Clat 2026 Cutoff Marks: Nlu-Wise Ranks, Category-Wise Cutoffs & Counselling Dates
CLAT 2024 Cutoff Marks for top National Law Universities saw a slight tightening in 2026, with the General category closing rank for NLSIU Bengaluru settling at 101, a minor shift from 102 in 2025. The CLAT 2026 cutoff marks are the minimum ranks required for admission to undergraduate law programs across 24 participating NLUs, reflecting the competitive landscape with over 92,000 candidates appearing for the exam.
CLAT 2026 Cutoff Marks: Notification, Application & Exam Date Schedule
The following table outlines the key dates for the CLAT 2026 examination and application process.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | July 20, 2025 |
| Application Start | August 1, 2025 |
| Application Close | October 31, 2025 |
| Correction Window | November 7-9, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | November 22, 2025 |
| Exam Date | December 7, 2025 |
| Result Announcement | December 16, 2025 |
CLAT 2026 NLU-wise & Category-wise Closing Ranks: General, OBC, SC, ST
The first round closing ranks for various National Law Universities in CLAT 2026 are presented below, categorized by candidate type.
| NLU | General Closing Rank | OBC Closing Rank | SC Closing Rank | ST Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bengaluru | 101 | 1018 | 3072 | 5000 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 148 | 831 | 3251 | 2786 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata (BA LLB) | 284 | — | 3833 | 6010 |
| NLIU Bhopal | 431 | 1562 | 4955 | 9461 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 310 | 1273 | 4042 | — |
CLAT Cutoff Trends: Closing Ranks 2024 vs 2025 vs 2026 by NLU (General Category)
An analysis of the General category closing ranks for top NLUs reveals the year-on-year trends in CLAT cutoffs.
| NLU | 2024 Closing Rank | 2025 Closing Rank | 2026 Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bengaluru | 97 | 102 | 101 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 158 | 150 | 148 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | 262 | 285 | 284 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 341 | 357 | 310 |
| NLIU Bhopal | 404 | 458 | 431 |
CLAT 2026 Counselling Schedule: Registration, Allotment & Fee Dates
The key dates for the CLAT 2026 counselling process are provided below.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Result Announcement | December 16, 2025 |
| First Allotment List Release | January 7, 2026 |
| Fifth Allotment List Release | May 20, 2026 |
| Payment of Confirmation Fee (Fifth Allotment) | May 20 – May 25, 2026 |
FAQs
Q: When were CLAT 2026 cutoff marks officially released?
A: The CLAT 2026 first merit list and cutoff marks were officially released on January 7, 2026, with the fifth and final allotment list released on May 20, 2026.
Q: What does CLAT cutoff mean?
A: The CLAT cutoff refers to the minimum rank or score a candidate needs to secure admission into a National Law University (NLU) for a particular program and category.
Q: What factors determine CLAT cutoff marks?
A: Several factors influence CLAT cutoff marks, including the difficulty level of the exam, the total number of candidates who appeared, the number of seats available in participating NLUs, and the candidates’ NLU preferences.
Q: What were the expected CLAT 2026 marks for top NLUs?
A: For CLAT 2026, a score of 98+ marks was generally expected for NLSIU Bengaluru, 95+ for NALSAR Hyderabad, and 92+ for WBNUJS Kolkata in the General category.
Q: How many NLUs participate in CLAT?
A: The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is conducted for admissions to undergraduate and postgraduate law programs offered by 24 National Law Universities in India.
Q: Is there negative marking in CLAT?
A: Yes, there is negative marking in CLAT. For every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks are deducted, while each correct answer fetches 1 mark.
