The CLAT 2026 exam centre selection process is an important part of the application journey, as it directly affects a candidate’s convenience and exam-day experience. The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) conducts the examination across numerous cities in India, allowing applicants to choose their preferred test locations during registration. Since exam centres are allotted based on candidate preferences and seat availability, selecting suitable cities early can help avoid travel-related difficulties. Candidates should also stay informed about centre allotment rules, correction opportunities, and exam-day requirements. This article provides the complete CLAT 2026 exam centre list, state-wise test cities, centre selection process, and important guidelines for candidates.
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CLAT 2026 Exam Centres: State-Wise Test Cities List
The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) has designated CLAT 2026 examination centres across multiple states and union territories to ensure accessibility for candidates throughout India. The examination is expected to be conducted at approximately 157 test centres located in 89 cities. During the application process, candidates can select their preferred test cities from the available options.
The final examination centre will be allotted by the Consortium based on candidate preferences, availability of seats, and administrative considerations. Candidates should choose nearby and easily accessible cities to minimise travel-related difficulties on the examination day.
| State/UT | Exam Cities |
| Andhra Pradesh | Anantapur, Chirala, Eluru, Guntur, Kadapa, Kakinada, Kurnool, Nellore, Ongole, Rajahmundry, Srikakulam, Tekkali, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar/Naharlagun |
| Assam | Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Jorhat, Silchar, Tezpur |
| Bihar | Arrah, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Purnea |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
| Chhattisgarh | Bilaspur, Bhilai Nagar, Durg, Raipur |
| Delhi | New Delhi |
| Goa | Panaji/Madgaon |
| Gujarat | Ahmedabad, Anand, Bhavnagar, Gandhinagar, Himatnagar, Jamnagar, Mehsana, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara |
| Haryana | Faridabad, Gurugram, Ambala, Hisar, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Rohtak, Sonipat, Yamuna Nagar |
| Himachal Pradesh | Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Una |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Jammu, Samba, Srinagar |
| Jharkhand | Bokaro Steel City, Dhanbad, Hazaribagh, Jamshedpur, Ranchi |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru, Belagavi, Ballari, Bidar, Davanagere, Dharwad, Hassan, Kalaburagi, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Shivamogga, Tumakuru, Udupi, Vijayapura |
| Kerala | Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kannur, Kasaragod, Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur |
| Lakshadweep | Kavaratti |
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Sagar, Satna, Ujjain |
| Maharashtra | Ahmednagar, Akola, Amravati, Aurangabad, Chandrapur, Dhule, Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Latur, Mumbai/Navi Mumbai, Nagpur, Nanded, Nashik, Pune, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sangli, Satara, Solapur, Thane, Wardha |
| Manipur | Imphal |
| Meghalaya | Shillong |
| Mizoram | Aizawl |
| Nagaland | Kohima |
| Odisha | Balasore, Berhampur, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Rourkela, Sambalpur |
| Puducherry | Puducherry |
| Punjab | Amritsar, Bathinda, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Mohali, Patiala, Sangrur |
| Rajasthan | Ajmer, Alwar, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sikar, Sri Ganganagar, Udaipur |
| Sikkim | Gangtok |
| Tamil Nadu | Coimbatore, Erode, Madurai, Nagercoil, Namakkal, Salem, Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli, Vellore |
| Telangana | Karimnagar, Khammam, Mahabubnagar, Nizamabad, Warangal |
| Tripura | Agartala |
| Uttar Pradesh | Agra, Aligarh, Bareilly, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Greater Noida, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Mathura, Meerut, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Noida, Prayagraj, Varanasi |
| Uttarakhand | Dehradun, Haldwani, Haridwar, Roorkee |
| West Bengal | Asansol, Barasat, Barrackpore, Bardhaman, Hooghly, Howrah, Kalyani, Kolkata, Siliguri |
The Consortium may add, remove, or modify examination centres depending on administrative requirements and the number of applications received from a particular region.
How to Select CLAT 2026 Exam Centres During Registration
Candidates must select their preferred examination cities while filling out the CLAT 2026 application form. The centre selection process is integrated into the online registration portal and should be completed carefully before final submission.
| Step | Details |
| Step 1 | Register on the official CLAT portal |
| Step 2 | Complete personal and academic details |
| Step 3 | Select up to three preferred exam cities |
| Step 4 | Arrange preferences in order of priority |
| Step 5 | Review application form |
| Step 6 | Submit application and pay fees |
Important Guidelines for Centre Selection
- Candidates can choose up to three preferred exam cities.
