When most students think of the CLAT exam, they immediately picture India’s top National Law Universities (NLUs). While NLUs like NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, and NUJS Kolkata are highly sought-after, many excellent private law colleges also accept CLAT scores for admission.

If you’re preparing for CLAT 2025, it’s important to have a Plan B—even if you're aiming for a top NLU. Private law colleges that accept CLAT scores offer strong faculty, infrastructure, internships, and placement opportunities. In this blog, we highlight some of the top private institutions that could be your next best destination beyond NLUs.

Why consider private law colleges accepting CLAT scores?

  • Backup options if your rank is just below the NLU CLAT cutoff
  • Many have strong placement records and academic collaborations
  • Smaller batch sizes often mean better attention from faculty
  • Offer diverse specializations and modern infrastructure

These colleges are a great choice for students who perform well but miss the NLU cutoff by a small margin or want a specific location or academic environment.

Top private law colleges accepting CLAT scores in 2025

Here are some reputed private law schools that consider CLAT scores for their admissions:

1. Jindal Global Law School (JGLS), Sonipat

Note: Primarily accepts LSAT–India scores but may also consider CLAT scores for select programs and scholarships

  • International curriculum and faculty
  • Collaborations with top universities like Harvard, Yale, and Oxford
  • Strong focus on interdisciplinary and global legal education

2. UPES School of Law, Dehradun

  • Offers specializations in energy law, corporate law, criminal law, etc.
  • Good industry exposure and internships
  • Accepts CLAT and LSAT–India scores

3. ICFAI Law School, Hyderabad

  • Known for its structured program and corporate law focus
  • Accepts CLAT scores and conducts its own entrance exam
  • Offers integrated and postgraduate law courses

4. Alliance School of Law, Bengaluru

  • Focuses on practical legal training and moot court competitions
  • Offers scholarships based on CLAT rank
  • Accepts CLAT scores for its 5-year integrated law programs

5. School of Law, Bennett University (Times Group), Noida

  • Backed by Times Group, offers strong industry connections
  • Modern campus and tech-driven teaching
  • Accepts CLAT scores for BA LL.B. and BBA LL.B. programs

6. Indore Institute of Law, Indore

  • Known for strong moot court exposure and academic discipline
  • Offers honors programs and international collaborations
  • Accepts CLAT and LSAT–India

7. Manipal University - School of Law, Jaipur

  • Offers specializations in constitutional, corporate, and criminal law
  • Accepts CLAT scores along with its own entrance test
  • Focus on legal research and publication

How to prepare for private law college admissions

If you’re aiming for both NLUs and top private colleges, the preparation process remains the same:

  • Take regular CLAT mock tests to track your readiness
  • Focus on improving your reading comprehension and logical reasoning
  • Keep checking individual college websites for application deadlines and processes
  • Most colleges will ask for your CLAT admit card and score during counseling or admission
  • Understand the specific CLAT cutoff for each college based on previous years’ trends

What makes these colleges stand out?

  • Global exposure: Many offer semester exchange programs and international internships
  • Specializations: Options in niche fields like energy law, cyber law, sports law, etc.
  • Infrastructure: Modern classrooms, legal databases, and moot court halls
  • Career support: Active placement cells and internship assistance

Conclusion

While NLUs remain the dream for many, private law colleges accepting CLAT scores offer equally valuable opportunities. With the increasing competition in the CLAT exam, keeping your options open is a smart move. A well-ranked private law college could still lead to a fulfilling career in law, whether it’s in litigation, corporate, academia, or public service.

Still unsure how to track your mock performance or monitor important updates? Register with GoFillForm today for a smarter prep journey. From CLAT mock test schedules to CLAT admit card alerts and performance insights, we’ll help you get closer to your law school goals—whether it’s an NLU or beyond.