Expected CLAT 2026 ST category cutoff at top NLUs ranges from AIR 1,500 to AIR 4,000, based on 2024 and 2025 trends.
The Consortium of NLUs releases official CLAT 2026 ST category closing ranks after each round of seat allotment. Scheduled Tribe students appear in a separate merit list and are allotted seats from the reserved ST quota across all 24 participating NLUs. Knowing the expected closing rank helps you shortlist NLUs before the final allotment rounds conclude.
- CLAT 2026 is conducted by the Consortium of NLUs for 5-year BA LLB and 1-year LLM admissions.
- ST category students receive 7.5% reservation in NLUs under central government norms; state NLUs may offer an additional home state ST quota.
- The CLAT 2026 ST cutoff is the closing All India Rank (AIR) of the last ST student allotted a seat in each counselling round.
- NLSIU Bengaluru and NALSAR Hyderabad remain the most competitive NLUs even within the ST reserved category.
- All cutoff figures below are expected, based on CLAT 2024 and 2025 counselling data, and will be updated after official allotment rounds are published.
| Direct Link to CLAT 2026 Official Portal (ACTIVE) — consortiumofnlus.ac.in/clat-2026/ |
CLAT 2026 ST Category Cutoff Overview
The CLAT ST category cutoff is the minimum All India Rank a Scheduled Tribe student needs to secure a seat at a specific NLU in a given counselling round. This rank is not fixed in advance — it emerges from the allotment process after all ST applicants lock their NLU preferences.
Each NLU sets aside a fixed number of ST seats. The Consortium allots seats starting from the highest-ranked ST student downward. The AIR of the last student allotted becomes the closing rank for that NLU’s ST category in that round. Unfilled ST seats may be converted or re-allotted as per Consortium norms after all rounds conclude.
NLU-Wise Expected CLAT 2026 ST Category Closing Ranks
The table below lists expected CLAT 2026 ST category closing ranks for all major NLUs, based on 2024 and 2025 seat allotment data. These are indicative ranges and will be replaced by official figures after each round.
| NLU | Location | Expected ST Closing Rank (CLAT 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bengaluru | Bengaluru | 1,500 – 2,500 |
| NALSAR University of Law | Hyderabad | 2,000 – 3,500 |
| NUJS Kolkata | Kolkata | 2,500 – 4,000 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | Gandhinagar | 3,000 – 5,000 |
| NLU Jodhpur | Jodhpur | 3,500 – 6,000 |
| MNLU Mumbai | Mumbai | 3,500 – 6,500 |
| NLIU Bhopal | Bhopal | 4,500 – 7,500 |
| HNLU Raipur | Raipur | 5,000 – 8,500 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | Lucknow | 5,500 – 9,000 |
| RGNUL Patiala | Patiala | 6,000 – 10,000 |
| NLUO Cuttack | Cuttack | 6,500 – 11,000 |
| NLUJAA Guwahati | Guwahati | 6,000 – 10,500 |
| MNLU Nagpur | Nagpur | 7,000 – 12,000 |
| CNLU Patna | Patna | 7,500 – 13,000 |
| NUSRL Ranchi | Ranchi | 8,000 – 14,000 |
| DSNLU Visakhapatnam | Visakhapatnam | 9,000 – 15,000 |
| TNNLS Tiruchirappalli | Tiruchirappalli | 9,500 – 16,000 |
| MNLU Aurangabad | Aurangabad | 9,000 – 16,000 |
| HPNLU Shimla | Shimla | 10,000 – 18,000 |
| DBRANLU Sonepat | Sonepat | 12,000 – 22,000 |
All figures above are expected, based on CLAT 2024 and 2025 counselling trends. Home state quota and NLU-specific norms may shift final closing ranks. Official data will be available on the Consortium website after each allotment round.
CLAT ST Category Previous Year Cutoff Trends
The table below shows approximate ST category closing AIRs from CLAT 2024 and CLAT 2025 for the top 10 NLUs, helping you benchmark your rank before counselling.
| NLU | CLAT 2024 ST Closing AIR (Approx.) | CLAT 2025 ST Closing AIR (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bengaluru | 2,200 | 2,100 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 3,200 | 3,000 |
| NUJS Kolkata | 3,700 | 3,500 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | 4,800 | 4,600 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 5,800 | 5,500 |
| MNLU Mumbai | 6,200 | 5,900 |
| NLIU Bhopal | 7,100 | 6,800 |
| HNLU Raipur | 8,200 | 7,900 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | 8,700 | 8,400 |
| RGNUL Patiala | 9,500 | 9,200 |
The data shows a gradual tightening of ST category cutoffs year on year, reflecting increased CLAT participation among Scheduled Tribe students.
