The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore, commonly referred to as NLSIU, remains the most sought-after National Law University in India. Its cut-off marks and closing ranks set the standard for law aspirants across the country every year.
This guide covers everything you need to know: the NLSIU cut-off 2026 (expected), past trends in NLS Bangalore cut-off marks, factors influencing rankings, seat reservations, and smart preparation tips. Consider this your one-stop handbook before the big day.
Tip: Use the CLAT Rank Predictor by Exam Charcha to check what will be your rank based on your score.
About NLSIU Bangalore Cut-off
The NLSIU cut-off is the minimum rank or score a candidate must achieve in CLAT exam to secure admission to NLU Bangalore. It changes annually based on exam difficulty, the number of applicants, available seats, and reservation policies.
Being India’s top law school, NLSIU Bangalore’s cut-off marks are consistently among the highest. Only candidates who rank within the cut-off range can secure a seat in flagship programs, such as BA LLB (Hons.) or LLM.
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NLSIU Bangalore Cut-off 2026: Predictions and Insights
For CLAT 2026, the expected NLSIU Bangalore cut-off for General category candidates is projected to be around 100–102 marks out of a total of 120, with a likely closing rank within the top 100. This reflects a slight increase from previous years, aligning with the intensifying competition and a trend of rising cut-off marks. For other categories:
- OBC: Expected cut-off in the 95+ marks range
- SC/ST: Approximately 85–90 marks
- EWS: Close to General, around 98–100 marks
- PwD: Around 80+ marks
Browse: CLAT Marking Scheme
NLSIU Bangalore Cut-off 2025
This is the last year’s NLSIU cut-off:
| Category | Expected Cut-off Rank (2025) |
| General | 140 |
| OBC | 372 |
| SC | 3000 |
| ST | 8000 |
| EWS | 600 |
| PWD | 5000 |
Read more about CLAT Subjects here.
NLSIU Bangalore Cut-off 2024
Check the NLU Bangalore cut-off 2024:
| Category | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
| General | 1 | 102 |
| OBC | 107 | 971 |
| SC | 372 | 3007 |
| ST | 224 | 7487 |
Check the CLAT Eligibility Criteria.
NLSIU Bangalore Cut-off 2023
Check the NLSIU cut-off 2023:
| Category | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
| General | 1 | 105 |
| OBC | 112 | 998 |
| SC | 385 | 3124 |
| ST | 235 | 7689 |
Know about: CLAT Exam Pattern
NLSIU Bangalore Cut-off 2022
| Category | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
| General | 1 | 85 |
| OBC | 102 | 878 |
| SC | 361 | 2987 |
| ST | 210 | 7265 |
NLSIU Bangalore Cut-off 2021
| Category | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
| General | 1 | 90 |
| OBC | 108 | 915 |
| SC | 380 | 3050 |
| ST | 223 | 7354 |
Read about CLAT Subjects here.
NLSIU Bangalore Cut-off 2020
| Category | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
| General | 1 | 92 |
| OBC | 110 | 940 |
| SC | 400 | 3100 |
| ST | 230 | 7420 |
Browse: CLAT Exam Date
Key Determinants of NLSIU Bangalore Cut-off 2026
1. Rising Competition in CLAT 2026
The NLU Bangalore cut-off for 2026 is expected to increase if more students register for the exam. A surge in applicants always raises the bar, especially for the General category.
2. Impact of Exam Difficulty
The difficulty level of the CLAT 2026 question paper directly influences the cut-off. Harder papers lower overall scores, while easier ones push the NLSIU cut-off marks upward.
3. Limited Seat Availability
With a limited number of seats available, competition for admission intensifies. This scarcity makes the NLSIU cut-off 2026 one of the toughest in the country.
4. Role of Reservation System
Category-based reservations for SC, ST, OBC, and EWS candidates influence the cut-off. While reserved categories may have slightly lower thresholds, the General category cut-off stays highly competitive.
5. Overall Performance of Aspirants
If many candidates perform well in CLAT 2026, the NLU Bangalore cut-off 2026 will rise across all categories, making accuracy and consistency key.
6. Tie-Breaking Mechanism
When ranks overlap, tie-breaking criteria such as higher Legal Reasoning marks or age priority determine admissions, subtly affecting the final NLSIU cut-off marks.
