Clat 2026 Cutoff General Category: Nlu-Wise Ranks, Counselling & Admission Process
The CLAT 2026 Cutoff General Category for top National Law Universities (NLUs) saw NLSIU Bangalore close at rank 101 in Round 1, while NALSAR Hyderabad settled at rank 148. This cutoff is the minimum rank required for admission to various undergraduate law programs across participating NLUs. The CLAT 2026 examination was conducted on December 7, 2025, with results announced on December 16, 2025, and the first allotment list released on January 7, 2026, indicating intense competition for limited seats.
CLAT 2026 Cutoff General Category: Notification, Application & Exam Date Schedule
The table below outlines the key dates for the CLAT 2026 examination and admission process.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | July 20, 2025 |
| Application Start | August 1, 2025 |
| Application Close | October 31, 2025 |
| Correction Window | November 9, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | November 22, 2025 |
| Exam Date | December 7, 2025 |
| Result Announcement | December 16, 2025 |
CLAT 2026 NLU-wise Closing Ranks: General Category, Round 1 & Top NLUs
The following table presents the Round 1 closing ranks for the General category across prominent National Law Universities for CLAT 2026.
| National Law University (NLU) | CLAT 2026 Round 1 Closing Rank (General) |
|---|---|
| National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore | 101 |
| NALSAR University of Law (NALSAR), Hyderabad | 148 |
| The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata | 284 |
| National Law University (NLU), Jodhpur | 310 |
| Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar | 376 |
| Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Mumbai | 481 |
| Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur | 736 |
| Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna | 1141 |
| Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU), Tiruchirappalli | 1370 |
| National Law University and Judicial Academy (NLUJA), Assam | 1764 |
CLAT Cutoff Trends: General Category Closing Ranks 2023 vs 2024 vs 2025 vs 2026 by NLU (Round 1)
An analysis of Round 1 General category closing ranks for top NLUs reveals the evolving competition over recent years.
| National Law University (NLU) | 2026 Closing Rank | 2025 Closing Rank | 2024 Closing Rank | 2023 Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | 101 | 100 | 102 | 107 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 148 | 150 | 167 | 177 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | 284 | 285 | 279 | 260 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 310 | 357 | 379 | 341 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | 376 | 402 | 456 | 424 |
CLAT 2026 Counselling Schedule: Registration, Choice Filling & Seat Allotment Dates
The CLAT 2026 counselling process involved multiple rounds for seat allocation, with key dates outlined below.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Counselling Registration | December 17, 2025 – December 27, 2025 |
| Seat Allotment Round 1 | January 7, 2026 |
| Seat Allotment Round 5 | May 20, 2026 |
| Acceptance/Payment for Round 5 | May 20, 2026 – May 25, 2026 |
FAQs
Q: When was the CLAT 2026 cutoff officially released?
A: The CLAT 2026 Round 1 cutoff was released on January 7, 2026, following the announcement of results on December 16, 2025.
Q: What are the CLAT 2026 cutoff ranks for top NLUs in the General category?
A: For the General category in CLAT 2026 Round 1, NLSIU Bangalore closed at rank 101, NALSAR Hyderabad at 148, and WBNUJS Kolkata at 284.
Q: What factors influence the CLAT cutoff each year?
A: The CLAT cutoff is influenced by several factors, including the total number of applicants, the difficulty level of the exam, the total number of seats available in NLUs, and the reservation policies.
Q: What is considered a good score for CLAT 2026 for the General category?
A: For the General category, a score of 95-100+ marks is generally considered safe for securing admission into the top 7-10 NLUs in CLAT 2026.
Q: How many counselling rounds were conducted for CLAT 2026?
A: The CLAT 2026 counselling process concluded with five rounds of seat allotment.
Q: Is the CLAT cutoff the same for UG and PG programs?
A: No, the CLAT cutoff varies for undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programs, as they are based on different exams, applicant pools, and seat distributions.
