Law Colleges for Low CLAT Score: List of NLUs, Private Universities, Cut-Offs, Fees & Admission

Common Law Admission Test 2026 ( CLAT )

DeskCalelnderCounselling - 25 Feb '26 - 6 Mar '26

Anupama
Anupama Mehra
Assistant Manager – Content
Updated on Mar 6, 2026 13:38 IST
Did not score well in CLAT? Do not worry! 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. Read further to know more.
Did not score well in CLAT? Do not worry! With smart counselling choices, alternative entrance exams, and private university options, you can still pursue BA LLB or BBA LLB from a good institute. Read further to know more.
Law colleges for low CLAT rank

Law colleges for low CLAT rank

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.

Table of contents
  • 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

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How many times I can appear for CLAT Exam?
A: 

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. 

Q:   Can I appear for CLAT Counselling if I failed to clear the exam?
A: 

No, you can not appear for counselling if you have not cleared CLAT Exam. 

Q:   What does CLAT cutoff mean?
A: 

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.

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 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
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How many NLUs participate in CLAT Exam?
A: 

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

Q:   What if I exit the CLAT counselling process in first round, Am I allowed to appear in pending rounds?
A: 

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

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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:

Law Entrance Exams

Exam Dates

AILET

To be announced

KIITEE Law

18-Jan-2026

UPES Law School Admission Test

To be announced

MHCET Law

01-Apr-2026 and 02-Apr-2026 (For 3-year LLB)

08-May-2026 (5-year LLB)

Allahabad University LAT

To be announced

ILICAT

To be announced

SLAT

To be announced

AMU Law Entrance Exam

26-Apr-2026

PU UG Law 

26-Apr-2026

PU LLB Entrance Exam

28-Jun-2026

AIL LET

To be announced

ILSAT

05-Apr-2026

AP LAWCET

To be announced

TS LAWCET

18-May-2026

AP PGLCET

To be announced

TS PGLCET

18-May-2026

GLAT

To be announced

KLEE 

To be announced

ULSAT LLM 

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.

Explore more Law exams with upcoming dates

SLS Noida Second Merit List

26 Feb '26 - 5 Mar '26

CGCUET 2026 Registration

1 Nov '25 - 14 Mar '26

SAT India exam (March attempt)

14 Mar '26

NMIMS LAT 2026 Application Pro...

28 Jan '26 - 22 Mar '26

NLSAT 2026 registration

15 Nov '25 - 23 Mar '26

AIL LET 2026 Application Process

3 Mar '26 - 31 Mar '26

ILSAT Application Form Last Da...

4 Apr '26

JSAT Law Applications Last Dat...

30 Apr '26

AP LAWCET Registration 2026 Begins

12 Feb '26 - 12 Mar '26

IILET 2026 Exam Date Round 3

14 Apr '26

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.

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About the Author
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Anupama Mehra
Assistant Manager – Content

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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Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

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

Akanksha

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

Chanchal Patra

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

Priya Peter

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

...Read more

S

Syed Aquib Ur Rahman

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

Rakshit Prabhakar

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 CollegesTuition Fee
SOA University - Siksha 'O' AnusandhanINR 3.4 Lacs - INR 8.5 lakh
Xavier Law School, Xavier University, BhubaneswarINR 8 lakh
ASBM UniversityINR 5 lakh

Source: Official site and may vary.

T

Tasbiya Khan

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. 

  1. K.C Law College 
  2. Government Law College, Churchgate
  3. JCCL

Note: All info. is from official sites and

...Read more

S

Syed Aquib Ur Rahman

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

Raj Priya

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

...Read more

T

Tasbiya Khan

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

...Read more

S

Syed Aquib Ur Rahman

Contributor-Level 10