CLAT 2026 Cutoff Round Wise: NLU-Wise Closing Ranks, Category-Wise Cutoff for All 5 Counselling Rounds

The Consortium of National Law Universities has released the CLAT 2026 first allotment list on January 7, 2026, marking the beginning of the five-round counselling process at consortiumofnlus.ac.in. Candidates who appeared for the CLAT exam conducted on December 7, 2025, can now check their seat allotment status and understand the round-wise cutoff trends for all participating NLUs.

The CLAT 2026 result declared on December 16, 2025, revealed that Geetali Gupta secured AIR-1 with 112.75 marks out of 120 in the UG category. With 75,009 candidates appearing for CLAT UG and 17,335 for CLAT PG, competition remains intense for approximately 3,952 UG seats and 1,590 PG seats across 25 participating National Law Universities.

CLAT 2026 Counselling Schedule: Complete Round-Wise Dates

The CLAT counselling 2026 process spans five rounds, with each round offering opportunities for seat upgradation through the Float option. Understanding this schedule is crucial for strategic decision-making during the admission process.

Counselling Round	Allotment List Release Date	Freeze/Float/Exit Deadline	Confirmation Fee Payment
Round 1	January 7, 2026 (10:00 AM)	January 15, 2026 (1:00 PM)	Rs. 20,000
Round 2	January 22, 2026 (10:00 AM)	January 29, 2026 (1:00 PM)	Rs. 20,000
Round 3	February 5, 2026 (10:00 AM)	February 12, 2026 (1:00 PM)	Rs. 20,000
Round 4	May 2, 2026 (10:00 AM)	May 8, 2026	Rs. 20,000
Round 5 (Final)	May 15, 2026 (10:00 AM)	May 20, 2026	Rs. 20,000

The university fee payment deadline for candidates choosing Freeze in Rounds 1-3 is April 24, 2026, while those freezing in Rounds 4-5 must pay by May 30, 2026.

CLAT 2026 Expected Cutoff: Top 10 NLUs General Category

Based on previous year trends and the CLAT 2026 paper difficulty level, the expected cutoff ranks for top NLUs indicate highly competitive admissions. The CLAT cutoff varies significantly between Tier-1 and newer NLUs.

NLU Name	NIRF Rank 2025	Expected Closing Rank (General)	Expected Marks Range
NLSIU Bangalore	1	100-120	96-98+
NALSAR Hyderabad	3	150-170	94-96
NUJS Kolkata (WBNUJS)	4	300-350	92-94
NLU Jodhpur (NLUJ)	5	350-400	90-92
NLIU Bhopal	6	500-600	88-90
GNLU Gandhinagar	8	450-550	88-90
HNLU Raipur	9	800-1000	85-88
RMLNLU Lucknow	20	700-900	86-88
MNLU Mumbai	11	600-800	86-88
NLU Odisha	14	1000-1200	84-86

CLAT 2025 Cutoff (Previous Year): Round 3 Closing Ranks for Reference

The CLAT 2025 cutoff data provides valuable insights for current aspirants. Top NLUs demonstrated increased competitiveness with NLSIU closing at rank 112, NALSAR at 159, and NUJS at 327 after Round 3.

NLU Name	General Closing Rank	OBC Closing Rank	SC Closing Rank	ST Closing Rank
NLSIU Bangalore	112	1116	2500+	4000+
NALSAR Hyderabad	159	1200+	2800+	4500+
NUJS Kolkata (BA LLB)	327	1500+	3500+	5500+
NLU Jodhpur	367	1800+	4000+	6000+
GNLU Gandhinagar	464	2000+	5000+	7000+

Round-Wise Cutoff Movement Pattern: What to Expect

Understanding how CLAT cutoff ranks shift across rounds helps candidates make informed counselling decisions. Each round presents distinct opportunities based on seat availability and candidate movements.

Round 1 Cutoff Characteristics

• Tightest and highest cutoffs of the entire counselling process
• Top 10 NLUs show minimal movement as high scorers secure preferred seats
• NLSIU, NALSAR, NUJS, NLUJ, and GNLU fill most general category seats
• Candidates should choose Float option if allotted a lower-preference NLU

Round 2 Cutoff Characteristics

• Meaningful cutoff drops occur, especially for mid-tier NLUs
• HNLU, RMLNLU, CNLU, NUALS, and NUSRL see significant movement
• Closing ranks may drop by 200-600 positions for some NLUs
• Students who floated in Round 1 may receive upgrades

Round 3 Cutoff Characteristics

• Maximum overall movement across categories observed
• High-ranked students settle with allotted colleges
• Mid-rank ranges (AIR 3000-9000) benefit the most
• Some NLUs open unexpectedly based on vacancy patterns

Round 4 and 5 Cutoff Characteristics

• Triggered by students joining NLU Delhi (AILET), Jindal, Symbiosis, or NMIMS
• Newer NLUs like NLUT Agartala, RPNLU Prayagraj, IIULER Goa see biggest drops
• BBA LLB courses and state-domicile categories experience more movement
• Top 8-10 NLUs show minimal change at this stage

CLAT 2026 Category-Wise Expected Cutoff Marks

The CLAT 2026 cutoff varies significantly across categories due to reservation policies followed by NLUs. Reserved category candidates typically require 10-30% lower ranks compared to general category.

