CLAT Cut Off 2026 has become the most discussed topic among law aspirants as the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026 has officially concluded.
The CLAT 2026 Results are officially out, and the competition has reached an all-time high. With Geetali Gupta securing AIR 1 with 112.75 marks, the cut-off for top National Law Universities (NLUs) has shifted significantly compared to previous years. Every year, the cut‑off acts as the deciding line for thousands of candidates, reflecting the minimum score required to secure a seat in different NLUs across India.
This year, the exam was moderately difficult, which has pushed the cut‑offs slightly higher for the top NLUs compared to previous years. In this article, we break down the CLAT 2026 cut off marks, analyze category‑wise variations, compare them with past trends, and explain the key factors that influence these numbers.
With the CLAT 2026 topper Geetali Gupta scoring a historic 112.75, we expect the cutoff for the general category at NLSIU Bengaluru to stay highly competitive
What is CLAT Cut Off?
The CLAT cut off is the minimum score or rank required to gain admission into NLUs. It varies depending on:
- The difficulty level of the exam
- The number of candidates appearing
- The availability of seats
- Reservation policies (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD)
- Domicile quotas offered by certain NLUs
For aspirants, knowing the cut‑off is crucial because it helps them estimate their admission chances and shortlist preferred NLUs during counselling.
CLAT 2026 Result Highlights
- AIR 1 Score: 112.75 Marks (Geetali Gupta)
- Total Candidates: ~72,631 (UG) appeared out of ~92,000 registrations.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate (leading to higher cut-offs in the top 500 ranks).
- Counselling Dates: Dec 17 – Dec 27, 2025.
- Official Evaluation: While CLAT is traditionally a 120-mark exam, the CLAT 2026 UG results were evaluated out of 119 marks. This is because the Consortium officially withdrew one question (a Logical Reasoning question regarding family relations) following the objection window.
CLAT 2026 Marks vs Rank (Official Analysis)
Based on the official result data released on December 16, here is how marks translated into All India Ranks (AIR) this year.
| Marks Range (Out of 119*) | Expected All India Rank (AIR) | Target NLU Zone |
| 110+ | AIR 1 – 10 | NLSIU Bangalore (Confirmed) |
| 105 – 109 | AIR 11 – 60 | NLSIU / NALSAR |
| 100 – 104 | AIR 61 – 150 | Top 3 NLUs (WBNUJS) |
| 95 – 99 | AIR 151 – 500 | Top 5 NLUs (NLU Jodhpur, GNLU) |
| 90 – 94 | AIR 501 – 1200 | Top 10 NLUs |
| 85 – 89 | AIR 1201 – 2500 | Tier-2 NLUs (HNLU, RMLNLU) |
| 80 – 84 | AIR 2501 – 4500 | Tier-3 / New NLUs |
CLAT Cut Off 2026 NLU-wise Official Closing Rank (1st Allotment Estimates)
The following table shows the predicted closing ranks for the General Category in the First Allotment List (to be released Jan 7, 2026), based on the official 2026 Merit List spread.
| National Law University (NLU) | 2026 Expected Closing Rank (Gen) | 2025 Actual Closing Rank |
| NLSIU Bengaluru | 105 – 115 | 112 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 150 – 165 | 159 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | 310 – 340 | 327 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 350 – 380 | 367 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | 430 – 460 | 444 |
| NLIU Bhopal (BA LLB) | 460 – 490 | 480 |
| MNLU Mumbai | 530 – 560 | 536 |
| HNLU Raipur | 790 – 820 | 807 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | 760 – 790 | 780 |
CLAT 2026 Category-Wise Cut Off (All India Ranks)
The rank required for admission varies significantly based on your category. While a General category student needs a top 100 rank for NLSIU, an SC candidate may secure a seat with a rank up to 3,000.
