1. NLSIU Bangalore CLAT 2026 Cutoff | Category-Wise (BA LLB & LLM)
The NLSIU Bangalore CLAT 2026 cutoff for the BA LLB (Hons.) 5-year integrated programme has been released by the Consortium of National Law Universities (CNLU) in multiple rounds. The Round 1 closing rank for the General category (All India) stands at AIR 101 | the tightest it has been in recent years, reflecting the continued compression of top CLAT scores.
NLSIU maintains its position as the most competitive NLU in India, year after year. Even small rank differences of 5–10 positions in the CLAT merit list can mean the difference between getting a seat in the General category or not. Understanding the cutoff across all categories and all rounds is essential for aspiring students.
* Round 2 and Round 3 projections based on official CLAT 2026 Round 1 data (consortiumofnlus.ac.in) and historical round-wise movement patterns. Final round data will be updated once released. AI = All India quota. KA = Karnataka domicile.
1.1 NLSIU Bangalore BA LLB Cutoff 2026 | Detailed Table (Round 1)
| Category | Quota | Opening Rank (R1) | Closing Rank (R1) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | All India (AI) | 1 | 101 | Most competitive category; top scorers nationally |
| OBC-NCL | All India (AI) | 218 | 1018 | OBC-NCL (Non-Creamy Layer) certificate required |
| EWS | All India (AI) | 200 | 702 | EWS income certificate from competent authority required |
| SC | All India (AI) | 850 | 3072 | Caste certificate from state authority required |
| ST | All India (AI) | 1400 | 5000 | Tribe certificate from state authority required |
| KA-Students | Karnataka (HS) | 19 | 460 | 25% horizontal reservation; 7-yr study in Karnataka required |
| EWS-KA | Karnataka (HS) | | | ~2400* | Karnataka domicile + EWS certificate |
| ST (Women) | Horizontal | | | 4343 | Horizontal women's reservation within ST category |
| General (PwD) | Horizontal | | | 5873 | Benchmark disability certificate required |
Source: Consortium of NLUs official CLAT 2026 Round 1 allotment list (consortiumofnlus.ac.in). *Projected estimates for unavailable rounds.
2. CLAT 2026 Round-Wise Cutoff Ranks | All Rounds
The CLAT seat allotment at NLSIU happens in multiple rounds (typically 3 for UG and up to 4–5 for PG). In each successive round, candidates who have been allotted a seat but have not confirmed it are dropped, and new candidates from the merit list are offered seats. This usually causes a downward movement (higher numerical rank) in the cutoff from Round 1 to the final round | but at NLSIU, this movement is far smaller than at lower-ranked NLUs.
| Round | Gen. (AI) | OBC (AI) | EWS (AI) | SC (AI) | ST (AI) | KA-Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 101 | 1018 | 702 | 3072 | 5000 | 460 |
| Round 2 | 108 | 1071 | ~720* | ~3100* | ~5100* | ~500* |
| Round 3 (Final) | ~115* | ~1100* | ~740* | ~3133* | ~5200* | ~520* |
Round 1 data from Careers360 (consortiumofnlus.ac.in). Round 2 partially confirmed via Shiksha; Round 3 projections based on 2025 round-wise movement. Page will be updated once final list is released. *Projected.
3. Karnataka Domicile (HS) Quota Cutoff 2026
NLSIU Bangalore has a unique Karnataka Home State (HS) quota, as it is a state university established under the NLSIU Act by the Karnataka state legislature. Under NLSIU's reservation policy, 25% of total seats in BA LLB are reserved for Karnataka domicile students, plus 10 additional supernumerary seats specifically for Karnataka students.
To be eligible for the Karnataka quota, a candidate must have studied in recognised schools within Karnataka for a minimum of 7 years. Study certificates from the school(s) must be produced during document verification and counselling. The Karnataka category does not provide a score relaxation | candidates must appear in the same CLAT exam | but they compete in a smaller applicant pool, which results in significantly higher closing ranks.
| Category (Karnataka) | CLAT 2026 Round 1 | CLAT 2025 Final | CLAT 2024 Final |
|---|---|---|---|
| KA-Students (General) | AIR 460 | AIR 437 (R2) | AIR ~420* |
| EWS-KA | ~AIR 2400* | ~AIR 2200* | ~AIR 2000* |
| OBC-KA | ~AIR 3200* | ~AIR 3000* | ~AIR 2800* |
| SC-KA | ~AIR 8000* | AIR ~5530 (R2) | ~AIR 6000* |
| ST-KA | ~AIR 12000* | ~AIR 10000* | ~AIR 9000* |
Karnataka domicile (HS) ranks are separate pools from All India (AI) ranks. Candidates can appear under both quotas simultaneously if eligible. *Projected or partially confirmed estimates.
