The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru has once again emerged as the most sought-after law institute in the country, recording the highest cut-offs in the first allotment round of CLAT 2026 counselling. The category-wise closing ranks for admission to the five-year integrated LLB programme have now been released, reflecting intense competition among law aspirants nationwide.

According to the latest counselling data, NLSIU Bengaluru continues to dominate preference lists, with General category closing ranks remaining the highest among all National Law Universities (NLUs). The strong demand for limited seats at the premier law school has resulted in steep cut-offs across categories, including OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD.

🔹 NLSIU Maintains Its Premier Status

NLSIU Bengaluru’s consistent academic excellence, robust placement record, experienced faculty, and strong alumni network have reinforced its position as the top choice for CLAT toppers. Every year, the university witnesses a tight race for admission, and CLAT 2026 is no exception.

🔹 Category-wise Closing Ranks Released

The Consortium of National Law Universities has published the category-wise closing ranks after the first seat allotment, allowing candidates to:

• Assess their admission chances in subsequent rounds

• Compare cut-offs across NLUs

• Make informed decisions regarding seat acceptance, upgrading, or withdrawal

While the General category saw the highest cut-offs, reserved categories also experienced competitive closing ranks, indicating a growing pool of high-performing candidates across all sections.

🔹 Counselling Process Continues

Candidates who have been allotted seats in the first round are required to:

• Confirm or upgrade their allotted seats within the stipulated deadline

• Complete document verification and fee payment as per counselling guidelines

More rounds of counselling are expected, during which cut-offs may vary depending on seat availability and withdrawals.

🔹 What This Means for Aspirants

Education experts advise candidates to:

• Carefully analyse closing ranks of all NLUs

• Keep track of upcoming allotment rounds

• Remain flexible with preferences, as cut-offs can shift in later rounds

The release of CLAT 2026 cut-offs marks a crucial phase in the admission process, especially for aspirants targeting top-tier law schools.

With NLSIU Bengaluru once again setting the benchmark, CLAT 2026 has reaffirmed the university’s unmatched stature in legal education, while also highlighting the ever-increasing competition for quality law seats in India.