The most crucial fact that you should be aware of, in case you are planning CLAT 2027, is the fact that approximately 24 National Law Universities (NLUs) in India are open to CLAT scores. These institutes are the heart of the clat exam 2027 colleges list and are regarded as the most prestigious place to be among the law aspirants. Whether it is the best colleges such as NLSIU Bengaluru and NALSAR Hyderabad or upcoming NLUs, this list, as well as clat cutoff colleges and admission trends, are vital in making the right choices during clat admission 2027.
What is CLAT and How It Works
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national entrance test that is administered to gain admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law courses. It is the entry point to the majority of national law universities in India that have a reputation of academic excellence, competitive nature, and good placement prospects.
CLAT is mainly applied to enter integrated five-year law courses like BA LLB and BBA LLB, and postgraduate LLM. Though CLAT scores are accepted in most NLUs, there is an exception of one, NLU Delhi, which has its own entrance examination. This renders CLAT the key examination among the students who wish to get a seat in the best law colleges in India.
Total NLUs Accepting CLAT 2027 Score
Currently, there are 24 NLUs that are involved in CLAT admission. These are the primary clat score accepting colleges and vary in terms of ranking, infrastructure, faculty and placement records.
Although the quality of legal education is similar in all the NLUs, the competition is very high. Certain colleges demand high ranks because of the reputation and placement history, whereas others offer opportunities at relatively higher ranks. This variation is important to understand in order to plan your college preferences.
Top National Law Universities Accepting CLAT 2027 Score
To simplify the list, NLUs are commonly categorized into levels according to reputation, academic prowess and placement rates. This categorization assists students to have realistic expectations and make sound decisions.
Tier 1 NLUs: The Most Prestigious Institutes
The highest legal education in India is Tier 1 NLUs. These schools are characterized by their strict academic program, qualified teachers and high placement rates. Graduates of these colleges usually find their way into the best law firms, corporate bodies and international organizations.
Examples of these include National Law School of India University (Bengaluru), NALSAR University of Law (Hyderabad), West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (Kolkata), National Law University Jodhpur, National Law Institute University (Bhopal), and Gujarat National Law University (Gandhinagar). The competition to get admission to these colleges is very stiff and students normally require the best ranks to get a place.
Tier 2 NLUs: Strong Academics with Good Opportunities
Tier 2 NLUs are established institutions with good academic programs and good placement opportunities. They are not as ranked as Tier 1 colleges, but they offer great exposure and career opportunities.
These include colleges like the Hidayatullah National Law University (Raipur), the Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (Lucknow), the Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (Patiala), the Chanakya National Law University (Patna) and the National Law University Odisha (Cuttack). Students who just fail to achieve Tier 1 cutoffs but still desire quality education usually prefer these institutes.
Tier 3 and Emerging NLUs
Tier 3 NLUs are comparatively new institutions that are slowly gaining reputation. Although they might not be at the same stage of placements and infrastructure as older NLUs, they are developing fast and provide good academic environments.
Examples are Maharashtra National Law Universities in Mumbai, Nagpur and Aurangabad, and Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Tamil Nadu National Law University, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University, Dharmashastra National Law University and Himachal Pradesh National Law University. These are colleges that can accommodate students with mid-range ranks and seek to get good education in law.
Read More - How Many Seats Are There in CLAT 2026?
Complete List of NLUs Accepting CLAT Score
The table below gives a clear picture of major NLUs and their location and broad category of tier:
|
NLU Name |
Location |
Tier |
|---|---|---|
|
NLSIU |
Bengaluru |
Tier 1 |
|
NALSAR |
Hyderabad |
Tier 1 |
|
WBNUJS |
Kolkata |
Tier 1 |
|
NLU Jodhpur |
Jodhpur |
Tier 1 |
|
NLIU |
Bhopal |
Tier 1 |
|
GNLU |
Gandhinagar |
Tier 1 |
|
HNLU |
Raipur |
Tier 2 |
|
RMLNLU |
Lucknow |
Tier 2 |
|
RGNUL |
Patiala |
Tier 2 |
|
CNLU |
Patna |
Tier 2 |
|
NLU Odisha |
Cuttack |
Tier 2 |
|
MNLU Mumbai |
Mumbai |
Tier 3 |
|
MNLU Nagpur |
Nagpur |
Tier 3 |
|
MNLU Aurangabad |
Aurangabad |
Tier 3 |
|
DSNLU |
Visakhapatnam |
Tier 3 |
|
TNNLU |
Tiruchirappalli |
Tier 3 |
|
DBRANLU |
Sonipat |
Tier 3 |
|
DNLU |
Jabalpur |
Tier 3 |
|
HPNLU |
Shimla |
Tier 3 |
This table simplifies the clat exam 2027 colleges list and helps you quickly compare options.
How to Choose the Right NLU
When it comes to clat admission 2027, it is not only about getting a seat but also about choosing a college that will support your career objectives. Rank is a significant factor, but other aspects of the school, including faculty quality, placement opportunities, and location should be taken into account.
As an example, certain NLUs have good corporate law placement history, whereas others can provide a superior litigation or judiciary training experience. These are some of the aspects that students should consider keenly before making their final preferences.
Another important factor is the preference list. A well planned list can assist you in getting a better college even with a slightly lower rank. Thus, planning and research are required.
CLAT Cutoff Trends for Top Colleges
Learning about cutoff trends will allow students to have realistic expectations and prepare in advance. Even though the precise cutoffs change annually, it is possible to see a general trend.
|
Tier |
Expected Rank Range |
|---|---|
|
Tier 1 NLUs |
Top 100–500 |
|
Tier 2 NLUs |
500–1500 |
|
Tier 3 NLUs |
1500–3000+ |
These numbers provide a crude estimate of your position in the clat cutoff colleges. Nonetheless, the final cutoffs may depend on factors like the difficulty of the exam, applicant numbers, and availability of seats.
Conclusion
The list of colleges in the clat exam 2027 is primarily comprised of 24 National Law Universities which are the most promising legal education opportunities in India. Starting with the best in the country such as NLSIU and NALSAR and moving to the up-and-coming NLUs, students have a variety of options in the different ranks.
The clear understanding of national law universities india, and the knowledge of clat cutoff colleges and admission trends can go a long way in helping you during clat admission 2027. With proper planning and decision making, you will be able to get yourself a seat in one of the best clat score accepting colleges and start on your way to a successful legal career.
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FAQs
In India, CLAT scores are the main clat score accepting colleges with approximately 24 National Law Universities accepting them.
No, NLU Delhi has its own entrance exam, AILET, and does not accept CLAT scores.
To be accepted in Tier 1 NLUs, students typically require a position in the top 100-500.
Yes, there are a few Tier 3 NLUs that admit students with a rank exceeding 1500, and these offer good prospects of legal education.
Yes, there are also few private institutions that take CLAT scores, but NLUs are still the most popular among students.




