The expected ILICAT 2026 OBC cutoff is 97–107 marks out of 200, based on the 2025 closing cutoff of 96.50 and a strong upward trend from 74.25 in 2024.
The Indian Law Institute Common Admission Test (ILICAT) 2026 is conducted by the Indian Law Institute (ILI), New Delhi, for admission to its one-year LLM program. The final merit score is out of 200 marks and is compiled from the written test, legal writing assessment, and viva-voce examination. Students from the OBC (Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer) category are eligible for a reserved quota of 27% of the 39 available seats. With only around 10–11 OBC seats on offer, competition within the category is intense. The official ILICAT 2026 cutoff will be published at ili.ac.in once the result is declared.
- Total merit marks for ILICAT selection: 200 (written test + legal writing + viva-voce)
- Written exam: 144 objective questions (1 mark each) + 4 subjective questions (10 marks each)
- Total LLM seats: 39; OBC (NCL) reserved seats: ~10–11
- OBC (NCL) expected cutoff 2026: 97–107 marks out of 200
- General category expected cutoff 2026: 112–122 marks out of 200
- 2025 OBC actual cutoff: 96.50 marks; 2024 OBC actual cutoff: 74.25 marks
- Official cutoff will be declared at ili.ac.in post result announcement
| Direct Link to ILICAT 2026 — Indian Law Institute Official Website (ACTIVE) |
ILICAT 2026 OBC Cutoff at a Glance
The table below summarises the expected qualifying marks for OBC students and all other categories in ILICAT 2026. All figures are predictions based on 2024 and 2025 official closing cutoffs.
| Category | Expected Cutoff 2026 (out of 200) | Actual Cutoff 2025 | Actual Cutoff 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 112–122 | 111.25 | 96.00 |
| EWS | 98–108 | — | 83.25 |
| OBC (NCL) | 97–107 | 96.50 | 74.25 |
| SC | 88–100 | 99.00 | 53.50 |
| ST | 80–92 | 82.25 | 20.25 |
| PwD | 32–48 | — | 28.50 |
OBC students scoring 97 marks or above out of 200 stand a strong chance of meeting the qualifying threshold for ILICAT 2026, based on expected trends. The final cutoff depends on the composite merit score, which includes written test performance, legal writing assessment, and viva-voce marks.
ILICAT 2026 Expected Category-Wise Cutoff
The ILICAT 2026 selection process produces a composite merit score out of 200, combining all three evaluation stages. The cutoff is the lowest score at which a seat was allotted in a given category. With 39 total seats and OBC (NCL) reservation at 27%, around 10–11 seats are available in the OBC quota. The following table provides a detailed category-wise expected cutoff for 2026.
| Category | Reserved Seats (Approx.) | Expected Cutoff 2026 (out of 200) |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | ~16 | 112–122 |
| EWS | ~4 | 98–108 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | ~10–11 | 97–107 |
| SC | ~6 | 88–100 |
| ST | ~3 | 80–92 |
| PwD | ~2 | 32–48 |
Note that OBC students in the Creamy Layer are not eligible for the OBC quota and must compete in the General category, where the expected cutoff is 112–122 marks.
Previous Year ILICAT OBC Cutoff: 2024 and 2025 Data
The two most recent ILICAT cutoffs show a sharp upward trend in OBC qualifying scores. The OBC closing cutoff rose by over 22 marks between 2024 and 2025, signalling a more competitive applicant pool and a relatively accessible exam paper in 2025.
| Year | General Cutoff | OBC (NCL) Cutoff | SC Cutoff | ST Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILICAT 2025 | 111.25 | 96.50 | 99.00 | 82.25 |
| ILICAT 2024 | 96.00 | 74.25 | 53.50 | 20.25 |
| Change (2024?2025) | +15.25 marks | +22.25 marks | +45.50 marks | +62.00 marks |
The 2025 OBC cutoff of 96.50 is the strongest reference point for 2026 predictions. If ILICAT 2026 follows a similar difficulty level, the OBC cutoff is expected to inch upward to the 97–107 range. A notably harder paper could bring it closer to the 2024 level, while an easier paper may push it above 107.
Factors Affecting ILICAT 2026 OBC Cutoff
The following factors will determine where the final ILICAT 2026 OBC cutoff lands:
- Exam difficulty: A harder written paper reduces scores across the board, lowering the cutoff. An easier paper raises it.
- Number of OBC applicants: More applicants in the OBC pool means greater competition for the same 10–11 reserved seats, pushing the cutoff up.
- Viva-voce and legal writing marks: Performance in these two stages directly affects the composite merit score and the final cutoff.
- Total seat intake: ILI has 39 seats for the 1-year LLM. Any change in intake for 2026 will shift the cutoff accordingly.
- NCL certificate validity: Only OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) students are counted in the OBC pool. Creamy Layer students are moved to the General pool, which can shift category-wise demand.
Selection Process for OBC Students After Cutoff
Clearing the ILICAT 2026 written test is the first step. Here is the full selection sequence for OBC students:
- Written Test: 144 objective questions (1 mark each, 0.25 negative marking) plus 4 subjective questions (10 marks each). Scores feed into the composite merit tally.
- Legal Writing Assessment: Shortlisted students write a legal essay or analytical piece at ILI, New Delhi.
- Viva-Voce: An interview round conducted by ILI faculty. All three stages combine for the final merit score out of 200.
- Merit List: ILI publishes a category-wise merit list at ili.ac.in. OBC students are ranked within their category pool.
- Document Verification: Selected students must submit a valid OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) certificate in the central government format, issued by a competent authority.
Your OBC (NCL) certificate must be current at the time of document verification. An expired certificate or a Creamy Layer certificate will shift you to the General category for seat allotment.
ILICAT 2026 OBC Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the expected ILICAT 2026 OBC cutoff?
Ans. The expected ILICAT 2026 OBC (NCL) cutoff is 97–107 marks out of 200. This prediction is based on the 2025 closing cutoff of 96.50 and the 2024 closing cutoff of 74.25. The official cutoff will be published by ILI at ili.ac.in after the result is declared.
Ques. What is the total marks for ILICAT selection and how is the cutoff calculated?
Ans. The ILICAT merit score is out of 200 marks. It combines the written test (144 objective questions at 1 mark each and 4 subjective questions at 10 marks each), the legal writing assessment, and the viva-voce examination. The cutoff is the lowest composite score at which a seat was allotted in a given category.
Ques. How many OBC seats are available in ILICAT 2026?
Ans. ILI offers 39 total seats for the 1-year LLM program. With 27% reservation for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) students as per central government norms, approximately 10–11 seats are available in the OBC quota for ILICAT 2026.
Ques. Can OBC Creamy Layer students use the OBC cutoff?
Ans. No. OBC students in the Creamy Layer are not eligible for OBC reservation. They are treated as General category students and must meet the General category expected cutoff of 112–122 marks out of 200.
Ques. Why was the 2025 ILICAT OBC cutoff so much higher than 2024?
Ans. The OBC cutoff rose from 74.25 in 2024 to 96.50 in 2025 — an increase of over 22 marks. This likely reflects a more accessible exam paper in 2025 and a more competitive pool of OBC applicants. The final merit score also includes legal writing and viva-voce marks, which can shift the composite cutoff significantly.
Ques. When will the official ILICAT 2026 cutoff be released?
Ans. The Indian Law Institute will publish the official ILICAT 2026 category-wise cutoff along with the merit list at ili.ac.in. Students should monitor the official website for the exact release date after the result announcement.








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