1. NALSAR Hyderabad & Its Cutoff | What You Need to Know
The National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University of Law, Hyderabad, is India's second-most competitive law school and consistently ranks #2 in NIRF law rankings. NALSAR Hyderabad is the first choice for hundreds of CLAT toppers who score between AIR 100 and AIR 160 | a razor-thin band that decides admission each year.
Unlike AILET (which is exclusive to NLU Delhi), NALSAR admits students through the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities. Admissions are done via a centralised counselling system with up to 5 rounds. The NALSAR cutoff is expressed as the All India Rank (AIR) of the last candidate admitted to a given category in a given counselling round.
NALSAR's General (AI) cutoff has been remarkably stable, oscillating between AIR 117 and AIR 170 across 2022–2026. This stability makes NALSAR one of the most predictable NLUs for target-setting. The unique feature of NALSAR's admission is its dual-quota system | All India (AI) and Telangana Home State (HS/TL) | which creates separate merit lists with different cutoffs for students from Telangana.
2. CLAT 2026 Round 1 Cutoff | All Categories (BA LLB)
The Consortium of NLUs released the CLAT 2026 Round 1 seat allotment on January 7, 2026. The NALSAR Round 1 cutoff is the most widely referenced benchmark for CLAT 2027 preparation. Here is the complete Round 1 data for BA LLB (Hons) across all categories under the All India (AI) quota:
| Category | Opening Rank (AIR) | Closing Rank (AIR) | Seats (AI Quota) | vs 2025 Round 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General (AI) | AIR 17 | AIR 148 | ~47 | ↑ Tighter (was 150) |
| General (AI) – Women | AIR 20 | AIR 159 | Horizontal | Comparable |
| EWS (AI) | AIR 175 | AIR 630 | ~11 | ↑ Tighter (was 713) |
| OBC (AI) | AIR 407 | AIR 915 | ~18 | ↑ Tighter (was 1,219) |
| SC (AI) | AIR 712 | AIR 3,259 | ~10 | ↑ Tighter (was 3,574) |
| ST (AI) | AIR 370 | AIR 5,200 | ~5 | ↓ Easier (was 6,083) |
| PwD – General (Horizontal) | Varies | across all categories | 5% horizontal | | | |
The opening rank is the AIR of the first candidate allotted to NALSAR in that category during Round 1. Candidates ranked AIR 17 (General) may have received NALSAR as their first preference. The closing rank (AIR 148) is the AIR of the last candidate allotted | this is the actual cutoff. Anyone ranked AIR 1–148 in General category could have received NALSAR in Round 1 (if it was their preference or if higher-ranked candidates preferred other NLUs).
3. CLAT 2026 Round 3 Final Cutoff | How It Moved
CLAT 2026 had 5 counselling rounds. The cutoff movement from Round 1 to the final round gives insight into how much waitlist movement candidates can expect. For NALSAR, being a top-3 NLU, the movement between rounds is minimal | typically 10–30 AIR positions for General category.
| Category | Round 1 Closing AIR | Round 3 Closing AIR | Round 5 Closing AIR | Total Movement (R1→R5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General (AI) | AIR 148 | AIR 159 | AIR 167 | +19 ranks (eased) |
| EWS (AI) | AIR 630 | AIR 713 | AIR ~750 | +~120 ranks (eased) |
| OBC (AI) | AIR 915 | AIR 1,116 | AIR ~1,200 | +~285 ranks (eased) |
| SC (AI) | AIR 3,259 | AIR 3,388 | AIR ~3,574 | +~315 ranks (eased) |
| ST (AI) | AIR 5,200 | AIR 6,083 | AIR ~6,200 | +~1,000 ranks (eased) |
The General category moved only 19 ranks from Round 1 to Round 5 (AIR 148 → 167). This is characteristic of NALSAR | most candidates who qualify don't prefer any NLU over NALSAR (except NLSIU Bangalore), so very few NALSAR allottees withdraw in later rounds. Practically, if you are ranked AIR 149–155 in General category, the only realistic path to NALSAR is via late-round movement | which is extremely limited.
