Hello,

With a score of 82 in CLAT 2026 under the EWS category, you do have a chance at getting into decent NLUs, but it may depend on the specific NLU and the cut-offs for this year.

Generally:

• Top NLUs (like NLSIU, NALSAR, NUJS, WBNUJS) usually have higher cut-offs, so 82 might be below their usual EWS opening rank.

• Mid-tier NLUs (like HNLU, GNLU, RMLNLU, NLUJ) could be within reach.

• Lower-ranked NLUs and state NLUs are more likely to accept your score.

Your best step is to check the previous years’ EWS cut-offs for each NLU to see where your rank might fit.

Hope it helps !

If you have scored 82 marks in CLAT 2026 and belong to the EWS category, you do have chances of getting into decent National Law Universities (NLUs), but the exact options will depend on how your score converts into an overall rank once results are declared. In most years, a score around this range for EWS category can place you in a mid-rank bracket, which may not be enough for the top NLUs like NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata or NUJS Jodhpur, where cutoffs are usually much higher.

However, several other NLUs across the country open up admissions for candidates in your score range, especially for the EWS category where seats are reserved separately. NLUs such as National Law University Odisha, Hidayatullah National Law University Raipur, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University Lucknow, Maharashtra National Law University (various campuses), Tamil Nadu National Law University, Gujarat National Law University and others have historically offered seats to candidates with similar scores in EWS or reserved segments in previous years. The exact cutoffs change every year based on exam difficulty, number of applicants and seat matrix, so the final list of NLUs you can get will be clear only after the counselling lists are published.

It is also important to participate in all rounds of counselling because vacancies arise in later rounds due to withdrawals or seat changes by other candidates. Your chances improve if you remain flexible with location and NLU choice during counselling. Overall, with 82 marks and the EWS reservation, you can realistically expect to secure a seat in a reputable NLU, though the specific campus and branch will depend on the final merit list and cutoffs for 2026. All the best.