CLAT 2027 SC and ST students need a minimum of 40% marks in Class 12 for UG admission — 5 percentage points lower than the 45% required for General category students — and there is no upper age limit for any category.
The Consortium of NLUs provides specific eligibility relaxations for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students applying for CLAT 2027. These relaxations cover minimum qualifying marks, application fee concessions, and reserved seats at all 24 participating National Law Universities. You must also upload a valid caste certificate and other supporting documents during the CLAT 2027 application and carry physical originals to NLU counselling.
- UG (BA LLB) minimum marks for SC/ST: 40% in Class 12 (General and OBC: 45%)
- PG (LLM) minimum marks for SC/ST: 50% in LLB degree (General and OBC: 55%)
- No upper age limit for SC, ST, or any other category — removed from CLAT 2022 onwards
- Application fee for SC/ST students: Rs. 3,500 (General and OBC: Rs. 4,000)
- Students appearing in Class 12 finals in 2027 are also eligible to apply under SC/ST category
CLAT 2027 SC and ST Eligibility: Overview
CLAT is administered by the Consortium of NLUs for admission to the integrated 5-year BA LLB (UG) and 1-year LLM (PG) programmes at 24 NLUs across India. SC and ST students receive relaxed eligibility norms in both programmes. The table below summarises key eligibility parameters for CLAT 2027 based on previous year norms set by the Consortium of NLUs.
| Parameter | General / OBC | SC / ST |
|---|---|---|
| UG Minimum Qualifying Marks (Class 12) | 45% | 40% |
| PG Minimum Qualifying Marks (LLB) | 55% | 50% |
| Upper Age Limit | None | None |
| Minimum Age | None | None |
| Application Fee | Rs. 4,000 | Rs. 3,500 |
Marks Relaxation for SC and ST Students in CLAT 2027
The Consortium of NLUs grants a 5-percentage-point relaxation in minimum qualifying marks to SC and ST students for both UG and PG programmes. Here is what this means in practice.
UG (BA LLB) Programme:
- SC and ST students must score at least 40% aggregate in Class 12 or an equivalent examination.
- Any stream — Science, Commerce, or Arts — qualifies. No subject-specific restriction applies.
- Students appearing in Class 12 finals in 2027 may apply. Admission is confirmed only after you submit marksheets showing 40% or above.
PG (LLM) Programme:
- SC and ST students must hold an LLB degree (3-year or 5-year integrated) with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.
- Final-year LLB students may apply provisionally; admission is subject to meeting the 50% cut-off once results are declared.
This marks relaxation applies only to eligibility screening, not to merit ranking. SC and ST students compete on their CLAT scores within reserved seats at each NLU — not against the General category merit list.
Age Limit for CLAT 2027
There is no upper age limit for CLAT 2027 for SC, ST, or any other category. The Consortium of NLUs removed the age cap starting with CLAT 2022. Before 2022, the upper age limit was 20 years for General and OBC students and 22 years for SC and ST students. That restriction no longer exists. There is also no minimum age requirement — you can appear for CLAT 2027 at any age, provided you meet the educational qualification criteria.
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| General | None | None |
| OBC | None | None |
| SC | None | None |
| ST | None | None |
| PWD | None | None |
Document Checklist for SC and ST Applicants for CLAT 2027
SC and ST students must upload specific documents during the CLAT 2027 online application and carry physical originals during NLU counselling and seat allotment. The checklist below covers all required documents based on previous year norms from the Consortium of NLUs.
| # | Document | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SC/ST Caste Certificate | Issued by a competent authority — Tehsildar, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, or District Magistrate. Must state the caste or tribe name and the state of issue clearly. |
| 2 | Class 10 Certificate or Marksheet | For date of birth verification; school board-issued document accepted. |
| 3 | Class 12 Marksheet | Board-issued marksheet with aggregate percentage clearly stated. If results are awaited, submit when available before the Consortium’s deadline. |
| 4 | Recent Passport Size Photograph | White background; clear face; taken within 6 months of application. Upload dimensions as specified in the official CLAT 2027 notification. |
| 5 | Scanned Signature | Sign on white paper, scan and upload as per dimensions specified in the notification. |
| 6 | Government-Issued Photo ID | Aadhaar card, PAN card, or Passport — any one accepted for identity verification. |
| 7 | Domicile or Residence Certificate | Not required for the main CLAT merit list but may be needed for state-specific quota seats at certain NLUs. Check individual NLU requirements at the time of counselling. |
| 8 | Transfer Certificate | From your last attended school or college; submitted at the time of final admission to the NLU. |
| 9 | Migration Certificate | Required if you are joining an NLU located in a state different from your previous institution’s state. |
Important note on the SC/ST caste certificate: The certificate must name the specific caste or tribe as listed in the Central or State schedule of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. It must be in the format prescribed by your state government and issued by the designated competent authority. A self-declaration or attested photocopy without the original certificate issued by a competent authority is not accepted at any NLU during counselling.
Application Fee and Fee Concession for SC and ST Students
CLAT 2027 application fee for SC and ST students is expected to be Rs. 3,500, based on 2026 norms set by the Consortium of NLUs. This is Rs. 500 lower than the Rs. 4,000 fee for General and OBC students. Students from BPL (Below Poverty Line) families are also placed in the lower fee bracket. The application fee is paid online through the Consortium’s official portal and is non-refundable once submitted.
| Category | Application Fee (Expected, Based on 2026 Norms) |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / NRI / PIO / OCI | Rs. 4,000 |
| SC / ST / BPL | Rs. 3,500 |
Select your category carefully before paying the application fee. An error in category selection can cause complications during document verification and counselling at NLUs and may affect your reserved category claim.
CLAT 2027 SC and ST Eligibility FAQs
Ques. What is the minimum Class 12 percentage required for SC/ST students in CLAT 2027?
Ans. SC and ST students need a minimum of 40% aggregate marks in Class 12 or an equivalent examination to be eligible for CLAT 2027 UG (BA LLB) admission. General and OBC students need 45%.
Ques. Is there an age limit for SC/ST students in CLAT 2027?
Ans. No. The Consortium of NLUs removed the upper age limit for CLAT from 2022 onwards. There is no minimum or maximum age for SC, ST, or any other category in CLAT 2027.
Ques. Which authority issues a valid SC/ST certificate for CLAT 2027 counselling?
Ans. The caste certificate must be issued by a competent state authority such as a Tehsildar, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, or District Magistrate. Self-declarations are not accepted at NLU counselling.
Ques. Can SC/ST students in Class 12 final year apply for CLAT 2027?
Ans. Yes. Students appearing in Class 12 final examinations in 2027 may apply for CLAT 2027. Their admission is confirmed only after they submit the final marksheet showing at least 40% marks before the Consortium’s stipulated deadline.
Ques. What application fee do SC and ST students pay for CLAT 2027?
Ans. SC and ST students are expected to pay Rs. 3,500 as the CLAT 2027 application fee, based on 2026 norms. General and OBC students pay Rs. 4,000. The fee is non-refundable and paid online through the official Consortium of NLUs portal.
Ques. Is a domicile certificate mandatory for SC/ST students applying for CLAT 2027?
Ans. A domicile certificate is not mandatory for the main CLAT merit list. However, some NLUs require it for state-specific quota seats. You should check the individual NLU admission conditions at the time of counselling and seat allotment.
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