CLAT PG

CLAT PG Participating Colleges 2026: Complete List of NLUs, Seats, Cutoffs & Rankings

Law

Updated on June 16, 2026

Securing admission to a leading LL.M. programme starts with understanding the list of CLAT PG participating colleges that accept CLAT PG scores for postgraduate law admissions. The examination serves as the primary gateway to admission in National Law Universities (NLUs) and several other reputed law institutions across India. Each participating college differs in terms of seat intake, specialization options, fee structure, cutoff ranks, and placement opportunities, making it essential for candidates to evaluate their options carefully. This article provides a detailed overview of CLAT PG participating colleges for 2026, including NLU-wise seats, admission criteria, expected cutoffs, fees, and key factors to consider while making informed admission choices.

CLAT PG Participating NLUs 2026: List of National Law Universities Accepting CLAT PG Scores

National Law Universities (NLUs) remain the most preferred institutions for LL.M. admissions through CLAT PG. These universities offer specialised postgraduate programmes in Constitutional Law, Corporate Law, Criminal Law, Intellectual Property Law, International Law, Human Rights Law, and several other legal disciplines. Admission to these institutions is based on CLAT PG rank, seat availability, reservation policies, and counselling preferences.

For the CLAT 2026 admission cycle, more than 20 National Law Universities are expected to participate in the centralized counselling process conducted by the Consortium of NLUs. The addition of newer institutions has further increased opportunities for candidates seeking admission to LL.M. programmes across India.

The table below provides the complete list of CLAT PG participating NLUs along with their approved undergraduate and postgraduate seat intake.

CLAT PG Participating NLUs 2026: Seat Intake (UG & PG)

National Law University (NLU)	UG Seat Intake	PG (LL.M.) Seat Intake
National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru	300	120
National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad	132	66
National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal	202	60
The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata	158	100
National Law University (NLUJ), Jodhpur	120	50
Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur	170	90
Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar	172	57
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU), Lucknow	169	48
Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Patiala	180	60
National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), Kochi	60	60
National Law University Odisha (NLUO), Cuttack	180	44
National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL), Ranchi	134	60
National Law University and Judicial Academy (NLUJAA), Assam	60	60
Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU), Visakhapatnam	120	60
Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU), Tiruchirappalli	120	60
Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Mumbai	100	50
Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Nagpur	180	60
Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Aurangabad	120	60
Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU), Shimla	120	80
Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU), Jabalpur	120	50
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University (DBRANLU), Sonipat	120	—
National Law University Tripura (NLUT), Agartala	60	50
Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Silvassa Campus	66	33
Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University (RPNLU), Prayagraj	60	10

CLAT PG 2026 Seat Intake Summary

Particulars	Seats
Total UG Seats	3,163
Total PG (LL.M.) Seats	1,378
Total Participating NLUs	24*
Highest PG Seat Intake	NLSIU Bengaluru (120)
Second Highest PG Seat Intake	WBNUJS Kolkata (100)
Third Highest PG Seat Intake	HNLU Raipur (90)
Newest Participating NLU	Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University, Prayagraj

Note: Seat intake figures are based on the latest available CLAT counselling and university admission information. Actual seat availability for CLAT PG 2026 may be revised by individual NLUs before counselling begins.

Key Highlights of CLAT PG Seat Availability 2026

More than 1,300 LL.M. seats are expected to be available across participating NLUs.
NLSIU Bengaluru, WBNUJS Kolkata, HNLU Raipur, and HPNLU Shimla offer some of the largest postgraduate intakes.
Newer institutions such as NLUT Agartala and RPNLU Prayagraj provide additional opportunities for candidates seeking NLU admission.
Seat allotment is conducted through centralized CLAT counselling based on rank, category, reservation policies, and candidate preferences.
Competition remains highest for NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata, NLU Jodhpur, and GNLU Gandhinagar due to their academic reputation and placement outcomes.

*If your article states 26 participating NLUs, you should verify the latest Consortium of NLUs notification before publication, because the seat matrix provided above contains 24 institutions. The count discrepancy usually occurs when newly established campuses or non-participating NLUs are included in some secondary sources.

Because the number of applicants significantly exceeds the available LL.M. seats, candidates targeting top-tier NLUs should aim for high scores and participate actively in all counselling rounds.

