ILICAT 2026 expected cutoff for the General category is projected at 108–115 marks out of 200, based on the May 31, 2026 paper difficulty and rising year-on-year trends.
The Indian Law Institute Common Admission Test (ILICAT) 2026 was conducted on May 31, 2026, at the ILI campus in New Delhi. Students who appeared in the exam are now calculating their estimated scores to assess admission chances. With only 39 LLM seats filled through ILICAT merit and a growing applicant pool, the General category cutoff for ILICAT 2026 is expected to stay close to the 2025 level of 111.25 marks. The official result is expected by mid-June 2026, followed by viva voce calls in July.
- ILICAT 2026 exam date: May 31, 2026 (successfully conducted).
- Total marks: 200 (180 written + 20 viva voce).
- Expected General category cutoff 2026: 108–115 marks out of 200 (based on paper analysis and previous year trends).
- ILICAT 2025 General category cutoff: 111.25 marks out of 200.
- Total LLM seats at ILI: 53 (39 filled through ILICAT merit).
- Official result expected mid-June 2026; first merit list around July 15, 2026.
| Direct Link to ILICAT 2026 Official Website (ACTIVE) |
ILICAT 2026 Expected Cutoff for General Category
Based on expert analysis of the May 31, 2026 paper and trends from recent years, the ILICAT 2026 expected cutoff for General category students is 108–115 marks out of 200. Early reports indicate the Law section (Part II) was of moderate difficulty, keeping projected scores in a band similar to 2025. Students scoring within or above this range have a strong chance of clearing the written round and receiving a viva voce call.
The table below gives the expected category-wise cutoff for ILICAT 2026:
| Category | Expected Cutoff 2026 (out of 200) | 2025 Cutoff (out of 200) |
|---|---|---|
| General | 108–115 | 111.25 |
| OBC-NCL | 93–100 | 96.50 |
| EWS | 93–100 | — |
| SC | 94–102 | 99.00 |
| ST | 78–86 | 82.25 |
| PwD | 55–65 | — |
All figures above are expected estimates based on previous year trends and 2026 paper difficulty analysis. Actual cutoffs will be declared by ILI with the official result.
Previous Year ILICAT Cutoff Trends
Tracking historical cutoffs reveals how competitive ILICAT has become. The General category cutoff has climbed from 75 marks in 2021 to 111.25 marks in 2025, a rise of more than 36 marks over four years. This consistent upward movement reflects a larger applicant base and better-prepared students each cycle.
| Year | Total Marks | General | OBC-NCL | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 200 | 111.25 | 96.50 | 99.00 | 82.25 |
| 2022 | 190* | 96.00 | 74.25 | 53.50 | 20.25 |
| 2021 | 200 | 75.00 | — | — | — |
*The 2022 exam used a 190-mark structure. The current exam carries 200 marks (180 written + 20 viva voce).
- General category cutoff rose by 15.25 marks between 2022 and 2025 alone, signalling a steady increase in competition.
- SC and ST category cutoffs saw the steepest jumps, reflecting stronger participation from reserved-category students over time.
- With the Part II Law section carrying 100 marks, it remains the single biggest differentiator between qualifying and non-qualifying scores.
Factors Affecting ILICAT 2026 Cutoff
The ILICAT cutoff is not fixed and varies each year based on several conditions. Understanding these factors helps you set a realistic target and gauge your admission prospects accurately.
- Applicant volume: A larger applicant pool raises competition and pushes the cutoff upward. Growing awareness of ILI’s LLM programme has steadily expanded the number of students appearing each year.
- Paper difficulty: A tougher Law or GK section brings average scores down and lowers the cutoff. Early analysis of the 2026 paper suggests moderate overall difficulty, keeping the expected cutoff close to 2025 levels.
- Limited seats: With only 39 ILICAT-merit seats on offer, even a marginal change in applicant numbers has a visible effect on the cutoff percentile.
- Part II weightage: The 100-mark Law MCQ section accounts for half the total written marks. Strong performance here is the primary driver of high scores and, in turn, higher General category cutoffs.
- Category-wise seat distribution: Each reserved category has a fixed seat allocation. High turnout within any one category can shift its own cutoff independently of the General band.
ILICAT 2026 Marking Scheme and Score Calculation
ILICAT carries a total of 200 marks — 180 for the written exam and 20 for the viva voce. Only students who clear the written cutoff are shortlisted for the oral round. Understanding the marking structure lets you estimate your score before the official result is out.
| Section | Format | Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part I – English and General Knowledge | 40 MCQs | 40 | –0.25 per wrong answer |
| Part II – Law (MCQs) | 100 MCQs | 100 | –0.25 per wrong answer |
| Part III – Legal Writing | 4 short essays (up to 150 words each) | 40 | None |
| Part IV – Viva Voce | Oral interview (shortlisted students only) | 20 | None |
| Total | — | 200 | — |
To estimate your written score, add the marks for all correct MCQs in Parts I and II, subtract 0.25 for each wrong answer, then add your estimated essay score from Part III. Students targeting the General category expected cutoff of 108–115 marks should aim for at least 80–90 combined marks across the two MCQ sections, with the remaining gap covered through strong Part III essays.
ILICAT 2026 Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the expected ILICAT 2026 cutoff for the General category?
Ans. The expected ILICAT 2026 cutoff for the General category is 108–115 marks out of 200. This estimate is based on the 2025 cutoff of 111.25 marks and the reported difficulty level of the May 31, 2026 paper.
Ques. What was the ILICAT 2025 cutoff for different categories?
Ans. The ILICAT 2025 cutoff marks were: General – 111.25, OBC-NCL – 96.50, SC – 99.00, and ST – 82.25, all out of 200 marks.
Ques. Is the ILICAT cutoff based on written marks or the total including viva voce?
Ans. The qualifying cutoff is based on the written exam score (Parts I, II, and III — 180 marks total). Students who meet this cutoff are called for the 20-mark viva voce. The final merit list uses the combined score out of 200.
Ques. How many LLM seats does ILI fill through ILICAT?
Ans. ILI offers 53 LLM seats in total. Of these, 39 seats are allocated through the ILICAT merit process, making it a highly competitive exam — especially for General category students.
Ques. When will the official ILICAT 2026 cutoff and result be released?
Ans. The official ILICAT 2026 cutoff will be published along with the result, which is expected in mid-June 2026. The first merit list is expected around July 15, 2026, followed by viva voce calls.
Ques. Does negative marking apply to the entire ILICAT paper?
Ans. No. Negative marking of –0.25 marks applies only to the MCQ sections — Part I (English and GK) and Part II (Law). Part III (Legal Writing) and Part IV (Viva Voce) carry no negative marking.
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