4. NLSIU Bangalore CLAT 2025 Cutoff | Final Round Data
The CLAT 2025 cutoff for NLSIU Bangalore is fully available across all three allotment rounds. The final round (Round 3) for BA LLB (Hons.) General category closed at AIR 112 | reflecting slightly lower competition compared to 2024 (AIR 102). The LLM cutoff for General category closed at AIR 239 in the final round, down from AIR 163 in 2024.
4.1 BA LLB Cutoff 2025 | All Rounds, All Categories
| Category | Round 1 (Opening) | Round 1 (Closing) | Round 2 (Closing) | Round 3 / Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General (AI) | 1 | 100 | 104 | 112 |
| OBC-NCL (AI) | | | 1302 | | | 1541 |
| EWS (AI) | | | 694 | | | 703 |
| SC (AI) | | | 3014 | | | 3133 |
| ST (AI) | | | 15504 | | | 25525 |
| KA-Students (Gen.) | 19 | 310 | 437 | ~437–460 |
| KA + ST (W) | | | 4343 | 4343 | 4343 |
| OBC (AI) Women | | | 1541 | | | 1541 |
| SC (AI) Women | | | 3133 | | | 3133 |
Source: Consortium of NLUs (consortiumofnlus.ac.in/clat-2025), Shiksha, CollegeDunia. Round 3 is the final round for CLAT 2025 BA LLB.
4.2 Why CLAT 2025 Cutoff Was Slightly Higher Than 2024
The NLSIU Bangalore CLAT 2025 cutoff for the General category closed at AIR 112 versus AIR 102 in 2024. This higher numerical rank (meaning slightly less stringent competition) can be attributed to several factors:
- The CLAT 2025 paper was slightly harder than CLAT 2024, resulting in a broader distribution of marks and wider rank ranges
- The seat intake at NLSIU was increased from 240 to 310 seats for BA LLB, accommodating more students at the top
- A marginally larger pool of top CLAT scorers (AIR 1–150) meaning less intense bunching at the very top
- The expansion of EWS, OBC, and SC reservation categories absorbing a slightly larger share of the overall intake
5. NLSIU Bangalore CLAT 2024 Cutoff
The CLAT 2024 cutoff for NLSIU Bangalore was one of the most competitive in the university's history. The General category (All India) for BA LLB closed at AIR 102 in the final round | driven by a relatively easier CLAT 2024 paper that compressed the top ranks significantly. The LLM cutoff closed at AIR 70 for General category, the toughest LLM cutoff NLSIU has recorded.
| Category | UG (BA LLB) | Round 1 | UG (BA LLB) | Final | PG (LLM) | Round 1 | PG (LLM) | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | AIR 1–446 | AIR 102 | AIR 1–1210 | AIR 70 |
| OBC-NCL | AIR ~2000 | AIR 4014 | | | | |
| EWS | | | AIR ~1200* | | | AIR 3586 |
| SC | AIR ~6000 | AIR 9724 | | | | |
| ST | AIR ~10000 | AIR 14349 | | | | |
Source: Consortium of NLUs CLAT 2024 allotment lists, CollegeDekho, Careers360. Final round data. *Estimated.
6. Year-Wise Cutoff Trends 2021–2026 | General Category (BA LLB)
Analysing the NLSIU Bangalore cutoff trend over 6 years gives CLAT 2027 aspirants the clearest picture of what target rank to aim for. The data consistently shows that the General category (All India) cutoff oscillates between AIR 85 and AIR 163, driven primarily by CLAT paper difficulty and seat intake changes.
| Year | Gen. (AI) Final | OBC (AI) | SC (AI) | ST (AI) | EWS (AI) | Seats | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 101 (R1)* | 1018 (R1) | 3072 (R1) | 5000 (R1) | 702 (R1) | 310 | 🔴 Live |
| 2025 | 112 | 1541 | 3133 | 25525 | 703 | 310 | ↑ Less comp. |
| 2024 | 102 | 4014 | 9724 | 14349 | ~1200* | 240 | ↓ Most comp. |
| 2023 | 152 | ~600 | ~4000 | ~7000 | ~500 | 240 | → Stable |
| 2022 | 85 | ~400 | ~3000 | ~6000 | ~350 | 180 | ↓ Very comp. |
| 2021 | 83 | ~350 | ~2500 | ~5000 | N/A | 120 | ↓ Historic low |
*2026 Round 1 data only; final round projected. Trend arrows: ↓ = more competitive (lower rank = tougher), ↑ = less competitive. Data sourced from Consortium of NLUs, Shiksha, Careers360, CollegeDunia.