Other Law Colleges Accepting CLAT PG Scores 2026

Apart from National Law Universities, several private universities, deemed universities, and affiliated law institutions also accept CLAT PG scores for admission to postgraduate law programmes. These colleges offer an alternative pathway for candidates who may not secure admission through NLU counselling but still wish to pursue quality legal education.

Many of these institutions have developed strong academic ecosystems with experienced faculty, modern infrastructure, international collaborations, research centres, and industry-oriented curricula.

The following institutions are among the prominent colleges accepting CLAT PG scores:

Institution	Location	Known For
UPES School of Law	Dehradun	Corporate and Energy Law
Institute of Law, Nirma University	Ahmedabad	Research and Corporate Law
Alliance School of Law	Bengaluru	Industry-Oriented Curriculum
Amity Law School	Noida	Large Academic Network
NMIMS School of Law	Mumbai	Corporate Law Exposure
Lloyd Law College	Greater Noida	Moot Courts and Placements
SRM School of Law	Haryana	Modern Infrastructure
Manipal University Jaipur School of Law	Jaipur	Interdisciplinary Programmes

Why Consider Non-NLU Colleges?

Private and affiliated law schools offer several advantages, including:

Specialized LL.M. programmes in emerging legal fields
Flexible admission opportunities through CLAT scores
Modern infrastructure and digital learning facilities
Industry-focused curriculum and internship exposure
Strong regional and corporate connections
Scholarship opportunities for meritorious students

Candidates should compare factors such as fees, faculty, specializations, placement support, and location before finalizing their admission decisions.

CLAT PG 2026 Expected Category-Wise Cutoff for Top NLUs

The CLAT PG cutoff varies every year based on the difficulty level of the examination, total number of candidates appearing, seat availability, and counselling trends. While the official cutoffs will be released during counselling rounds, previous-year admission data indicates the following score ranges for admission to leading National Law Universities.

Category	Expected CLAT PG Score Range	Admission Chances
General	80–85+	Strong chance in Top NLUs
EWS	70–78	Competitive for leading NLUs
OBC (NCL)	70–78	Good chances in top and mid-tier NLUs
SC	60–70	Competitive for reserved seats
ST	55–65	Competitive for reserved seats

Factors Affecting CLAT PG Cutoff

Number of candidates appearing for CLAT PG
Difficulty level of the question paper
Total LL.M. seats available
Reservation policies
Candidate preferences during counselling
Number of vacant seats after each allotment round

Candidates targeting NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata, and NLIU Bhopal should ideally aim for scores above 80 marks under the General category to maximize admission prospects.

Best CLAT PG Colleges 2026: Rankings, Placements and College Comparison

Selecting the right LL.M. college requires evaluating several factors beyond cutoff ranks. Candidates should consider academic reputation, faculty expertise, research output, placement opportunities, alumni network, specializations offered, and overall learning environment.

Among all CLAT PG participating colleges, a few institutions consistently dominate national rankings and attract the highest-ranked candidates.

College	NIRF Law Ranking 2025	Key Strength
NLSIU Bengaluru	1	India's most prestigious law school
NALSAR Hyderabad	3	Strong academics and placements
WBNUJS Kolkata	4	Excellent litigation and corporate law exposure
GNLU Gandhinagar	5	Strong research ecosystem
NLIU Bhopal	Top 10	Established LL.M. programmes
HNLU Raipur	Top 15–20 Range	Growing national reputation
RMLNLU Lucknow	Top 25 Range	Strong judiciary preparation
NLUO Cuttack	Top 20 Range	Strong academic performance
MNLU Mumbai	Emerging Top Tier	Corporate law advantage due to Mumbai location
RGNUL Patiala	Top 20–30 Range	Strong placement support

Why These Colleges Stand Out

Leading NLUs have established strong reputations due to:

Experienced faculty and distinguished legal scholars
Excellent research and publication opportunities
National and international collaborations
Competitive placement opportunities
Strong judiciary, litigation, and corporate law networks
Robust alumni presence across legal and policy sectors

Graduates from these institutions frequently pursue careers in litigation, corporate law firms, public policy organizations, academia, judicial services, and international legal practice.

NLSIU Bengaluru vs NALSAR Hyderabad vs WBNUJS Kolkata

The top three National Law Universities remain the most sought-after destinations for CLAT PG aspirants due to their academic excellence, research opportunities, and placement records.