- Preferences should be arranged in order of priority.
- Centre allotment is subject to seat availability.
- Early applicants generally have a better chance of receiving their preferred city.
- The Consortium reserves the right to allot an alternative city if seats are unavailable.
Candidates should choose locations that are easily accessible and minimise travel time on the day of the examination.
CLAT 2026 Exam Centre Allotment Rules and Important Instructions
The final examination centre allotted to a candidate will be mentioned on the CLAT 2026 admit card. While the Consortium attempts to accommodate preferred city choices, the final decision depends on logistical and administrative factors.
| Particulars | Details |
| Number of Preferences Allowed | 3 |
| Basis of Allotment | Candidate preference and seat availability |
| Final Authority | Consortium of NLUs |
| Allotment Confirmation | Through Admit Card |
| Change of Centre After Allotment | Generally not permitted |
| Reporting Requirement | Reach centre before reporting time |
Tips for Choosing the Best CLAT Exam Centre
- Select the nearest available city whenever possible.
- Avoid choosing centres that require long-distance travel.
- Consider transportation facilities and accommodation availability.
- Visit the test city a day before the examination if travelling from another state.
- Download the admit card early and locate the examination venue in advance.
- Keep sufficient buffer time for traffic, weather conditions, and security checks.
The examination centre details mentioned on the admit card will be final and binding. Candidates must report to the allotted venue with a printed admit card and valid photo identity proof to gain entry into the examination hall.
CLAT 2026 Exam Centre Selection and Allotment Process
The Consortium of NLUs allows candidates to choose their preferred examination cities while filling out the CLAT 2026 application form. Candidates can select up to three exam city preferences in order of priority. The final allotment of the examination centre is made by the Consortium based on candidate preferences, seat availability, and administrative considerations.
Although the Consortium generally attempts to allot a centre according to the candidate's first preference, allotment in an alternative preferred city may occur if seats are unavailable.
| Particulars | Details |
| Number of Preferences Allowed | 3 Cities |
| Selection Stage | During Online Application |
| Allotment Authority | Consortium of NLUs |
| Basis of Allotment | Preference Order and Seat Availability |
| Change Allowed | During correction window only |
| Final Centre Details Available In | CLAT 2026 Admit Card |
Candidates should choose exam cities that are easily accessible and minimise travel-related stress on examination day.
CLAT 2026 Exam Centre Change Policy
The Consortium of NLUs may provide a limited correction facility during the application period, allowing candidates to edit certain application details, including exam city preferences. However, once the correction window closes and the admit card is issued, requests for changing the allotted examination centre are generally not entertained.
Candidates should therefore carefully review their exam city preferences before submitting the application form.
Important Rules Regarding Centre Changes
- Exam city preferences can only be modified within the prescribed correction period.
- Requests submitted after the correction deadline are usually not accepted.
- No centre change is permitted after the release of the CLAT 2026 admit card.
- The final allotted examination centre mentioned on the admit card is binding.
- The Consortium reserves the right to allocate a different centre in exceptional circumstances.
Applicants are advised to complete their application early to improve their chances of receiving their preferred exam city.
CLAT 2026 Exam Centre Preference Rules
While filling out the CLAT 2026 application form, candidates must carefully select their preferred examination cities. The Consortium of NLUs allows applicants to choose up to three exam city preferences in order of priority. Although every effort is made to allot a centre according to the candidate's preferences, the final allocation depends on seat availability and administrative feasibility.
Important Preference Rules
| Particulars | Details |
| Number of Exam City Preferences | 3 |
| Preference Order | First, Second and Third Choice |
| Centre Allotment Basis | Preference + Availability |
| Final Authority | Consortium of NLUs |
| Change After Admit Card | Not Allowed |
| Final Centre Information | Available on Admit Card |
Candidates are advised to choose all three preferences carefully and avoid selecting distant cities unless necessary. Selecting nearby and easily accessible locations can help reduce travel-related stress on examination day.
CLAT 2026 Exam Centre Details Mentioned on Admit Card
The exact examination venue is not disclosed during the application process. Candidates receive complete examination centre information only after downloading their CLAT 2026 admit card.
