CLAT Cut-Off 2025 (Soon): Marks vs Rank, Expected Cut-off, Category-wise NLUs Cut Off Marks

Disclaimer: The CLAT cutoff 2025 stated here are projections based on past year trends and expert opinion. Cut-offs may actually differ based on difficulty level of the exam, number of test-takers and seats available. This data is for reference purposes only.

As CLAT 2025 results approach, thousands of law aspirants across India are anxiously awaiting information about the clat 2025 cut off that will determine their admission prospects. Understanding the intricate relationship between your CLAT score, rank, and the corresponding clat 2025 cut off NLUadmission is critical for making informed decisions during the counseling process.

This exhaustive guide contains in-depth analysis, forecasts, and strategic guidance on clat 2025 expected cut-off by category and institution. As a test-taker who has just appeared for the test or a prospective test-taker strategizing your preparation plan, this guidebook contains useful information to negotiate the competitive arena of law school admission in India.

Understanding CLAT 2025 Cut-Offs: A Deep Dive

What are Cut-Offs and Why Do They Matter?

CLAT cut-offs represent the minimum scores required to secure admission to various National Law Universities (NLUs) across India. These thresholds serve as the decisive factor in determining whether a candidate qualifies for admission to their preferred institution. The law cutoff mark varies significantly across universities, programs, and reservation categories.

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2025, conducted by the Consortium of NLUs, will release official clat 2025 cut off soon after the announcement of results. However, based on previous patterns and this year’s exam analysis, we can make reasonably accurate predictions about what to expect for clat 2025 expected cut-off.

Factors Influencing CLAT Cut-Offs

Several key factors influence the determination of clat cutoff 2025 each year:

1. Exam Difficulty: Tougher CLAT 2025 exams lower cut-offs; easier ones raise them.
2. Number of Applicants: More candidates increase competition, pushing cut-offs higher.
3. Seat Availability: Fixed NLU seats; changes like new institutes affect cut-offs.
4. Reservation Policies: SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD categories have lower cut-offs than general.
5. Performance Distribution: Tight score ranges amplify rank differences, shifting cut-offs.

Decoding the CLAT 2025 Scoring System & Rank Calculation

Marks vs. Rank – A Detailed Explanation and Mapping System

The CLAT 2025 exam consists of 120 questions, each carrying 1 mark, with a negative marking of 0.25 for incorrect attempts. The relationship between marks and ranks follows a non-linear pattern, especially at the higher end of the spectrum. A difference of just 1-2 marks can sometimes translate to a rank difference of 50-100 positions in the top percentiles.

Below is a projected marks vs. rank mapping for CLAT 2025, based on trends observed in previous years and adjusted for this year’s estimated difficulty level:

Score Range	Expected Rank Range	Percentile
115-120	1-20	99.9+
110-114	21-50	99.8+
105-109	51-100	99.5+
100-104	101-200	99.0+
95-99	201-350	98.0+
90-94	351-600	97.0+
85-89	601-900	95.0+
80-84	901-1500	92.0+
75-79	1501-2500	88.0+
70-74	2501-4000	82.0+
65-69	4001-6000	75.0+
60-64	6001-9000	65.0+
Below 60	9001+	Below 65.0

It’s important to note that the above mapping is an estimation and the actual distribution may vary based on the performance distribution of candidates in CLAT 2025.

Expected CLAT 2025 Cut-Offs – Predictions & Trend Analysis

Based on comprehensive analysis of previous years’ data and the reported difficulty level of CLAT 2025, we present our predictions for the overall clat 2025 cutoff expected:

Category	Expected CLAT 2025 Cut-Off	CLAT 2024 Cut-Off	CLAT 2023 Cut-Off
General	95+	93.25	92.75
OBC-NCL	86+	84.50	83.25
SC	78+	76.75	75.50
ST	65+	63.25	62.50
EWS	88+	86.50	85.25
PwD	70+	68.75	67.50

The predicted clat cutoff 2025 reflects a slight increase compared to previous years, primarily due to:

1. Reports suggesting that the CLAT 2025 paper was moderately difficult
2. Increased competition with more applicants this year
3. Growing awareness and improved preparation quality among candidates

