CLAT 2026: Exam Analysis, Expected Cutoff and Difficulty Level

Around 96% UG candidates appeared for CLAT 2026 and the competition for NLU seats is tighter than ever. Based on the conversations held with several students who took the test, the test was described as “easy to moderate, though lengthy”. This has mostly been the verdict throughout, across centres. This combination of easy to moderate and a high turnout will most definitely push the cut-offs higher. 

Now that CLAT is over, the next expected question on everyone’s mind is this: What will be the expected Cut-off this year? Did everyone else find the paper difficult or easy? What are my chances of getting into an NLU?

CLAT 2026 Exam Analysis: Section Wise Reality Check of Difficulty Level 

Section	Difficulty Level
Reading Comprehension	Easy
Current Affairs	Easy to Moderate
Logical Reasoning	Moderate to Difficult
Legal Reasoning	Easy to Moderate
Quantitative Techniques	Moderate

Based on the analysis of the paper, when we look at it section-wise, the paper had the following difficulty level: 

1. The Reading Comprehension Section was easy. The questions were direct, there were not a lot of confusing questions. Any student who has practiced reading lengthy passages, read editorials, and practiced question sets would find this to be a scoring section. 
2. The Current Affairs Section was easy to moderate in difficulty. The topics were mainstream common ones, which you would be able to answer if you have consistently read monthly compendiums, and one good english newspaper. This was a scoring section. 
3. The Logical Reasoning Section was a moderately difficult section. The passages, while not impossible to solve, were a bit complex and dense. They required multiple readings, which made it a time-taking exercise. If you spend an unnecessary amount of time here, you would have lost out on easy questions later. 
4. The Legal Reasoning Section was easy to moderate. Most questions were from topics well within the syllabus, and were taught well in coaching classes. The questions were concept-heavy and reading speed-heavy, instead of knowledge of the law. Any student who thought logically would be able to solve it. 
5. The Quantitative Techniques Section could be called Moderate. It had the usual data-based and ratio questions. However, they were a little lengthy and caused the students to panic. 

What this means is that this was not a “hard” CLAT exam. It was adequately easy enough to attempt. CLAT 2026 actual cut-offs will rise higher than previous years, when there was a tougher exam. 

CLAT 2026: Good Score for Admission in NLUs

For CLAT, a good score does not depend on the number of marks you are getting. It depends on the number of marks other students are getting, and the way you are positioned with respect to that. Good scores and safe scores are calculated on the basis of number of test-takers, difficulty level of exam, section-wise scoring trends, category-wise reservation, etc. 

To target a Top 5 NLUs, the target marks are 90+. This 90+ range is important because for an easy to moderate paper like CLAT 2026, 90+ marks will get you in the range of the Top 500 ranks, which is where admissions close for these colleges. 

Since CLAT 2026 was not very brutally difficult, maximum high scorers will cluster in this range of 95-105, making the competition tough here. 

Based on early score predictions, what the cut-offs will most likely look like are: 

1. 90+ Marks for the Top 5 NLUSs- NLSIU, NALSAR, WBNUJS, NLUJ, NLIU/GNLU

This will include ranks within AIR 500, which means strong chances for Top 5 NLUs. 

2. 85-90 Marks for HNLU, RMLNLU, RGNUL, CNLU, NLUO

This will include ranks from AIR 500 to AIR 1500. This usually means good chances for the Top 10 NLUs. 

3. 80-85 Marks for NUSRL, DSNLU, TNNLY, MNLUs, HPNLU, etc 

This will include ranks from AIR 1500 to AIR 3000. You get decent chances in mid-tier NLUs. 

Below 80, admissions will be impacted by category-wise reservations like domicile, EWS/OBC/SC/ST, etc.

CLAT 2026 Cutoff for TOP 3 NLUs

For the Top 3 NLUs or the “Holy Trinity”, which is NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad and NUJS Kolkata, please find the expected cutoffs below: 

National Law University	Expected Rank Cut-Off
NLSIU, Bengaluru	Till AIR 80
NALSAR, Hyderabad	Till AIR 160
NUJS, Kolkata	AIR 300

1. NLSIU, Bengaluru: 

This will most probably be around 100 marks, might be a bit more. Since this year’s paper was easy to moderate, the cut-off will not go below 100. This will be the top 80 ranks, and domicile reservations will follow. 

2. NALSAR, Hyderabad: 

The admissions closed around AIR 165 last year. This time, it might go a little above, which means AIR 150-160 range. It can go lower in the second or third list. 

3. NUJS, Kolkata: 

The B.A. LL.B. seats are ranked a bit higher, till AIR 300-310, with the B.Sc. LL.B. seats going a little lower. Marks would be in 95-98 range. 

If you are in the high 90s, you are comfortable placed for the top 3 NLUs, as per your preference. 

CLAT 2026 Score: What To Do Right Now

The CLAT Consortium will release the official answer key on December 10th, 2026 at 5 PM. The official results will take around a week. In the meanwhile, here is how you can use your time productively: 

1. Calculate your most realistic score using unofficial answer keys released. Once the official one is out, use it. Do not guess wildly, be honest with negative marking. 
2. Use the various scores to rank band tables available to calculate your probable rank. 
3. Prepare a list of NLUs as per your preference. Think wisely, look at criteria like location, resources, fees, campus infrastructure, placement figures, etc. 
4. Consult your mentors about the preference list. 
5. Keep preparing for alternate law entrance exams like AILET, etc. 
6. Do not panic if your score is at the margin, people leave seats for AILET, foreign admissions, etc. 

Final Thoughts: CLAT 2026 Cut-offs Are Not Brutal, Just Competitive

This year’s CLAT was one in which preparation will show up in marks, and the cut-offs will reflect that. They will reward someone who has prepared diligently. 

Regardless of what your scores are, they are mere data, not destiny. For some of you, CLAT 2026 will open the doors of NLS, NALSAR or NUJS. For the others, it will be the road to something greater. Either way, use this exam as a stepping stone and a lesson for something greater. Plan your next move with a clear head. 

All the best!

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Frequently Asked Questions for CLAT 2026