NLSAT Cutoff Trends 2023 to 2027: Category-Wise Analysis and Score Targets
120 seats. Thousands of applicants. One paper. The NLSAT cutoff is the combined score at which the last admitted candidate in your category secured admission. Every year it has moved. Here is exactly where it has been, where it is headed, and what you need to target.
The NLSAT cutoff is the minimum combined score (Part A + Part B out of 150) at which a candidate in a given category received admission to NLSIU Bengaluru's 3-Year LL.B. (Hons.) programme. It is not declared before the exam. It is determined after results, based on applicant performance and seat distribution that year.
Cutoff Type
What It Means
Part A screening cutoff
Minimum Part A score to have your Part B evaluated — based on the 1:5 ratio per seat (~600 candidates for 120 seats)
Final combined cutoff
Minimum Part A + Part B total for actual admission, determined by category percentile after results
You need to clear both. A strong combined score means nothing if your Part A did not qualify you for Part B evaluation in the first place.
📈
NLSAT Cutoff Trends 2023 to 2026: Category-Wise
Four years of actual data — the clearest picture available
General (Outside Karnataka)
2023
89–91
→
2024
90–93
→
2025
92–96
→
2026
93–95.5
→
2027
98–102
General (Karnataka Domicile)
2023
82–84
→
2024
84–86
→
2025
91–94
→
2026
89–91
→
2027
93–96
EWS
2023
80–83
→
2024
82–84
→
2025
87
→
2026
85.25
→
2027
86–90
OBC-NCL
2023
80–82
→
2024
82–84
→
2025
79
→
2026
85–87
→
2027
78–81
SC
2023
71–73
→
2024
72–74
→
2025
75
→
2026
74.5
→
2027
70–74
ST
2023
68–70
→
2024
70–72
→
2025
73
→
2026
68
→
2027
66–70
Purple = 2027 predicted. All other years are actual cutoffs.
Free Download · No Login Required
NLSAT Previous Year Question Papers
See exactly what paper produced these cutoffs. Download 3 official NLSAT PYQs free — pattern, difficulty, and question framing included.
Cutoffs are rising and the pace is accelerating. General category outside Karnataka has moved from 89–91 in 2023 to 93–95.5 in 2026 — a jump of roughly 4 to 5 marks in three years. The predicted 2027 range of 98–102 suggests the floor may cross 100 for the first time.
Karnataka domicile cutoffs are less predictable. They dropped from 91–94 in 2025 to 89–91 in 2026, reflecting seat reservation dynamics and year-on-year variation in Karnataka-domicile applicant quality. Do not assume Karnataka domicile is always lower.
EWS is genuinely competitive. EWS cutoffs have stayed close to General Karnataka levels — 85 to 87 — making it a competitive category, not a relaxed one. OBC-NCL showed an unusual dip to 79 in 2025 before recovering to 85–87 in 2026.
Reserved category trends are stable. SC and ST cutoffs have remained within a narrow band of 3 to 5 marks across years, making them more predictable than the General category.
⚙️
How the Cutoff Is Actually Calculated
The percentile system explained plainly
NLSAT does not publish a fixed cutoff before the exam. The final cutoff emerges from a percentile-based selection process after results:
Category
Percentile Required
General and EWS
75th percentile in combined Part A + Part B score
SC, ST, OBC-NCL and PwD
40th percentile in combined score
Part A minimum
Must score above zero in Part A to remain eligible
Part B evaluation threshold
Top 1:5 ratio per seat — approximately top 600 Part A scorers across categories
This means the cutoff shifts every year based on cohort performance. A stronger applicant pool pushes it up. A weaker year can bring it down slightly — as seen with Karnataka domicile in 2026 versus 2025.
CLATnetwork · NLSAT Preparation
NLSAT Dhurandhar Batch 2027
Structured preparation for NLSIU Bengaluru's 3-Year LL.B. Built to get you above the cutoff — not just at it.
