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What if I don't get an NLU through CLAT 2026

What if I don't get an NLU through CLAT 2026

#CLAT
Sansar Singh ChhikaraUpdated on 25 Aug 2025, 10:34 AM IST

The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) will conduct the CLAT 2026 on December 07, 2025. Through the scores of the Common Law Admission Test, candidates can get admission to 24 NLUs and other participating law colleges. If you don't secure a National Law University (NLU) seat through CLAT 2026, you still have options to pursue a legal education and career. Every year, thousands of candidates appear in CLAT exam to get admission to top National Law Universities. There are limited seats available in the NLUs, therefore, only the top ranking candidates get the opportunity to get admission. Candidates who are not able to get an NLU through CLAT exam get disheartened. Such candidates should understand that there are many good alternatives. There are several CLAT affiliated colleges and other top private universities that are offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in law. To know more about other good options and information regarding other top law schools. In this article, candidates will get detailed information on what to do if they don't get an NLU through CLAT 2026.

LiveCLAT 2026 Answer Key LIVE: UG, PG provisional key on December 10, paper analysis out, cut-offDec 7, 2025 | 11:02 PM IST

CLAT 2026 does not have a fixed passing marks criterion; admission to National Law Universities is based on the candidate’s rank in the merit list, which depends on their exam score, the number of applicants, seat availability, and category. The official cut-off marks and merit list will be released after evaluation, determining the scores required to secure admission.

Read More

This Story also Contains

  1. What should I do if I don't get admission to NLU after CLAT 2026
  2. Top Law Entrance Exams Other Than CLAT
  3. CLAT 2026 and Other Participating Colleges
What if I don't get an NLU through CLAT 2026
What If I Don’t Get an NLU Through CLAT

What should I do if I don't get admission to NLU after CLAT 2026

Candidates shouldn't get disheartened upon failing to get admitted to the National Law University. There are several good options for such candidates. A few of them are listed below:

  • Apply for Affiliated Colleges: Apart from 24 National Law Universities, there are 65 CLAT affiliated colleges that grant admission to various law courses. Candidates with lower ranks can apply to these colleges.

  • Appear for other law entrance exams: There are many popular law entrance tests that are held for admission to law schools. Candidates should look into the details of exams such as AILET, LSAT—India, SLAT, CUET Law, etc. The syllabus of the law entrance tests are mostly similar, which puts the candidates in an advantageous position to prepare for the exams.

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Top Law Entrance Exams Other Than CLAT

Exam Name


Courses offered


Details

AILET

BA LLB, LLM

The National Law University Delhi conducts the All India Law Entrance Test once a year, in offline mode.

SLAT

BA LLB, BBA LLB

The Symbiosis Law School Admission Test is conducted by Symbiosis International University Pune in online mode.

ULSAT

3-year LLB, B.Com LLB, BA LLB, BBA LLB, LLM

University of Petroleum and Energy Studies Dehradun, conducts the ULSAT. The University of Petroleum and Energy Studies Law Studies Aptitude Test once a year in online mode. It's a university-level exam.

  • Apply for state universities: Almost every state in India has their own law universities. There are some state-level entrance exams such as MH CET, TS LAWCET, etc, which can help candidates get admission in the best law universities and colleges of the respective state

  • Private universities: There are several private universities that are offering admissions in law courses such as 3-year LLB, integrated LLB, LLM, and Diploma in Law. Generally, admissions to such universities are granted either based on merit or through a university-level entrance exam.

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CLAT 2026 and Other Participating Colleges

Apart from 24 National Law Universities, 65 other participating law universities will accept CLAT 2026 scores. Candidates can visit the respective college’s website to learn more about the admission process.

Other CLAT participating universities

Sl. No

Institute NameCourses Offered

1

Aurobindo Institute of Law, Indore

BA LLB, LLB LLM

2

AAFT University, Noida

BBA LLB

3

ABBS School of Law, Bengaluru

BBA LLB

4

Alliance University, Bengaluru

BA LLB, BBA LLB, LLB, LLM

5

Amity University, Noida

BA LLB, BBA LLB, B.Com LLB, LLB, LLM

6

Apex University Jaipur

BA LLB, LLB, LLM

7

Arka Jain University, Jamshedpur

BBA LLB

8

ASBM University, Bhubaneshwar

BA LLB, BBA LLB

9

Asian Law College, Noida

BA LLB, LLB

10

BITS Law School, Mumbai

BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons)

11

BML Munjal University, Gurgaon

BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), LLB,

12

BRCM Law College, Bhiwani, Haryana

BA LLB, LLB, LLM

13

DME Law School, Noida

BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons)

14

SGT University, Gurgaon

BA LLB,BBA LLB, LLB, LLM

15

Fairfield School of Law, Delhi

BA LLB, BBA LLB, LLM

16

Galgotias University, Noida

BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), LLB (Hons)

17

GD Goenka University, Gurgaon

BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), B.Com LLB (Hons), LLB (Hons), LLM

18

Gitam School of Law, Visakhapatnam

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

19

GLA University, Mathura

BBA LLB (Hons), B.Com LLB (Hons), LLM,

20

GLS University, Ahmedabad

BA LLB, BBA LLB (Hons), LLM

21

Gopal Narayan Singh University, Rohtas, Bihar

BA LLB, BBA LLB, LLB, LLM

22

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University

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

23

Harlal School of Law, Noida

BA LLB

24

IAMR Law College, Ghaziabad

BA LLB, LLB

25

IILM University, Gurgaon

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

26

IIM, Rohtak

5 Year Integrated Programme in LAW (IPL)

27

Indore Institute of Law, Indore

BBA LLB (Hons) with Global and Transnational Studies, BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), LLB (Hons), LLM

