CLAT 2025 Exam date was December 1, 2024. In this article, candidates can understand the key differences between CLAT ranks and marks, and what is more important to secure a seat at NLUs in India.
Difference between CLAT Marks and Ranks
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is conducted for admissions offered at the accepting National Law Universities in India. CLAT 2025 Exam was scheduled to be held on December 1, 2024. The Consortium has announced the CLAT results in the form of marks as well as ranks. CLAT 2025 Results was announced on December 7, 2024. While CLAT ranks and marks are both helpful in preparing the merit list of a 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 preparation of a CLAT merit list 2025.
CLAT 2025 Marks
The Consortium of NLUs awarded marks to a candidate on the basis of their performance in all the five sections of CLAT question paper (undergraduate) 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.
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To shortlist candidates for the final seat allotment process, the exam authority arranged their names in order of merit. The merit ranks of candidates qualifying CLAT 2025 exam are determined based on the following factors:
Q: What details are required to check the CLAT cutoff?
Candidates can check the CLAT Cutoff 2025 by following simple steps given below:
- Click on the merit list link by visiting the official website
- A log-in window will open
- Fill in the following details:
- CLAT 2025 application number / Admit card number
- Date of birth
- On successful login, the merit list would be displayed on the screen
- Download and take a printout of the CLAT 2025 Cutoff List
CLAT Consortium will publish the CLAT merit list for UG and PG courses separately. The CLAT merit list will be prepared based on the total marks scored by candidates in the exam. This means that a student scoring higher marks will be given a higher rank in the merit list.
The merit list will include information like All India Ranks (AIRs), roll numbers, and total marks. All candidates whose names have appeared in the merit list are eligible to participate in CLAT 2025 counseling for seat allotment procedure at the National Law Universities (NLUs).
.
Q: What is the cutoff marks in CLAT?
Candidates must note that in order to secure seat in top 3 NLUs they should have a cut-off between 100 and 105, as expected in the CLAT Cutoff 2025. To get admission in one of the top 5 NLUs, the CLAT cut off 2025 is expected to be around 95 and 100.
Q: I scored 80 marks in the CLAT exam. Have I met the cutoff?
No, it is not possible for you to get the NLU, although at this score you must have already received admission letters from private universities. Better take a year's drop.
CLAT cut-off usually ranges between 95-100 for the general category while for SC/ST and OBC category CLAT cut-off usually ranges between 80-85. Based on the previous year's analysis, CLAT Cut-off 2025 for the top 3 NLUs is expected to be between 100-105, and for the top 5 NLUs, it is expected to be between 90-95.
- 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
CLAT 2025 Reservation Categories
CLAT ranks are arranged for each category as under:
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- 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 2025 Rank and Marks
The major difference between CLAT 2025 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 2025 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.
Also read: List of Colleges accepting CLAT 2025 Scores for admission: UG/PG Seat Intake
CLAT Cutoff Marks vs Ranks
The cutoff marks for CLAT 2025 means the minimum marks a candidate needs to secure in all the sections as well as the overall question paper. Whereas, CLAT cutoff rank 2025 indicates category-wise rank (last) eligible to secure admission in a particular NLU.
Q: What all information will CLAT 2024 cutoff have?
Candidates can check the CLAT Cutoff 2025 by following simple steps given below:
- Click on the merit list link by visiting the official website
- A log-in window will open
- Fill in the following details:
- CLAT 2025 application number / Admit card number
- Date of birth
- On successful login, the merit list would be displayed on the screen
- Download and take a printout of the CLAT 2025 Cutoff List
CLAT Consortium will publish the CLAT merit list for UG and PG courses separately. The CLAT merit list will be prepared based on the total marks scored by candidates in the exam. This means that a student scoring higher marks will be given a higher rank in the merit list.
The merit list will include information like All India Ranks (AIRs), roll numbers, and total marks. All candidates whose names have appeared in the merit list are eligible to participate in CLAT 2025 counseling for seat allotment procedure at the National Law Universities (NLUs).
Q: Will CLAT cutoff release online or offline?
Candidates must note that CLAT cutoff is released online on the official website. The Consortium does not release any cutoff offline. Candidates appearing for CLAT Counselling must register for the CLAT Counselling process on or before the last date.
Q: Are CLAT cut offs announced along with the CLAT result?
