Previous Year CLAT Cutoffs: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re planning to crack the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), understanding the previous year’s cutoffs can give you a huge advantage. The CLAT cutoff is not just a number—it’s a benchmark that tells you how close you are to getting into one of India’s top National Law Universities (NLUs). Whether you’re eyeing NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, or any of the other prestigious NLUs, knowing the historical cutoff trends will help you set realistic targets and build an effective preparation strategy.

In this blog, we’ll dive deep into the previous years' CLAT cutoffs, explore what affects them, and offer tips on how to interpret them for your benefit. If you're a serious CLAT aspirant, this blog is your roadmap.

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What is CLAT Cutoff and Why Does it Matter?

The CLAT cutoff is the minimum score or rank you need to secure admission into one of the participating NLUs. It varies every year and differs from one university to another. The cutoff is usually released in two formats—rank-wise and score-wise.

For instance, NLSIU Bangalore typically has the highest cutoff due to its elite status, limited seats, and huge demand. On the other hand, newer NLUs may have slightly lower cutoffs. For reserved categories like SC, ST, OBC, and PwD, separate cutoffs apply, which are generally lower than the general category cutoffs.

Understanding these variations is crucial because they help you gauge where you stand and which law schools you can realistically target based on your expected or achieved CLAT score.

Factors That Affect CLAT Cutoff Every Year

Before jumping into the numbers, it’s important to know what factors influence CLAT cutoffs. These include:

• Difficulty Level of the Exam: If the paper is tough, cutoffs usually drop, and if it's relatively easy, cutoffs tend to rise.
• Number of Applicants: More applicants mean stiffer competition, which can push the cutoff higher.
• Number of Seats Available: Each NLU has a fixed number of seats. If the seats are fewer, the competition intensifies, raising the cutoff.
• Reservation Policies: State domicile quotas, SC/ST/OBC reservations, and special categories can all influence the overall cutoff.
• Candidate Preferences: The popularity of certain NLUs over others can impact how high or low their cutoffs are.

Keeping these factors in mind can help you make sense of the data and not panic if a particular year’s cutoff seems unusually high or low.

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CLAT UG Previous Year Cutoff Trends: General Category

Let’s start with the most competitive category—General. The top NLUs like NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata, and NLU Jodhpur usually have sky-high cutoffs. Over the years, the opening ranks for these institutes have generally been under 200.

For instance, in CLAT 2023, NLSIU Bangalore had a closing rank of around 114 for the general category in the first allotment round. This means if your rank was below that number, you had a shot at securing admission there in Round 1.

In 2022, the closing rank for NLSIU Bangalore hovered around 130. For NALSAR Hyderabad, it was around 170. WBNUJS Kolkata was around 220, and NLU Jodhpur hovered near 320. These numbers shift slightly each year, but the pattern remains the same—if you want one of the top 5 NLUs, you generally need to be in the top 300 nationwide.

Mid-tier NLUs like HNLU Raipur, RMLNLU Lucknow, and GNLU Gandhinagar had cutoffs between 500 to 1000 ranks in recent years, while newer NLUs like DNLU Jabalpur, MNLU Aurangabad, and MNLU Nagpur accepted ranks as high as 2000 or more depending on the year.

This spread gives you a clear roadmap. Scoring high puts you in contention for the top NLUs, but even if your rank is in the 1000s, you still have solid options to pursue a legal career.

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CLAT PG Cutoffs: A Different Ballgame

While undergraduate CLAT cutoffs get most of the attention, CLAT PG is equally important for those aiming for LLM admissions. The cutoff trend here is different because the number of test-takers is significantly lower, and so are the seats.

In 2023, the cutoff ranks for LLM programs at NLSIU, NALSAR, and WBNUJS were within the top 100 to 150. However, for other NLUs, closing ranks stretched up to 500-600 depending on the specialization and category.

For aspirants aiming for UGC-NET, judiciary, or academic careers, knowing PG cutoffs can help you decide where to apply and what kind of rank you need to aim for.