28

Institute of Law, Nirma University, Ahmedabad

BA LLB (Hons), B.Com LLB (Hons), LLM

29

IPEM Law Academy, Ghaziabad

BA LLB, B.Com LLB, LLB

30

ISBR Law College, Bangalore

BBA LLB, LLB

31

ITM University, Raipur

BA LLB, BBA LLB, LLM

32

JECRC University, Jaipur

BA LLB(Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), B.Sc (Forensic Science) LLB (Hons)

33

JIMS Engineering Management Technical Campus School of Law, Noida

BA LLB, BBA LLB

34

Kalinga University, Naya Raipur

BA LLB, BBA LLB, LLB, LLM

35

Karnavati University, Gandhinagar

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

36

K R Mangalam University, Gurugram

BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), B.Com LLB (Hons), LLB (Hons)

37

LLoyd Law College, Greater Noida

BA LLB, LLB

38

Mahindra University, Hyderabad

BA LLB(Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), LLB (Hons)

39

Mangalayatan University, Beswan, UP

BA LLB, B.Com LLB, LLB, LLM

40

Manipal Law School, Bengaluru

BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), B.Com LLB (Hons),LLM

41

Manipal University, Jaipur

BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), B.Com LLB (Hons), B.Sc (Hons), LLB

42

Marwadi University, Rajkot, Gujarat

BA LLB (Hons), B.Com LLB (Hons)

43

Mewar University, Gangrar, Rajasthan

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

44

MIT World Peace University, Pune

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

45

Mody University, Lakshmangarh, Sikar, Rajasthan

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

46

National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar

B.Sc LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), LLB (Hons), LLM

47

Oriental University, Indore

BA LLB, LLB, LLM

48

Presidency University, Bangalore

BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), B.Com (Hons), LLM

49

Quantum University, Roorkee, Uttarakhand

BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons)

50

Raffles University, Neemrana

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

51

Rashtriya Raksha University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat

LLM

52

Renaissance Law College, Indore

BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), B.Com (Hons), LLB (Hons)

53

Reva University, Bengaluru

BA LLB, BBA LLB, LLM

54

RNB Global University, Bikaner

BA LLB, BBA LLB, LLB, LLM

55

Sai University, Chennai

BA LLB (Hons), LLM

56

Sanskriti University, Mathura

BA LLB (Hons), LLM

57

Siddhartha Law College, Dehradun

BA LLB, BBA LLB, LLB, LLM

58

SRM University, Delhi

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

59

SVKM’s NMIMS, Mumbai

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

60

Techno India University, Kolkata

BA LLB, BBA LLB, B.Com LLB, LLB, LLM

61

Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad

BA LLB, BBA LLB, B.Com LLB, LLM

62

Teri School of Advanced Studies, Delhi

LLM

63

ICFAI University, Dehradun

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

64

University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun

BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), B.Com (Hons), LLB

65

Uttaranchal University, Dehradun

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

Reappearing for CLAT

There is no limit to the number of attempts in CLAT. Candidates who don't get into NLU can also take a drop and appear for the exam again next year. Candidates should make sure that they analyse their past year’s mistakes to make a better strategy. The primary focus of the candidates should be on building the right strategy, solving CLAT previous year papers and taking a lot of mocks.

Recommended eBooks

Related eBooks & Sample Papers

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Will CLAT 2026 be hard?
A:

The CLAT is known to be one of the most popular and toughest entrance exams in India. Considering previous year question papers and trends, CLAT 2026 will be easy to moderate.

Q: Is CLAT worth a drop?
A:

Many students take a drop to prepare for CLAT. However, rigorous preparation for 9 to 10 months is enough to clear the exam.

Q: Is there any other way to get into NLU?
A:

To get admissions in NLUs, students will have to mandatorily appear for CLAT exam. Except for NLU Delhi, which accepts AILET scores, its own entrance exam for admissions.

Q: Does CLAT have two attempts?
A:

There is no limit to the number of attempts a candidate can make for CLAT.

Q: What is the exam pattern of CLAT 2026?
A:

The types of questions asked in the CLAT are of objective type. Total of 120 questions are asked from the syllabus. For every right answer there are two marks and negative marking of 0.25.

Q: Can i get admission in NLU without CLAT?
A:

No, CLAT exam is necessary for admission into the National Law Universities (NLUs), as they all accept the CLAT score except for NLU Delhi, which only accepts the AILET score.

Q: How to get admission in NLU without CLAT?
A:

The All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) is a national-level law entrance exam that will be held by NLUD every year to enrol students at National Law University (NLU), Delhi.

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On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CLAT ?
Greetings...I wanted to enquire if the admission for BALLB is based on 12th board merit or any other national level entrance exams like CLAT, AILET etc...and if any entrance test is conducted what is the it based on?

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.

Read Complete Answer
S
SUANGANA ROY
6 Dec'25
How to get important current affairs of 2025 for clat 2026?

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.

Read Complete Answer
D
Dhruv Sharma
2 Dec'25
Clat ki hidi medium se preparation kar sakte hai

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.

Read Complete Answer
S
Sankalp Agrawal
26 Nov'25
What is JEE Main Advanced and NEET , CLAT

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!


Read Complete Answer
R
Ritika
25 Nov'25
What the pattern of clat pg exam which trick can help me passing

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.

Read Complete Answer
S
Sankalp Agrawal
24 Nov'25
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