CLAT cut offs are not announced along with the CLAT result. The cut offs also not released publicaly. They are known after a few days of result announcement when the NLUs and other colleges start their shortlisting process. The NLUs will open shortlist window basis the CLAT cut offs two to three days after the result announcement. Only those candidates who will meet the CLAT 2025 Cutoff will be allowed to sit in the counselling process.
Q: What is the CLAT Cutoff for NLSIU Bangalore?
The Consortium of National Law Universities (CNLU) releases institute-wise and course-wise CLAT Provisional Allotment lists on the official website at consortiumofnlus.ac.in for NLU admissions 2025 to BA LLB (Hons). Candidates seeking admission to NLSIU Bangalore can refer to the table given below to check out the NLSIU Bangalore cutoff to get better clarity on NLU Bangalore cutoff trends:
| NLSIU CLAT 2024 Cutoff (General-All India) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Course | 2023 | 2024 |
| BA LLB (Hons) | 149 | 100 |
Q: Is CLAT cutoff same for all NLUs?
The cutoff depends on a host of different factors like 1) the seat intake for the programme 2) the total applications received for admission 3) the CLAT merit rank of applicants, 4) category and 5) the NIRF Ranking or the popularity of the NLU. Now, given these factors may vary for each NLU, the cutoff would also vary accordingly. Candidates must note that they will be allotted NLU on the basis of marks, rank and the preference they have filled while submitting the CLAT Application Form 2025.
CLAT 2025 Marks
Here are the expected cutoff marks for the CLAT exam for reference:
| CLAT Sections |
Difficulty Level |
Expected cut off |
|---|---|---|
| English Language |
Easy |
20+ |
| Current Affairs including General Knowledge |
Moderate |
30+ |
| Logical Reasoning |
Moderate |
15+ |
| Legal Reasoning |
Easy to Moderate |
20+ |
| Quantitative Techniques |
Moderate |
10+ |
| Total |
Moderate |
95-115 |
CLAT Cutoff Ranks 2025
Candidates can check the CLAT 2025 cut off ranks for participating NLUs below:
| CLAT 2025 Participating NLUs |
Opening Rank (Expected) |
Closing Ranks (Expected) |
Download CLAT 2025 1st Merit List |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Law School of India University, Bangalore |
1 | 14351 | To be released |
| NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad |
4 | 8840 | To be released |
| The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata |
140 | 30487 | To be released |
| National Law Institute University, Bhopal
|
159 | 17868 | To be released |
| 187 | 27439 | To be released | |
| National Law University, Jodhpur |
112 | 21627 | To be released |
| Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar |
8 | 12466 | To be released |
| Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow |
357 | 20458 | To be released |
| Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala |
223 | 25990 | To be released |
| Chanakya National Law University Patna
|
324 | 29496 | To be released |
| 1051 | 32471 | To be released | |
| National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi |
233 | 28321 | To be released |
| National Law University Odisha, Cuttack |
594 | 52976 | To be released |
| National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi |
642 | 48861 | To be released |
| National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam |
1347 | 35241 | To be released |
| Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU),Visakhapatnam |
656 | 34507 | To be released |
| The Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirapalli |
806 | 38379 | To be released |
| 824 | 30798 | To be released |
|
| Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai |
101 | 30963 | To be released |
| Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur
|
491 | 42857 | To be released |
| 611 | 46797 | To be released | |
| Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad |
945 | 41239 | To be released |
| 682 | 47608 | To be released | |
| Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla |
885 | 34169 | To be released |
| 284 | 33143 | To be released | |
| Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur |
1060 | 34721 | To be released |
| Dr B R Ambedkar National Law University Sonipat, Haryana |
503 | 23930 | To be released |
| Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur |
413 | 44306 | To be released |
| National Law University, Tripura |
1716 | 51586 | To be released |
| GNLU Silvassa Campus |
595 | 35917 | To be released |
CLAT 2024 Cutoff Ranks
Check the CLAT Cutoff rank for CLAT colleges for year 2024 for reference:
| CLAT 2024 Participating NLUs |
Opening Rank |
Closing Ranks |
Download CLAT 2024 1st Merit List |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Law School of India University, Bangalore |
1 | 14349 | |
| NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad |
4 | 8843 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for NALSAR |
| The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata |
140 | 30484 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for WBNUJS |
| National Law Institute University, Bhopal
|
159 | 17865 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for NLIU Bhopal (BA LLB) |
| 187 | 27435 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for NLIU Bhopal (BSc LLB) | |
| National Law University, Jodhpur |
112 | 21623 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for NLU Jodhpur |
| Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar |
8 | 12468 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for GNLU |
| Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow |
357 | 20456 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for DRMNLU |
| Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala |
220 | 25988 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for RGNUL |
| Chanakya National Law University Patna
|
322 | 29492 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for CNLU Patna - BA LLB |
| 1051 | 32469 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for CNLU Patna - BBA LLB | |
| National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi |
231 | 28315 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for NUALS Kochi |
| National Law University Odisha, Cuttack |
591 | 52970 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for NLUO |
| National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi |
637 | 48856 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for NUSRL |
| National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam |
1344 | 35236 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for NLUJAA |
| Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU),Visakhapatnam |
656 | 34502 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for DSNLU |
| The Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirapalli |
806 | 38376 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for TNNLS - BA LLB |
| 821 | 30795 | ||
| Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai |
99 | 30958 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for MNLU Mumbai |
| Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur
|
491 | 42857 | |
| 611 | 46792 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for MNLU Nagpur (BBA-LLB) | |
| Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad |
945 | 41238 | |
| 681 | 47604 | ||
| Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla |
885 | 34169 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for HPNLU Shimla - BA LLB |
| 284 | 33143 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for HPNLU Shimla - BBA LLB | |
| Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur |
1060 | 34721 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for DNLU Jabalpur |
| Dr B R Ambedkar National Law University Sonipat, Haryana |
503 | 23930 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for DRBNLU Haryana |
| Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur |
413 | 44306 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for HNLU Raipur |
| National Law University, Tripura |
1716 | 51586 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for NLU Tripura |
| GNLU Silvassa Campus |
593 | 35911 | CLAT 2024 First Merit List for GNLU Silvassa |
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
CLAT and other law entrance exams typically consist of multiple-choice questions that test a candidate's knowledge, reasoning, and analytical skills. Here's a breakdown of the types of questions usually asked:
English Language
1. *Comprehension Passages*: Candidates are given a passage to read, follo
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 4 days ago
Admission in NLUs is not possible. Seek admission in other private colleges. Few of them are given below.
- LPU Phagwara
- Chandigarh University
Scholar-Level 18
Answered 5 days ago
You can't get top 6 nlus law colleges bit you get similar the highest level college
A
Beginner-Level 1
Answered 6 days ago
Provided you fulfill the minimum requirements as established by the different National Law Universities (NLUs) in the respective states, you might be potentially eligible for some of these NLUs: Most NLUs select candidates through the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) for admission. Below mentioned a
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a week ago
The eligibility criteria for CLAT 2025 are as follows :
For General, OBC, EWS :
The candidate should have minimum 45% score in 12th standard from any recognised board.
For SC, ST :
The candidate should have minimum 40% score in 12th standard from any recognised boards.
Candidates who will appear in
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
A good score in CLAT 2025 for an OBC candidate will be 80-90+ marks. On the other hand, SC and ST candidates can secure a seat in top NLUs with a CLAT 2025 score of 75-85 marks without domicile reservation.
S
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
No domicile certificate is required to be produced while filling up the application form for CLAT. It is mandatory only while counseling if you are opting for the domicile based reservations by producing certificates. It is normal for most NLUs to reserve 10%-50% of the number of seats for the state
K
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a week ago
Yes, Kirit P Mehta School of Law accepts admissions through CLAT apart from NMIMS-LAT. Candidates applying through CLAT need to meet the cut-off requirements as well as follow the admission process of the institution.
a
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Hello greetings!
Yes, the registration for CLAT 2025 has already started! The application process opened on July 15, 2024, and the last date to submit applications was October 15, 2024. The admit cards were released on November 15, 2024.
The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) is respons
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 weeks ago
The CLAT cutoff for OBC category candidates has ranged from around 90-160 marks in recent years, depending on the NLIU, the exam's difficulty, and the availability of seats. For top NLUs, the OBC cutoff is typically in the range of 120-160 marks, whereas mid-tier and lower-tier NLUs have a slightly
V
Contributor-Level 8
Which type of question are asked in CLAT and other law entrance exams?