Category-Wise CLAT 2025 Cut-Offs: A Comprehensive Breakdown

Detailed Tables for Each Category – 2024 Data & 2025 Predictions

General Category

The general category typically experiences the most competitive cut-offs across all NLUs. Below is a detailed breakdown of expected clat 2025 cut off for general category candidates:

NLU	Expected 2025 Cut-Off (General)	2024 Cut-Off (General)	Opening Rank 2024	Closing Rank 2024
NLSIU Bangalore	108+	106.75	1	65
NALSAR Hyderabad	106+	104.50	66	150
NLIU Bhopal	104+	102.25	151	300
WBNUJS Kolkata	105+	103.50	301	450
NLU Jodhpur	103+	101.25	451	600
GNLU Gandhinagar	101+	99.75	601	775
RMLNLU Lucknow	99+	97.50	776	950
HNLU Raipur	97+	95.25	951	1200
MNLU Mumbai	98+	96.50	1201	1400
CNLU Patna	96+	94.25	1401	1600
NUALS Kochi	96+	94.00	1601	1800
NLUO Cuttack	95+	93.25	1801	2000
MNLU Nagpur	94+	92.75	2001	2200
DNLU Jabalpur	93+	91.50	2201	2400
TNNLS Tiruchirappalli	92+	90.75	2401	2600
MNLU Aurangabad	91+	89.50	2601	2800
HPNLU Shimla	90+	88.25	2801	3000
DSNLU Visakhapatnam	89+	87.75	3001	3200
NUSRL Ranchi	89+	87.50	3201	3400
NLUJA Assam	88+	86.25	3401	3600
DBRANLU Sonipat	73-75	72-74	503	2050
NLUJA Assam	76-79	75-78	1344	1704

The clat 2025 cut off for general category candidates is expected to be highly competitive, especially for the top-tier NLUs. The clat cut off 2024 category wise data serves as an important reference point for predicting this year’s thresholds.

SC Category

The Scheduled Caste (SC) category cut-offs for CLAT 2025 are expected to follow these trends:

NLU	Expected 2025 Cut-Off (SC)	2024 Cut-Off (SC)	Opening Rank 2024 (SC)	Closing Rank 2024 (SC)
NLSIU Bangalore	89+	87.50	1	30
NALSAR Hyderabad	87+	85.25	31	65
NLIU Bhopal	85+	83.75	66	100
WBNUJS Kolkata	86+	84.50	101	135
NLU Jodhpur	84+	82.25	136	175
GNLU Gandhinagar	83+	81.75	176	225
RMLNLU Lucknow	82+	80.50	226	275
HNLU Raipur	80+	78.25	276	335
MNLU Mumbai	81+	79.50	336	400
CNLU Patna	79+	77.25	401	470

ST Category

The Scheduled Tribe (ST) category cut-offs for CLAT 2025 are projected as follows:

NLU	Expected 2025 Cut-Off (ST)	2024 Cut-Off (ST)	Opening Rank 2024 (ST)	Closing Rank 2024 (ST)
NLSIU Bangalore	76+	74.50	1	20
NALSAR Hyderabad	75+	73.25	21	40
NLIU Bhopal	72+	70.75	41	65
WBNUJS Kolkata	73+	71.50	66	85
NLU Jodhpur	71+	69.25	86	110
GNLU Gandhinagar	70+	68.75	111	140
RMLNLU Lucknow	68+	66.50	141	175
HNLU Raipur	67+	65.25	176	210
MNLU Mumbai	67+	65.50	211	245
CNLU Patna	66+	64.25	246	280

OBC-NCL Category

For OBC-NCL candidates, the projected CLAT 2025 cut-offs are:

NLU	Expected 2025 Cut-Off (OBC)	2024 Cut-Off (OBC)	Opening Rank 2024 (OBC)	Closing Rank 2024 (OBC)
NLSIU Bangalore	97+	95.50	1	45
NALSAR Hyderabad	95+	93.25	46	95
NLIU Bhopal	93+	91.75	96	150
WBNUJS Kolkata	94+	92.50	151	210
NLU Jodhpur	92+	90.25	211	270
GNLU Gandhinagar	91+	89.75	271	340
RMLNLU Lucknow	89+	87.50	341	410
HNLU Raipur	87+	85.25	411	490
MNLU Mumbai	88+	86.50	491	580
CNLU Patna	86+	84.25	581	670

