I'll be going to HNLU and I'm really concerned with regards to the placement scene there. I have heard that since the past few years, AZB has been the only T1 to come to campus. On top of that, including the PPOs and the DayZ placements, the total seems to have stuck at 16-17. Now, I acknowledge that the market can be bad at some times but in a T1 college, I would at least have a good chance with all the T1 firms (CAM and Khaitan don't even come to NLUs below NLIU). Then, the PPO scene - colleges like GNLU end up bagging so many PPOs (like 40). I was under the impression that college tag matters only till internship, then how good of a job you do during that internship, decides your PPO, is that actually the case now? I ask this because in terms of PPOs, GNLU seems to be leaving NLUJ behind so what is happening?

At last, I am thinking that maybe I should give another attempt (would be my third) and keep on trying till I get a T1 college. The first attempt didn't go well due to a surprise analytical reasoning question (2025) which messed up my mental and subsequently, the whole paper. Then, in 2026, a similar mistake happened, which cost me 7 marks and didn't have proper GK coverage (even though I read from two compendiums, facilitated by my own research and another magazine for state exams). Though, the rank inflation also facilitated me getting into HNLU.

I appreciate any advice. Thank you.

P.S. - At least in my second attempt, I had a fire inside me that told me that I couldn't reach my potential due to my brain giving up at that AR question and not turning back on (like when you keep on reading but you don't understand a thing), therefore I still had room to improve before I would hit my ceiling, however the same thing happened (I tried all the methods I could during my preparation - giving mocks with a 10 minutes deficit, when extremely sleepy, with a lot of disturbances, etc., and on the day of the exam - box breathing, doing something else and coming back to it, etc. to no avail).

I'm a BO'25 HNLU so I feel im in a reasonable position to tell you this:

1. Join HNLU and attempt CLAT for the third time. HNLU isn't Tier 1 and sure, like you said, GNLU is miles ahead in terms of placements but HNLU is a decent option to fall back on. Yes, your college tag does matter. I've seen it play out in real life.

2. Like you said, you had a brain fade moment in the past. I don't mean to be the bearer of bad news but there are a number of things that could go wrong with this exam (ex. - errors in questions).

3. It is fantastic that you have a burning desire in you to get to a T1 and by all means do try again. Just don't become delusional and get so ahead of yourself that you forget that you need an insurance policy. Whether you get a T1 next year or not will depend upon your work ethic and luck. All the best for that.

You can end up at the same place as a t1 college person. You might have to work a tad bit harder, but its not impossible. Sometimes fate has a big role to play. I agree w this comment, you should join hnlu and attempt again (if you can afford it). Just don't become complacent once you join. It's very easy to get lost in everything- orientations, new subs, new city, ne profs, new friendsetc. Getting into a t1 nlu is 105% worth it. It'll open more doors for you than you can imagine. But if not, it's okay, don't get disheartened. You can be successful, make connections, and have fun