The CLAT 2026 merit list was released by the Consortium of National Law Universities in multiple rounds beginning January 7, 2026, following result declaration on December 16, 2025. All five rounds of counselling have since concluded, with seat allotment finalised across 21 participating NLUs. Students can access allotment letters and merit list PDFs by logging in at consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
- CLAT 2026 was conducted on December 7, 2025; results were declared on December 16, 2025.
- The first merit list was released on January 7, 2026, followed by the second on January 22, 2026, and the third on February 25, 2026.
- Merit lists are rank-ordered using normalised scores from the official answer key — not raw marks.
- Separate category-wise merit lists are prepared for General, OBC-NCL, EWS, SC, ST, and PwD students at each NLU.
- For UG admissions, tie-breaking is resolved first by marks in the Legal Aptitude section, then by age (older student preferred), and finally by a computerised random draw.
- A total of 21 NLUs participate in CLAT 2026 counselling, spread across states from Karnataka to Haryana.
- Students listed in any round must pay the confirmation fee within the prescribed window or lose their allotment.
Your All India Rank (AIR) in the CLAT 2026 merit list determines which NLU and programme you are allotted during counselling. Students who receive a seat allotment must complete document verification and report to their allotted NLU by the prescribed deadline to confirm admission.
| Download CLAT Merit List 2026 PDF — Click Here (Official Website) |
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Key Summary — CLAT 2026 merit list at a glance. Released in five counselling rounds; all rounds concluded.
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What is CLAT Merit List 2026?
The CLAT 2026 merit list is a rank-ordered list of students who appeared in the Common Law Admission Test 2026, prepared and published by the Consortium of National Law Universities. It assigns each student an All India Rank (AIR) based on their normalised score in the exam. The Consortium uses this merit list to allot seats at all 21 participating NLUs through a centralised counselling process. Only students whose AIR falls within the closing rank of an NLU-programme-category combination receive seat allotment in that round.
CLAT 2026 was conducted on December 7, 2025, and the result was declared on December 16, 2025. The first round merit list was released on January 7, 2026, initiating the counselling process. Students who appear in the merit list but fail to pay the seat confirmation fee within the prescribed window forfeit their allotment — their seat moves to the next eligible student in round 2 or subsequent rounds.
Types of CLAT Merit List 2026
The Consortium releases multiple types of merit lists to ensure transparent seat allotment across all programmes and categories.
| Merit List Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Overall Merit List | Ranks all students across categories using normalised scores; the base list from which allotment begins. |
| Category-wise Merit List | Separate ranked lists for General, OBC-NCL, EWS, SC, ST, and PwD students; ensures reserved seats are filled correctly. |
| Round-wise Merit List | Released before each of the 5 counselling rounds; shows which students are allotted seats in that specific round. |
| UG Merit List | Covers BA LLB (Hons.) and BSc LLB (Hons.) programmes offered by participating NLUs. |
| PG Merit List | Covers LLM programmes; tie-breaking for PG uses age first, then random draw — Legal Aptitude is not used for PG. |
CLAT Merit List Dates 2026
All key events in the CLAT 2026 merit list and counselling cycle are now concluded. The table below presents events in chronological order, oldest first, as all dates are past relative to today.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| CLAT 2026 Exam Conducted | December 7, 2025 | Over |
| CLAT 2026 Result Declaration | December 16, 2025 | Over |
| First Merit List Released (Round 1) | January 7, 2026 | Over |
| Confirmation Fee Payment — Round 1 | January 7–15, 2026 | Over |
| Second Merit List Released (Round 2) | January 22, 2026 | Over |
| Confirmation Fee Payment — Round 2 | January 22–29, 2026 | Over |
| Third Merit List Released (Round 3) | February 25, 2026 | Over |
| Rounds 4 & 5 (Final Merit Lists) | March–April 2026 | Over |
Note: The confirmation fee window is typically 7–10 days after each merit list release. Students who missed the window for any round were not eligible for the same NLU preference in subsequent rounds.
