Got 30–40 Marks in CLAT 2026 Exam? Here’s Your Roadmap to Bounce Back Strong
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Got 30–40 Marks in CLAT 2026 Exam? Here’s Your Roadmap to Bounce Back Strong

Isha GargUpdated on 09 Dec 2025, 09:49 AM IST

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.

LiveCLAT 2026 Answer Key LIVE: UG, PG response sheets for 92,344 candidates tomorrow; registrations up 17%Dec 9, 2025 | 9:07 PM IST

Follow the steps below to download the CLAT 2026 answer key and response sheet PDF.

  • Go to the official website, consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
  • On the homepage, enter the registered mobile number and password.
  • Click on the "CLAT 2026 Answer Key PDF" link.
  • Download and save the CLAT answer key and response sheet for your reference.
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Got 30–40 Marks in CLAT 2026 Exam? Here’s Your Roadmap to Bounce Back Strong
Got 30–40 Marks in CLAT 2026? Here’s Your Roadmap to Bounce Back Strong

CLAT Marks vs Observed Rank 2025

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.

SC Category NLUs for CLAT Scores 30-40

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.

ST Category NLUs Rank for CLAT Scores of 30-40

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.

List of Law Colleges Accepting Low CLAT Scores

Name of college

Courses offered

Delhi University

BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), LLB, LLM, PhD

GGSIPU Delhi

BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), LLM, PhD

Kirit P. Mehta School of Law, Mumbai (KPMSOL)

BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), LLM, PhD

Alliance School of Law, Bangalore

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

BITS Law School, Mumbai

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

Strategic Advice for Students With Low Scores

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:

  1. Explore alternative colleges: Besides the colleges listed above, students can explore state universities, private universities, and law colleges that admit students without clearing CLAT.

  2. 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.

  3. Work on your profile: Participating in internships, moot courts, and legal awareness programs enhances the candidates’ profiles for future opportunities.

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Questions related to CLAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CLAT ?

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:

  1. Constitutional Law

  2. Jurisprudence

  3. Criminal Law

  4. Contract Law

  5. Other core law subjects

Here are some tricks which you must follow:

  1. Practice Previous Year Papers & Mock Tests
  2. Focus on Constitutional Law & Jurisprudence
  3. Time Management in Exam
  4. Revision Strategy

To know more access below mentioned link:

https://law.careers360.com/articles/how-to-prepare-for-clat-pg-exam

Hope it helps.