CLAT 2025 round 1 cut-offs released: NLSIU Bengaluru general category closes at rank 100

The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) released the CLAT 2025 cut-offs for Round 1 on 26 May 2025. The first merit list and seat allotment were published on the official website, consortiumofnlus.ac, to determine the minimum ranks required for admission to top NLUs for various law courses.

These cut-offs are crucial for the approximately 75,000 candidates who appeared for CLAT 2025, as they dictate admission to around 3,200–3,500 undergraduate seats across 24 NLUs. The Consortium will continue to release cut-off marks for NLUs after each round of CLAT revised counselling, with the second round cut-off expected on 4 June 2025, at approximately 10 pm.

CLAT 2025 Round 1 Cut-Offs and Top NLU Performance

The CLAT 2025 Round 1 cut-offs have been released for General, OBC, SC, ST, and EWS categories, showing variations by NLU, category, and seat availability. Top NLUs such as NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, and WBNUJS Kolkata recorded higher cut-offs for the general category, reflecting their popularity and limited seat intake. NLSIU Bengaluru, for instance, consistently maintains the highest cut-off, often requiring general category students to score above 100 marks.

Candidates securing ranks above the CLAT 2025 cut-offs for a particular NLU will be eligible for admission. The counselling process for CLAT 2025 will be conducted in three rounds for admission to various NLUs and participating law institutes. Newer NLUs, such as MNLU Nagpur or DNLU Jabalpur, generally have lower cut-offs, making them accessible at lower scores. Reserved category cut-offs are typically lower, with SC/ST candidates potentially qualifying with 70–75 marks for top NLUs, depending on seat availability.

Factors Influencing CLAT Cut-Offs

Several factors influence the CLAT cut-offs each year, including the difficulty of the exam, the total seat intake across NLUs, and candidate preferences during counselling. A tougher CLAT exam generally results in lower cut-offs due to lower overall scores, while an easier paper tends to push cut-offs higher. The CLAT 2025 exam, conducted on 1 December 2024, was rated as easy to moderate, with English and Quantitative Techniques considered accessible, potentially contributing to slightly higher cut-off trends.

Increased competition from a larger pool of candidates also leads to higher cut-off marks. Approximately 75,000 students appeared for CLAT 2025, compared to 58,504 candidates for CLAT UG in 2024. Also, fewer seats at NLUs mean higher cut-offs due to increased competition for limited spots. NLSIU Bengaluru, for example, now offers around 300 seats for UG courses, an increase from the previous year, which can slightly impact its specific cut-off dynamics.

CLAT 2025 Exam Pattern and Scoring

CLAT 2025 maintained the same exam pattern as the previous year, featuring 120 questions across five sections. The exam was conducted offline in a pen-and-paper OMR format across more than 130 centres. Each correct answer awarded +1 mark, while each wrong answer resulted in a deduction of -0.25 marks. Unattempted questions carried no penalty.

The overall difficulty level of CLAT 2025 was easy to moderate, with Legal Reasoning and Logical Reasoning sections including some moderate and analytical questions. Legal Reasoning and Current Affairs carry significant weight, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the exam’s impact on ranks. The highest score in CLAT is typically around 115–120 out of 120, and in CLAT 2024, topper scores exceeded 100 marks, a trend that continued in 2025. There are no sectional cut-offs in CLAT; admissions depend solely on the overall score and rank. In case of equal scores, higher marks in Legal Reasoning are considered, followed by age preference, and then a random computerised draw.

Further reading

• CLAT 2027 preparation: 30-day study plan and revision tips for aspirants
• CLAT 2027 eligibility, registration deadline October 31 for UG, PG law admissions
• CLAT counselling: rounds, dates and seat allotment Next step
• AILET 2027 registration closes November 10 for NLU Delhi UG, PG law programmes
• NTA revised exam calendar 2026-27 out: check new JEE Main, UGC NET, CUET PG dates
• Pune Law: Apply for direct admission to LLB courses now Applications open

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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