CLAT 2026 EWS Cutoff: NLU Closing Ranks After All 5 Rounds

CLAT 2026 EWS category expected closing rank at NLSIU Bangalore after Round 5 is 150–180, while NLU Delhi EWS seats are expected to close around rank 320–380.

The Consortium of NLUs conducts CLAT 2026 seat allotment across five rounds. EWS (Economically Weaker Section) students compete in a dedicated 10% reservation pool at every NLU, separate from the general and other reserved categories. Based on CLAT 2025 EWS closing rank trends and current competition levels, the expected EWS cutoffs for all major NLUs across all 5 rounds are detailed below.

• EWS reservation in CLAT 2026 is 10% of total sanctioned seats at every participating NLU, over and above SC/ST/OBC quotas.
• NLSIU Bangalore EWS Round 5 closing rank is expected between 150 and 180 based on 2025 trends.
• Students with an overall CLAT 2026 rank up to 4,200 may secure EWS seats at lower-ranked NLUs such as MNLU Aurangabad.
• Round 5 EWS closing ranks are typically 10–15% higher numerically than Round 1 opening ranks as seats open up through student withdrawals and upgrades.
• A valid EWS Income and Asset Certificate from a Sub-Divisional Magistrate or equivalent authority is mandatory to claim this category at counselling.

What is EWS Category in CLAT 2026?

The EWS (Economically Weaker Section) category was introduced under the 103rd Constitutional Amendment, providing 10% horizontal reservation to students not covered under SC, ST, or OBC reservations. In CLAT 2026, EWS students compete in a separate pool for 10% of each NLU’s total sanctioned intake — they are never clubbed with general category students for seat allotment purposes.

To claim EWS benefit during CLAT 2026 counselling, you must submit a valid EWS Income and Asset Certificate issued by a Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Tehsildar, or equivalent competent authority. Your annual family income must be below Rs 8 lakh, and your family must not own property beyond limits prescribed under EWS eligibility rules. Students who already hold SC/ST/OBC certificates are not eligible for the EWS quota.

CLAT 2026 EWS Expected Cutoff — All 5 Rounds

The table below shows expected CLAT 2026 EWS closing ranks for Rounds 1, 3, and 5 at major NLUs, projected from CLAT 2025 EWS trends. All figures are estimated — official allotment ranks will be published by the Consortium of NLUs on the portal after each round closes.

All figures above are expected cutoffs based on CLAT 2025 EWS closing rank trends. Official Round 5 closing ranks will be published by the Consortium of NLUs after final allotment is complete.

CLAT 2025 EWS Closing Ranks (Reference)

CLAT 2025 EWS Round 5 closing ranks serve as the primary benchmark for 2026 projections. The table below shows approximate CLAT 2025 EWS closing ranks in the final round based on available counselling data and trends.

Factors Affecting CLAT 2026 EWS Cutoff

Several variables influence where EWS closing ranks finally settle after all 5 rounds of CLAT 2026 counselling:

• Number of EWS applicants: More EWS-certified students entering counselling increases competition, pushing closing ranks to lower numbers (more competitive).
• CLAT 2026 paper difficulty: An easier paper raises overall scores across the board, tightening rank bands and making top-NLU EWS seats harder to secure.
• NLU seat intake: Any increase in sanctioned total seats adds proportionally to each NLU’s EWS pool, relaxing cutoffs slightly.
• Withdrawal and upgrade patterns: Students upgrading to a higher-ranked NLU in later rounds free up EWS seats, causing Round 5 cutoffs to ease compared to Round 1.
• Domicile quota preferences: Several NLUs maintain a home-state quota. EWS students opting for their state NLU face less competition from the national applicant pool.