To clear CLAT 2026, aspirants need to target a score that aligns with their category's cut-off and desired National Law Universities (NLUs). For general category candidates aiming for top NLUs like NLSIU Bengaluru or NALSAR Hyderabad, securing more than 90 marks out of 120 is crucial. A score of 90+ roughly corresponds to an 80% or above cut-off score, considering negative marking and question reductions. This score range generally corresponds to ranks under 500, making several top NLUs accessible for candidates.
Candidates from the EWS category should aim for 85-95 marks, while OBC aspirants typically need between 80-90 marks to get into top NLUs. SC candidates with 75-85 marks have good chances in top and mid-tier NLU, including WBNUJS Kolkata and NLU Jodhpur. ST students in the same range can aim for HNLU Raipur, NUSRL Ranchi, and lower-tier NLUs like DBRANLU Sonepat or NLUT Agartala. Scoring below 85 marks generally limits the admission chances for general category students in counselling rounds.
NLU Name | General | EWS | OBC | SC | ST |
100+ | 95+ | 90+ | 83+ | 78+ | |
100+ | 95+ | 90+ | 82+ | 78+ | |
98+ | - | 56+* | 80+ | 74+ | |
95+ | - | 88+ | 79+ | 74+ | |
95+ | 90+ | 87+ | 77+ | 70+ | |
93+ | 81+ | 77+* | 71+* | 41+* | |
91+ | 85+ | 82+* | 53+* | 41+* |
*state category reservation
Good cutoff ranks in CLAT UG 2026 decide admission to top National Law Universities (NLUs). These ranks close after each counselling round based on seat availability and the number of candidates. General category students target ranks under 500 for NLSIU Bengaluru or NALSAR Hyderabad. Reserved categories benefit from quotas, allowing higher ranks like 3000+ for SC/ST in top NLUs.
NLU | General | EWS | OBC | SC | ST |
NLSIU Bengaluru | 100 | 700 | 1540 | 3130 | 3400 |
NALSAR Hyderabad | 150 | 550 | 1220 | 3273 | 3600 |
WBNUJS Kolkata | 300 | - | 4200* | 4750 | 6350 |
NLU Jodhpur | 350 | 980 | 1770 | 5450 | 5950 |
GNLU Gandhinagar | 440 | 1120 | 2300 | 5900 | 8570 |
NLIU Bhopal | 480 | 1370 | 1750 | 5760 | 8250 |
MNLU Mumbai | 1470 | 7500* | 8000* | 15600* | 13120* |
HNLU Raipur | 800 | - | 2400 | 7660 | 10500 |
*state category reservation
A good score in CLAT PG 2026 is expected to be 71 or more marks out of 120 for candidates aiming for admission to top National Law Universities (NLUs). According to the CLAT PG 2026 marks versus rank analysis, scoring 71+ marks generally gets a student into a rank within the top 100. This rank is sufficient to clear the CLAT LLM cut-off for premier NLUs such as NLSIU Bengaluru and NALSAR Hyderabad, making admission possible to these highly competitive institutions.
NLU | General | EWS | OBC | SC | ST |
NLSIU Bengaluru | 200 | 900 | 1200 | 1600 | 3600 |
NALSAR Hyderabad | 300 | 900 | 1400 | 2200 | 4300 |
WBNUJS Kolkata | 600 | - | 11000* | 2700 | 5500 |
NLU Jodhpur | 600 | - | 2000 | 3400 | 5500 |
GNLU Gandhinagar | 600 | 1200 | 2700 | 3800 | 6300 |
NLIU Bhopal | 600 | - | 1900 | 3700 | 6000 |
MNLU Mumbai | 700 | 4200* | 3600* | 5200* | 9300* |
HNLU Raipur | 1000 | - | 3400 | 5000 | 7500 |
*state category reservation
In CLAT UG 2026, a score of 90+ places a student among the top performers. This score ensures entry into leading NLUs such as NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, NLIU Bhopal, WBNUJS Kolkata, NLU Jodhpur, and GNLU Gandhinagar. Scores in the 85-90 range also secure strong ranks. These scores often open seats in respected NLUs like HNLU Raipur, RMLNLU Lucknow, RGNUL Patiala, CNLU Patna, NUALS Kochi, and NLU Odisha.
With 80-85, the chances shift toward newer or mid-tier NLUs, including NLUJ Assam, MPDNLU Jabalpur, and NLUT Agartala. Scores below 80 generally fall outside the usual cutoffs for general-category admission in the early rounds.
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
Among top 100 Universities Globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2026
Excellent curriculum; an impressive range of electives, besides core law courses. Up to 100% merit scholarship on a first-come, first-served basis
Ranked #18 amongst Institutions in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in India for Academic Reputation by QS Rankings | 16 LPA Highest CTC
Last Date to Apply: 21st December 2025 | Grade 'A+' accredited by NAAC | Ranked 33rd by NIRF 2025
NAAC A+ Accredited | Among top 2% Universities Globally (QS World University Rankings 2026)
India's Largest University | BCI approved | Meritorious Scholarships up to 5 lacs |