Tier-1 NLUs (Top 5)
Includes: NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata, NLU Jodhpur, GNLU Gandhinagar.
| Category | Expected Closing Rank (AIR) | Safe Score Range |
| General | 1 – 450 | 96+ |
| EWS | 500 – 1150 | 90 – 95 |
| OBC | 600 – 2300 | 88 – 93 |
| SC | 3000 – 6000 | 75 – 82 |
| ST | 7000 – 8500 | 68 – 75 |
Tier-2 & Mid-Tier NLUs
Includes: NLIU Bhopal, HNLU Raipur, RMLNLU Lucknow, NLUO Cuttack, MNLU Mumbai.
| Category | Expected Closing Rank (AIR) | Safe Score Range |
| General | 451 – 1300 | 88 – 94 |
| EWS | 1200 – 2100 | 84 – 88 |
| OBC | 2400 – 4200 | 82 – 86 |
| SC | 6500 – 11000 | 65 – 72 |
| ST | 9000 – 13000 | 60 – 68 |
CLAT 2026 Counselling & Allotment Schedule
The Consortium has confirmed the following dates for the seat allotment process:
| Event | Official Date |
| Counselling Registration Deadline | Dec 27, 2025 (10:00 PM) |
| 1st Allotment List Publication | Jan 7, 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Payment of Confirmation Fee (R1) | Jan 7 – Jan 15, 2026 |
| 2nd Allotment List | Jan 22, 2026 |
| Final Allotment List (Round 5) | May 15, 2026 |
CLAT 2025 Cut Off vs CLAT 2026 Cut Off Trends
Comparing with CLAT 2025:
- NLSIU Bengaluru closed at rank 112 in 2025, while in 2026 the cut‑off marks are higher (around 100).
- NALSAR Hyderabad closed at rank 159 in 2025, now expected around 95 marks.
- NUJS Kolkata closed at rank 327 in 2025, now around 93 marks.
This shows that CLAT 2026 has tighter competition, with higher scores required for top NLUs.
Factors Influencing CLAT 2026 Cut Off
- Difficulty Level of Exam – Moderate paper → higher cut‑off.
- Number of Candidates – 65,000 aspirants increased competition.
- Seat Availability – Around 3700 seats; fewer seats mean higher cut‑offs.
- Performance of Candidates – Strong overall performance raised the bar.
- Reservation Policies – Category‑wise differences create varied cut‑offs.
- Domicile Quotas – State quotas lower cut‑offs for local candidates.
- NLU Preference – Top NLUs always attract higher demand, raising cut‑offs.
CLAT Topper Scores (AIR 1) (Past Five Years)
| Year | Topper Score | Total Marks | Insights |
| CLAT 2020 | 127.25 | 150 | Moderate paper, hence high scores. |
| CLAT 2021 | 125.5 | 150 | Lengthy but manageable, still high cut‑offs. |
| CLAT 2022 | 121 | 150 | Slightly tougher, scores dipped. |
| CLAT 2023 | 116.75 | 150 | Most difficult paper in recent years. |
| CLAT 2024 | 108 | 120 | Pattern change, lower top score. |
| CLAT 2025 | 106.75 | 120 | AIR‑1 Saksham Gautam scored 106.75. |
Trend Insight: Over the last five years, topper scores have gradually decreased. This reflects the rising difficulty level of CLAT papers and the shift in exam pattern from 150 to 120 marks. Despite lower topper scores, competition remains fierce because cut‑offs are relative to performance across all candidates.
Tips for Aspirants Tracking CLAT Cut Off 2026
- Know your category cut‑off: Don’t just check general cut‑offs; category variations matter.
- Check NLU‑wise data: Each NLU has unique demand and domicile rules.
- Compare with past years: Trends help predict movement in later rounds.
- Stay flexible: Mid‑tier NLUs can be excellent options if top NLUs are out of reach.
- Prepare for counselling: Keep documents ready and be strategic with preferences.
Conclusion
The CLAT 2026 cut off highlights the intense competition for seats in India’s premier law universities. With top NLUs closing at 95–98 marks, aspirants need exceptional preparation to secure admission. Mid‑tier and lower NLUs remain accessible for those scoring in the 75–85 range, ensuring opportunities for a wide pool of candidates.
For aspirants, understanding cut‑offs is not just about numbers — it’s about planning preferences, anticipating counselling outcomes, and making informed choices. As CLAT continues to evolve, staying updated on cut‑off trends is the key to securing your dream law school.
Download Official CLAT 2026 Result Notification (PDF)
Click Here to Check CLAT 2026 Toppers List with Marks
Click Here for CLAT 2026 Exam Analysis
Discover all about CLAT Exam