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
With an AIR of 34724 and OBC category rank of 7153, chances of getting a seat in DSNLU Visakhapatnam are low in early rounds. However, since you are already invited for counselling, there may be some chance in later rounds depending on seat vacancy and cut-off movement. You should participate in all counselling rounds and keep other college options open.
You can check CLAT cutoffs and counselling details here:
https://law.careers360.com/articles/clat-cutoff
With a CLAT LLM rank of 13656, getting a top NLU is difficult. You may have chances in lower-ranked NLUs or private law universities, depending on seat availability and category.
You can check CLAT LLM counselling details here:
https://law.careers360.com/articles/clat-llm-cut-off
With a CLAT PG rank of 1257 in the SC category and being a woman candidate with Rajasthan domicile, you do have a realistic chance of securing admission to several National Law Universities, though the top NLUs may be difficult at this rank. Admission chances depend heavily on category-wise cut-offs, domicile reservations, and how many seats are available in a given year. For top-tier NLUs like NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, or NLUD, the closing ranks for SC category usually fall much lower, so chances there are minimal. However, you should definitely consider mid- and lower-ranked NLUs where SC category cut-offs often extend beyond 1200–1500 ranks.
You should prioritise NLUs that offer domicile or state quota benefits, especially those closer to your home state or neighbouring regions. National Law University Jodhpur (if applicable under domicile or category movement), Hidayatullah National Law University Raipur, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University Lucknow, Gujarat National Law University Gandhinagar, Maharashtra National Law University (Nagpur or Aurangabad), National Law University Odisha, and Tamil Nadu National Law University are some options where candidates in the SC category with similar ranks have secured seats in previous counselling rounds. Lower-tier NLUs like Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Himachal Pradesh National Law University, and Dharmashastra National Law University can also be kept in your preference list as safer options.
Your strategy should be to keep a wide preference list during counselling, placing mid-ranked NLUs first and then moving to lower NLUs, rather than restricting yourself only to a few choices. Also, stay active during subsequent counselling rounds and vacancy rounds, as many seats in the SC category are filled later due to withdrawals. Overall, while top NLUs may be tough, you have a fair chance of getting into a decent NLU if you plan your preferences smartly and remain flexible.
With a CLAT PG rank of around 11,000, getting admission into the top National Law Universities (NLUs) is not likely, as their general category cut-offs usually close much earlier. However, you still have realistic chances in lower-ranked and newer NLUs, especially in the later rounds of CLAT counselling or through vacant seats.
At this rank, you may consider NLUs such as NLU Tripura, NLU Meghalaya, NLU Nagaland, NLU Sikkim, NLU Andhra Pradesh, NLU Odisha, NLU Jabalpur, and NLU Aurangabad, particularly if you belong to a reserved category like SC, ST, OBC, EWS, or have domicile or women reservation applicable. Cut-offs for these universities tend to go higher in rank compared to older NLUs, and seats often open up in subsequent counselling rounds due to withdrawals.
If you do not secure an NLU seat, you should also strongly consider reputed state and private law universities that accept CLAT PG scores or conduct their own entrance tests. Universities such as Faculty of Law, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Delhi University (DU – through CUET PG), Jamia Millia Islamia, Symbiosis Law School, Christ University, Jindal Global Law School, and Nirma University are good alternatives for LLM aspirants. Many of these institutions offer strong academic exposure, experienced faculty, and good research opportunities, sometimes even better than newer NLUs.
Overall, while a rank of 11,000 limits options in top NLUs, admission is still possible in newer NLUs or good non-NLU law universities, provided you actively participate in counselling rounds and keep backup options ready.
With a CLAT 2026 All India Rank around 2070, Telangana domicile, and holding an OBC certificate (girl candidate), your chances of getting admission into a top-tier NLU like NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, NUJS Kolkata or NLU Jodhpur are quite low, as their closing ranks are usually much higher. However, you still have realistic chances in several mid-tier and newer NLUs, especially if OBC reservation and domicile or women reservation is applicable.
Based on previous years’ counselling trends, you can reasonably expect chances in NLUs such as NLU Odisha (Cuttack), NLIU Bhopal (borderline, depending on category movement), NLU Assam (Guwahati), DSNLU Visakhapatnam, TNNLU Tiruchirappalli, HPNLU Shimla, NLU Tripura, NLU Meghalaya, NLU Sikkim, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar NLU Sonipat. Some of these universities see rank movement in later rounds and vacancies, particularly for reserved categories and women candidates.
Since you are from Telangana, you should definitely keep NALSAR Hyderabad in your preference list, but only after all higher NLUs, as the domicile quota is limited and usually closes at a much better rank. Still, it is worth trying because domicile and category together can sometimes help in spot or vacancy rounds.
Your best strategy would be to prepare a balanced preference list: first include all top NLUs, then mid-tier NLUs like NLU Odisha and NLIU Bhopal, followed by newer and lower-ranked NLUs where your rank has a stronger chance. Make sure you actively participate in all counselling rounds, including vacancies, as many seats open up after withdrawals.
Cut-offs vary every year depending on seat intake, category distribution, and counselling dynamics, so even if you miss out in early rounds, you should not lose hope. Keep your documents ready, track counselling updates closely, and stay flexible with preferences to maximize your chances of securing an NLU seat.
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