EWS Category

The Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category cut-offs for CLAT 2025 are predicted to be:

NLU	Expected 2025 Cut-Off (EWS)	2024 Cut-Off (EWS)	Opening Rank 2024 (EWS)	Closing Rank 2024 (EWS)
NLSIU Bangalore	99+	97.50	1	25
NALSAR Hyderabad	97+	95.25	26	55
NLIU Bhopal	95+	93.75	56	85
WBNUJS Kolkata	96+	94.50	86	120
NLU Jodhpur	94+	92.25	121	155
GNLU Gandhinagar	93+	91.75	156	195
RMLNLU Lucknow	91+	89.50	196	240
HNLU Raipur	90+	88.25	241	290
MNLU Mumbai	90+	88.50	291	340
CNLU Patna	89+	87.25	341	390

PwD Category

For Persons with Disabilities (PwD), the expected cut-offs for CLAT 2025 are:

NLU	Expected 2025 Cut-Off (PwD)	2024 Cut-Off (PwD)	Opening Rank 2024 (PwD)	Closing Rank 2024 (PwD)
NLSIU Bangalore	81+	79.50	1	10
NALSAR Hyderabad	79+	77.25	11	20
NLIU Bhopal	77+	75.75	21	30
WBNUJS Kolkata	78+	76.50	31	40
NLU Jodhpur	76+	74.25	41	50
GNLU Gandhinagar	75+	73.75	51	65
RMLNLU Lucknow	74+	72.50	66	80
HNLU Raipur	72+	70.25	81	95
MNLU Mumbai	73+	71.50	96	110
CNLU Patna	71+	69.25	111	125

Analyzing Past Years’ CLAT Cut-Off Trends (2022, 2023, 2024) – Tables & Graphs

Understanding historical cut-off trends provides valuable insights for predicting CLAT 2025 outcomes. Below is a comprehensive analysis of cut-off patterns over the past three years:

General Category Cut-Off Trends (Top 5 NLUs)

NLU	2022 Cut-Off	2023 Cut-Off	2024 Cut-Off	3-Year Trend
NLSIU Bangalore	104.50	105.50	106.75	+1.00 annually
NALSAR Hyderabad	102.25	103.25	104.50	+1.10 annually
NLIU Bhopal	100.00	101.25	102.25	+1.15 annually
WBNUJS Kolkata	101.25	102.50	103.50	+1.15 annually
NLU Jodhpur	99.00	100.25	101.25	+1.10 annually

Category-wise National Cut-Off Trends

Category	2022 Cut-Off	2023 Cut-Off	2024 Cut-Off	3-Year Trend
General	90.25	92.75	93.25	+1.50 annually
OBC-NCL	81.50	83.25	84.50	+1.50 annually
SC	73.50	75.50	76.75	+1.60 annually
ST	60.25	62.50	63.25	+1.50 annually
EWS	83.25	85.25	86.50	+1.60 annually
PwD	65.50	67.50	68.75	+1.60 annually

Key Observations from Historical Data:

1. Consistent Upward Trend: All categories have shown a steady increase in cut-offs over the past three years, reflecting growing competition and preparation quality.
   
2. Top NLUs Gap Widening: The difference between cut-offs for top-tier NLUs (like NLSIU) and mid-tier institutions has been gradually increasing, indicating heightened competition for premier institutions.
   
3. Regional Variations: NLUs in metropolitan regions tend to have higher cut-offs compared to those in smaller cities, reflecting location preferences among candidates.
   

CLAT 2025 Toppers List: Insights and Strategies

While the official clat 2025 toppers list is yet to be released, analyzing the profiles and preparation strategies of previous years’ toppers provides valuable insights for future aspirants.

