Getting a seat in any of the top NLUs would require a CLAT score of 90 or above. However, a majority of students score in the range of 60-65 marks. A score between 60 and 65 generally falls within the 14,000-18,000 rank range. While this score/rank might be concerning, it can still open the doors to several NLUs provided students use the benefits of reservation, counselling and choice filling smartly. Additionally, several CLAT-affiliated colleges have accepted low CLAT scores in previous years. This article discusses the possible NLU and non-NLU options for students who have scored between 60-65 marks.
CLAT marks between 60 to 65 fall between the 14000 - 18000 rank range. NLUs that accept candidates with this range include MNLU Nagpur, MNLU Aurangabad, CNLU Patna and more. Here is the table containing the equivalent rank for the score range of 60-65.
Score | Rank |
60.5 | 18330 |
62 | 16834-17004 |
62.25 | 16600 |
62.5 | 16434-16475 |
63 | 15834 |
63.25 | 15697 |
63.75 | 15161 |
64 | 15006-15021 |
64.25 | 14783 |
64.5 | 14616 |
64.75 | 14397 |
65 | 14152 |
At around 60 marks, candidates from the General category are unlikely to secure admission to any NLU. The cut-offs for this category remain comparatively higher. For NLSIU Bengaluru, candidates will need a score close to 100 to get admitted. NALSAR Hyderabad has similar requirements, with scores needing to be above 100 and ranks around 150. Unfortunately, candidates who score around 60 marks will not qualify for any NLUs in the General category.
Options are limited for EWS candidates with a score ranging from 60-65. The previous year’s CLAT cut off data shows that MNLU Nagpur has admitted students with this score range for its BA LLB program. The opening rank for EWS was around 7,863, while the closing rank was 16,868.
Candidates under the OBC category have a few options, with a rank ranging from 14000 - 18000. They can get admitted to the BBA LLB program at MNLU Aurangabad as the opening rank falls within the range. Whereas, the closing range for BA LLB and BBA LLB courses at MNLU Nagpur also matches the CLAT score of around 60.
NLU | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
MNLU Aurangabad - BBA LLB | 15631* | 21108* |
MNLU Nagpur - BA LLB | 2230* | 15059* |
MNLU Nagpur - BBA LLB | 9041* | 16794* |
*state reservation
SC category candidates have comparatively more options. Only MNLU Nagpur’s BBA LLB course accepts candidates in its opening rank. The rest of the candidates can wait till the closing rank, as opening ranks start from around 6700.
NLU | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
MNLU Nagpur - BBA LLB | 17024* | 26619* |
CNLU Patna (BBA LLB) | 12269* | 15833* |
9871* | 15029* | |
MNLU Mumbai | 7180* | 15622* |
IIULER Goa BA LLB | 6774 | 14412 |
IIULER Goa BBA LLB | 11230 | 14867 |
*state reservation
ST candidates have a better chance at getting admission in NLU with a CLAT score of around 60. For example, CNLU Patna has an opening rank of 16829. However, candidates can get into a few NLUs that have had a closing rank ranging from 15000 - 19000.
NLU | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
CNLU Patna (BBA LLB) | - | 27043* |
CNLU Patna (BA LLB) | - | 16829* |
TNNLU Tiruchirappalli BA LLB | 14211 | 15384 |
HPNLU Shimla - BBA LLB | 15632 | 19910 |
GNLU Silvassa Campus | 12320 | 15112 |
NLU Odisha BBA LLB | 10921 | 15161 |
NUSRL Ranchi BA LLB | 10015 | 15023 |
DSNLU Visakhapatnam | 13506 | 15632 |
TNNLU Tiruchirappalli BA LLB | 14211 | 15384 |
MNLU Nagpur - BA LLB | 43425* | 57657* |
HPNLU Shimla - BA LLB | 13499 | 18083 |
*state reservation
Private law colleges are a great option for candidates unable to get into NLUs with a CLAT score range of 60-65. These colleges might also allow direct admission based on the 12th-grade results. Here are some of the private law colleges that accept a CLAT score of around 60.
Alliance School of Law, Alliance University, Bangalore | Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Rohtak |
Kalinga University, Chhattisgarh | |
Arka Jain University, Jharkhand | |
Aryans College of Law, Rajpura, Punjab | Maharshi Law School, Maharshi University of Information Technology |
Asian Law College, Noida | Manipal University, Jaipur |
GITAM School of Law, Visakhapatnam | National Forensic Sciences University, Gujarat |
SRM University Delhi-NCR, Sonepat | |
IMS Unison University, Dehradun |
On Question asked by student community
Start preparing for CLAT by first understanding the exam pattern and syllabus, which includes English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. Make a simple daily routine and begin with basics read newspapers regularly for current affairs, practice comprehension passages for English and legal sections, and solve basic
Hello
With an AIR of 9076 and EWS rank of 846 in CLAT 2026, getting a top NLUs is unlikely, which is why you didn’t get a seat in the first round. However, you still have some chances in lower-tier NLUs like NLU Odisha, NLU Assam, NLU Tripura, NLU Meghalaya,
Hello
With a CLAT 2026 score of 60.75, AIR 17,715, and OBC-NCL rank 3,347 as an out-of-Delhi candidate, getting a seat in the Faculty of Law, Delhi University is very unlikely. DU’s cut-offs for OBC candidates are usually much higher, even in later rounds. You should keep backup options like
Hello,
With AIR 10542 and OBC rank 1843, getting top NLUs is unlikely. However, you still have chances in newer or lower ranked NLUs like NLU Assam, NUSRL Ranchi, MNLU Nagpur/Mumbai, especially in later or vacancy rounds. Also consider good private law colleges as backup options.
Since you scored 8000 AIR in CLAT, getting into top NLUs may not be possible, so it is a good idea to look for affordable and good law colleges.
State government law colleges are usually low in fees, and have decent reputation. Some options include Government Law College, Mumbai, Faculty
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