CLAT cutoff 2025: Expected ranks, category-wise cutoffs, and ranks for top NLUs

What is the CLAT cutoff?

The CLAT cutoff refers to the minimum score required to be eligible for participating in the CLAT counselling process. This score is primarily used for admissions to National Law Universities (NLUs), but it’s also accepted by several private and non-NLU law schools across India.

These institutions use CLAT to assess candidates for various law programs, including both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. It acts as a screening threshold to shortlist students for the limited seats available across various NLUs.

CLAT cutoffs vary every year and depend on several key factors like:

• The NLU you're applying to (e.g., NLSIU, NALSAR, GNLU, etc.)
• The course you're applying for (CLAT UG for BA LLB or CLAT PG for LLM)
• Your category (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD)
• The round of admission (First, Second, or Spot round)

There are two main types of cutoffs to understand:

• Qualifying cutoff
  This is the minimum score required to be eligible for participating in the CLAT counselling process. It’s not the same as getting a seat, but you need to clear this just to move forward.
• Admission cutoff
  This is the actual score or rank at which the last candidate is admitted to a particular NLU for a given course and category. This is what most people refer to when they talk about “CLAT cutoff.”

CLAT UG cutoff vs CLAT PG cutoff

Understanding the cutoff is essential to know how much to aim for, plan your preferences wisely, and avoid unrealistic expectations during the counseling rounds.

• CLAT UG cutoff applies to 5-year integrated BA LLB programs.
• CLAT PG cutoff applies to 1-year LLM programs offered by select NLUs.
• The exam pattern, total marks (UG: 150, PG: 120), and competition level differ for each, so the cutoffs vary accordingly.

For official information on CLAT 2025, please visit the Consortium of NLUs official website.

Factors affecting CLAT cutoff 2025

The CLAT cutoff 2025 will be shaped by a combination of academic, logistical, and demographic factors. These variables influence how high or low the CLAT exam cutoff is set for each NLU and category.

Here are the main factors to watch:

1. Total number of applicants – More candidates appearing for CLAT = more competition = potentially higher cutoffs.
2. Difficulty level of the CLAT 2025 exam – If the paper is tougher than usual, the overall performance may dip, resulting in lower cutoffs. On the other hand, an easier paper generally leads to higher cutoffs due to higher average scores.
3. Total number of seats available – The number of seats offered by NLUs for UG and PG programs also impacts the cutoff. If a university increases its seats, the cutoff might go lower; if seats are reduced or fixed, competition tightens.
4. Reservation policies – Cutoffs vary significantly based on category (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD). Reserved categories typically have lower cutoffs compared to the General category. Some NLUs also have state domicile reservations, influencing the rank distribution.
5. Performance of top scorers – If a large number of students score very high (say 100+ out of 150), the CLAT marks cutoff will be pushed upward, especially for NLUs like NLSIU or NALSAR.
6. Preference trends – Student preferences also affect closing ranks. If a large chunk of top-ranked students opts for the same few NLUs, those universities will have tighter cutoffs.
7. NLU ranking and reputation – Top-ranked NLUs like NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, and NLIU Bhopal consistently have higher cutoffs due to high student preference and national reputation.
8. Course type: UG vs PG – The BA LLB (UG) and LLM (PG) programs have separate cutoffs, as they’re based on different exams (CLAT UG out of 150, CLAT PG out of 120), applicant pools, and seat distributions.

Along with NLU-specific factors, the CLAT cutoff may also be influenced by the number of non-NLU institutions accepting CLAT scores. The increasing trend of private and non-NLU law colleges using CLAT for admissions means that these institutions also add to the total number of candidates appearing for CLAT, thus contributing to the overall competition.

Expected CLAT cutoff 2025 (UG & PG)

While the official CLAT 2025 cutoffs will be released after the exam and counselling rounds, aspirants can plan more effectively by looking at expected cutoffs based on past trends, difficulty level, and competition.

Below are the estimated CLAT 2025 cutoff ranks and scores for both UG (BA LLB) and PG (LLM) programs at top NLUs.