Part A StrategyPart B Writing PracticeMock TestsCurrent Affairs
The Part A and Part B Score Split Behind the Cutoff
2025 last-admitted scorecard — what the combined total is actually made of
The combined cutoff is made of two scores. Most aspirants only look at the total — but the split is where the real preparation insight is.
General Outside Karnataka (Male)
Part A /75
52.5
Part B /75
43
Total: 95.5 / 150
General Outside Karnataka (Female)
Part A /75
51
Part B /75
41.75
Total: 92.75 / 150
General Karnataka Domicile (Male)
Part A /75
50
Part B /75
40
Total: 90 / 150
General Karnataka Domicile (Female)
Part A /75
50
Part B /75
38
Total: 88 / 150
EWS
Part A /75
51.25
Part B /75
34
Total: 85.25 / 150
OBC-NCL
Part A /75
48.75
Part B /75
37
Total: 85.75 / 150
SC
Part A /75
42.5
Part B /75
32
Total: 74.5 / 150
ST
Part A /75
40
Part B /75
28
Total: 68 / 150
Part A score
Part B score
Bar length = % of maximum possible (75 marks each)
Notice that for every category, Part A contributes more to the total than Part B. EWS candidates scored 51.25 in Part A but only 34 in Part B — yet their total was 85.25. Part A is not just the gatekeeper; it is the larger half of your score.
⚠️
Common Mistakes Aspirants Make Around Cutoffs
Avoidable errors that cost candidates their shot at NLSIU
Mistake 1Targeting the cutoff, not above it
Aiming to just clear the floor is a losing strategy. Cutoffs are last-admitted scores, not average scores. Candidates who got comfortable admits scored 5 to 10 marks higher. Your target should always be your recommended score, not the minimum floor.
Mistake 2Ignoring Part A in favour of Part B writing practice
The 2025 data shows that even the SC last-admitted candidate scored 42.5 in Part A out of 75. Part A is the gatekeeper — it must be given as much attention as Part B. A weak Part A means your Part B is never read.
Mistake 3Using outdated cutoff data
Several blogs still quote 2022 or 2023 figures as current benchmarks. NLSAT is only five years old and cutoffs have moved significantly each year. Always use the most recent year's data — and apply the upward trend to set your 2027 target.
Mistake 4Assuming reserved categories are easy
OBC-NCL at 85–87 and EWS at 85.25 in 2026 are not low bars. These categories require serious preparation. The only genuinely relaxed cutoffs are ST, and even those have been rising steadily.
▶️
NLSIU Bengaluru 3-Year LL.B.: What Do Placements Actually Look Like?
Know what you are working toward before you decide your target.
No. The cutoff is determined after results are announced, based on candidate performance and seat distribution that year. It is not a fixed number set in advance.
Is the cutoff the same for all categories?
No. Each category has its own cutoff based on the percentile system — 75th percentile for General and EWS, 40th percentile for SC, ST, OBC-NCL and PwD.
What was the NLSAT 2026 cutoff for General category?
The General category outside Karnataka cutoff in 2026 was approximately 93 to 95.5 out of 150.
Is there a separate Part A cutoff?
Yes. Part A determines who qualifies for Part B evaluation, based on the 1:5 ratio per seat. Only approximately the top 600 Part A scorers across categories have their Part B evaluated.
Will the NLSAT 2027 cutoff be higher than 2026?
Based on the consistent upward trend since 2022, yes — the General category cutoff is predicted to reach 98–102 in 2027, possibly crossing 100 for the first time.
Does the Karnataka domicile cutoff change every year?
Yes. It has varied between 82 and 94 in recent years, making it less predictable than the outside-Karnataka General cutoff. It dropped from 91–94 in 2025 to 89–91 in 2026.
What is a safe combined score to target for NLSAT 2027?
For General category outside Karnataka: aim for 102 or above to have a real buffer. The predicted floor is 98–102, so targeting 102+ gives you the cushion you need.
