Scored low in CLAT? You are not alone. Every year, many aspirants score below the expected NLU CLAT cut-off but still secure admission in reputed law colleges across India. A low CLAT score does not mean the end of your law career. With smart counselling choices, alternative entrance exams, and private university options, you can still pursue BA LLB or BBA LLB from a good institute.
Get list of private universities accepting CLAT scores
The list of affiliate colleges or Universities that will offer admission based on score in CLAT 2027 includes well-known names like Nirma University, UPES Dehradun, and GK Goenka University. Candidates must also consider appearing for other law entrance exams so that even if they have a low CLAT score 2027, they still have their chances of admission to some of the top law colleges in India. Read further to know more about the law colleges' admission through CLAT Score.
- What is Considered a Low CLAT Score in 2027?
- NLUs Accepting Low CLAT Scores (Expected Rank Range)
- Top law colleges accepting low CLAT Score
- Top Law Entrance Exams 2026-2027
- Should You Take a Drop for CLAT?
- Factors to Consider While Choosing Law College After Low CLAT Score
What is Considered a Low CLAT Score in 2027?
For CLAT UG (120 questions format), the expected safe scores usually vary each year depending on paper difficulty and competition. It is important to understand how much score is required to get admission in NLUs or other law colleges. Check the same below
- 95+ marks: Top 5 NLUs
- 85–95 marks: Mid-tier NLUs
- 70–85 marks: Lower-ranked NLUs
- Below 70 marks: Considered low for the General category
Note: Candidates from reserved categories may secure admission at comparatively lower scores.
Also Read: Top 10 Private Law Colleges in India 2026: NIRF Rank 2025
Commonly asked questions
There is no restriction as such for the CLAT exam. Thus, one can give CLAT any number of times they want to. Candidates should not feel bad if they are not able to clear the CLAT exam in first time.
No, you can not appear for counselling if you have not cleared CLAT Exam.
The CLAT cutoff means the minimum rank or score required to get admission into a National Law University (NLU). Candidates must get the cutoff to participate in the counselling process.
NLUs Accepting Low CLAT Scores (Expected Rank Range)
While during the CLAT Counselling the admission to top NLUs close early, newer and regional NLUs may offer seats at higher ranks. Check the list here
| NLU Name | Expected Closing Rank (General) | Fees (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
| National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam | 1400-2000 | 2.2–2.5 lakh |
| Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU) Visakhapatnam | 1500-2200 | 2.5–3 lakh |
| Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla | 1600-2500 | 2.3–2.8 lakh |
| Dr B R Ambedkar National Law University Sonipat, Haryana | 2500-3500 | 2–2.3 lakh |
| The Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirapalli | 3500+ | 2.4-2.6 lakh |
Note: Cut-offs vary every year and may drop in later counselling rounds.
Top law colleges accepting low CLAT Score
Many reputed private universities accept CLAT scores but do not have very high cut-offs. They also offer admission through their own entrance exams or direct merit basis.
| Name of college | Courses | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Amity Law School | BA LLB BBA LLB |
INR 2 to 3 Lakh |
| Alliance School of Law | BA LLB Hons BBA LLB Hons LLB LLM PhD in Law |
INR 2 to 3 Lakh |
| Presidency University, Bangalore | BBA LLB Hons BA LLB Hons B.Com LLB Hons LLM (Intellectual Property Rights) LLM (Technology Law) |
INR 5 to 7 lakh |
| Nirma University | BA LLB (Hons.) B.Com LLB (Hons.) LLM |
INR 3 to 5 lakh |
| UPES Dehradun | BA LLB B.Com LLB Hons BBA LLB Hons LLB LLM PhD |
INR 2 to 3 lakh |
| GD Goenka University | BA LLB Hons BBA LLB Hons B.Com LLB Hons LLB Hons LLM |
INR 1 to 2 lakh |
| BML Munjal University | BA LLB Hons BBA LLB Hons LLB PhD |
INR 2 to 3 lakh |
Commonly asked questions
As of 2026, 26 National Law Universities (NLUs) participate in the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). These universities offer undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs, with over 5,600 seats available in total. NLU Delhi is the only exception, conducting its own entrance exam (AILET) rather than participating in CLAT
You should understand that once you opt to get out of the counselling process you can not go back. You will get option to either freeze your seat or choose to let it go and participate in next round. You can anytime exit the whole process too.