7. NLSIU LLM Cutoff 2026 & 2025 | CLAT PG Data
NLSIU Bangalore's LLM programme is admitted through CLAT PG (Common Law Admission Test for Postgraduate courses). With 120 LLM seats across multiple specialisations, and almost every top LLB graduate in India listing NLSIU as their first preference, the LLM cutoff at NLSIU is consistently the toughest among all NLUs.
The NLSIU LLM specialisations available in 2026 include: Constitutional Law & Governance, Business Law, International Law, Criminal Law & Justice, Environmental Law, Intellectual Property Law, Human Rights Law, and Labour Law. Admission is through CLAT PG merit, and the cutoff varies slightly by specialisation | though most are driven by the same pool of candidates.
7.1 LLM Cutoff 2026 | Category-Wise (CLAT PG)
| Category | Round 1 (2026) | Final Round (2025) | Final Round (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (AI) | AIR 87 | AIR 239 | AIR 70 |
| OBC-NCL (AI) | ~AIR 600* | AIR 1113 | | |
| EWS (AI) | ~AIR 400* | | | AIR 3586 |
| SC (AI) | ~AIR 900* | AIR 1682 | | |
| ST (AI) | ~AIR 2000* | | | ~AIR 3600* |
| General (Round 1 2025) | | | AIR 145 (R1) | AIR 1210 (R1) |
*Projected estimates; CLAT PG 2026 Round 1 General confirmed at AIR 87 (Shiksha). Source: Consortium of NLUs, Shiksha, Careers360.
8. NLSIU Seat Matrix 2026 | Category-Wise Seat Distribution
Understanding how seats are distributed across categories is critical for predicting where your rank will land you. NLSIU follows both vertical reservations (SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, General) and horizontal reservations (Women, PwD, Karnataka Domicile). Horizontal reservations are applied within each vertical category.
8.1 BA LLB (Hons.) Seat Matrix | 2026–27
| Category | Reservation % | Seats (Vertical) | Women's Sub-quota (25%) | Karnataka Horizontal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | Unreserved | 121 | ~30 seats | 25% of total + 10 supra. |
| OBC-NCL | 27% | 81 | ~20 seats | Within category |
| SC | 15% | 45 | ~11 seats | Within category |
| ST | 7.5% | 23 | ~6 seats | Within category |
| EWS | 10% | 30 | ~8 seats | Within category |
| Total (Vertical) | | | 300 | + 10 Karnataka supernumerary = 310 total | |
8.2 LLM Seat Matrix | 2026–27
| Category | Reservation % | Seats (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| General | Unreserved | ~48 |
| OBC-NCL | 27% | ~32 |
| SC | 15% | ~18 |
| ST | 7.5% | ~9 |
| EWS | 10% | ~12 |
| Total | | | 120 |
Source: NLSIU Bangalore official seat matrix, Lawprep Tutorial, CollegeDekho (2026–27). LLM = 120 seats across specialisations; no Karnataka quota for LLM.
9. Factors That Determine the NLSIU Cutoff
The NLSIU Bangalore cutoff is not a fixed number | it shifts each year based on a combination of internal and external factors. Understanding these factors helps CLAT aspirants predict likely cutoffs and set appropriate targets. Here are the seven key determinants:
The single biggest factor. An easier paper pushes scores up, compresses ranks at the top, and tightens the cutoff (2024: AIR 102). A harder paper spreads scores, relaxing the cutoff (2023: AIR 152). CLAT 2025 was moderate-hard, leading to AIR 112.
More applicants mean more competition at every rank band. CLAT 2026 saw a record applicant pool approaching 85,000+ candidates, contributing to tighter cutoffs at top NLUs despite seat expansion.
NLSIU has progressively expanded from 120 seats (2021) to 310 seats (2026) under its Inclusion and Expansion Plan. Larger intake provides marginal relief on the cutoff rank, but demand consistently outpaces supply. Even at 310 seats, General category still closes within the top ~100 ranks.
Almost every candidate ranked within AIR 1–250 lists NLSIU as their #1 NLU preference in the CLAT seat allotment system. This first-preference concentration means virtually all top-ranked candidates aim for NLSIU, pushing the effective cutoff as low as it can go.
CLAT uses a 0.25-mark negative marking system on a 120-question paper with 120 marks. Even a difference of 0.5 marks (2 questions) at the top can shift a student's rank by 15–30 positions. CLAT's marking methodology (fractional marks, normalisation) creates tight clustering at the top.
