Last Updated: April 2026
The CLAT 2027 NLU seat matrix is the single most important reference document for any CLAT aspirant — it determines which NLU you can target based on your score, category, and state of domicile. All 22 National Law Universities participating in CLAT 2027 together offer approximately 2,500+ undergraduate seats across the BA LLB (Hons) 5-year integrated program. With over 80,000 students expected to appear for CLAT 2027, understanding this seat matrix is critical for strategic preparation.
CLAT 2027 — Quick Overview
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Consortium of National Law Universities |
| Total Participating NLUs | 22 NLUs |
| Total UG Seats (Approx) | 2,500+ |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
| Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 120 (MCQ) |
| Marking | +1 correct, -0.25 wrong |
Reservation Structure in CLAT NLUs
| Category | Reservation % |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.5% |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL) | 27% |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | 10% |
| Persons with Disability (PwD) | 5% (horizontal) |
| State Domicile Quota | 15% (varies by NLU) |
| General/Unreserved | ~40.5% |
Complete NLU Seat Matrix 2027 — All 22 NLUs
| NLU | State | Established | Total Seats | Annual Fee (Approx) | CLAT 2025 Cutoff (Gen) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | Karnataka | 1987 | 80 | ₹2.5L/yr | 95+ marks |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | Telangana | 1998 | 80 | ₹2.0L/yr | 90+ |
| NLIU Bhopal | M.P. | 1997 | 120 | ₹1.5L/yr | 85+ |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | West Bengal | 1999 | 120 | ₹1.5L/yr | 87+ |
| NLU Jodhpur | Rajasthan | 1999 | 120 | ₹1.5L/yr | 82+ |
| HNLU Raipur | Chhattisgarh | 2003 | 180 | ₹1.2L/yr | 75+ |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | Gujarat | 2003 | 180 | ₹1.3L/yr | 76+ |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | U.P. | 2006 | 180 | ₹1.0L/yr | 74+ |
| RGNUL Patiala | Punjab | 2006 | 120 | ₹1.0L/yr | 72+ |
| CNLU Patna | Bihar | 2006 | 180 | ₹0.8L/yr | 68+ |
| NUALS Kochi | Kerala | 2005 | 80 | ₹1.0L/yr | 78+ |
| NLU Odisha | Odisha | 2009 | 120 | ₹0.9L/yr | 67+ |
| NUSRL Ranchi | Jharkhand | 2010 | 120 | ₹0.9L/yr | 65+ |
| NLU Delhi | Delhi | 2008 | 70 | ₹3.0L/yr | 92+ (not CLAT) |
| MNLU Mumbai | Maharashtra | 2014 | 120 | ₹1.4L/yr | 80+ |
| MNLU Nagpur | Maharashtra | 2014 | 120 | ₹1.2L/yr | 70+ |
| MNLU Aurangabad | Maharashtra | 2017 | 120 | ₹1.0L/yr | 65+ |
| HPNLU Shimla | H.P. | 2009 | 120 | ₹0.8L/yr | 62+ |
| DSNLU Visakhapatnam | A.P. | 2008 | 120 | ₹0.9L/yr | 63+ |
| TNNLU Tiruchirappalli | Tamil Nadu | 2012 | 120 | ₹0.9L/yr | 64+ |
| DBRANLU Sonipat | Haryana | 2012 | 120 | ₹0.8L/yr | 60+ |
| NLUO Cuttack | Odisha | 2009 | 100 | ₹0.8L/yr | 61+ |
Top 5 NLUs — Ranking and Analysis
1. NLSIU Bangalore (National Rank 1): The gold standard of NLUs. Lowest seats (80), highest fees, highest cutoff. Only the top ~500 all-India rankers get in General category. Strong alumni network including Supreme Court judges, international lawyers, IAS officers.
2. NALSAR Hyderabad (National Rank 2): Consistently ranked #2, excellent faculty, research output. Known as “Harvard of India” colloquially in legal circles.
3. NLIU Bhopal (National Rank 3): Central India’s best law school. Strong in corporate law and moot court competitions.
4. WBNUJS Kolkata (National Rank 4): The “Presidency” of NLUs — strong humanities and interdisciplinary approach.
5. CNLU Patna (Bihar NLU): Your local NLU if you’re from Bihar — domicile quota of 15% gives Bihar students a significant advantage.
CLAT Strategy Based on Target NLU
| Target | Required Score | Preparation Intensity |
|---|---|---|
| NLSIU/NALSAR (Top 2) | 100+/120 | Extremely rigorous — 12+ months |
| NLIU/NUJS/NLU Jodhpur (Top 5) | 90+/120 | Very rigorous — 10+ months |
| GNLU/HNLU/RMLNLU (Mid-tier) | 78-88/120 | Consistent — 8 months |
| CNLU Patna (Bihar residents) | 65-70/120 (domicile) | Focused — 6 months |
Practice MCQs — NLU System
Quiz data missing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How many NLUs participate in CLAT 2027?
22 NLUs participate through the Consortium of NLUs, offering 2,500+ total seats.
Q2. What score is needed for NLSIU Bangalore?
100+/120 for General category — only the top 400-500 all-India rankers qualify.
Q3. Does domicile help?
Yes — 15% seats reserved for state domicile students at significantly lower cutoffs.
Q4. Which is the best NLU for Bihar students?
CNLU Patna — with domicile quota, Bihar students can get in at 60-65/120 vs 68+ for others.
Q5. Where to check live CLAT ranks?
Use our CLAT Mock Test platform for rank prediction and our CLAT Cutoff 2027 analysis page.
