Clat Cutoff Category Wise 2026: Nlu Admissions, Expected Ranks & Counselling Process
CLAT Cutoff Category Wise 2026 for top National Law Universities (NLUs) saw NLSIU Bengaluru’s General category close at Rank 101 in Round 1, a highly competitive figure compared to NALSAR Hyderabad’s General closing rank of 148. The CLAT Cutoff Category Wise 2026 is the minimum rank required for admission to various law programs across participating NLUs, reflecting the intense competition among over 92,000 candidates who appeared for the exam. This year’s cutoffs, officially released after the December 17, 2025 results, indicate a stable yet challenging admission landscape for aspiring law students.
CLAT Cutoff Category Wise 2026: Notification, Application & Exam Date Schedule
The following table 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 |
| Admit Card Release | November 22, 2025 |
| Exam Date | December 7, 2025 |
| Result Announcement | December 16-17, 2025 |
CLAT 2026 Category-wise Cutoff: General, OBC, SC, ST & EWS Closing Ranks (Round 1)
The Round 1 closing ranks for various categories across top National Law Universities for CLAT 2026 are detailed below.
| NLU | General | OBC | SC | ST | EWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 2023 vs 2024 vs 2025 by NLU (General Category)
Analyzing the General category closing ranks for top NLUs over the past three years provides insight into admission trends.
| NLU | 2025 Closing Rank | 2024 Closing Rank | 2023 Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bengaluru | 102 | — | 114 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 155 | — | 177 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata (BA LLB) | 285 | — | 260 |
| NLU Jodhpur (UG) | 367 | 379 | 344 |
CLAT Cutoff Category Wise 2026 Counselling Schedule: Registration, Choice Filling & Seat Allotment Dates
The CLAT 2026 counselling process involves multiple rounds of seat allotment, with key dates outlined below.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Counselling Registration | December 17-27, 2025 |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment | January 7, 2026 |
| Round 1 Confirmation Fee Deadline | January 7-15, 2026 |
| Round 2 Seat Allotment | January 22, 2026 |
| Round 2 Confirmation Fee Deadline | January 22-29, 2026 |
| Round 3 Seat Allotment | February 5, 2026 |
| Round 4 Seat Allotment | May 2, 2026 |
| Round 5 Seat Allotment | May 20, 2026 |
FAQs
Q: When was the CLAT 2026 cutoff officially released?
A: The CLAT 2026 Round 1 cutoff was officially released on January 7, 2026, following the declaration of results on December 16-17, 2025.
Q: What factors influence the CLAT cutoff category wise?
A: The CLAT cutoff is influenced by several factors, including the difficulty level of the exam, the total number of applicants, the number of seats available in participating NLUs, and the reservation policies for different categories.
Q: How many rounds of counselling are conducted for CLAT 2026 admissions?
A: The CLAT 2026 counselling process is conducted in five sequential rounds to fill all available seats in the participating National Law Universities.
Q: Is the CLAT cutoff for General category higher than reserved categories?
A: Yes, historically, the CLAT cutoff for the General category is typically higher compared to reserved categories such as OBC, SC, ST, and EWS, due to reservation policies and competition levels.
Q: Where can I find the detailed CLAT cutoff for specific NLUs and categories?
A: The detailed CLAT cutoff for each NLU and category is published on the official website of the Consortium of National Law Universities during each round of counselling.
