The CLAT marks cut off is the minimum score required to secure admission into National Law Universities (NLUs). Every year, the cut off shifts depending on the difficulty level of the paper, number of candidates, seat matrix, and category-wise reservation. With CLAT 2026 witnessing a pattern disruption and analytical-heavy structure, aspirants are searching aggressively for realistic cut off estimates for top NLUs.
This blog provides a trend-backed, category-wise expected CLAT 2026 cut off range for Top 3, Top 5, and Top 10 NLUs, based on:
Previous year cut off data
Difficulty level comparison
Section-wise scoring behavior
Competition intensity
This is a marks-based projection, not rank-based speculation.
Best CLAT Coaching Online 2026–2027 by NLTI
The CLAT marks cut off is never fixed. It is influenced by five core variables:
1. Paper Difficulty Level
Easier paper → Higher cut off
Tougher paper → Lower cut off
2. Number of Test Takers
More candidates → Higher competition → Higher cut off
3. Section-Wise Scoring Trends
If English, GK, and Quant are easy, cut off inflates rapidly.
4. Seat Intake of NLUs
Expansion or reduction in seats directly affects cut off.
5. Category-Wise Reservation
General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS all have independent cut off curves.
Based on student feedback and paper behavior:
English was easy and traditional
GK was static and factual
Quant was easy but time-heavy
Legal mixed static + application
Logical shifted to pure analytical reasoning
Because of:
Easy GK
Easy English
Easy Quant concepts
The overall CLAT 2026 cut off is expected to remain on the higher side, despite logical surprises.
Read More: CLAT 2026 Cutoff: What to Expect vs Last Year
(NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata)
These NLUs always absorb the highest scorers. Even a 2–3 mark fluctuation can lead to a rank drop of 200–300 positions here.
(Top 3 + NLUs like Jodhpur, Gandhinagar)
This is the high-competition stability zone, where Legal + GK accuracy becomes the biggest differentiator.
Read More: Live Classes vs Recorded Modules: Best for CLAT Prep
This is the maximum volatility zone, where:
A 4–5 mark difference can shift you across 3–4 NLUs.
Quant time loss and Logical errors become decisive.
Read More: Adaptive Tests & Personal Feedback in CLAT 2026 Coaching
90+ → Safe for Top 3–5 NLUs
85+ → Strong Top 10 NLU contention
80–84 → Borderline zone
70–79 → High risk, depends on category & preference
Below 70 → Lower Tier-3 NLUs
This is purely based on marks behavior, not inflated online rank predictors.
Most online rank predictors fail because they:
Ignore paper-specific difficulty
Ignore section-wise scoring skew
Ignore category seat absorption patterns
Marks-based evaluation remains the only stable predictor immediately after CLAT.
Read More: CLAT 2026: Scoring, Negative Marking, Cutoffs & Tie-Breakers
Many students miss better NLUs by exiting too early. Cut offs change due to:
Document rejection
Fee non-payment
Category mismatch
Preference shifting
Round 3 to Round 5 cut offs often drop by 2–5 marks, especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 NLUs.
Instead of obsessing over internet predictions:
Analyse section-wise accuracy
Track negative marking impact
Compare your score with category-wise expected range
Wait for official counselling movement
Cut offs stabilize only after Round 2 of counselling.
Read More: CLAT 2026 Difficulty & Good Score: Section-Wise Analysis
The CLAT 2026 cut off is expected to remain high but realistic, driven by:
Easy GK
Traditional English
Scoring Quant concepts
but balanced by:
Time-heavy Analytical LR
Static shock in Legal
Your rank outcome will depend more on accuracy consistency than number of attempts.
1. What is the expected CLAT 2026 cut off for NLSIU Bangalore?
Around 93–96 marks for General category.
2. Is 85 a good score in CLAT 2026?
Yes, 85 is a strong Top 10 NLU contention score.
3. Will CLAT 2026 cut off be higher than 2025?
It is expected to be slightly higher due to easier GK and English.
4. Can I get an NLU with 75 marks in CLAT?
Yes, depending on category and preferences, Tier-2 NLUs are possible.
5. When will official CLAT cut offs be released?
Only after each counselling round begins.
6. Does category affect CLAT cut off drastically?
Yes. SC/ST/EWS cut offs are significantly lower than General.
7. Do cut offs drop in later counselling rounds?
Yes, especially after Round 2 due to seat withdrawals.