NLSAT Cutoff Trends 2023 to 2027: Category-Wise Analysis and Score Targets | CLATnetwork
NLSAT Cutoff Trends 2023 to 2027: Category-Wise Analysis and Score Targets
120 seats. Thousands of applicants. One paper. The NLSAT cutoff is the combined score at which the last admitted candidate in your category secured admission. Every year it has moved. Here is exactly where it has been, where it is headed, and what you need to target.
The NLSAT cutoff is the minimum combined score (Part A + Part B out of 150) at which a candidate in a given category received admission to NLSIU Bengaluru's 3-Year LL.B. (Hons.) programme. It is not declared before the exam. It is determined after results, based on applicant performance and seat distribution that year.
Cutoff Type
What It Means
Part A screening cutoff
Minimum Part A score to have your Part B evaluated — based on the 1:5 ratio per seat (~600 candidates for 120 seats)
Final combined cutoff
Minimum Part A + Part B total for actual admission, determined by category percentile after results
You need to clear both. A strong combined score means nothing if your Part A did not qualify you for Part B evaluation in the first place.
📈
NLSAT Cutoff Trends 2023 to 2026: Category-Wise
Four years of actual data — the clearest picture available
General (Outside Karnataka)
2023
89–91
→
2024
90–93
→
2025
92–96
→
2026
93–95.5
→
2027
98–102
General (Karnataka Domicile)
2023
82–84
→
2024
84–86
→
2025
91–94
→
2026
89–91
→
2027
93–96
EWS
2023
80–83
→
2024
82–84
→
2025
87
→
2026
85.25
→
2027
86–90
OBC-NCL
2023
80–82
→
2024
82–84
→
2025
79
→
2026
85–87
→
2027
78–81
SC
2023
71–73
→
2024
72–74
→
2025
75
→
2026
74.5
→
2027
70–74
ST
2023
68–70
→
2024
70–72
→
2025
73
→
2026
68
→
2027
66–70
Purple = 2027 predicted. All other years are actual cutoffs.
Free Download · No Login Required
NLSAT Previous Year Question Papers
See exactly what paper produced these cutoffs. Download 3 official NLSAT PYQs free — pattern, difficulty, and question framing included.
Cutoffs are rising and the pace is accelerating. General category outside Karnataka has moved from 89–91 in 2023 to 93–95.5 in 2026 — a jump of roughly 4 to 5 marks in three years. The predicted 2027 range of 98–102 suggests the floor may cross 100 for the first time.
Karnataka domicile cutoffs are less predictable. They dropped from 91–94 in 2025 to 89–91 in 2026, reflecting seat reservation dynamics and year-on-year variation in Karnataka-domicile applicant quality. Do not assume Karnataka domicile is always lower.
EWS is genuinely competitive. EWS cutoffs have stayed close to General Karnataka levels — 85 to 87 — making it a competitive category, not a relaxed one. OBC-NCL showed an unusual dip to 79 in 2025 before recovering to 85–87 in 2026.
Reserved category trends are stable. SC and ST cutoffs have remained within a narrow band of 3 to 5 marks across years, making them more predictable than the General category.
⚙️
How the Cutoff Is Actually Calculated
The percentile system explained plainly
NLSAT does not publish a fixed cutoff before the exam. The final cutoff emerges from a percentile-based selection process after results:
Category
Percentile Required
General and EWS
75th percentile in combined Part A + Part B score
SC, ST, OBC-NCL and PwD
40th percentile in combined score
Part A minimum
Must score above zero in Part A to remain eligible
Part B evaluation threshold
Top 1:5 ratio per seat — approximately top 600 Part A scorers across categories
This means the cutoff shifts every year based on cohort performance. A stronger applicant pool pushes it up. A weaker year can bring it down slightly — as seen with Karnataka domicile in 2026 versus 2025.
CLATnetwork · NLSAT Preparation
NLSAT Dhurandhar Batch 2027
Structured preparation for NLSIU Bengaluru's 3-Year LL.B. Built to get you above the cutoff — not just at it.