4. Telangana Domicile (GC-TL) Quota Cutoff | All Subcategories
NALSAR Hyderabad has a Home State (HS/TL) reservation for students who are domicile residents of Telangana. This creates a second set of merit lists with separate opening and closing ranks. Telangana candidates are assessed under their respective TL subcategory (GC-TL, EWS-TL, OBC-TL-A through E, SC-TL, ST-TL) using the same CLAT All India Rank but evaluated against a separate seat pool.
| TL Category | R1 Opening (AIR) | R1 Closing (AIR) | R3 Closing (AIR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GC-TL (General Telangana) | AIR 188 | AIR 565 | AIR 733 | ~35 HS seats for GC |
| EWS-TL | AIR ~350 | AIR ~1,200 | AIR ~2,064 | Telangana EWS domicile |
| OBC-A-TL | AIR ~800 | AIR ~3,500 | AIR ~12,004 | OBC subcategory A |
| OBC-B-TL | AIR ~1,000 | AIR ~2,005 | AIR ~2,500 | OBC subcategory B |
| OBC-C-TL | AIR ~1,200 | AIR ~3,514 | AIR ~4,200 | OBC subcategory C |
| OBC-D-TL | AIR ~900 | AIR ~1,679 | AIR ~2,000 | OBC subcategory D |
| OBC-E-TL | AIR ~1,000 | AIR ~1,492 | AIR ~1,800 | OBC subcategory E |
| SC-TL | AIR ~1,500 | AIR ~4,800 | AIR ~5,500 | SC Telangana domicile |
| ST-TL | AIR ~3,000 | AIR 6,913 | AIR ~7,500 | ST Telangana domicile |
To claim TL (Telangana) quota, candidates must submit a valid Telangana domicile certificate at the time of counselling. The Consortium of NLUs verifies domicile strictly. Candidates who cannot produce valid documentation will be assessed under the All India (AI) category. There has been a formal update in 2026 regarding changes to the SC subcategory within the TL reservation | all candidates should check NLU Hyderabad's official notification at nalsar.ac.in for the latest seat matrix.
5. NALSAR LLM Cutoff 2026 (CLAT PG)
NALSAR Hyderabad's LLM programme (66 seats) also admits students through CLAT PG. The LLM cutoff is separate from the BA LLB cutoff and is based on CLAT PG AIR. The LLM programme at NALSAR is highly competitive and is the second most sought-after LLM programme in India after NLU Delhi (AILET). Learn more about NALSAR's LLM admissions process →
| Category | CLAT PG 2026 R1 Opening | CLAT PG 2026 R1 Closing | CLAT PG 2025 R1 Closing | LLM Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General (AI) | AIR ~1 | AIR ~140–200 | AIR ~155 | ~30 |
| GC-TL (Telangana) | AIR ~180 | AIR ~450 | Data N/A | ~20 |
| OBC (AI) | AIR ~200 | AIR ~600 | Data N/A | ~8 |
| SC (AI) | AIR ~600 | AIR ~1,200 | Data N/A | ~5 |
| EWS (AI) | AIR ~250 | AIR ~700 | Data N/A | ~3 |
For the LLM programme, candidates must hold an LLB or equivalent degree with a minimum 50% aggregate marks. CLAT PG 2026 was conducted alongside the UG exam on December 7, 2025. The LLM programme spans two years. Check NALSAR LLM fees and scholarship details →
6. CLAT 2026 Marks vs Rank vs NALSAR Admission
CLAT is scored out of 120 marks. A candidate's raw score determines their All India Rank, which in turn determines their admission to NALSAR. The following score-to-rank mapping is derived from CLAT 2026 data (December 7, 2025 exam, topper score: 112.75/120):
| CLAT Score (out of 120) | Approx. AIR Range | NALSAR Admission Prospect (General) |
|---|---|---|
| 110+ marks | AIR 1 – 20 | Certain (NLSIU-level) |
| 105 – 110 marks | AIR 20 – 100 | Very Safe for NALSAR |
| 100 – 105 marks | AIR 100 – 175 | Safe for NALSAR (within cutoff) |
| 98 – 100 marks | AIR 175 – 280 | Borderline | NUJS/NLU Jodhpur safe |
| 95 – 98 marks | AIR 280 – 450 | GNLU, NLIU Bhopal zone |
| 90 – 95 marks | AIR 450 – 800 | Tier-2 NLU zone |
