Scoring between 30-40 marks in CLAT 2026 is an immense challenge for admission to any National Law University (NLU). This score range corresponds to ranks roughly between 40,104 and 47,646, based on last year's CLAT cut-off data. Getting admission into top law colleges at this rank range is highly unlikely. However, some opportunities can still exist for candidates eligible under state quota reservations, which can slightly improve chances of admission in certain NLUs. Additionally, many reputed private and state universities accept CLAT scores for admission, offering excellent opportunities to pursue legal education in India.
Follow the steps below to download the CLAT 2026 answer key and response sheet PDF.
Score | Observed rank |
38.25 | 40104 |
37.25 | 41034 |
35.5 | 42435 |
34.75 | 43218 |
31.5 | 45989 |
30.5 | 46707 |
29.25 | 47646 |
The observed past year CLAT data show that scores from 29.25 to 38.25 correspond to ranks between 40,104 and 47,646. These ranks are far from the cutoff for NLUs, most of which admit candidates with ranks well under 10,000 for general categories. Admission to NLUs is practically out of reach with 30 to 40 marks.
For candidates in the SC category, admission at NLUs within this score range can be marginally possible due to state reservations. For example, the closest NLU with a closing rank near this range for SC candidates in 2025 was NLUT Agartala. This university had a closing rank of 49,197 in the SC category in the last counselling rounds. Since this closing rank is above the 40,104 to 47,646 rank range corresponding to 30-40 marks, it indicates that NLUT Agartala admitted candidates with ranks even higher than this range.
Students can also focus on improving their scores in their next attempts to secure admission at NLUs. Additionally, SC category aspirants with ranks in this range should also consider alternative law colleges. Well-established private and state universities provide valuable opportunities for pursuing legal education and can be good alternatives at this stage.
NLU | Opening rank | Closing rank |
MNLU Nagpur - BA LLB | 43,425* | 57,657* |
MNLU Nagpur - BBA LLB | 41,775* | 59,008* |
MNLU Aurangabad - BA LLB | 55,196* | 58,448* |
MNLU Aurangabad - BBA LLB | 56,594* | 59,056* |
*state reservation
For candidates in the ST category scoring between 30-40 marks in CLAT 2026, admission opportunities at NLUs remain very limited, even with state reservations. As per CLAT 2025 UG data, only the closing ranks of MNLU Nagpur and MNLU Aurangabad were above the rank range associated with 30-40 CLAT marks. It shows these NLUs admitted candidates with ranks even higher than this range for state reservation candidates. However, admission chances remain limited and highly competitive. Students must focus on improving their scores in future attempts to enhance their chances at NLUs or explore other law colleges.
Name of college | Courses offered |
BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), LLB, LLM, PhD | |
BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), LLM, PhD | |
Kirit P. Mehta School of Law, Mumbai (KPMSOL) | BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), LLM, PhD |
BA LLB Hons, BBA LLB Hons, LLB, LLM, PhD in Law | |
Presidency University, Bangalore | BBA LLB Hons, BA LLB Hons, B.Com LLB Hons, LLM (IPR), LLM (Tech Law) |
Institute of Law, Nirma University, Ahmedabad | BA LLB (Hons), B.Com LLB (Hons), LLM |
UPES Dehradun | BA LLB, B.Com LLB Hons, BBA LLB Hons, LLB, LLM, PhD |
BA LLB Hons, BBA LLB Hons | |
BML Munjal University, Gurgaon | BA LLB Hons, BBA LLB Hons, LLB, PhD |
GD Goenka University, Gurgaon | BA LLB Hons, BBA LLB Hons, B.Com LLB Hons, LLB Hons, LLM |
For students who have scored low in CLAT, it is important to explore all available options to build a strong foundation for a legal career. Here are some strategic steps to consider:
Explore alternative colleges: Besides the colleges listed above, students can explore state universities, private universities, and law colleges that admit students without clearing CLAT.
Prepare for other entrance exams: Many colleges conduct their own entrance tests, like DU LAT, IPU CET, PU LLB, among others. Preparing for these can also open doors.
Work on your profile: Participating in internships, moot courts, and legal awareness programs enhances the candidates’ profiles for future opportunities.
On Question asked by student community
Good Morning, Candidate,
It entirely depends on the university whether the admission for the BA LLB will be based on the 12th board or the national-level entrance exam, or both. The admission exams are below
1. Common Law Admission Test
2. All India Law Entrance Test
3. Symbiosis Law Admission Test
4. Common University Entrance Test
Thank you. Hope this information helps you.
Hello
The best way to cover the important current affairs is to read the newspaper daily. Then try to analyse the newspaper and remember the trending topics. Practice the previous year's question paper and understand the pattern of the question. Summarise all current affairs topics and understand them in brief. If you want more information about current affairs, then you will read the article How to Prepare for CLAT Current Affairs 2026 .
Thank you.
Hello,
Yes, you can prepare CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) in Hindi Medium and access syllabus in Hindi from mentioned link below:
https://law.careers360.com/hi/articles/clat-syllabus
Hope it helps.
Hello there!
Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) is a national level entrance exam for the programs related to engineering. It has two levels known as JEE mains (first level) and JEE advance (second level) . Many colleges from all over India in both government and private sector consider its scores. It is an online computer based test conducted by NTA ( National Testing Agency). Physics , Chemistry and mathematics are the major subjects to be focused in this exam.
Here is the link attached from the official website of Careers360 which will provide you with complete information about JEE.
https://engineering.careers360.com/exams/jee-main
NEET ( National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is a national level examination for admission in undergraduate medical courses. It is also conducted by NTA but in offline mode as in pen and paper test. It includes courses like MBBS, BDS BHMS , BAMS etc. The exam consists of 180 questions in total 45 from each physics , chemistry , zoology and Botany. The total marks for the exam are 720 marks.
Here is the link attached from the official website of Careers360 which will provide you with complete information about NEET examination:
https://medicine.careers360.com/articles/neet-full-form
CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is a national level entrance examination for the admission in national law colleges of India. The test is taken after 12th grade examination for the 5 years integrated programs in law. It tests students knowledge in legal aptitude. It also serves as a basis for public sector undertakings for legal positions.
Here is the link attached from the official website of Careers360 which will provide you with the complete information about the CLAT examination.
https://law.careers360.com/articles/what-is-clat-full-form-all-about-nlus-entrance-exam
thank you! Hope it helps!
Hello,
The CLAT PG exam pattern consists of 120 questions and 2-hour MCQ exam with negative marking.
Subjects Covered:
Constitutional Law
Jurisprudence
Criminal Law
Contract Law
Other core law subjects
Here are some tricks which you must follow:
To know more access below mentioned link:
https://law.careers360.com/articles/how-to-prepare-for-clat-pg-exam
Hope it helps.
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