Category	Top 3 NLUs (Marks)	Top 5-10 NLUs (Marks)	Mid-Tier NLUs (Marks)	Newer NLUs (Marks)
General	95-100+	85-95	78-85	70-78
OBC	90-95	80-90	72-80	65-72
EWS	88-93	78-88	70-78	62-70
SC	75-85	65-75	55-65	50-55
ST	70-80	60-70	50-60	45-50

CLAT 2026 Seat Matrix: NLU-Wise Distribution

The Consortium of NLUs offers approximately 3,952 UG seats and 1,590 PG seats across 25 participating institutions. Understanding seat availability helps candidates set realistic expectations during CLAT counselling.

NLU Name	UG Seats (BA LLB)	Other UG Programs	PG Seats (LLM)	State Domicile %
NLSIU Bangalore	310	–	60	25% Karnataka
NALSAR Hyderabad	180	–	60	25% Telangana
NUJS Kolkata	108 (BA LLB)	48 (BSc LLB)	52	25% West Bengal
NLU Jodhpur	180	60 (BBA LLB)	60	25% Rajasthan
NLIU Bhopal	180	60 (BSc LLB)	60	40% MP
GNLU Gandhinagar	180	–	60	25% Gujarat
RMLNLU Lucknow	180	–	60	25% UP
CNLU Patna	120	–	40	25% Bihar

CLAT 2026 Topper Details: AIR 1-10 Performance

The CLAT 2026 result announced Geetali Gupta from Rajasthan as the AIR-1 holder with 112.75 marks out of 120. Her performance sets the benchmark for top NLU admissions this year.

All India Rank	Candidate Name	Marks Secured	State
AIR 1	Geetali Gupta	112.75/120	Rajasthan
AIR 2	Parv Jain	111+	–
AIR 3	Rohan Joshi	110+	Karnataka
AIR 4	Arshnoor Singh	109+	–

For CLAT PG, the highest score recorded was 104.25 marks, with NLSIU Bengaluru and NALSAR Hyderabad having the highest cutoffs for LLM admissions.

How to Check CLAT 2026 Allotment List

Candidates can check their seat allotment status through the official consortiumofnlus.ac.in portal following these steps:

• Visit the official CLAT website at consortiumofnlus.ac.in
• Click on the CLAT 2026 candidate login option
• Enter registered mobile number and password
• Navigate to the counselling section on the dashboard
• Download the round-wise allotment list PDF
• Check allotted NLU, category, and required action (Freeze/Float/Exit)

CLAT 2026 Counselling Fee Structure

The CLAT counselling registration fee varies based on category, and the confirmation fee remains uniform across all rounds.

Fee Type	General/OBC Category	SC/ST Category
Counselling Registration Fee	Rs. 30,000	Rs. 20,000
Confirmation Fee (Per Round)	Rs. 20,000	Rs. 20,000
Refund (No Seat Allotted)	Full Refund	Full Refund
Refund (Exit After Allotment)	Rs. 5,000 Deducted	Rs. 5,000 Deducted

Freeze, Float, Exit Options Explained

Understanding these three options is critical for making optimal decisions during CLAT counselling 2026.

Freeze Option

Select Freeze if you are satisfied with the allotted NLU and want to confirm admission. Choosing this option removes you from further counselling rounds, and you must pay both confirmation fee and university fee to secure the seat.

Float Option

Choose Float if you wish to retain your current seat while remaining eligible for upgradation to a higher-preference NLU in subsequent rounds. You must pay the confirmation fee to hold the seat. This option is not available in Round 5.

Exit Option

Select Exit if you wish to withdraw from the entire counselling process. Your seat will be reallocated to another candidate. Once you exit, you cannot rejoin the counselling process.

CLAT 2026 Marks vs Rank Analysis

Understanding the correlation between marks and rank helps candidates set realistic targets and estimate their chances at various NLUs.

Marks Range (Out of 120)	Expected AIR Range	Possible NLU Tier
100-112	1-300	Top 3-5 NLUs (NLSIU, NALSAR, NUJS)
95-100	300-700	Top 5-8 NLUs (NLUJ, NLIU, GNLU)
90-95	700-1500	Top 8-12 NLUs (HNLU, RMLNLU, MNLU)
85-90	1500-3000	Mid-Tier NLUs (NLU Odisha, CNLU, NUALS)
80-85	3000-5000	Mid-Lower Tier NLUs
75-80	5000-8000	Newer NLUs (NLUT, RPNLU, DBRANLU)
70-75	8000-12000	Newer NLUs/State Reservation Seats

Documents Required for CLAT 2026 Counselling

Candidates must keep the following documents ready for verification during CLAT counselling and NLU admission:

• CLAT 2026 Scorecard (downloaded from consortiumofnlus.ac.in)
• Class 10 Mark Sheet and Certificate
• Class 12 Mark Sheet and Certificate
• Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) if applicable
• Domicile Certificate (for state quota seats)
• PwD Certificate (if applicable)
• Passport Size Photographs
• Valid Photo ID (Aadhar Card/Passport)
• Character Certificate from last institution attended
• Transfer Certificate

CLAT 2026 Participating NLUs: Complete List

The Consortium of NLUs includes 25 National Law Universities offering admissions through CLAT 2026. NLU Delhi conducts separate AILET examination and is not part of the consortium.