NLU-wise CLAT Merit List 2026 PDF Download
The Consortium publishes all round-wise merit lists centrally at consortiumofnlus.ac.in. Each merit list PDF specifies the NLU, programme, and category for every allotted student. Log in with your CLAT 2026 application number and date of birth to download your personalised allotment letter. The table below lists all 21 participating NLUs with their state and the link to access allotment documents.
| NLU Name | State | Merit List / Allotment PDF |
|---|---|---|
| National Law School of India University (NLSIU) | Karnataka | Download (Official Portal) |
| NALSAR University of Law | Telangana | Download (Official Portal) |
| National Law Institute University (NLIU) | Madhya Pradesh | Download (Official Portal) |
| The WB National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS) | West Bengal | Download (Official Portal) |
| National Law University, Jodhpur (NLU Jodhpur) | Rajasthan | Download (Official Portal) |
| Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) | Chhattisgarh | Download (Official Portal) |
| Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) | Gujarat | Download (Official Portal) |
| Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University (RMLNLU) | Uttar Pradesh | Download (Official Portal) |
| Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) | Punjab | Download (Official Portal) |
| Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) | Bihar | Download (Official Portal) |
| National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) | Kerala | Download (Official Portal) |
| National Law University Odisha (NLUO) | Odisha | Download (Official Portal) |
| National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL) | Jharkhand | Download (Official Portal) |
| National Law University and Judicial Academy (NLUJA) | Assam | Download (Official Portal) |
| Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU) | Andhra Pradesh | Download (Official Portal) |
| Tamil Nadu National Law School (TNNLS) | Tamil Nadu | Download (Official Portal) |
| Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) Mumbai | Maharashtra | Download (Official Portal) |
| Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) Nagpur | Maharashtra | Download (Official Portal) |
| Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) Aurangabad | Maharashtra | Download (Official Portal) |
| Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU) | Himachal Pradesh | Download (Official Portal) |
| Dr. BR Ambedkar National Law University (DBRANLU) | Haryana | Download (Official Portal) |
CLAT Cutoff 2026
The CLAT 2026 cutoff is expressed as a closing All India Rank (AIR) — the highest rank number at which a seat was filled at a given NLU in a given category across all counselling rounds. Students whose AIR is equal to or lower than the closing rank for their category at an NLU are eligible for allotment there. The table below presents approximate closing rank ranges for major NLUs based on reported CLAT 2026 counselling data.
| NLU | General (Approx. Closing AIR) | OBC-NCL (Approx. Closing AIR) | EWS (Approx. Closing AIR) | SC (Approx. Closing AIR) | ST (Approx. Closing AIR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | 1–70 | 71–180 | 70–200 | 181–360 | 361–620 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 71–155 | 156–310 | 155–360 | 311–560 | 561–920 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata (BA LLB) | 140–300 | 301–510 | 300–620 | 511–810 | 811–1,220 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 300–510 | 511–760 | 510–870 | 761–1,110 | 1,111–1,520 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | 410–620 | 621–920 | 620–1,020 | 921–1,320 | 1,321–1,830 |
| NLIU Bhopal | 460–720 | 721–1,020 | 720–1,130 | 1,021–1,520 | 1,521–2,050 |
| HNLU Raipur | 610–920 | 921–1,320 | 920–1,430 | 1,321–1,830 | 1,831–2,560 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | 720–1,020 | 1,021–1,520 | 1,020–1,630 | 1,521–2,050 | 2,051–2,860 |
| RGNUL Patiala | 920–1,320 | 1,321–1,830 | 1,320–2,050 | 1,831–2,560 | 2,561–3,580 |
| CNLU Patna | 1,120–1,630 | 1,631–2,240 | 1,630–2,450 | 2,241–3,070 | 3,071–4,090 |
The above closing ranks are approximate and based on reported CLAT 2026 counselling round data. Exact official cutoff ranks per NLU are published at consortiumofnlus.ac.in after each counselling round concludes.
How Many Marks Are Required to Clear CLAT 2026?
