CLAT 2026 Counselling is currently underway. The CLAT 2026 Exam was conducted on December 7, 2025. In this article, candidates can understand key differences between CLAT ranks and marks, and what is more important to get a seat at NLUs in India. Both CLAT rank and marks are the deciding factors for the merit list.
Difference between CLAT Marks and Ranks
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is conducted for admissions offered at the National Law Universities in India. The CLAT Counselling 2026 is currently underway. The CLAT Third Allotment List will be published on February 5, 2026. Candidates must note that the CLAT Counselling is completely online. The Consortium announced the marks as well as ranks along with the CLAT results.
While CLAT ranks and marks are both helpful in preparing the merit list of an NLU, often candidates ask what exactly is the deciding factor in the final admission/ selection process. In this article, candidates can understand the key differences between CLAT rank and marks, and their role in the preparation of a CLAT merit list 2026.
- What is CLAT Cut-Off?
- CLAT 2026 Marks
- CLAT Rank Predictor 2026
- CLAT 2026 Reservation Categories
- Difference between CLAT 2026 Rank and Marks
- CLAT 2026 Marks vs Ranks - Deciding factor for Merit List
- CLAT 2026 Second Merit List for UG Courses
What is CLAT Cut-Off?
The CLAT cut-offs are the last rank that is needed for admission to the NLUs. As per the NIRF ranking, the top five NLUs are NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, NUJS Kolkata and NLU Jodhpur. Candidates look forward to taking admission to these NLUs. CLAT Cutoff is always higher for these NLUs as compared to others.
Commonly asked questions
The CLAT PG Exam will be held for duration of two hours; i.e. from 2 pm to 4 pm. Candidates have to answer 120 questions in the given time frame. The scores of CLAT LLM 2027 score will be accepted by 19 NLUs in the country.
CLAT 2026 Marks
The Consortium of NLUs awards marks to a candidate based on their performance in all five sections of CLAT question paper as under
| CLAT Sections |
CLAT total questions per section |
CLAT total marks per section |
CLAT Marking Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28-32 questions |
28-32 marks |
1 mark awarded for each correct answer 0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect answer 0 marks awarded or deducted for no attempts |
|
| 35-39 questions |
35-39 marks |
||
| 28-32 questions |
28-32 marks |
||
| 35-39 questions |
35-39 marks |
||
| 13-17 questions |
13-17 marks |
||
| Total |
120 questions |
120 marks |
Sum of all questions attempted minus incorrect attempts |
For postgraduate courses as under
| CLAT LLM Sections |
Total MCQs |
Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Sec A – Constitutional Law |
120 questions |
120 marks |
| Sec B - Contract, Torts, Criminal Law, International Law, IPR and Jurisprudence. |
||
| Sec C – Law topics and Contemporary issues |
Therefore, the scorecard of the CLAT exam includes scores obtained by candidates in each section, as well as overall scores obtained in the exam.
CLAT Rank Predictor 2026
To shortlist candidates for the final seat allotment process, the exam authority arranges their names in order of merit. The merit ranks of candidates qualifying CLAT 2026 exam are based on the following factors
- Section-wise marks in CLAT
- Overall scores obtained in CLAT
- Age of the candidate
In case there are ties in marks of two or more candidates, then the merit rank will be determined as under:
For undergraduate courses -
- Candidates securing higher marks in the legal aptitude section of CLAT UG question paper will be ranked higher
- In case of further tie, candidates older in age will be ranked higher
- Finally, if the tie still exists, then a computerised draw of lots.
For postgraduate courses -
- Candidate older in age is ranked higher
- In case of further ties, a computerized draw of lots will determine the ranks of candidates
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CLAT 2026 Reservation Categories
CLAT ranks are arranged for each category as under
- General
- Scheduled Caste
- Scheduled Tribes
- Kashmiri Migrants
- Other Backward Classes
- Persons with Disabilities/ Specially Abled Persons
- J&K candidates
- Economically Weaker Section
Difference between CLAT 2026 Rank and Marks
The major difference between CLAT 2026 ranks and marks is
- Marks are consolidated scores obtained in the CLAT exam
- Ranks are positioned in each category on the basis of marks and tie-breaking criteria
Therefore, it becomes essential for a candidate to score well in CLAT exam, in order to get a higher rank in the merit list.
