CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is an important test for Indian law candidates and offers admission to undergraduate and postgraduate programs in National Law Universities (NLUs) and various affiliated and private law colleges. The CLAT exam is conducted for to get admission into the 5-year integrated LLB and LLM courses of the participating NLUs. There are 24 National Law Universities among the law colleges accepting CLAT scores. The majority of private law colleges have been accepting the CLAT score for admission into their programs in Law. Now, more than 60+ law colleges accept CLAT scores.
As the most important law entrance exam in the country, the CLAT exam attracts the largest number of candidates. But the problem with many students is they aren't aware of the full scope of the CLAT score. For example, it is known that in 2025 CLAT marks will be used for 5-year integrated and one-year LLM programs offered by NLUs. However, many other privately funded law schools also accept CLAT scores. This means if you manage to get even a decent rank or score in the CLAT exam, you stand a chance of getting into one of these colleges even if you miss out on NLU. The good news is that many of these colleges, especially the affiliated colleges, have popular names such as Amity University, Bennet University, and GGSIU.
Even among the participating NLUs, there is great diversity as far as seat intake and reservation criteria are concerned. Only recently, RGNUL has updated its seat matrix and introduced the EWS category for UG and PG. Further, a New category – Backward Category of Punjab has been added for UG.
Three types of law schools will accept CLAT 2025 scores to provide admission to their undergraduate and postgraduate courses:
There are a total of 24 NLUs that are participating institutes of CLAT 2025:
These colleges have entered into an MOU with the consortium and will use the CLAT 2025 scores for admission purposes. But unlike NLUs, affiliated universities can also offer admissions to other entrance exams. For example, while GITAM University uses CLAT scores, it also conducts its entrance exam, GITAM GAT. A total of 61 branches exist on the website of the consortium.
Unlike the affiliate colleges that have signed an MOU, some colleges that haven't signed any MOU may still use CLAT 2025 scores for admission purposes. The colleges that fall in this category may fluctuate the most in terms of their academic abilities as we move from one college to the next. So, you need to do robust R&D before you get admission into any of them.
As per the latest revisions, the NLUs accepting CLAT scores have seat intake as under:
Some of the top private law schools in India have mentioned CLAT scores as an admission criterion for BA LLB, BBA LLB, BCom LLB, BSc LLB, BTech LLB, BA LLB (Hons.), BBA LLB (Hons.), BA LLB (Hons.), and LLM courses. Here is the list of top colleges/universities that accept the CLAT exams for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law courses:
The participating NLU will, at different rounds of counselling, declare the cut-off marks for CLAT separately for each category. The cut-off marks are expressed as the final rank of the admitted candidates in a particular category. Top-ranked NLUs, such as those in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, have higher cut-off marks. Newer NLUs, such as NLU Tripura and DBRANLU Sonepat, have lower CLAT cut-off marks. The ranks are determined based on the CLAT scores.
The CLAT score and rank are interlinked. While filling out the NLU admission preferences, candidates should consider their chances of getting admission and then fill in the choices carefully. Candidates can also check other websites CLAT College Predictor to predict the chances of getting admission to different NLUs.
Ques. Which colleges accept the CLAT score for admission?
Ans. All the 24 National Law Universities (NLUs) in India primarily accept CLAT scores for their undergraduate and postgraduate law programs. Other than these NLUs, various other private Law colleges and institutions also consider CLAT scores for their admission process.
Ques. How many colleges are participating in CLAT?
Ans. Though the basic focus is always on the 24 NLUs, but the number of participating colleges may vary. The information can be found best through the official website of CLAT or the websites of respective colleges.
Ques. Is there any list available of all the participating colleges of CLAT?
Ans. Yes, an extensive list of the participating colleges is usually released by the Consortium of CLAT. You can get this information from their website.
Ques. Are there any good private law colleges accepting CLAT scores?
Ans. Yes, several private law colleges have gained a fine reputation. Research different colleges, compare what they have to offer, and reach a decision.
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