CLAT 2026 was conducted for 120 marks with a negative marking of 0.25 marks per incorrect answer. Students targeting the top five NLUs in the General category need approximately 95 marks or above. Reserved-category students can secure top NLUs at lower mark thresholds due to category-specific closing ranks. The table below gives a category-wise score guidance based on NLU tier.
| Category | Marks for Top-5 NLUs (Out of 120) | Marks for Mid-Tier NLUs |
|---|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | 95–105 marks | 80–94 marks |
| OBC-NCL | 89–99 marks | 75–88 marks |
| EWS | 90–100 marks | 76–89 marks |
| SC | 80–90 marks | 65–79 marks |
| ST | 75–86 marks | 60–74 marks |
| PwD | Horizontal 5% reservation across all categories; cutoff varies per NLU and vertical category. | — |
CLAT Merit List 2025
CLAT 2025 followed the same round-wise merit list model as 2026. WBNUJS Kolkata’s BA LLB programme had an opening rank of 140 and a closing rank of 277 for General category in 2025 — a useful benchmark showing how competitive the top-7 cluster has remained year-on-year. The BSc LLB programme at the same NLU saw a wider range (AIR 289–1010), reflecting lower competition for that stream.
| NLU | Programme | Opening Rank — General (2025) | Closing Rank — General (2025) | Archive PDF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | BA LLB (Hons.) | 1 | ~70 | Archive |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | BA LLB (Hons.) | ~71 | ~150 | Archive |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | BA LLB (Hons.) | 140 | 277 | Archive |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | BSc LLB (Hons.) | 289 | 1,010 | Archive |
| NLU Jodhpur | BA LLB (Hons.) | ~300 | ~500 | Archive |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | BA LLB (Hons.) | ~410 | ~650 | Archive |
| HNLU Raipur | BA LLB (Hons.) | ~610 | ~910 | Archive |
Opening and closing ranks marked with ~ are approximate based on publicly reported counselling data for CLAT 2025.
CLAT Previous Year Merit List (2023–2025)
Tracking closing ranks across three years reveals a consistent upward trend in competition at the top NLUs. NLSIU Bangalore’s General category closing rank has stayed within the 65–72 band from 2023 to 2025, reflecting a stable but intensely contested admission window. Mid-tier NLUs have seen slightly widening closing ranks as newer NLUs absorb more students.
CLAT 2024 Merit List
| NLU | General (Closing AIR, 2024) | SC (Closing AIR, 2024) | ST (Closing AIR, 2024) | Archive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | ~68 | ~325 | ~585 | Archive |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | ~148 | ~535 | ~880 | Archive |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | ~288 | ~795 | ~1,190 | Archive |
| NLU Jodhpur | ~492 | ~1,085 | ~1,490 | Archive |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | ~622 | ~1,265 | ~1,790 | Archive |
| NLIU Bhopal | ~715 | ~1,480 | ~2,020 | Archive |
CLAT 2023 Merit List
| NLU | General (Closing AIR, 2023) | SC (Closing AIR, 2023) | ST (Closing AIR, 2023) | Archive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | ~65 | ~312 | ~565 | Archive |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | ~140 | ~515 | ~848 | Archive |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | ~272 | ~762 | ~1,155 | Archive |
| NLU Jodhpur | ~474 | ~1,055 | ~1,448 | Archive |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | ~594 | ~1,215 | ~1,728 | Archive |
| NLIU Bhopal | ~688 | ~1,445 | ~1,975 | Archive |
Historical closing ranks are approximate, sourced from publicly available counselling data for CLAT 2023 and CLAT 2024. Official archives are available at consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
CLAT Good Score 2026
A "good score" in CLAT 2026 is relative to your target NLU, your category, and the competition in the year you appeared. Here is how scores map to ambition levels based on CLAT 2026 reported data:
- 95 marks and above (General category): Puts you firmly in contention for NLSIU Bangalore and NALSAR Hyderabad — the top two NLUs — with AIR likely in the top 500.
- 85–94 marks (General category): Positions you well for NLUs ranked 3–8 — WBNUJS, NLU Jodhpur, GNLU, NLIU — in the AIR 600–2,800 band.