| 82 – 90 marks | AIR 800 – 1,600 | SC/OBC NALSAR zone |
| Below 82 marks | AIR 1,600+ | Tier 3 NLUs or SC/ST at NALSAR |
7. NALSAR 2026 Seat Matrix | Category-Wise Distribution
Understanding the seat distribution is essential for interpreting cutoffs. NALSAR has approximately 135 total seats for BA LLB (Hons) through CLAT 2026, split between All India (AI) and Home State Telangana (HS/TL) quotas. The LLM programme has an additional 66 seats. View NALSAR's complete fee structure by category →
| Category | AI Quota Seats | HS/TL Quota Seats | Total | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General (Open) | 47 | 32 | 79 | ~58.5% |
| EWS (10%) | 11 | 5 | 16 | ~11.9% |
| OBC (27%) | 18 | 12 | 30 | ~22.2% |
| SC (15%) | 10 | 6 | 16 | ~11.9% |
| ST (7.5%) | 5 | 3 | 8 | ~5.9% |
| PwD (Horizontal 5%) | Across all categories | ~7 | 5% | |
| Total BA LLB | ~91 | ~58 | ~149 | | |
* Seat matrix based on 2026 allotment data and Consortium of NLUs official notifications. Effective available seats may vary after PwD horizontal adjustments. Verify at consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
8. Previous Year NALSAR Cutoff 2022–2025 | 5-Year Data
Analysing NALSAR's historical cutoff data is the most reliable way to predict the 2027 cutoff and set your CLAT score target. Below is the complete 5-year cutoff table for NALSAR Hyderabad BA LLB (Hons) | General AI category, Round 1 closing rank:
| Year (CLAT Exam) | General AI R1 Closing | OBC AI R1 Closing | SC AI R1 Closing | ST AI R1 Closing | EWS AI R1 Closing | GC-TL R1 Closing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLAT 2026 | AIR 148 | AIR 915 | AIR 3,259 | AIR 5,200 | AIR 630 | AIR 565 |
| CLAT 2025 | AIR 150 | AIR 1,219 | AIR 3,574 | AIR 6,083 | AIR 713 | AIR 615 |
| CLAT 2024 | AIR 167 | AIR 1,116 | AIR 3,574 | AIR 6,083 | AIR 564 | AIR 733 |
| CLAT 2023 | AIR 117 | AIR 1,125 | AIR 1,804 | AIR 680 | AIR 680 | AIR 733 |
| CLAT 2022 | AIR 162 | AIR ~1,000 | AIR ~3,200 | AIR ~5,500 | AIR ~600 | AIR ~700 |
9. 5-Year Cutoff Trend Analysis | Key Observations
A close reading of NALSAR's 2022–2026 cutoff data reveals several important patterns every CLAT aspirant should understand:
- General AI cutoff is remarkably stable (AIR 117–167): Over 5 years, NALSAR's General AI closing rank has ranged from AIR 117 (2023) to AIR 167 (2024). The 2026 closing rank of AIR 148 sits right in the middle of this range. This stability is unusual among top NLUs and reflects NALSAR's consistent prestige and steady candidate preferences.
- 2023 was an outlier (AIR 117 for General): CLAT 2023 was the hardest paper in recent years, causing fewer candidates to score above the AIR 150 threshold. Fewer qualified candidates meant NALSAR's General cutoff dropped to AIR 117. This outlier year should be treated carefully | it does not represent a new baseline.
- OBC cutoff has improved (become tighter) 2022–2026: OBC closing rank tightened from ~AIR 1,000 in 2022 to AIR 915 in 2026. This reflects growing competition in the OBC category as more candidates from this demographic appear for CLAT. OBC aspirants should now target AIR within 900.
- SC cutoff shows high year-on-year volatility: SC closing rank varied dramatically | from AIR 1,804 (2023) to AIR 3,574 (2024–2025), then to AIR 3,259 (2026). The 2023 anomaly (AIR 1,804) was again linked to the harder CLAT paper reducing overall candidate scores, causing fewer SC candidates to qualify at higher ranks. SC candidates should use the AIR 3,000–3,600 range as their planning benchmark.