The admit card contains all important details required for appearing in the examination.
Information Available on the CLAT 2026 Admit Card
- Candidate's Name
- Roll Number
- Application Number
- Category
- Photograph and Signature
- Exam Date and Time
- Reporting Time
- Examination Centre Name
- Examination Centre Address
- Centre Code
- Important Instructions for Candidates
Candidates should carefully verify all details and report any discrepancies immediately to the Consortium.
How to Check Your CLAT 2026 Exam Centre After Allotment
The exact examination venue is communicated through the CLAT 2026 admit card. Candidates should download their hall ticket immediately after release and verify all examination centre details.
Steps to Check CLAT 2026 Exam Centre
- Visit the official CLAT website.
- Log in using your registered mobile number and password.
- Open the CLAT 2026 admit card link.
- Download the admit card PDF.
- Check the examination centre name, address, reporting time, and centre code.
- Save a copy and take multiple printouts for future reference.
Candidates should visit the allotted exam centre location beforehand if they are unfamiliar with the area to avoid last-minute confusion on exam day.
Important Instructions for CLAT 2026 Exam Centre Day
Candidates must strictly follow the guidelines issued by the Consortium of NLUs on the day of the examination. Failure to comply with examination rules may result in denial of entry or cancellation of candidature.
Before Reaching the Centre
- Download and print the CLAT 2026 admit card.
- Verify the examination venue address beforehand.
- Visit the location in advance if unfamiliar with the city.
- Plan travel arrangements to avoid delays.
Documents to Carry
- Printed CLAT 2026 Admit Card
- Original Photo Identity Proof
- Two Black or Blue Ballpoint Pens
- Passport-Size Photographs (if required)
Items Not Allowed
- Mobile Phones
- Smart Watches
- Bluetooth Devices
- Calculators
- Study Materials
- Bags and Wallets
- Electronic Gadgets
Reporting Schedule
| Activity | Time |
| Reporting Begins | 1:00 PM |
| Gate Closing Time | 1:30 PM |
| Instructions by Invigilators | 1:50 PM |
| Examination Begins | 2:00 PM |
| Examination Ends | 4:00 PM |
Candidates arriving after the prescribed gate-closing time may not be permitted to enter the examination centre.
Documents Required at CLAT 2026 Exam Centre
Candidates must carry all mandatory documents to the examination venue. Failure to produce the required documents may result in denial of entry to the examination hall.
| Document | Requirement |
| CLAT 2026 Admit Card | Mandatory |
| Original Photo ID Proof | Mandatory |
| Passport-Size Photographs | Recommended |
| PwD Certificate | If applicable |
Accepted Photo Identity Proofs
- Aadhaar Card
- Passport
- Voter ID Card
- Driving Licence
- PAN Card
- Government-issued Photo Identity Card
Candidates should ensure that the name on the identity proof matches the name printed on the CLAT admit card.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the CLAT 2026 exam centres?
The CLAT 2026 exam will be conducted across multiple examination centres in cities throughout India. Candidates can choose up to three preferred exam cities while filling out the application form. The final exam centre allotment is done by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) based on candidate preferences and seat availability.
Who is eligible to appear for CLAT 2026 and choose an exam centre?
For CLAT UG 2026, candidates must have passed Class 12 (10+2) or an equivalent examination from a recognized board, or be appearing in the qualifying examination. There is no upper age limit for the undergraduate programme. Candidates must also satisfy the minimum qualifying marks criteria prescribed by the Consortium of NLUs.
How can I select my CLAT 2026 exam centre?
Candidates can select their preferred CLAT 2026 exam centres during the online application process. While submitting the application form, applicants must choose up to three exam city preferences in order of priority. The allotted exam centre will be mentioned on the CLAT 2026 admit card.
When can candidates select their CLAT 2026 exam centre preferences?
Exam centre preferences must be selected while filling out the CLAT 2026 application form. Candidates are advised to complete their applications well before the deadline to improve their chances of getting their preferred exam city, subject to availability.
Does the CLAT 2026 exam centre affect admission cutoffs?
No, the allotted CLAT 2026 exam centre has no impact on admission cutoffs or selection chances. CLAT cutoffs are determined by factors such as candidate performance, seat availability, reservation policies, and the admission requirements of participating National Law Universities (NLUs).




