Scoring 90 marks in the ILICAT 2026 written test — out of a total of 180 marks — represents exactly 50%, the minimum qualifying score for General category students, and comfortably clears the 2024 viva-shortlisting cutoffs for OBC-NCL, EWS, and all other reserved categories.
ILICAT 2026 is conducted by the Indian Law Institute (ILI), New Delhi — a premier legal research institution established in 1956 opposite the Supreme Court of India — for admission to its one-year LLM programme. The written test carries 180 marks (140 objective MCQs across Parts I and II, plus 40 subjective marks in Part III), while the viva voce adds 20 marks for a grand total of 200. Based on 2024 trends, here is a detailed breakdown of what 90 marks means for your viva shortlisting chances and final LLM admission prospects at ILI.
- ILICAT 2026 written total: 180 marks (objective 140 + subjective 40); viva voce = 20 marks; grand total = 200 marks.
- 90 marks = 50% of the written test — the minimum qualifying threshold for General/Unreserved category students.
- The 2024 General category written cutoff for viva shortlisting was 96 marks; 90 falls 6 marks below this figure.
- The 2024 OBC-NCL cutoff was 74.25 marks and the EWS cutoff was 83.25 marks — both cleared comfortably by a score of 90.
- With a viva score of 14–18 out of 20, a student with 90 written marks would reach a combined total of 104–108 out of 200, likely above the expected General merit cutoff.
| Direct Link to ILICAT 2026 Official Website — ili.ac.in |
Is 90 Marks a Good Score in ILICAT 2026?
90 marks out of 180 in the ILICAT 2026 written test is a borderline competitive score for General category students and a strong score for all reserved categories. It meets the 50% minimum qualifying mark set for the General/Unreserved category and significantly exceeds the thresholds for OBC-NCL, EWS, SC, ST, and PwD. Based on 2024 trends, the viva-shortlisting cutoff for the General category was 96 marks — placing a score of 90 exactly 6 marks below this benchmark.
For students applying under reserved categories, 90 marks represents a comfortable margin above the respective written cutoffs, making viva shortlisting very likely based on 2024 data.
| Score Band (Written, out of 180) | Category Position | Expected Status (Based on 2024 Trends) |
|---|---|---|
| 96 and above | General (Unreserved) | Above 2024 General cutoff; strong shortlisting position |
| 90–95 | General — Borderline; OBC-NCL and EWS — Comfortable | Likely shortlisted under OBC/EWS; borderline for General depending on 2026 competition |
| 83–89 | EWS (Comfortable), OBC-NCL (Comfortable) | Expected shortlisting for viva in EWS and OBC-NCL |
| 74–82 | OBC-NCL (Borderline to Comfortable) | Shortlisted for viva under OBC-NCL based on 2024 data |
| 53–73 | SC (Comfortable) | Expected shortlisting for viva under SC category |
Expected Rank and Viva Shortlisting Chances with 90 Marks in ILICAT 2026
ILICAT does not publish individual rank cards. The Indian Law Institute releases a merit list based on the combined written and viva voce score out of 200. Students who clear the written shortlisting cutoff for their category are invited for viva at ILI’s campus in New Delhi. The final merit and seat allotment are determined by this combined total.
The table below shows expected total scores for 90 marks written, paired with varying viva performance levels. All combined score projections and admission prospects are based on 2024 cutoff trends and are expected figures only.
| Written Score (out of 180) | Expected Viva Score (out of 20) | Expected Total (out of 200) | Admission Prospect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | 18–20 (Excellent) | 108–110 | Very strong across all categories |
| 90 | 14–17 (Good) | 104–107 | Likely above expected General merit cutoff |
| 90 | 10–13 (Average) | 100–103 | Competitive for General; strong for reserved categories |
| 90 | 6–9 (Below Average) | 96–99 | Borderline for General; safe for OBC-NCL, EWS, SC, ST |
| 90 | Below 6 | Below 96 | At risk for General admission; adequate for SC, ST, and PwD |
Based on 2024 data, the expected General merit cutoff (combined written and viva) is around 96 marks out of 200. Students with 90 on written who secure an average viva score of 10–15 would reach a combined total of 100–105, placing them competitively on or above the expected General cutoff.