7. Prestige of NLSIU Bangalore
Being India’s most reputed law school, NLSIU Bangalore continues to attract toppers. This unmatched demand keeps its cut-off marks consistently high.
8. Effect of Negative Marking
The negative marking system in CLAT forces candidates to answer carefully. This emphasis on accuracy plays a significant role in shaping the NLSIU cut-off 2026.
Check your college through: CLAT College Predictor by Exam Charcha.
Why the CLAT Cut-off 2026 Matters for NLSIU Bangalore?
1. Gateway to Admission
The CLAT cut-off 2025 acts as the entry ticket to NLSIU Bangalore. Only candidates who score at or above the cut-off qualify for admission, making it the most crucial benchmark for every aspirant.
2. Measure of Competition
As India’s No. 1 law school, NLSIU sets one of the toughest cut-offs among all NLUs. For CLAT 2025, General category aspirants may need 95+ marks, highlighting just how competitive the process is.
3. Role in Seat Distribution
With limited seats available, the NLSIU Bangalore cut-off 2025 determines which ranks secure admission. It reflects the exact closing rank for categories like General, OBC, SC, ST, and PwD.
4. Roadmap for Preparation
Knowing the expected cut-off helps students set clear score targets. If you’re aiming for NLSIU, aligning your CLAT preparation with the cut-off ensures you stay ahead of the competition.
5. Category-Wise Guidance
CLAT Cut-offs vary across categories. For instance, while General category students might need 95+ marks, SC/ST candidates may qualify with around 85+. Understanding these variations helps in realistic goal planning.
6. Impact of Exam Difficulty
The toughness of the CLAT 2025 paper will directly shape the cut-off. A harder exam may lower it slightly, while an easier one could raise the bar for everyone.
7. Deciding College Preferences
Cut-off trends also guide candidates when selecting NLUs in the preference list. Those determined to join NLSIU should prioritize it as their first choice, keeping in mind that its cut-off stays higher than most other NLUs.
Read about CLAT Marks vs Rank
NLSIU Bangalore Seat Reservation
The vertical and horizontal seat reservation at NLU Bangalore for UG and PG is tabulated below:
1. Vertical Reservations
| Category | Reservation Percentage | LLB Seats | LLM Seats |
| SC | 15% | 36 | 15 |
| ST | 7.5% | 18 | 8 |
| OBC-NCL | 21.6% | 52 | 23 |
| EWS | 8% | 19 | 8 |
| General | – | 115 | 46 |
| Total | – | 240 | 100 |
2. Horizontal Reservations
| Category | Reservation Percentage | LLB Seats | LLM Seats |
| PwD | 5% | 12 | 5 |
| Women | 24% | 58 | 24 |
| Karnataka Students | 25% | 60 | 25 |
| Total | – | 130 | 54 |
Check: CLAT Post Magazine PDF
For CLAT 2026, the NLSIU Bangalore cut-off for General category students is expected to be around 100–102 marks, with the closing rank within the top 100. Reserved categories, such as SC/ST, may see cut-offs around 85–90 marks, while OBC and EWS candidates might need 95–100 marks.
The NLSIU cut-off 2026 is higher because NLSIU Bangalore is India’s top-ranked law university, attracting the best-performing students every year. Limited seats and high demand consistently push the cut-off upward.
The NLSIU cut-off marks for the General category have typically closed within the top 100 ranks in recent years. For example, in 2024, the closing rank for General was 102, while for OBC it was 971. For the SC and ST categories, the ranks were 3007 and 7487, respectively.
To clear the NLS Bangalore cut-off marks, General category aspirants should aim for 100+ marks in CLAT 2026. For SC/ST candidates, 85–90 marks may be enough, while OBC and EWS categories generally need scores close to the General range.
The NLU Bangalore cut off 2026 for the BA LLB (Hons.) program is projected to close within the top 100 ranks for General candidates. Other categories will have slightly lower cut-offs based on reservation quotas.
Yes. Reservation for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, women, PwD, and Karnataka students lowers the NLSIU cut-off marks for these categories. However, the cut-off for the General category remains the toughest.
To meet the NLSIU Bangalore cut off, focus on consistent practice, accuracy under negative marking, and strong performance in Legal Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. Setting a target score higher than the predicted cut-off ensures you stay competitive.
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