Watch: What Are The Likely CLAT Cut-Offs for Top 5 Universities?

CLAT 2018 Result: With the topper scoring 159/200, experts give us their estimates for the cut-offs for NLUs.

CLAT 2018 Results: With the topper getting 159 marks, experts think that cut-offs for NLUs will range between 125-140.

(Photo: Erum Gour/ The Quint)

Despite all the controversies, results for the Common Law Admission Test 2018 were announced on 31 May 2018. Around 35 students had approached the Supreme Court last week alleging that technical errors had led to a delay in the online exam. The top court advised the NUALS (National University of Advanced Legal Studies) Kochi to look into the complaints of students. Contrary to the demands, results for the entrance exam were neither delayed nor did the court order a re-exam.

Now that the results are out, with the topper securing 159 marks out of 200, candidates are wondering what the likely cut-off for the National Law Universities (NLUs) might be. The Quint spoke to career counsellor Nidhi Bahl from College Dekho about admission process at NLUs as well as private colleges where students can apply.

Centralised System of Counselling

CLAT follows a centralised system of counselling so the students have to keep a tab on cut-offs of the individual colleges.

As part of counselling, students are supposed to follow certain steps such as online registration, indicating priority for respective NLU, allotment of seats and payment of counselling fee. Since allotment of seats is done on merit-cum-preference basis, student’s rank as well as his score play an important role in getting the college of one’s choice.

Nidhi Bahl, career counsellor, College Dekho

Counselling for CLAT is scheduled to begin on 7 June and will continue for a month till 6 July. Candidates should ideally lock their seats and then wait for upgradation, advises Nidhi.

Trend of Cut-Offs Across NLUs

While it is difficult to predict cut-offs beforehand, experts are of the opinion that anything between 130 to 140 is good enough.

Cut-offs vary from year-to year. If you take a look at last year’s cut-offs, for NLSIU Bangalore, it was 140 and for NALSAR Hyderabad, it was around 132. Cut-offs are decided on the basis of many parameters such as total number of seats, number of students who appeared for the exam and average marks a candidate has scored.

Nidhi Bahl, career counsellor, College Dekho

According to Nidhi, for those who are eyeing the top five NLUs, 140 should be an ideal score to ensure that you are in safe zone. Even a score between 125-130 should be enough to get admission into any of the 19 NLUs.

Private Colleges as an Alternative

In case you are missing out on NLU by a few marks, there are several private colleges, known for their infrastructure and faculty that can be chosen as an alternative instead.

There are many private colleges, quite popular among students, that accept the CLAT scores. The Alliance University in Bengaluru is one such college. Asian College of Law in Noida, Geeta Institute of Law and Galgotia Law School can be other alternatives.

Nidhi Bahl, Career Counsellor, College Dekho

For those who have scored below 60, ICFAI Law School could be another option. According to Nidhi, even if the first cut-off for these private colleges stops at 110, chances are high that this figure might go down in subsequent second and third cut-off lists owing to vacant seats.