CLAT 2026: Alongside the 25 National Law Universities (NLUs), nearly 60 private law schools and several reputed public universities across India formally recognize CLAT 2026 scores for their admissions process. While these institutions are recognised as “affiliate colleges” of the Consortium of NLUs, they are not included in the centralized, multi-round CLAT counselling and seat allocation systemapplicable to NLU admissions. As a result, aspirants must independently initiate and manage the admission process for each of these colleges.
To secure admission to these affiliated institutions—such as the Institute of Law, Nirma University; SVKM’s NMIMS (Kirit P. Mehta School of Law); or UPES Dehradun—candidates must visit the respective official websites and submit separate application forms. Admissions are generally based on the CLAT All India Rank (AIR), following which institutions publish their own merit lists. Certain universities may additionally require SOP submissions, personal interviews, or other screening mechanisms as part of their selection process.
This decentralized admission route is particularly beneficial for aspirants with CLAT AIRs between 3,000 and 10,000, as it opens access to institutions offering strong academic exposure, modern infrastructure, and competitive corporate placements—often rivaling those available at several mid-level NLUs. However, applicants must remain vigilant, as registration windows for these colleges often close shortly after the declaration of CLAT results.
Top Non-NLU Law Colleges Accepting CLAT 2026 Scores
While the 25 NLUs remain the primary destinations for CLAT 2026 aspirants, several prominent private and public universities also use CLAT scores to fill their law programme seats. Unlike NLUs, these institutions require direct applications through individual admission portals and do not participate in Consortium-led counselling.
The institutions listed below are widely recognised for their academic standards, infrastructure, placement performance, and specialised law programmes.
| Institution Name | Location | Key Courses | AIR Cutoff (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Rohtak | Rohtak | Integrated BBA LL.B. (IPL) | Top 500 – 1,500 |
| Inst. of Law, Nirma University | Ahmedabad | B.A. LL.B. / B.Com. LL.B. | 3,000 – 5,000 |
| SVKM's NMIMS (KPMSOL) | Mumbai | B.A. LL.B. / B.B.A. LL.B. | 4,000 – 7,000 |
| UPES School of Law | Dehradun | B.A. LL.B. / B.B.A. LL.B. | 8,000 – 15,000 |
| BITS Law School | Mumbai | B.A. LL.B. / B.B.A. LL.B. | Top 10,000 |
| NFSU | Gandhinagar | B.B.A. LL.B. / B.Sc. LL.B. | 2,500 – 6,000 |
| Alliance School of Law | Bengaluru | B.A. LL.B. / B.B.A. LL.B. | 7,000 – 12,000 |
| Bennett University | Greater Noida | B.A. LL.B. / B.B.A. LL.B. | 10,000 – 18,000 |
| Lloyd Law College | Greater Noida | B.A. LL.B. / B.B.A. LL.B. | 12,000 – 20,000 |
Key Admission Considerations for CLAT 2026
Public Universities (Non-NLUs):Leading public institutions such as National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), Gandhinagar, and GGSIPU, Delhi admit students primarily on the basis of CLAT merit. However, candidates are still required to complete a separate registration process on the respective university admission portals.
IIM Rohtak Admission Criteria: IIM Rohtak is currently the only IIM to accept CLAT 2026 scores for its Integrated Programme in Law (IPL). Shortlisting is based on CLAT/IPMAT scores (55%), followed by evaluation of past academic performance (30%) and a personal interview (15%).
Application Deadlines: Most private universities—including NMIMS and Nirma University—close their application windows shortly after CLAT result declaration, typically during late December or early January. Missing these deadlines can result in loss of admission opportunities despite a qualifying rank.
Placement Comparability:Several top private law schools, such as BITS Law School and Jindal Global Law School (which primarily prefers LSAT-India), consistently report placement outcomes comparable to mid- and lower-tier NLUs, particularly in corporate and business law domains.