Students preparing for the CLAT 2026 exam can now look at expected minimum scores and ranks for various National Law Universities (NLUs). These estimates are for students from the OBC category . Understanding these expected cutoffs helps students plan their studies and choose their preferred colleges better.
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is an important exam for students who want to study law at one of India's prestigious NLUs. Each year, after the exam results are out, the Consortium of National Law Universities decides which students get seats. This decision depends on a student's rank, their category (like OBC), the number of seats available, and their college preferences.
A 'cutoff' is the lowest rank or score a student needs to get admission into a specific college or university. For OBC candidates, these expected cutoffs are based on trends from previous years, especially CLAT 2025 results. These numbers act as a guide for students to aim for specific scores.
Expected Cutoff for OBC Category (CLAT 2026)
Based on past trends, students in the OBC category aiming for admission into a National Law University in CLAT 2026 will likely need to score 80 marks or more . A rank between 1200 and 2400 can also help secure a seat in one of the NLUs. For the top 5 NLUs, students should aim for scores of 85 or higher .
Below is a detailed look at the expected cutoff marks and ranks for OBC category students across different NLUs. The 'Past OBC Rank (CLAT 2025)' column shows the rank needed in the previous year's exam. The 'Expected Marks (CLAT 2026)' column gives an estimated score range for the upcoming exam.
| NLU Name | Past OBC Rank (CLAT 2025) | Expected Marks (CLAT 2026) |
| NLSIU Bengaluru | 1390-1590 | 83.5-84.5+ |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 1240-1440 | 84-85+ |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | 10290-10490 | 67-67.5+ |
| NLU Jodhpur | 1750-1961 | 82-83+ |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | 2220-2420 | 81-81.5+ |
| NLU Bhopal | 1650-1850 | 82.5-83.5+ |
| MNLU Mumbai | 7000-7200 | 71-71.5+ |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | 3760-3960 | 76-76.5+ |
| HNLU Raipur | 2400-2600 | 80-81+ |
| GNLU Silvasaa | 3850-4000 | 76-76.5+ |
| NUSRL Ranchi | 3430-3630 | 77+ |
| MNLU Nagpur | 14820-15000 | 62.5+ |
| TNNLU Trichy | 4070-4270 | 75.5-76+ |
| NLUJAA Assam | 40250-40450 | 38+ |
| MNLU Aurangabad | 15050-15250 | 62.5+ |
| MPDNLU Jabalpur | 4220-4420 | 75.5-76+ |
| DBRANLU Sonepat | 4180-4380 | 75.5+ |
| CNLU Patna | 3530-3730 | 76.5-77+ |
| DSNLU Vishakhapattanam | 3600-3800 | 76.5-77+ |
| IIULER Goa | 5340-5540 | 73.5+ |
| RPNLUP Prayagraj | 5090-5290 | 74+ |
Students aiming for top NLUs like NLSIU Bengaluru , NALSAR Hyderabad , NLU Jodhpur , NLU Bhopal , and GNLU Gandhinagar from the OBC category should target a score of 80 marks or more and a rank below 2000 based on these estimates.
How to Use These Estimates
This information helps students set realistic goals for their CLAT 2026 preparation. Knowing the expected rank and marks for different NLUs allows students to make informed choices when filling out their college preferences. It can guide them on which NLUs might be a good fit for their potential score and rank.
Important Note
Remember that these are only estimated cutoffs . They are based on data from previous years and can change. The actual cutoffs for CLAT 2026 might be higher or lower depending on various factors. These factors include the difficulty of the exam, the number of students who appear, and their overall performance. Students should use this data for analysis and planning, but wait for the official cutoffs released by the Consortium of National Law Universities after the results.
Students should continue to focus on their studies. They should also check the official CLAT website for the latest updates on the answer key, results, and final seat allotment process.