Expected Profile Patterns of CLAT 2025 Toppers

Based on previous trends, CLAT 2025 toppers are likely to demonstrate:

1. Consistent Preparation: Most toppers begin serious preparation at least 12-18 months before the exam
2. Mock Test Proficiency: Regular practice with 100+ mock tests during preparation
3. Reading Habits: Strong foundation in reading comprehension through diverse reading materials
4. Balanced Approach: Equal attention to all sections rather than over-focusing on perceived strengths
5. Strategic Time Management: Developed personalized exam strategies through repeated mock tests

The clat 2025 toppers list will likely feature candidates who excelled in the critical reasoning and analytical reasoning sections, which typically carry the highest weightage in the exam.

Preparation Strategies from Previous CLAT Toppers

Common insights shared by previous CLAT toppers include:

• Focused Current Affairs: Daily 1-2 hours dedicated to current events with emphasis on legal developments
• Sectional Time Distribution: Allocation of preparation time proportional to section weightage
• Error Analysis: Systematic review of incorrect answers in mock tests to identify pattern-based weaknesses
• Quality Over Quantity: Emphasis on thorough understanding rather than covering excessive material
• Strategic Final Month: Exclusive focus on mock tests and revision in the last 30 days

Strategic Advice for CLAT 2025 Aspirants Based on Expected Cut-offs

For High Scorers (95+ Expected)

You have a great chance of getting accepted into a respectable NLU if you expect to score higher than 95 on the CLAT in 2025. Think about these tactical methods:

1. Aim for the Top: With 105+ marks, prioritize premier institutions like NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, and NLIU Bhopal in your preference list
2. Location vs. Ranking Trade-off: Evaluate whether institutional prestige outweighs geographical preferences for your career goals
3. Specialization Consideration: Research unique specializations offered by different NLUs that align with your career interests
4. Financial Planning: Compare fee structures and scholarship opportunities across top NLUs
5. Alumni Network Analysis: Investigate placement records and alumni networks in your areas of interest

For Mid-Range Scorers (80-95 Expected)

Candidates expecting scores between 80-95 marks should adopt these strategies:

1. Realistic Preference Listing: Balance aspirational choices with realistic options in your preference list
2. Consider Newer NLUs with Strong Growth: Institutions like MNLU Mumbai and HNLU Raipur offer excellent education despite being relatively newer
3. Explore Horizontal Reservations: Check for domicile quotas or other special categories that might improve your chances
4. Counseling Round Strategy: Remain active through all counseling rounds as cut-offs may drop significantly for mid-tier NLUs
5. Alternative Law School Options: Simultaneously apply to non-CLAT institutions like ILS Pune or Government Law College Mumbai as backups

For Score Range Below 80

If your expected score is below 80, consider these approaches:

1. Category-specific Opportunities: Reserved category candidates may still qualify for several good NLUs
2. Later Counseling Rounds: Actively participate in all counseling rounds, as cut-offs may decrease
3. State Law Universities: Explore reputable state law universities that offer quality education
4. Year Drop Consideration: Evaluate the option of preparing more extensively for next year’s exam
5. Alternative Career Paths: Consider integrated law programs through other entrance exams

Conclusion: Making Informed Decisions Based on CLAT 2025 Cut-offs

As CLAT 2025 results are due, knowing clat 2025 cut off becomes crucial so that you can make the right choices regarding your legal education path. Keep in mind that while cut-offs are a significant guideline, they must be weighed along with other considerations such as institution specializations, desired locations, cost factors, and overall career aspirations.

The clat cutoff 2025 projections provided in this comprehensive guide are based on thorough analysis of historical trends, expert insights, and current examination patterns. However, actual clat 2025 cut off may vary based on exam difficulty, applicant performance, and institutional policies. The clat cut off 2024 category wise data has been particularly valuable in formulating these predictions.

For CLAT 2025 candidates, we recommend:

1. Preparing a flexible preference strategy that includes reach, match, and safe options
2. Researching individual NLUs beyond just their rankings and cut-offs
3. Understanding the complete counseling process to maximize admission opportunities
4. Considering category-specific advantages in the admission process
5. Developing clarity about your legal career objectives to inform your institution choice

The law school you attend will significantly shape your legal career. However, remember that success in the legal profession ultimately depends on individual passion, perseverance, and performance rather than just the institution’s brand name. The law cutoff mark should guide your decisions, but not be the determining factor.