Explore colleges based on CLAT
Top Law Entrance Exams 2026-2027
Apart from appearing for CLAT, candidates can also opt for sitting in some of the law entrance exams across the country. Most of the law entrance exams in India are held once a year and this year, the exam authorities will be conducting the upcoming exams as per the schedule below:
| To be announced | |
| 18-Jan-2026 | |
| To be announced | |
| 01-Apr-2026 and 02-Apr-2026 (For 3-year LLB) 08-May-2026 (5-year LLB) |
|
| To be announced | |
| To be announced | |
| To be announced |
|
| 26-Apr-2026 | |
| 26-Apr-2026 | |
| 28-Jun-2026 | |
| To be announced | |
| 05-Apr-2026 | |
| To be announced | |
| 18-May-2026 | |
| To be announced | |
| 18-May-2026 | |
| To be announced | |
| To be announced | |
| To be announced |
Also Read:
NLU vs Non-NLU: Which one is better?
Should You Take a Drop for CLAT?
Candidates must not get disheartened in case they have not scored well. However, there are certain factors that a candidate should consider before taking a drop. Some of them are
- If your score is below 60
- If you are aiming only for top NLUs like
NLSIU Bengaluru
NALSAR Hyderabad
- You are confident of improving by 15–20+ marks
Otherwise, joining a decent Tier-2 college and building your CV through internships may be more practical.
Factors to Consider While Choosing Law College After Low CLAT Score
Before deciding on pursuing the law courses from any university or college in the country, it is important to consider the following factors
1. Location advantage (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore preferred for internships)
2. Internship opportunities
3. Alumni network
4. Faculty profile
5. Fee vs ROI
6. Hostel and campus facilities
After 5 years, your internships, moots, research papers, and networking matter more than just the college tag.
Read More:

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Student Forum
Answered 20 hours ago
The duration of the CLAT mock test is 2 hours (120 minutes), perfectly simulating the actual CLAT 2026 exam pattern. It consists of 120 multiple-choice questions. The test auto-submits after 120 minutes, requiring candidates to manage their time across five sections.
A
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 20 hours ago
Yes, it is tough for an average student. However, with good strategy and study plan cracking CLAT exam is not tough.
C
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 20 hours ago
Yes, CLAT is considered one of the most difficult law entrance exams. Candidates must note that the CLAT Exam is conducted for admission to NLUs across the country except NLU Delhi. Hence, the level of difficulty of CLAT Exam is tough.
P
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 days ago
Yes, you can pursue an LLB from most law colleges in Jabalpur without appearing for CLAT. In fact, a majority of the private and one govt. institutes that are BCI-approved and long-established, such as Hitkarini Law College and Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya provide admissions based on merit. Only N
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
Yes Christ Academy Institute of Law accepts CLAT scores for admission to its law programs. Students with valid CLAT score are exempted from institute level written test. Other accepted exams include LSAT and AILET.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
Listed below are some of the top CLAT accepting Law colleges in Bhubaneswar with their tuition fees -
| Top Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| SOA University - Siksha 'O' Anusandhan | INR 3.4 Lacs - INR 8.5 lakh |
| Xavier Law School, Xavier University, Bhubaneswar | INR 8 lakh |
| ASBM University | INR 5 lakh |
Source: Official site and may vary.
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
Yes, you can join an LLB programme without CLAT at many law colleges in Mumbai. The most common entrance exam is not CLAT, but MHCET Law for 30+ government colleges in Mumbai. Find more about them below.
Note: All info. is from official sites and
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
No, students do not need CLAT exam score for admission into BA LLB programme. The college offers merit-based admission based on score in Class 12. The students who score atleast 45% marks in Class 12 are eligible to apply for this course.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes, you can absolutely get admission to law college without taking the CLAT exam by applying to private colleges with direct/merit-based admission, taking state-level entrance exams, or appearing for university-specific tests like SLAT or AILET for other colleges. Many colleges base admission on Cl
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes, you can find some good private law colleges in Chandigarh that do not necessarily require CLAT scores for LLB or related programmes. For instance, you can check Chitkara University's BA LLB course, which has merit-based admissions. without an entrance exam. If you are particularly looking for a
S
Contributor-Level 10
Counselling - 25 Feb '26 - 6 Mar '26
She has over 10 years of experience in the education and publishing sectors. She specialises in exam coverage and content creation. At Shiksha, she writes, analyses, and presents information for students preparing f
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