- Telangana domicile (GC-TL) cutoff is more generous: GC-TL consistently closes between AIR 565–733 | approximately 4–5x easier to clear than the AI General cutoff. This significant advantage makes CLAT preparation strategy different for Telangana students: they need only target AIR within 700 (compared to 150 for AI General) for NALSAR admission.
- EWS cutoff stabilising at AIR 550–715: EWS (introduced in 2019) has found its steady-state range. Candidates from economically weaker sections in General category need approximately 90–95 CLAT marks to achieve AIR within 700, which puts NALSAR well within reach.
10. Factors That Affect NALSAR Hyderabad Cutoff Every Year
The NALSAR CLAT cutoff is not a fixed number | it is determined by a complex interplay of multiple factors. Understanding them helps predict the 2027 cutoff more accurately:
| Factor | Effect on NALSAR Cutoff | CLAT 2026 Context |
|---|---|---|
| Total CLAT Candidates | More candidates → more competition at top → cutoff tightens | 75,009 appeared in 2026 (higher than 2025's 70,000+); cutoff slightly tighter |
| CLAT Paper Difficulty | Harder paper → fewer high scorers → cutoff rank loosens (higher AIR) | 2026 paper rated easy-moderate; topper scored 112.75/120; high scorer density increased |
| NLSIU Bangalore Intake | If NLSIU takes more candidates, it "absorbs" top ranks away from NALSAR | NLSIU AI General closed at AIR 101–112 in 2026; NALSAR opening rank starts at AIR 17 (overlap) |
| NALSAR Seat Matrix | More seats → lower cutoff. NALSAR's ~135 seats have been stable | 2026 seat matrix unchanged from 2025; cutoff reflects supply-demand equilibrium |
| Candidate Preference Shifts | If more candidates prefer NUJS/NLU Jodhpur, NALSAR opening rank rises | NALSAR remains a dominant #2 preference for top-150 rankers consistently |
| Telangana Domicile Verification | Stricter domicile checks can shift candidates from TL to AI category, impacting both cutoffs | 2026 saw updated SC subcategory TL reservation rules; minor impact on cutoff |
11. NALSAR Hyderabad Expected Cutoff 2027 | Planning Targets
Based on the 5-year trend (AIR 117–167 for General), the following expected cutoffs are projected for NALSAR Hyderabad in CLAT 2027 (exam likely December 2026). Read the complete NALSAR admissions guide for 2027 →
| Category | CLAT 2027 Expected Closing AIR (R1) | Safe CLAT Score Target | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (AI) | AIR 145 – 165 | 100 – 105 marks | High |
| EWS (AI) | AIR 550 – 715 | 90 – 95 marks | High |
| OBC (AI) | AIR 880 – 1,200 | 87 – 92 marks | Medium |
| SC (AI) | AIR 2,800 – 3,600 | 78 – 84 marks | Medium |
| ST (AI) | AIR 4,500 – 6,500 | 68 – 76 marks | Lower (volatile) |
| GC-TL (Telangana) | AIR 550 – 750 | 88 – 93 marks | High |
If your target is NALSAR General category, aim for 103+ marks out of 120 | a 3-mark buffer above the expected safe score. This gives you an AIR within 120, well inside the historical General cutoff range. Prioritise CLAT's Legal Reasoning and English sections (highest weightage). Read The Hindu editorial daily, solve 5 years of CLAT PYQs, and take 2–3 mock tests per week in the final 2 months. See why NALSAR's placement record makes this target worth every hour →
12. CLAT Counselling | How NALSAR Admissions Work
Admissions to NALSAR Hyderabad through CLAT 2026 followed the standard Consortium of NLUs counselling process. Understanding this process is critical for maximising your chances:
- Result and merit list: CLAT 2026 results were declared on December 17, 2025. The Consortium released All India Ranks for all candidates. Based on these ranks, seat allotment was conducted in multiple rounds.
- Choice filling: After results, candidates fill college preferences in the Consortium portal. The system assigns seats based on rank and preference. Candidates must list NALSAR in their preferred position | if you want NALSAR over other NLUs, list it first.
- Round 1 allotment (January 7, 2026): The first merit list was released. Candidates allotted NALSAR had to choose: Freeze (accept and exit process) or Float (accept provisionally and wait for a better option in Round 2+). Candidates who did not receive NALSAR were waitlisted.