- 75–84 marks (General category): Opens doors to mid-ranked NLUs such as HNLU, RMLNLU, RGNUL, and CNLU, typically corresponding to AIR 2,800–5,000.
- Below 70 marks (General category): Chances at core CLAT NLUs narrow significantly; admission at newer NLUs like HPNLU or DBRANLU may still be possible.
- SC/ST students: A score of 75–82 marks can secure admission at top NLUs — NLSIU or NALSAR — given the lower closing ranks for reserved categories in the 350–920 AIR range.
- OBC-NCL and EWS students: Typically need scores 3–6 marks lower than the General category benchmark to reach the same NLU tier, owing to separate category-specific closing ranks.
Is 85 Marks a Good Score in CLAT 2026?
Yes, 85 marks in CLAT 2026 is a competitive score. Based on reported data, 85 marks places a General category student at approximately AIR 1,500–2,800 — enough for mid-ranked NLUs but likely short of the top five in the unreserved category. For SC and ST students, 85 marks translates to a significantly lower effective rank within their respective category pools, making top NLU admission realistic.
Admission Possibilities with 85 Marks in CLAT 2026
| Category | Approx. AIR at 85 Marks | Expected NLU Tier |
|---|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | ~1,500–2,800 | HNLU Raipur, RMLNLU Lucknow, RGNUL Patiala |
| OBC-NCL | ~1,100–2,000 | May access NLU Jodhpur or GNLU (OBC seats) |
| EWS | ~1,300–2,200 | GNLU, NLIU (EWS seats) |
| SC | ~800–1,200 | Can access WBNUJS or NLU Jodhpur (SC category) |
| ST | ~500–800 | Can access NALSAR or WBNUJS (ST category) |
CLAT Marks vs Rank 2026
The marks-vs-rank relationship in CLAT 2026 helps you estimate your AIR from your practice or mock-test performance. CLAT uses normalised scoring, so the final rank depends on both your absolute marks and how the overall student pool performed on that paper.
- Scores are compressed at the top: The gap between AIR 1 and AIR 500 is typically only 10–12 marks — every mark in the 90–105 range can shift your rank by 50–200 positions.
- Negative marking amplifies rank shifts: Each wrong answer costs 0.25 marks; attempting uncertain questions in the 85–95 mark band can drop rank by hundreds.
- Normalisation smooths out paper-difficulty variation across sessions, but a harder paper benefits high scorers less than an easier one with greater score spread.
| Marks Scored (Out of 120) | Approx. All India Rank (AIR) 2026 | Likely NLU Tier (General Category) |
|---|---|---|
| 105–120 | 1–50 | NLSIU Bangalore (topmost preference) |
| 100–104 | 51–200 | NLSIU, NALSAR |
| 95–99 | 201–600 | NALSAR, NLIU, WBNUJS |
| 90–94 | 601–1,500 | WBNUJS, NLU Jodhpur, GNLU |
| 85–89 | 1,501–2,800 | HNLU, RMLNLU, RGNUL |
| 80–84 | 2,801–4,500 | CNLU, NUALS, NLUO, NUSRL |
| 75–79 | 4,501–7,000 | NLUJA, DSNLU, TNNLS, MNLU Mumbai |
| 70–74 | 7,001–10,000 | HPNLU, DBRANLU, MNLU Nagpur / Aurangabad |
| Below 70 | 10,000+ | Newer NLUs; seat allotment depends on vacancy |
The above estimates are based on CLAT 2026 reported data and historical rank patterns. Actual AIRs may vary. Verify your rank at consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
FAQs
Ques: When was the CLAT 2026 merit list released?
Ans: The CLAT 2026 first merit list was released on January 7, 2026, by the Consortium of National Law Universities. The second merit list followed on January 22, 2026, and the third on February 25, 2026. A total of five rounds of merit lists were released across the counselling period, which concluded in April 2026.
Ques: How do I download the CLAT 2026 merit list PDF?