The Impact of Category and Domicile on CLAT Cutoffs

A significant portion of seats in NLUs are reserved for different categories including SC, ST, OBC, PwD, and state domicile candidates. These reservations significantly affect cutoffs.

For instance, if the general cutoff for NLU Delhi (which conducts AILET, not CLAT, but for comparison) is around rank 50, the SC category cutoff could be around 300–400, and ST even lower. The same logic applies to CLAT-participating NLUs.

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Domicile reservation plays a huge role in some states. For example, RMLNLU Lucknow reserves around 50% seats for Uttar Pradesh candidates, and GNLU Gandhinagar does the same for Gujarat residents. If you’re eligible for domicile reservation, your chances of getting into a good NLU improve even with a slightly lower rank.

It’s important to analyze cutoffs for your specific category and not just the general list. Each year, the CLAT consortium releases detailed allotment lists, which you can download and study to understand how your category performs historically.

What CLAT Rank Do You Need for the Top 5 NLUs?

Here’s a simplified outlook based on previous years:

• NLSIU Bangalore: Top 100
• NALSAR Hyderabad: Top 150
• WBNUJS Kolkata: Top 200
• NLU Jodhpur: Top 300
• NLU Bhopal: Top 350

If you’re a general category student, this is the benchmark you need to aim for to stand a realistic chance at these premier institutes.

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How to Use Cutoff Data in Your Preparation Strategy

Now that you know what the cutoffs have looked like, here’s how to use this information to boost your preparation:

1. Set a Target Score: Look at last year’s score-to-rank ratio. For example, if scoring 100 out of 150 gave you a rank of 150, that should be your benchmark.
2. Mock Test Analysis: When taking mocks, consistently check if your scores are close to your desired NLU’s cutoff range. If not, analyze your weak areas and work on them.
3. Track Your Rank Progression: Some test series provide a national percentile. If your percentile is over 98 consistently, you’re likely on the right track for top NLUs.
4. Choose NLUs Smartly: When filling preferences in the CLAT counselling form, use historical cutoff data to make informed decisions. Don’t blindly put only the top 5—be strategic.
5. Don’t Ignore New NLUs: Some of the newer NLUs may not yet have the brand value of NLSIU, but they offer strong academic programs, good placements, and exposure. If you rank around 2000–3000, don’t hesitate to consider them.

Tips to Improve Your Rank and Cross the Cutoff

Here are some actionable tips if you’re still in the prep phase:

• Read Daily: The CLAT exam is heavily reading-intensive. The more you read editorials, opinion columns, and legal news, the better you’ll perform.
• Practice RC and Legal Passages: These sections carry the most weight. Practicing them under timed conditions can greatly improve your score.
• Work on Accuracy: One wrong answer can make a big difference in ranks. Don’t guess recklessly.
• Join a Good Test Series: It keeps you on your toes and simulates real exam pressure. Also, it helps you understand where you stand nationally.
• Revise Static GK: While current affairs are important, don’t forget to brush up on constitutional articles, landmark cases, and legal maxims.

Common Misconceptions About CLAT Cutoffs

There are a lot of myths floating around. Let’s bust a few:

• "You need to score 130+ to get a top NLU." Not true. In a tough paper, even 100 can land you in the top 5.
• "Reserved category candidates don’t need to study hard." Again, false. While the cutoff is lower, the competition within each category is still intense.
• "If you don’t make it to the top 3 NLUs, your career is over." Not at all. Many successful lawyers, judges, and civil servants have come from mid-tier NLUs. What matters is what you do with the opportunity.

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Final Thoughts

CLAT is not just a test of aptitude but also of strategy, resilience, and planning. By studying previous year cutoffs, you arm yourself with one of the most important tools in your preparation arsenal. They provide realistic benchmarks, help set achievable goals, and shape your expectations for admission.

However, don’t let cutoffs scare you. They’re just numbers. With consistent effort, smart preparation, and strategic thinking, you can beat the odds and secure your dream NLU seat.

So, whether you're starting from scratch or are in the final phase of revision, keep the cutoffs in mind, but don’t obsess over them. Focus on improving every day, and the rank will follow.