Category-Wise Cutoff Analysis: 90 Marks in ILICAT 2026
The table below compares 90 marks against ILICAT 2024 written cutoffs for each category. Expected 2026 cutoffs may vary based on the number of applicants, paper difficulty, and seats available for each category. These figures are based on 2024 trends and are provided as reference only.
| Category | 2024 Written Cutoff (out of 180) | 90 Marks vs. Cutoff | Expected Viva Shortlisting in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (Unreserved) | 96 | 6 marks below | Borderline — depends on 2026 competition level |
| General EWS | 83.25 | 6.75 marks above | Likely shortlisted |
| OBC-NCL | 74.25 | 15.75 marks above | Comfortably shortlisted |
| General (J&K) | 66.25 | 23.75 marks above | Comfortably shortlisted |
| SC | 53.50 | 36.50 marks above | Comfortably shortlisted |
| PwD | 28.50 | 61.50 marks above | Easily shortlisted |
| ST | 20.25 | 69.75 marks above | Easily shortlisted |
LLM Admission Outlook at ILI with 90 Marks in ILICAT 2026
The Indian Law Institute (ILI), New Delhi — a deemed university since 1956 — is one of India’s most prestigious institutions for legal research and postgraduate legal education. Seats in its one-year LLM programme are limited and distributed across reservation categories as per central government norms (27% OBC, 15% SC, 7.5% ST, 10% EWS), with remaining seats allocated to the General/Unreserved category.
Here is how 90 marks in ILICAT 2026 translates to admission prospects for each student group:
- General category students: 90 marks is borderline — 6 marks below the 2024 General written cutoff of 96. Being shortlisted for viva depends on whether the 2026 cutoff drops from 2024 levels. If shortlisted, a viva score of 15 or above (out of 20) is essential to make the final merit list.
- EWS students: 90 marks clears the 2024 EWS cutoff by 6.75 marks, making viva shortlisting likely. A solid viva performance of 12–16 out of 20 should consolidate your admission chances.
- OBC-NCL students: 90 marks gives a comfortable 15.75-mark margin above the 2024 OBC-NCL cutoff. Admission prospects are good with any reasonable viva performance.
- SC and ST students: 90 marks significantly exceeds the 2024 SC (53.50) and ST (20.25) cutoffs. Admission is very likely even with a modest viva outcome.
- PwD students: 90 marks places you far above the 2024 PwD cutoff of 28.50, making admission prospects very strong.
How is the ILICAT 2026 Score Calculated?
Understanding the ILICAT 2026 marking scheme helps you estimate your expected written total and plan your viva preparation. The exam is conducted offline (pen-and-paper) over 2.5 hours and comprises three written parts followed by a viva voce round for shortlisted students.
| Component | Format | Maximum Marks | Marking Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part I — English and General Knowledge | 40 MCQs | 40 | +1 per correct answer; –0.25 per wrong answer |
| Part II — Core Law Subjects | 100 MCQs | 100 | +1 per correct answer; –0.25 per wrong answer |
| Part III — Legal Writing (Subjective) | 4 descriptive questions (max 150 words each) | 40 | 10 marks each; no negative marking |
| Written Test Total | — | 180 | — |
| Part IV — Viva Voce | Interview at ILI campus, New Delhi | 20 | Panel-awarded marks |
| Grand Total | — | 200 | — |
The final merit list ranks students on the combined written and viva score out of 200. Seats are allotted in order of merit within each reservation category. There is no separate rank card — your position on the published merit list determines your admission outcome.
ILICAT 2026 Score Analysis FAQs
Ques. Is 90 marks enough for ILI LLM 2026 admission?
Ans. 90 marks out of 180 in ILICAT 2026 is the minimum qualifying score (50%) for the General category. It comfortably clears the 2024 OBC-NCL cutoff (74.25) and EWS cutoff (83.25). For General category students, 90 falls 6 marks below the 2024 written shortlisting cutoff of 96, making a strong viva score essential if shortlisted.
Ques. What is the total marks for ILICAT 2026?
Ans. The ILICAT 2026 written test carries a total of 180 marks — 140 from objective MCQs in Parts I and II (with –0.25 negative marking per wrong answer) and 40 from the subjective paper in Part III. The viva voce carries 20 marks, making the grand total 200 marks.
Ques. What was the General category written cutoff in ILICAT 2024?
Ans. Based on 2024 data, the General (Unreserved) category cutoff for viva shortlisting was 96 marks out of 180 in the written test. The EWS cutoff was 83.25 and the OBC-NCL cutoff was 74.25. The 2026 cutoffs are expected to remain in a similar range, subject to the competition level.
Ques. How is the ILICAT merit list prepared?
Ans. The ILICAT merit list is prepared using the combined score from the written test (out of 180) and the viva voce (out of 20) for a total of 200 marks. Students must first clear the category-specific written cutoff to be called for viva at ILI, New Delhi. Final seats are allotted in order of combined merit within each category.
Ques. What viva score should I target with 90 marks in ILICAT 2026?
Ans. With 90 marks in the written exam, targeting 14–18 out of 20 in the viva would give an expected total of 104–108 out of 200, likely above the expected General merit cutoff based on 2024 trends. For reserved category students, even a viva score of 8–12 would generally be sufficient to secure admission.
Ques. Does ILICAT 2026 have negative marking?
Ans. Yes, the objective sections of ILICAT 2026 — Part I (English and General Knowledge) and Part II (Core Law Subjects) — carry negative marking of –0.25 marks per wrong answer. The subjective paper (Part III) and viva voce (Part IV) do not have any negative marking.
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