Part A StrategyPart B Writing PracticeMock TestsCurrent Affairs
The Part A and Part B Score Split Behind the Cutoff
2025 last-admitted scorecard — what the combined total is actually made of
The combined cutoff is made of two scores. Most aspirants only look at the total — but the split is where the real preparation insight is.
General Outside Karnataka (Male)
Part A /75
52.5
Part B /75
43
Total: 95.5 / 150
General Outside Karnataka (Female)
Part A /75
51
Part B /75
41.75
Total: 92.75 / 150
General Karnataka Domicile (Male)
Part A /75
50
Part B /75
40
Total: 90 / 150
General Karnataka Domicile (Female)
Part A /75
50
Part B /75
38
Total: 88 / 150
EWS
Part A /75
51.25
Part B /75
34
Total: 85.25 / 150
OBC-NCL
Part A /75
48.75
Part B /75
37
Total: 85.75 / 150
SC
Part A /75
42.5
Part B /75
32
Total: 74.5 / 150
ST
Part A /75
40
Part B /75
28
Total: 68 / 150
Part A score
Part B score
Bar length = % of maximum possible (75 marks each)
Notice that for every category, Part A contributes more to the total than Part B. EWS candidates scored 51.25 in Part A but only 34 in Part B — yet their total was 85.25. Part A is not just the gatekeeper; it is the larger half of your score.
⚠️
Common Mistakes Aspirants Make Around Cutoffs
Avoidable errors that cost candidates their shot at NLSIU
Mistake 1Targeting the cutoff, not above it
Aiming to just clear the floor is a losing strategy. Cutoffs are last-admitted scores, not average scores. Candidates who got comfortable admits scored 5 to 10 marks higher. Your target should always be your recommended score, not the minimum floor.
Mistake 2Ignoring Part A in favour of Part B writing practice
The 2025 data shows that even the SC last-admitted candidate scored 42.5 in Part A out of 75. Part A is the gatekeeper — it must be given as much attention as Part B. A weak Part A means your Part B is never read.
Mistake 3Using outdated cutoff data
Several blogs still quote 2022 or 2023 figures as current benchmarks. NLSAT is only five years old and cutoffs have moved significantly each year. Always use the most recent year's data — and apply the upward trend to set your 2027 target.
Mistake 4Assuming reserved categories are easy
OBC-NCL at 85–87 and EWS at 85.25 in 2026 are not low bars. These categories require serious preparation. The only genuinely relaxed cutoffs are ST, and even those have been rising steadily.
▶️
NLSIU Bengaluru 3-Year LL.B.: What Do Placements Actually Look Like?
Know what you are working toward before you decide your target.
No. The cutoff is determined after results are announced, based on candidate performance and seat distribution that year. It is not a fixed number set in advance.
Is the cutoff the same for all categories?
No. Each category has its own cutoff based on the percentile system — 75th percentile for General and EWS, 40th percentile for SC, ST, OBC-NCL and PwD.
What was the NLSAT 2026 cutoff for General category?
The General category outside Karnataka cutoff in 2026 was approximately 93 to 95.5 out of 150.
Is there a separate Part A cutoff?
Yes. Part A determines who qualifies for Part B evaluation, based on the 1:5 ratio per seat. Only approximately the top 600 Part A scorers across categories have their Part B evaluated.
Will the NLSAT 2027 cutoff be higher than 2026?
Based on the consistent upward trend since 2022, yes — the General category cutoff is predicted to reach 98–102 in 2027, possibly crossing 100 for the first time.
Does the Karnataka domicile cutoff change every year?
Yes. It has varied between 82 and 94 in recent years, making it less predictable than the outside-Karnataka General cutoff. It dropped from 91–94 in 2025 to 89–91 in 2026.
What is a safe combined score to target for NLSAT 2027?
For General category outside Karnataka: aim for 102 or above to have a real buffer. The predicted floor is 98–102, so targeting 102+ gives you the cushion you need.