Ans: Visit consortiumofnlus.ac.in and log in using your CLAT 2026 application number and date of birth. Your personalised allotment letter — which specifies your allotted NLU, programme, and category — can be downloaded from the dashboard. The Consortium does not send merit list PDFs by email; you must log in each round to check and download.
Ques: What is the difference between the CLAT 2026 result and the merit list?
Ans: The CLAT result (declared December 16, 2025) gives your score and overall All India Rank. The merit list, released separately during counselling rounds, shows which students have been allotted seats at specific NLUs in each round. The result is a one-time declaration; the merit list is released multiple times — one per round — and changes as students accept or reject allotments.
Ques: What are the tie-breaking rules for CLAT 2026?
Ans: If two students score equally in CLAT 2026, the Consortium resolves the tie using the following priority order:
| Priority | UG (BA LLB / BSc LLB) | PG (LLM) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Higher marks in the Legal Aptitude section | Older student (higher age) |
| 2nd | Older student (higher age) | Computerised random draw |
| 3rd | Computerised random draw | — |
Note: Legal Aptitude is used as a tie-breaker only for UG admissions. PG tie-breaking does not use section-wise scores.
Ques: How many NLUs participate in CLAT 2026 counselling?
Ans: 21 National Law Universities participate in CLAT 2026 UG counselling, from NLSIU Bangalore and NALSAR Hyderabad at the top tier to DBRANLU Sonipat and HPNLU Shimla at the newer end. Each NLU has its own seat matrix by category, which determines how many seats are available per round.
Ques: What is the difference between the merit list and the seat allotment letter in CLAT 2026?
Ans: The merit list is a cumulative rank-ordered list of all students eligible for allotment. The seat allotment letter is a personalised document that tells you specifically which NLU and programme you have been allotted in a given round. You must download and act on your allotment letter — simply checking whether your name appears in the merit list is not enough to secure your seat.
Ques: What happens if I miss the confirmation fee deadline after appearing in the CLAT 2026 merit list?
Ans: If you do not pay the seat confirmation fee within the prescribed window (typically 7–10 days after a merit list is released), your allotment is cancelled and you become ineligible for the same NLU preference in subsequent rounds. Your seat is then offered to the next eligible student on the waiting list. The Consortium does not grant extensions for missed fee deadlines.
Ques: Can OBC-NCL students from any state claim OBC reservation at all NLUs through CLAT 2026?
Ans: Yes. CLAT 2026 OBC-NCL reservation is based on the Central OBC-NCL list maintained by the Government of India, not on state-level OBC lists. Students listed in the central OBC-NCL category can claim this reservation at all 21 NLUs, regardless of which state they come from. State-level OBC certificates that are not covered by the central list are not accepted for NLU admission through CLAT.
Ques: What is the PwD reservation in CLAT 2026?
Ans: PwD (Persons with Disability) students receive a 5% horizontal reservation at each participating NLU. Horizontal reservation means PwD seats are distributed across all vertical categories — General, OBC-NCL, EWS, SC, and ST. Students must submit a valid disability certificate from a competent government authority during document verification. The certificate must specify the nature and percentage of disability in the format accepted by the Consortium.
Ques: Does a good rank in CLAT 2026 guarantee admission to NLSIU Bangalore?
Ans: A rank within the closing rank at NLSIU is necessary but not sufficient on its own. You must also have listed NLSIU as a preference during counselling registration, clear document verification, and pay the confirmation fee within the deadline. Students who meet all three conditions and whose rank falls within NLSIU’s closing rank in any of the five rounds are granted admission. Skipping the fee payment step — even with a rank of AIR 1 — results in the allotment being cancelled.
Disclaimer: The CLAT 2026 merit list data, NLU-wise closing rank estimates, and marks vs rank figures on this page are sourced from official Consortium of NLUs notifications and publicly reported counselling round data. Values marked with ~ or labelled "approximate" are estimates and may differ from final official figures. Students are advised to verify all admission-related information directly at the official website consortiumofnlus.ac.in before taking any decision.
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