Expected Score Range for ST Category in CLAT 2026
CLAT 2026 is conducted for a total of 120 marks (120 questions, 1 mark each, 0.25 negative marking per wrong answer). The score ranges below are expected for ST students to secure admission at different NLU tiers, based on 2024-2025 trends.
| NLU Tier | Expected Score (Out of 120) | Approximate AIR Range (ST) |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 — NLSIU, NALSAR, NUJS | 75 – 90 marks | 1,500 – 4,000 |
| Tier 2 — GNLU, NLU Jodhpur, NLIU, MNLU Mumbai | 62 – 78 marks | 4,000 – 8,000 |
| Tier 3 — HNLU, RMLNLU, RGNUL, NLUO, CNLU | 50 – 65 marks | 8,000 – 14,000 |
| Tier 4 — NUSRL, DSNLU, TNNLS, HPNLU, DBRANLU | 38 – 55 marks | 14,000 – 25,000 |
Factors Affecting CLAT 2026 ST Category Cutoff
- Number of ST applicants: Higher ST participation raises competition and lowers closing AIR numbers at all NLUs.
- Exam difficulty: A tougher CLAT 2026 paper reduces overall scores, which can ease closing ranks compared to previous years.
- Total ST seats per NLU: Changes in intake or new NLUs joining the Consortium directly affect seat availability.
- Home state reservation: State NLUs may earmark additional ST seats for domicile students, creating a separate closing rank.
- Number of allotment rounds: More rounds open seats as students upgrade or withdraw, giving higher-AIR ST students a chance in later rounds.
CLAT 2026 ST Category Seat Allotment
The Consortium conducts seat allotment in multiple rounds. Here is what you need to know as an ST category student:
| Counselling Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Online Registration | Mandatory on consortiumofnlus.ac.in; document upload and fee payment required |
| NLU Preference Filling | Rank preferred NLUs in order before the locking deadline |
| Round 1 Allotment | Seats allotted based on CLAT 2026 AIR within the ST category and your preference list |
| Seat Acceptance | Pay acceptance fee to confirm; non-payment by the deadline forfeits the allotment |
| Upgrade Rounds | Move to a higher-preference NLU if ST seats open up there in subsequent rounds |
| Final Allotment | Official closing ranks published after all rounds conclude on the Consortium website |
After final allotment, report to your allotted NLU with original documents including your ST caste certificate, CLAT 2026 scorecard, Class 10 and 12 marksheets, and domicile certificate if applying under the home state quota.
CLAT 2026 ST Category Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the expected CLAT 2026 ST category closing rank for NLSIU Bengaluru?
Ans. Based on 2024 and 2025 trends, the expected CLAT 2026 ST category closing rank for NLSIU Bengaluru is between AIR 1,500 and AIR 2,500. The official figure will be confirmed after each seat allotment round on the Consortium of NLUs website.
Ques. Is there a minimum CLAT 2026 score for ST students to register for counselling?
Ans. No separate minimum score is required. Any ST student who appears in the CLAT 2026 merit list can register for counselling. However, your AIR must fall within the closing rank of your chosen NLU to receive a seat allotment.
Ques. How many ST seats are available across all NLUs in CLAT 2026?
Ans. Twenty-four NLUs participate in CLAT 2026. The total ST seat count varies by NLU, typically based on 7.5% of sanctioned intake under central government reservation norms, plus additional home state ST quota at some state NLUs. Check the official seat matrix on the Consortium website once published.
Ques. What documents are needed for CLAT 2026 ST category seat allotment?
Ans. You need a valid ST caste certificate issued by a competent government authority, CLAT 2026 scorecard, Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets, a domicile certificate if applying under home state quota, and recent passport-sized photographs. Carry originals and self-attested copies for physical document verification at the NLU.
Ques. Can the CLAT 2026 ST closing rank improve in later counselling rounds?
Ans. Yes. In upgrade rounds, ST students allotted seats at higher-ranked NLUs vacate their earlier allotments. Those seats open up for students with higher AIRs. The closing rank for mid-tier and lower-tier NLUs typically moves to a higher rank number across later rounds.
Ques. Does the home state quota affect the ST cutoff at state NLUs?
Ans. Yes. Some NLUs established under state law reserve additional seats for domicile ST students under a home state quota. This quota carries a separate closing rank that is often less competitive than the all-India ST cutoff for the same NLU. Fill the home state category preference if you are a domicile resident of the NLU’s state.
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