CLAT UG expected cutoff 2025

The following table presents expected CLAT UG cutoff 2025 ranks and scores (out of 150) for General category candidates at some of the top NLUs:

CLAT PG expected cutoff 2025

For candidates applying to LLM programs through CLAT PG (out of 120 marks), the expected cutoff ranks and scores are:

Note: These are expected cutoffs based on past trends. For the exact and latest CLAT 2025 cutoffs, including official opening and closing ranks by NLU and category, refer to the official allotment lists published by the Consortium of NLUs:

UG Cutoff Lists:

• Round 1 – UG Allotment List
• Round 2 – UG Allotment List
• Round 3 – UG Allotment List

PG Cutoff Lists:

• Round 1 – PG Allotment List
• Round 2 – PG Allotment List
• Round 3 – PG Allotment List

Non-NLU institutions accepting CLAT scores:

While the focus of CLAT remains on admissions to National Law Universities, several private law schools and non-NLU institutions also consider CLAT scores for their law programs. These institutions may have different cutoffs based on their individual admission requirements and the competition level. For instance:

• Symbiosis Law School, Pune (SLS Pune)
• Jindal Global Law School, Sonipat
• Christ University, Bangalore (for certain law courses)
• Amity Law School, Noida
• University of Delhi – Faculty of Law (occasionally for PG courses)

These institutions often provide law programs that are competitive and are considered good alternatives for candidates who wish to pursue law outside the NLU system.

Category-wise CLAT cutoff 2025

The CLAT cutoff isn’t the same for everyone—it varies depending on your reservation category, including General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD. These cutoffs are shaped by factors like the number of seats reserved for each group, competition level, and NLU preference trends.

Below is a quick snapshot of the expected CLAT 2025 cutoff scores and ranks by category. This table will help you estimate where you stand and what score you should aim for:

CLAT 2025 expected cutoffs – Category-wise (UG Program)

CLAT PG 2025 expected cutoffs – Category-wise (LLM program)

Note:
Many private law schools and universities may have their own reservation and category-wise cutoffs, but they typically follow CLAT trends closely. While their cutoffs may vary, the category-based reservation for institutions using CLAT scores generally mirrors the NLU structure, allowing students from different categories to apply with confidence.

CLAT cutoff vs CLAT passing marks

Many students preparing for CLAT wonder whether there is a passing mark they need to clear just to qualify for the exam. Let’s clear up the confusion between CLAT passing marks and CLAT cutoff — they are not the same.

What are CLAT passing marks?

CLAT passing marks refer to the minimum score a candidate needs to qualify for consideration. However, CLAT doesn’t have an officially declared passing score like board exams.

Instead, whether your marks are considered “passing” depends on the competition and cutoff trends. For example:

What is the CLAT cutoff, then?

The CLAT cutoff is the actual score or rank required to get admission into an NLU. It’s much higher than the informal passing mark and depends on:

• Your category
• The NLU you are applying to
• Whether it's for CLAT UG or CLAT PG

Key difference at a glance

How to use CLAT cutoff data for admission planning

Knowing the CLAT cutoff is essential for planning your admissions, not just for NLUs but also for a range of private and non-NLU law schools. If you aim for top-tier NLUs like NLSIU Bangalore or NALSAR Hyderabad, setting a target above 95 is ideal.

However, if you're considering private or non-NLU institutions, you might be able to secure admission with a slightly lower score, depending on their specific cutoff requirements.

Here’s how students and parents can make informed decisions using cutoff trends and expected scores:

1. Set a clear score target

Use previous and expected cutoffs to set realistic goals:

• If aiming for top NLUs like NLSIU, NALSAR, target 95–105+
• For mid-tier NLUs, a score between 75–85 may be safe
• Always aim 10–15 marks above the previous year's cutoff for your target NLU and category

2. Build a college preference list

Rank NLUs based on:

• Cutoff feasibility
• Location preference
• Specializations (e.g., criminal law, corporate law)
• Domicile reservations (if available)

3. Plan backups

Keep private law colleges accepting CLAT as backup options.

• Be aware of alternate entrance exams like LSAT—India or university-specific tests
• Consider reattempting CLAT only if you fall significantly short of realistic targets

4. Monitor your mock test performance

Compare your mock test scores against expected cutoffs.

• Use score-to-rank conversion tools or prediction calculators
• Track your improvement curve weekly

5. Use category logic strategically

Check category-wise cutoffs before finalizing NLU preferences

• Explore domicile or state quota advantages if you qualify
• Apply early and stay updated on round-wise cutoff changes