Candidates with a low score in CLAT 2025 might be faced with a dilemma of whether to opt for a low-ranked NLU or look for admissions into private law colleges. The good news is that there are plenty of college options to choose from. Candidates can also appear for other law entrance exams accepted by private law colleges to maximise their chances of admission. The quality of education offered by top private law colleges in India is on par with premier NLUs and as per global industry standards. Many of the private law colleges also feature in the NIRF law rankings 2024 alongside top NLUs in the country. In this article find out which are the top private law colleges to look at instead of low-ranked NLUs.
Other than the National Law Universities (NLUs), over 60+ private law colleges are participating in CLAT 2025. Besides, some other entrance exams such as the Symbiosis Law Admission Test, JGLS LNAT UK, and the Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Law offer good alternatives for admission into private law colleges.
Candidates with a good score in CLAT will sail through the CLAT 2025 admissions process and secure a seat in the premier NLUs such as NLSIU Bengaluru and NALSAR Hyderabad. A score of 90+ for reserved category candidates and a score of 100+ for general candidates is enough to achieve this.
However, candidates who do not have a high score in the Common Law Admission Test should widen their college options and start looking at private law colleges instead of low-ranked NLUs.
Category | Expected Score range |
General | Below 90 |
EWS | Below 85 |
OBC | Below 80 |
SC | Below 70 |
ST | Below 70 |
Given below is a list of private law colleges that candidates can consider for admission instead of opting for a low-ranked NLU. The table also includes the entrance exams accepted by these colleges, courses offered, and their place in the NIRF rankings.
Sl. no | College Name | Exams Accepted | Courses Offered | NIRF Rank 2024 |
1 | JGLS LNAT | BA LLB Hons, BCom LLB Hons, BBA LLB Hons | - | |
2 | SLAT | BA LLB Hons., BBA LLB Hons. | 5 | |
3 | CLAT | BA LLB, BCom LLB, BBA LLB | - | |
4 | MH CET Law | BA LLB, BBA LLB | - | |
5 | BA LLB Hons., BBA LLB Hons. | 15 | ||
6 | NMIMS LAT, CLAT | BA LLB Hons, BBA LLB Hons. | - | |
7 | CLAT, CUET law | BA LLB Hons, BBA LLB Hons. | 18 | |
8 | CLAT, AILET, LNAT, SLAT, MH CET Law | BA LLB Hons, BBA LLB Hons. | - |
On Question asked by student community
Yes, you can switch from one college to another to a CLAT college through the entrance test. However, it is important to note that you will have to start from year 1 rather than transferring directly into the second or third year. Some of the top
CLAT participating colleges
here.
Here you can check out the top
NLUs offering admission into 3-year LLB
with and without CLAT exam:
1. NLSIU Bengaluru for LLB programme through NLSAT.
2. NLU Odisha and NLU Visakhapatnam offer admission into the 3-year LLB course through their own admission process.
3. CNLU Patna
Yes, for CLAT preparation, building a reading habit daily is a good approach. You can read the daily newspapers like The Hindu and The Indian Express. While going for Animal Farm by George Orwell, Word power Made Easy by Norma Lewis for novel comprehension.
Yes, you can elevate your law entrance journey with Careers360’s CLAT mock test PDF free download link given below:
https://law.careers360.com/articles/clat-mock-test
The CLAT 2027 application form will open in the first week of August 2026. While the exam will be held on the first or second Sunday of December 2026.
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