLUs have closing ranks beyond 2,000, and counselling movement can also affect the final admission picture. The exact options depend on category, programme and year.

Is the CLAT cutoff the same for every NLU?

No. Every NLU can have a different closing rank, and the cutoff can also vary between programmes and categories.

Should I wait for the final cutoff before making my NLU preferences?

No. Build your preference list carefully using previous trends, your rank, category, domicile and available information. Then follow the official counselling process.

CLAT cut off

The CLAT cut off is useful for understanding your admission chances, but it should not become the sole focus of your preparation. Cutoffs change every year, and the same score can produce different ranks depending on the overall performance of candidates.

If you're a CLAT aspirant in Delhi, focus first on improving your accuracy, reading ability, reasoning skills and mock-test performance. After the result, use your AIR, category, domicile and recent NLU closing ranks to build a realistic preference list.

Most importantly, don't panic if your rank isn't good enough for your first-choice NLU. The CLAT counselling process includes multiple rounds, and a thoughtful preference strategy can make a significant difference.