Parameter	NLSIU Bengaluru	NALSAR Hyderabad	WBNUJS Kolkata
NIRF 2025 Rank	1	3	4
Approximate LL.M. Seats	100–120	66	100
Admission Competitiveness	Very High	Very High	Very High
Strong Areas	Constitutional Law, Public Policy	Corporate Law, International Law	Corporate Law, Commercial Litigation
Faculty Strength	Exceptional	Exceptional	Excellent
Research Opportunities	Extensive	Extensive	Strong
Placement Reputation	Outstanding	Outstanding	Outstanding
General Category Closing Trend	Highest Competition	Very High Competition	Very High Competition

Among these institutions, NLSIU Bengaluru generally records the highest competition levels, followed closely by NALSAR Hyderabad and WBNUJS Kolkata. Candidates with top CLAT PG ranks often prioritize these universities during counselling due to their reputation, faculty strength, and long-term career prospects.

Which NLU Should You Choose?

Choose NLSIU Bengaluru if academic reputation and research opportunities are your primary goals.
Choose NALSAR Hyderabad if you are interested in corporate law, policy, or interdisciplinary legal studies.
Choose WBNUJS Kolkata if you want strong litigation exposure and corporate law opportunities.

These three universities consistently remain the first preference of top-ranked CLAT PG candidates across counselling rounds.

What are the expected CLAT 2026 cut-off ranks for NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, and WBNUJS Kolkata?

The top National Law Universities are expected to remain highly competitive for CLAT 2026 admissions. Based on recent counselling trends, NLSIU Bengaluru may close around Rank 100–120, NALSAR Hyderabad around Rank 140–170, and WBNUJS Kolkata around Rank 250–350 in the General category. Actual cut-offs may vary depending on seat availability, category, and overall candidate performance.

What are CLAT PG participating colleges?

CLAT PG participating colleges are law institutions that accept CLAT PG scores for admission to LL.M. and other postgraduate law programmes. These primarily include National Law Universities (NLUs) participating in the Consortium of NLUs counselling process, along with several private and affiliated law schools that consider CLAT PG scores for admission.

What are the eligibility criteria for admission to CLAT PG participating colleges?

Candidates must hold an LL.B. degree or an equivalent law qualification from a recognized university. General, OBC, PWD, NRI, PIO, and OCI candidates typically require at least 50% aggregate marks, while SC and ST candidates require 45% marks. Final-year LL.B. students are also eligible to apply, subject to meeting the prescribed conditions at the time of admission.

How can I apply for admission to CLAT PG participating colleges?

Candidates must first appear for the CLAT PG examination and obtain a valid score. After the declaration of results, eligible candidates must participate in the CLAT counselling process conducted by the Consortium of NLUs. Seat allotment is based on CLAT PG rank, category, reservation criteria, and college preferences submitted during counselling.

What is the expected application timeline for CLAT PG admissions?

The CLAT application process generally begins in August and continues until October or November. For the upcoming admission cycle, the CLAT 2027 registration process is expected to commence around August 2026, followed by the examination in December 2026. Candidates should regularly check the official CLAT website for confirmed dates.

What is the expected cutoff for admission to CLAT PG participating colleges?

The expected CLAT PG cutoff for admission to top NLUs is likely to be around 70–75+ marks for General category candidates, while premier institutions such as NLSIU Bengaluru and NALSAR Hyderabad may require even higher scores. Cutoffs for reserved categories are generally lower and vary across participating universities and counselling rounds.

How many National Law Universities participate in CLAT PG admissions?

More than 20 National Law Universities participate in the CLAT PG admission process every year. The exact number may vary depending on the admission cycle and participation of newly established NLUs. Candidates should refer to the latest Consortium of NLUs notification for the official list.

Do private law colleges accept CLAT PG scores?

Yes. Several reputed private universities and law schools such as Nirma University, UPES Dehradun, Alliance University, NMIMS, and Amity University accept CLAT PG scores for admission to their postgraduate law programmes.

Which are the best CLAT PG participating colleges in India?

Some of the most prestigious CLAT PG participating colleges include NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata, NLIU Bhopal, GNLU Gandhinagar, and NLU Jodhpur. These institutions are known for their academic excellence, faculty strength, research opportunities, and strong placement records.

Is CLAT PG counselling mandatory for admission to NLUs?

Yes. Candidates seeking admission to LL.M. programmes offered by participating NLUs must register for and participate in the CLAT counselling process. Admission is granted only through the centralized seat allotment system conducted by the Consortium of NLUs.