CLAT 2026 Marks vs Ranks - Deciding factor for Merit List
Both CLAT rank and marks are the deciding factors for the merit list, as the exam authority allots ranks on the basis of marks obtained by candidates. Further, the qualified candidates are segregated on the basis of category (including horizontal reservations) for all NLUs.
CLAT Cutoff Marks vs Ranks
The cutoff marks for CLAT 2026 means the minimum marks a candidate needs to secure in all the sections as well as the overall question paper. Whereas, CLAT cutoff rank 2026 indicates category-wise rank (last) eligible to get admission in a particular NLU.
CLAT 2026 Marks
Here are the cutoff marks for the CLAT exam
| CLAT Sections |
Difficulty Level |
Expected cut off |
|---|---|---|
| English Language |
Easy |
20+ |
| Current Affairs including GK |
Moderate |
30+ |
| Logical Reasoning |
Moderate |
15+ |
| Legal Reasoning |
Easy to Moderate |
20+ |
| Quantitative Techniques |
Moderate |
10+ |
| Total |
Moderate |
95-115 |
CLAT Cutoff Ranks 2026
The merit list is published for all participating NLUs, and category-wise ranks by the consortium. Candidates can check the same below
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Candidates can download seat allotment for CLAT undergraduate course from the table below once released.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
Yes, aspirants with CLAT scores can get admission in BA LLB (Hons) and BBA LLB (Hons) courses. Such candidates have to apply with CLAT. A merit list is prepared based on CLAT scores. Selected applicants have to participate in counselling. Aspirants who get seat have to confirm their admission by pay
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 days ago
JEE / KCET/ COMEDK (any one exam) is mandatory for applying to Vidyashilp University's BTech (Hons) Programmes. For admissions to the law programmes, submitting CLAT scores is preferred as it enhances their scholarship opportunities. However, it is not mandatory.
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
Yes, candidates need to have CLAT score for admission in BA LLB (Hons) programme at SASTRA University. Aspirants must also complete Class 12 from a recognised board in the first attempt with at least 60% aggregate with English as a subject for admission.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 4 days ago
No, in case a candidate has secured a rank in CLAT, then he/she can get admission if they clear the cutoff as mentioned by the VITSOL authorities.
K
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
For CLAT 2026 Category 1 students (General/OBC/PwD/NRI/PIO/OCI), the fee structure has three main components:
CLAT 2026 Fee Structure for Category 1
1. Exam Registration Fee
- ₹4,000 (without question papers)
- ₹4,500 (with question papers)
- Payment via online modes (credit/debit card, net banking, UPI).
2. C
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, you can join the BBA LLB programme in Amrita International School of Law without CLAT exam. If you have a valid AILET score, you can submit it for admission. Else you can appear for Amrita Law Admission Test (AmLAT).
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, you can join Amrita International School of Law without CLAT exam. If you have a valid AILET score, you can submit it for BA LLB admission. Otherwise, you can appear for Amrita Law Admission Test (AmLAT).
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
Both the Andhra Pradesh LAWCET and CLAT entrance exam are conducted for admission to the Law schools in India, however, the syllabus for these exams are different on many parameters and candidates should strategise differently for both the exams. Andhra Pradesh LAWCET exam has sections including Cur
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
No, CLAT is not compulsory to take admission in Ishaan Institute of Law. The institute offers admission into the courses such as LLB, BA LLB and LLM based on the merit achieved by the candidates in their last qualifying exam. Application process is compulsory and it can be conducted online/offline.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
You can find it on many platforms, such as Lawprep Tutorial and Shiksha itself, but I'm a Law Prep student, and I found their format of solutions better.
P
Beginner-Level 1
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