The expansion of OBC-NCL seats from 27% of earlier (lower) intake to 27% of 310 seats has significantly shifted OBC category cutoffs. Similarly, the EWS category, introduced in 2019, has created a separate competitive pool. Category seat availability directly determines reservation category cutoffs.
At NLSIU, almost no candidate who is allotted a seat in any round withdraws | placement outcomes and brand value are too strong for anyone to walk away. This means seat movement across rounds is minimal, and the final round cutoff rarely moves more than 15–20 ranks from Round 1. This is unlike mid-tier NLUs where the cutoff can move 200–500 ranks between rounds.
10. CLAT 2027: Target Score & Rank to Get NLSIU Bangalore
Based on the year-wise cutoff data (2021–2026) and the factors above, here is the evidence-based target score and rank framework for CLAT 2027 aspirants aiming for NLSIU Bangalore:
10.1 Category-Wise CLAT 2027 Target Ranks for NLSIU
| Category | Safe Target (CLAT 2027) | Minimum Target | Approx. Score Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (AI) | AIR ≤ 80 | AIR ≤ 115 | 102–105 marks |
| OBC-NCL (AI) | AIR ≤ 900 | AIR ≤ 1200 | 92–95 marks |
| EWS (AI) | AIR ≤ 600 | AIR ≤ 750 | 94–96 marks |
| SC (AI) | AIR ≤ 2500 | AIR ≤ 3500 | 86–90 marks |
| ST (AI) | AIR ≤ 5000 | AIR ≤ 8000 | 80–86 marks |
| KA-Students (Karnataka) | AIR ≤ 350 | AIR ≤ 550 | 94–97 marks |
| LLM | General (AI) | AIR ≤ 100 (PG) | AIR ≤ 200 (PG) | CLAT PG score ≥ 90% |
11. NLSIU Cutoff vs Counselling | How Rounds Work
The CLAT seat allotment process for NLSIU admissions is managed entirely by the Consortium of National Law Universities (CNLU) at consortiumofnlus.ac.in. Understanding how the multi-round counselling system works is crucial to maximising your chances of a NLSIU seat | especially if your rank falls in the borderline zone.
| Counselling Stage | What Happens | NLSIU Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | Candidates register on Consortium portal, fill NLU preference order, and upload documents | List NLSIU as #1 preference; ensure all category documents are uploaded early |
| Round 1 Merit List | CNLU releases provisional allotment based on CLAT rank + NLU preferences | If allotted NLSIU: pay seat confirmation fee within deadline (no exceptions) |
| Seat Confirmation | Allotted candidates must pay seat confirmation fee within 48–72 hours | Failure to pay means forfeiture of seat | this is how vacancies open in Round 2 |
| Round 2 Merit List | Seats freed by non-confirmers + fresher seats offered to next-rank candidates | At NLSIU, very few seats freed; cutoff moves only 5–15 ranks from Round 1 |
| Round 3 (Final UG) | Final allotment; no withdrawal allowed after this round | 2025 final UG round: General closed at AIR 112; same pattern expected in 2026 |
| Document Verification | Physical or online document verification by NLSIU; category certificates verified | Missing or invalid category documents = seat cancellation; prepare all documents in advance |
| Fee Payment to NLSIU | University admission fee paid separately to NLSIU after seat confirmation | Last date to pay university fee is usually 4–5 days after allotment round; check NLSIU notices |
12. NLSIU Cutoff vs Other Top NLUs 2026 | General Category Comparison
Comparing NLSIU Bangalore's cutoff with other leading NLUs helps CLAT 2026 and 2027 aspirants understand how far ahead NLSIU is in terms of competitiveness | and which NLUs offer realistic alternatives for students who narrowly miss the NLSIU cutoff.
| NLU | General (AI) | CLAT 2026 R1 | OBC | CLAT 2026 R1 | EWS | CLAT 2026 R1 | SC | CLAT 2026 R1 | NIRF Rank 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | AIR 101 | AIR 1018 | AIR 702 | AIR 3072 | #1 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | AIR 148 | AIR 915 | AIR 630 | AIR 3259 | #2 |
| NUJS Kolkata | AIR ~327 | | | | | | | #3 |
| NLU Delhi (GNLU) | AIR ~230 | | | | | | | #4 |
| NLIU Bhopal (BA LLB) | AIR 432 | AIR 1714 | AIR 1315 | AIR 5407 | #5 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | AIR ~600 | | | | | | | #6 |
| HNLU Raipur | AIR ~700 | | | | | | | #7 |
Source: Careers360 (consortiumofnlus.ac.in), Lawprep Tutorial. Some data partially estimated/projected. NIRF 2024 rankings from MHRD.