CLAT 2027 Safe Score for SC and ST: NLU-Wise Marks and Rank

For CLAT 2027, a safe score of 65 to 78 marks out of 120 is generally recommended for SC category students, while ST category students can target 55 to 65 marks to secure admission in top National Law Universities.

CLAT 2027 will be conducted by the Consortium of NLUs for admission to 5-year BA LLB and LLM programmes at 22 participating National Law Universities. For SC and ST category students, reserved seats reduce competition significantly compared to the general category, and the score needed for admission is lower. Knowing the NLU-wise safe score helps you set a realistic preparation target and assess your chances well before results are declared.

• CLAT 2027 is out of 120 marks — 120 questions, 1 mark each, with -0.25 negative marking.
• SC students scoring 65 marks or above have a strong chance at the top-5 NLUs based on previous years’ closing rank trends.
• ST students scoring 55 marks or above can expect admission to premier NLUs like NALSAR Hyderabad and WBNUJS Kolkata.
• SC and ST closing ranks at every NLU are typically 2 to 3 times lower than general category cutoffs.
• CLAT 2027 is expected in December 2026; counselling and seat allotment start in early 2027.

CLAT 2027 Exam Pattern and Total Marks

CLAT 2027 will carry a total of 120 marks across 120 questions in five sections. Each correct answer earns 1 mark; each wrong answer deducts 0.25 marks. Legal Reasoning and Current Affairs together account for more than half the paper, making them the most important sections for SC and ST students aiming at a safe score.

CLAT 2027 Safe Score for SC Category — NLU-Wise

The table below lists the expected safe scores and rank ranges for SC category students at CLAT-participating NLUs, based on CLAT 2025 and 2026 closing rank trends. These are projected figures; actual 2027 cutoffs may differ depending on paper difficulty and the total number of applicants.

SC students who score 65 marks or above in CLAT 2027 can realistically target five of the top NLUs. Aiming for 75 marks or more provides a strong buffer for NLSIU Bangalore, which consistently draws the highest competition within reserved categories.

CLAT 2027 Safe Score for ST Category — NLU-Wise

ST category students typically see the lowest cutoffs among all reservation categories at every NLU. The figures below are expected projections based on 2025 and 2026 closing rank data. Since the number of ST seats per NLU is small, even a moderate raw score can translate into a strong category rank.

ST students scoring above 55 marks in CLAT 2027 can comfortably target the top-5 NLUs. Crossing 65 marks puts you in a very secure position even for NLSIU Bangalore based on current trends.

NLU-Wise SC and ST Reserved Seats

Each NLU in the CLAT Consortium reserves 15% of total BA LLB seats for SC students and 7.5% for ST students as mandated by the Government of India. The seat counts below are approximate, based on 2025-26 intake data. Actual intake for 2027 may vary.

Factors Affecting CLAT 2027 Cutoff for SC and ST

The safe score for SC and ST students is not fixed — it shifts year to year based on several variables. Understanding these factors helps you set a dynamic preparation target rather than a rigid number.

• Paper difficulty: A tougher CLAT paper reduces overall scores and lowers the effective safe score threshold for reserved categories in that year.
• Total number of applicants: Higher participation adds competition and may push SC and ST closing marks slightly upward at seats-constrained top NLUs.
• SC and ST applicant pool size: Fewer reserved-category students qualifying means fewer students competing for the same reserved seats, which can bring the effective cutoff down.
• Seat matrix changes: Any increase or reduction in NLU intake directly changes the closing rank for SC and ST at that institution for that cycle.
• Counselling round dynamics: Students who miss the safe score in round one may still secure a seat in later rounds when higher-ranked waitlisted students do not report for admission.