Maximise your chances of getting into your dream NLU! (Explore our comprehensive CLAT preparation platform, mock tests, and personalized coaching)-[Insert ink] and start your preparation today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the expected cut-off for CLAT 2025?

National cut-offs for the general category will be 95–100 marks. For top NLUs like NLSIU Bangalore, ~99–104 marks, and NALSAR Hyderabad, ~96–100 marks. Reserved categories: OBC (~83–95), SC (~74–90), ST (~70–86), EWS (~85–96), PwD (~70–80).

2. How does CLAT marks vs rank mapping work?

Marks-to-rank is non-linear. 105+ marks, 1–2 marks change ranks by 20–30; 80–90 marks, the same difference could change ranks by 100–150. It is a function of test difficulty, number of test-takers, and score distribution.

3. Will CLAT 2025 cut-off vary by category?

Yes, cut-offs differ by category. General has the highest, followed by EWS (~5–10 marks lower), OBC (~7–12 marks lower), SC (~15–20 marks lower), ST (~25–30 marks lower), and PwD (~20–25 marks lower), reflecting NLU reservation policies.

4. Do all NLUs release their individual cut-off marks?

No, CLAT Consortium provides a merit list, but NLUs’ cut-offs for an individual NLU are announced during counseling. Leading NLUs like NLSIU and NALSAR usually declare category-wise ranks; others declare only opening/closing ranks. Refer to CLAT and NLU websites after results.

5. Is the CLAT cut-off the same for BA LLB and LLM programs?

No, BA LLB cut-offs are higher because of a greater pool of applicants (~90,000 compared to ~5,000–7,000 for LLM) and different exam patterns. LLM cut-offs are generally 20–25 marks lower (e.g., NLSIU BA LLB: ~99–104, LLM: ~80–85).

6. What were the previous years’ opening and closing ranks for top NLUs?

The opening and closing ranks for top NLUs in the general category over the past three years reveal important admission trends:

NLU	2024 Opening-Closing	2023 Opening-Closing	2022 Opening-Closing
NLSIU Bangalore	1-65	1-60	1-55
NALSAR Hyderabad	66-150	61-140	56-135
NLIU Bhopal	151-300	141-290	136-280
WBNUJS Kolkata	301-450	291-440	281-430
NLU Jodhpur	451-600	441-590	431-580
GNLU Gandhinagar	601-775	591-760	581-750
RMLNLU Lucknow	776-950	761-940	751-930
HNLU Raipur	951-1200	941-1190	931-1180
MNLU Mumbai	1201-1400	1191-1390	1181-1380
CNLU Patna	1401-1600	1391-1590	1381-1580

This data shows a consistent pattern with slight variations in rank ranges across years, primarily due to changing exam patterns and applicant demographics. The rank brackets have marginally widened over the years, suggesting increased competition for premier institutions.

7. How many counselling rounds are held for CLAT admissions?

Typically, five rounds: three main rounds, followed by one or two mop-up rounds to fill vacancies. Candidates can “freeze” or “float” preferences, with each round spanning 3–5 days. Process lasts 4–6 weeks.

8. Can CLAT cut-off change in the later counselling rounds?

Yes, cut-offs may drop by 1–3 marks in later rounds due to withdrawals, “float”/“freeze” choices, or unfilled reserved seats converting to general. Top NLUs see minimal changes; mid/lower NLUs may see larger drops.

9. What factors determine the CLAT cut-off each year?

Exam Difficulty: Harder exams lower cut-offs; easier ones raise them.

Number of Test-takers: More applicants (~90,000 in 2024) increase competition.

Score Distribution: Tight score clusters amplify rank differences.

Available Seats: ~3,696 UG seats across 24 NLUs.

Reservation Policies: Category-wise quotas affect cut-offs.

Counseling Choices: Withdrawals or regional preferences shift vacancies.

Alternative Options: Non-CLAT schools (e.g., AILET) impact participation.