Clat Nlu Cutoff 2026: Top National Law Universities, Admission Ranks & Trends
From a highly competitive 101 for NLSIU Bengaluru (General category) to ranks extending beyond 2000 for newer institutions, the CLAT NLU Cutoff 2026 spanned a wide range across various National Law Universities. This CLAT NLU Cutoff is the minimum rank required for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programs, with the first merit list for 2026 released on January 7, 2026, following the exam on December 7, 2025. The final allotment list for 2026 was published on May 20, 2026, reflecting the conclusion of the admission rounds.
Clat Nlu Cutoff 2026: Notification, Application & Exam Date Schedule
The table below outlines the key dates for the CLAT 2026 examination and admission process.
| Event | Date (2025-2026) |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | July 20, 2025 |
| Application Start | August 1, 2025 |
| Application Close | October 31, 2025 |
| Correction Window (Test Centre Preferences) | Up to November 9, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | November 22, 2025 |
| Exam Date | December 7, 2025 |
| Result Announcement | December 16, 2025 |
CLAT NLU Cutoff 2026: Top NLU Closing Ranks for BA LLB & LLM Programs
The closing ranks for top National Law Universities in CLAT 2026 for General category are provided below.
| National Law University | Program | General Closing Rank (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bengaluru | BA LLB (Hons.) | 101 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | BA LLB (Hons.) | 148 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | BA LLB (Hons.) | 284 |
| NLIU Bhopal | BA LLB (Hons.) | 431 |
| NLU Jodhpur | BA LLB (Hons.) | 310 |
| NLSIU Bengaluru | LLM | 93 |
CLAT NLU Cutoff 2026: Category-wise Closing Ranks for General, OBC, SC & ST
The table below details the CLAT 2026 closing ranks for various categories across prominent National Law Universities.
| National Law University | General (2026) | OBC (2026) | SC (2026) | ST (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
CLAT NLU Cutoff 2026: Round-wise Closing Ranks for SC Category
Here are the round-wise closing ranks for the SC category in CLAT 2026 for selected NLUs.
| National Law University | SC Round 1 (2026) | SC Round 3 (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bengaluru | 3072 | 3142 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 3251 | 3335 |
CLAT NLU Cutoff Trends: General Category Closing Ranks 2023 vs 2024 vs 2025 by Top NLUs
The following table illustrates the CLAT cutoff trends for the General category across top NLUs over the past three years.
| National Law University | General Closing Rank (2025) | General Closing Rank (2024) | General Closing Rank (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bengaluru | 112 | 102 | 114 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 162 | 167 | 177 |
| NLU Kolkata | 711 | 1010 | 260 |
FAQs
Q: When was the CLAT 2026 cutoff officially released?
A: The CLAT 2026 first merit list and cut-off marks were officially released on January 7, 2026, by the Consortium of National Law Universities. The final allotment list for CLAT UG 2026 was released on May 20, 2026.
Q: What factors influence the CLAT NLU cutoff each year?
A: The CLAT NLU cutoff is influenced by several factors, including the overall difficulty level of the exam, the total number of candidates who appeared, the number of seats available in participating NLUs, and the reservation policies of each institution.
Q: Is the CLAT NLU cutoff the same for all National Law Universities?
A: No, the CLAT NLU cutoff varies significantly across different National Law Universities. Top-ranked NLUs like NLSIU Bengaluru and NALSAR Hyderabad generally have higher cutoffs compared to newer or lower-ranked institutions.
Q: How many counselling rounds were conducted for CLAT 2026 admissions?
A: For CLAT 2026 admissions, the Consortium of National Law Universities conducted five rounds of counselling, with the fifth and final allotment list released on May 20, 2026.
Q: Can domicile candidates expect a lower CLAT NLU cutoff?
A: Yes, many National Law Universities offer domicile reservations for candidates from their respective states, which often results in lower cutoff ranks for those specific quotas compared to the All India General category.
