The CLAT 12th marks criteria specify the minimum Class 12 percentage required for admission to undergraduate law programmes through CLAT 2027. Candidates generally need 45% marks or an equivalent grade in Class 12 or an equivalent examination, while candidates belonging to the SC, ST or PwD categories need 40% marks or an equivalent grade.
If you are appearing for Class 12 in 2027, you can also apply for CLAT 2027 before receiving your final result. However, you must provide proof of passing the qualifying examination at the time of admission. Meeting the CLAT 12th marks criteria makes you eligible to apply, but admission to an NLU also depends on your CLAT performance, counselling and applicable admission criteria.
The CLAT minimum marks required in 12th are based on the qualifying Class 12 or equivalent examination. The minimum percentage differs for candidates belonging to different categories.
|
Category |
Minimum Class 12 Marks for CLAT UG 2027 |
|
General |
45% or equivalent grade |
|
OBC |
45% or equivalent grade under the general minimum requirement |
|
SC |
40% or equivalent grade |
|
ST |
40% or equivalent grade |
|
PwD |
40% or equivalent grade |
The CLAT 2027 UG eligibility criteria do not prescribe a separate minimum percentage for OBC candidates. OBC candidates therefore follow the general minimum requirement of 45%.
Candidates belonging to the SC or ST category need 40% marks or equivalent. The same 40% minimum applies to candidates belonging to the PwD category.
The applicable category or PwD certificate must be provided according to the admission requirements when required. Candidates should also check the admission and document requirements of the participating NLU allotted to them.
The CLAT 12th marks criteria vary according to the applicable category. Candidates applying under the General eligibility provision need 45% marks or an equivalent grade in Class 12 or an equivalent examination.
The same 45% minimum applies to OBC candidates because the CLAT 2027 UG eligibility provision does not specify a separate lower percentage for OBC candidates.
Candidates belonging to SC, ST or PwD categories need 40% marks or an equivalent grade.
The minimum percentage is calculated from the qualifying Class 12 or equivalent examination. Candidates should provide the required category or PwD documents when claiming the applicable benefit.
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Yes. Candidates appearing for their qualifying examination in 2027 can apply for CLAT 2027 before receiving their Class 12 result.
Candidates appearing for the qualifying examination in March/April 2027 can apply for CLAT 2027 provisionally. However, they must produce evidence of passing the qualifying examination at the time of admission. If a candidate fails to provide evidence of passing the qualifying examination at admission, the candidate loses the right to be considered for admission.
If the Class 12 result is not declared when counselling begins, the respective NLU will provide details on how and when the qualifying-examination result must be submitted.
Therefore, students currently studying in Class 12 can register for CLAT 2027 without having received their final Class 12 marks, provided they meet the applicable eligibility requirements and subsequently prove that the qualifying examination has been passed.
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Yes. Students who have completed Class 12 with Science can apply for CLAT UG 2027 if they meet the prescribed Class 12 or equivalent eligibility requirements.
The CLAT 2027 UG eligibility criteria do not prescribe a specific Class 12 stream. Students from Commerce, Arts or Humanities streams can also apply if they meet the same eligibility requirements.
|
Class 12 Stream |
Can Apply for CLAT UG? |
|
Science |
Yes, if you meet the prescribed eligibility criteria. |
|
Commerce |
Yes, provided you fulfil the prescribed eligibility requirements. |
|
Arts/Humanities |
Yes, as long as you satisfy the prescribed eligibility criteria. |
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Class 12 marks establish whether you meet the educational eligibility requirement for CLAT UG. Meeting the minimum percentage does not by itself guarantee admission to a participating National Law University.
Your Class 12 percentage and CLAT performance have separate roles in the admission process.
|
Admission Factor |
Class 12 Minimum Marks |
CLAT Performance |
|
Purpose |
• Fulfils educational eligibility • Meets the prescribed minimum marks |
• Determines admission merit • Supports counselling and seat allocation |
|
Based On |
• Class 12 or equivalent examination • Prescribed minimum percentage |
• CLAT score • All India Rank and merit position |
|
Admission Role |
• Establishes eligibility • Must be fulfilled before admission |
• Influences NLU admission • Used during counselling and seat allocation |
|
Can One Replace the Other? |
• No • Minimum Class 12 marks remain mandatory |
• No • CLAT performance cannot replace the prescribed Class 12 marks |
The CLAT minimum marks required in 12th establish whether you meet the Class 12 eligibility requirement for undergraduate CLAT. The CLAT cutoff, in contrast, relates to CLAT performance and admission through the counselling process.
|
Comparison Factor |
Class 12 Minimum Marks |
CLAT Cutoff/Admission Threshold |
|
Based On |
• Class 12 or equivalent qualification |
• CLAT score/rank • NLU admission factors |
|
Purpose |
• Establishes academic eligibility |
• Determines admission prospects through counselling |
|
Requirement |
• Must meet the prescribed minimum marks |
• Varies by programme, NLU, category and admission round |
|
Can One Replace the Other? |
• No • Minimum marks remain mandatory |
• No • Cutoff cannot replace Class 12 eligibility |
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If a candidate does not meet the prescribed Class 12 percentage, the candidate does not satisfy the educational eligibility requirement for CLAT UG 2027.
Candidates appearing for Class 12 can apply provisionally, but they must provide proof of passing the qualifying examination at the time of admission and meet the prescribed percentage requirement.
The eligibility relaxation for SC/ST/PwD candidates does not remove the minimum percentage requirement. Candidates must meet the applicable category-wise requirement and provide the necessary documents when required.
For example, a candidate applying under the general eligibility provision with 44% marks does not meet the prescribed 45% minimum. A candidate belonging to an applicable SC, ST or PwD category needs at least 40% or an equivalent grade.
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You need 45% marks or an equivalent grade in Class 12 or an equivalent examination. The minimum requirement is 40% for candidates belonging to SC, ST or PwD categories.
There is no separate lower Class 12 percentage specified for OBC candidates in the CLAT 2027 UG eligibility provision. OBC candidates therefore follow the general minimum of 45%, unless an applicable NLU admission rule provides otherwise for a specific seat category.
If you are appearing for Class 12 in 2027, you can apply before receiving your result, subject to producing proof of passing the qualifying examination at the time of admission.
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The CLAT minimum marks required for undergraduate eligibility are 45% for candidates generally and 40% for candidates belonging to SC, ST and PwD categories. The CLAT 2027 UG eligibility criteria do not prescribe a separate minimum percentage for OBC candidates.
If you are appearing for Class 12 in 2027, you can also apply for CLAT 2027 before receiving your result, subject to producing proof of passing the qualifying examination at admission.
Your Class 12 marks establish whether you meet the educational eligibility requirement, while your CLAT performance has a separate role in the admission process. Check the CLAT 12th marks criteria before applying.
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