- Rounds 2–5: Vacancies from candidates who withdrew (chose Float or left) are filled by next-rank candidates. For NALSAR General, only about 19 additional ranks were opened across all subsequent rounds (AIR 149–167), which is extremely limited movement.
- Document verification: After final allotment, candidates must report to NALSAR campus for in-person document verification including marksheets, category certificate, domicile certificate (if claiming TL quota), and identity proof.
- Fee payment: Confirmation of admission requires payment of the first-year fee. Check NALSAR Hyderabad complete fee structure →
If you are allotted NALSAR in Round 1 but prefer NLSIU Bangalore, choose "Float" to stay in the running for NLSIU in later rounds. However, if NALSAR is your top choice or equivalent to your top choice, Freeze immediately | there is no guarantee of upgrade, and floating carries the risk of losing your NALSAR seat if you make an error in the next round's submission. Most candidates who receive NALSAR in Round 1 choose to Freeze, contributing to NALSAR's minimal round-to-round movement.
13. FAQs | NALSAR Hyderabad Cutoff 2026
The NALSAR Hyderabad CLAT 2026 cutoff for General (All India) closed at AIR 148 in Round 1 (January 7, 2026) and AIR 159 in Round 3, with the final Round 5 closing around AIR 167. The opening rank was AIR 17. CLAT 2026 was conducted on December 7, 2025 with 75,009 candidates appearing. A safe score for General category NALSAR admission is 100–105 marks out of 120. For Telangana domicile (GC-TL) candidates, the closing rank was AIR 565 (Round 1) | significantly easier than the AI quota.
To secure admission to NALSAR Hyderabad through CLAT 2026 in the General (AI) category, a score of approximately 100–105 marks out of 120 is needed (corresponding to AIR within 150). For EWS, 90–95 marks (AIR within 700). For OBC, 87–92 marks (AIR within 1,200). For SC, 78–84 marks (AIR within 3,600). For Telangana domicile (GC-TL), 88–93 marks (AIR within 700). These benchmarks are based on CLAT 2026 actuals. Scores may shift ±5 marks depending on CLAT difficulty in future years.
95 marks in CLAT 2026 corresponds to approximately AIR 280–400, which is below the General AI cutoff for NALSAR (AIR 148). However, 95 marks is sufficient for: (1) EWS category at NALSAR (EWS closing rank ~630–713); (2) Telangana domicile (GC-TL) students (closing rank ~565); (3) OBC category if score corresponds to AIR within 915. For General AI candidates, 95 marks puts you in range for WBNUJS Kolkata (closing ~327) and Tier-2 NLUs like GNLU and NLU Jodhpur. To target NALSAR in General AI, aim for 100+ marks.
Yes. NALSAR Hyderabad has a Home State (HS) reservation for Telangana domicile students across all categories: GC-TL, EWS-TL, OBC-TL (subcategories A–E), SC-TL, and ST-TL. The TL quota typically has a separate, more generous cutoff | for example, GC-TL closed at AIR 565 in Round 1 of CLAT 2026, versus AIR 148 for General AI. Telangana domicile students must submit a valid domicile certificate during counselling to claim this reservation. Check the NALSAR admissions page for document requirements.
Based on NALSAR's highly stable 5-year cutoff pattern (AIR 117–167 for General AI), the CLAT 2027 expected cutoff for NALSAR General (AI) is projected at AIR 145–165 in Round 1. The corresponding safe score is 100–105 marks out of 120. For EWS, expect AIR 550–700. For OBC, expect AIR 880–1,200. For SC, expect AIR 2,800–3,600. For GC-TL, expect AIR 550–750. CLAT 2027 registration is expected to open in July 2026; exam likely in December 2026.
The NALSAR LLM cutoff for CLAT PG 2026 General (AI) closed at approximately AIR 140–200 in Round 1. The LLM programme has 66 seats across AI and TL quotas. LLM eligibility requires an LLB or equivalent degree with minimum 50% marks. CLAT PG was conducted on December 7, 2025. Historical data suggests the LLM General cutoff has been in the AIR 140–220 range over 2022–2026. The 5th merit list for LLM CLAT 2026 was released on May 15, 2026. Read more about NALSAR LLM admissions →