Based on the latest CLAT marks vs rank 2026 analysis and previous years’ data, a score of 85 marks generally gives an All India Rank somewhere between 915 and 1255. This rank is not extremely high, but it isn’t too low either; it mostly falls right inside the closing rank ranges of multiple NLUs, especially mid-tier and newer ones. So while this rank might not be the opening ranks for most top NLUs, it definitely keeps a bunch of options open.
For general category students, the admission possibility is a bit steep because the opening ranks of the top NLUs usually stay much higher than this range. But there are still exceptions. Candidates under special subcategories, like women or PwD, from the general category can get admission in some NLUs at these CLAT 2026 ranks. Also, in many NLUs, such as NLU Patna, NLU Odisha, and NLU Trichy, admissions are possible for all categories due to their slightly wider or more flexible cutoff trends, which increases chances even further.
Students from reserved categories like SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD usually get better opportunities since category-wise cutoffs for CLAT are relaxed. So for them, 85 marks in CLAT rank becomes more favourable and opens doors to more NLUs in both earlier and later counselling rounds.
85 Marks in CLAT 2026: Expected Rank
Below is the approximate CLAT 2026 marks vs rank around the 85-mark range, based on CLAT 2024 and CLAT 2025 trends:
CLAT 2026 Marks | CLAT 2026 Expected Rank |
|---|---|
89.5+ | Up to AIR 915 |
89+ | Up to AIR 955 |
88.5+ | Up to AIR 995 |
88+ | Up to AIR 1,035 |
87.5+ | Up to AIR 1,065 |
87+ | Up to AIR 1,095 |
86.5+ | Up to AIR 1,135 |
86+ | Up to AIR 1,175 |
85.5+ | Up to AIR 1,215 |
85+ | Up to AIR 1,255 |
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85 Marks in CLAT 2026: NLU Admission Prediction
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Below is a detailed table of NLU-wise admission prediction for students scoring around 85 marks in CLAT. The admission chances are based on the CLAT 2026 marks vs rank analysis, conducted using the last two years’ ranks adn admission trends:
NLU Name | Admission Chances | Reason |
|---|---|---|
NLU Silvassa | Positive | Closing expected rank: 12,140-27,710; ranks fall within this range. |
NLSIU Bangalore | Positive | Expected closing rank: 1,300-4,940; ranks are well within this range. |
NALSAR Hyderabad | Might Be Possible | Expected closing rank: 1,215-5,800. Although the closing rank for 2025 Round 1 was a bit higher, admission chances are there for:
|
NLU Bhopal | Positive | Closing rank: 9,890-11,240. Admission chances are there for:
|
NLU Kolkata | Positive | Expected closing rank: 9,460-11,625. Admission possibility is there for:
|
NLU Jodhpur | Positive | Closing expected rank: 7,170-21,630. Admission possibility is there for:
|
NLU Raipur | Positive | Closing rank: 17,540-35,320. Admission possibility is there for:
|
NLU Gandhinagar | Might Be Possible | Expected closing rank: 400-12,475. Although the closing rank for 2025 Round 1 is much higher, based on further analysis, admissions might be possible for:
|
NLU Lucknow | Might Be Possible | Closing rank: 715-15,970. Although the closing rank for 2025 Round 1 is much higher, based on further analysis, admissions might be possible for:
|
NLU Punjab | Positive | Expected closing rank: 1,140-26,000. Per analysis, for 2026, admissions might be possible for:
|
NLU Patna | Positive | Closing expected rank: 1,230-1,280; admissions possible for all categories. |
NLU Kochi | Might Be Possible | Expected closing rank: 1,170-28,325. Per analysis, for 2026, admissions might be possible for:
|
NLU Odisha | Might Be Possible | Closing rank: 940-52,970; ranks fall within this range. |
NLU Ranchi | Might Be Possible | Expected closing rank: 1,470-31,410. For 2026, admissions are possible for:
|
NLU Assam | Might Be Possible | Expected closing rank: 1,640-32,850; ranks fall within this range. Admissions are possible for:
|
NLU Visakhapatnam | Might Be Possible | Closing expected rank: 1,580-30,070. Although the ranks are well within these closing ranks, per analysis, for 2026, admissions are possible for:
|
NLU Trichy | Positive | Expected closing rank: 1,400-1520; admissions possible for all categories. |
NLU Mumbai | Might Be Possible | Closing rank: 530-13,480. Closing rank for 2025 Round 1 is much higher, but based on further analysis, admissions might still be possible for:
|
NLU Nagpur | Might Be Possible | Closing rank: 1,350-30,660. Admission possibility is there for:
|
NLU Aurangabad | Negative | Closing rank: 1,580-38,100. Admission possibility is for reserved categories only. |
NLU Shimla | Negative | Closing rank: 1,950-31,470. Admissions are possible for reserved categories only. |
NLU Jabalpur | Might Be Possible | Closing rank: 1,760-34,375. Per analysis, for 2026, admissions might be possible for:
|
NLU Sonepat | Negative | Closing rank: 1,615-1,750. Admission is possible for reserved categories only. |
NLU Agartala | Negative | Closing rank: 1,780-2,100. Admission possibility is for reserved categories only. |
Also Read:
Preparing for Law Colleges After CLAT 2026 Success
At the end of the day, getting 85 marks in CLAT 2026 puts you in a good but slightly tricky zone. You’re not too far behind the high scorers, but you’re also not in the safe bracket for top NLUs in the general category. Still, this score gives you realistic chances at a few mid-tier and newer NLUs, and the possibilities increase a lot if you belong to PwD, are a woman, or other reserved categories.
So instead of stressing about being “too low,” it’s better to focus on smart preference filling during counselling, checking category-wise cutoffs carefully, and keeping backup NLU options ready. With the way CLAT admissions actually work, even scores like 85 end up getting good seats for many candidates; it all depends on timing, category, and the counselling round you land in.
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