• NLSIU Bangalore (National Law School of India University)
• NALSAR Hyderabad (National Academy of Legal Studies and Research)
• NUJS Kolkata (West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences)
• NLU Jodhpur (National Law University Jodhpur)
• NLIU Bhopal (National Law Institute University)
• GNLU Gandhinagar (Gujarat National Law University)
• HNLU Raipur (Hidayatullah National Law University)
• RMLNLU Lucknow (Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University)
• CNLU Patna (Chanakya National Law University)
• NUALS Kochi (National University of Advanced Legal Studies)
• NLU Odisha (National Law University Odisha)
• NUSRL Ranchi (National University of Study and Research in Law)
• NLUT Agartala (National Law University Tripura)
• MNLU Mumbai (Maharashtra National Law University Mumbai)
• MNLU Nagpur (Maharashtra National Law University Nagpur)
• MNLU Aurangabad (Maharashtra National Law University Aurangabad)
• DSNLU Visakhapatnam (Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University)
• TNNLU Tiruchirappalli (Tamil Nadu National Law University)
• HPNLU Shimla (Himachal Pradesh National Law University)
• DBRANLU Sonepat (Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University)
• DNLU Jabalpur (Dharmashastra National Law University)
• MPDNLU Gwalior
• GNLU Silvassa (Off-Campus)
• RPNLU Prayagraj (Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University)
• IIULER Goa

CLAT Coaching and Preparation Resources

Candidates preparing for CLAT 2027 can benefit from analyzing this year’s trends and toppers’ strategies. Geetali Gupta, CLAT 2026 AIR-1, emphasized consistent daily revision, weekly mock analysis, and focused GK preparation as key success factors.

Popular CLAT coaching institutes include Law Prep Tutorial, LegalEdge (Toprankers), Career Launcher, and IMS. Online preparation resources and mock test series are available through the official consortium website and various educational platforms.

FAQs on CLAT 2026 Cutoff Round Wise

What is the expected CLAT 2026 cutoff for NLSIU Bangalore?

The expected closing rank for NLSIU Bangalore in General category is around 100-120, requiring approximately 96-98+ marks out of 120. Based on previous year trends, NLSIU closed at rank 112 in CLAT 2025 Round 3. Karnataka domicile candidates have separate seats under 25% horizontal reservation.

How many rounds are there in CLAT 2026 counselling?

CLAT 2026 counselling comprises five rounds of seat allotment. Round 1-3 occur between January-February 2026, while Round 4-5 are scheduled for May 2026. Each round offers Freeze, Float, and Exit options, except Round 5 where only Freeze and Exit are available.

Can cutoffs drop in later CLAT counselling rounds?

Yes, cutoffs typically drop by 2-10 marks or 200-600 ranks in subsequent rounds due to withdrawals, students choosing Float, and candidates joining other law schools through AILET, SLAT, or university-specific exams. Mid-tier and newer NLUs see maximum movement in later rounds.

What is the difference between CLAT qualifying cutoff and admission cutoff?

Qualifying cutoff is the minimum score needed to be eligible for counselling (typically 40-50 marks), while admission cutoff is the actual rank at which the last candidate gets admission in a particular NLU. Top NLUs require 95-100+ marks despite the qualifying score being much lower.

Does CLAT have sectional cutoff?

No, CLAT does not have any sectional cutoff. Only the overall score and All India Rank matter for admission. The exam comprises English, Current Affairs including GK, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques, but performance is evaluated on aggregate marks only.

What is a good score in CLAT 2026 for NLU admission?

A score of 90+ marks (out of 120) is considered good for top 5-8 NLU admissions in General category. For any NLU admission, 75-80 marks should be sufficient depending on category and counselling round. Reserved category candidates may secure top NLU seats with significantly lower scores.

How does domicile reservation affect CLAT cutoff?

Domicile reservation (typically 25-50% depending on NLU) creates separate cutoffs for state candidates. Home state applicants often have lower cutoff ranks compared to All India category. For example, Karnataka students at NLSIU or Maharashtra students at MNLU Mumbai may secure seats at higher AIR compared to general pool.

When will CLAT 2026 final cutoffs be released?

Official cutoffs are released round-wise during counselling through provisional allotment lists. Final cutoffs reflecting the last admitted rank in each category become available after Round 5 concludes in May 2026. The Consortium publishes these on consortiumofnlus.ac.in.