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Table of Contents
What is CLAT?
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national-level entrance examination conducted for admission to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs at 24 National Law Universities (NLUs) and over 60 affiliated private law colleges across India. Established in 1987, CLAT is managed by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs), headquartered at NLSIU Bangalore. The UG-CLAT tests comprehension, reasoning, and aptitude skills for the 5-year integrated LLB program, while PG-CLAT focuses on core law subjects for LLM admissions. Annually, over 70,000 candidates appear for CLAT UG, competing for approximately 3,000 UG seats and 1,300 PG seats. CLAT scores are the sole criterion for admissions, with reservations for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD as per government norms.
CLAT 2026 Highlights
CLAT 2026 key features emphasise comprehension-based MCQs across five sections for UG and core law for PG.
| Particular | Details |
| Exam Name | Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) |
| Conducting Body | Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Mode of Exam | Offline (Pen-Paper Based) |
| Total Seats (Approx.) | 3,000 UG + 1,300 PG |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Total Questions | 120 MCQs |
| Total Marks | 120 |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for correct, –0.25 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted |
| Language | English only |
| Official Website | consortiumofnlus.ac.in |
CLAT 2026 Important Dates
The Consortium of NLUs released the CLAT 2026 notification on July 20, 2025. The application window was extended until November 7, 2025. The exam was held on December 7, 2025.
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release | July 20, 2025 |
| Online Registration Starts | August 1, 2025 |
| Last Date to Submit Application | November 7, 2025 |
| Application Correction Window | November 9, 2025 |
| Admit Card Download | November 22, 2025 |
| CLAT 2026 Exam Date | December 7, 2025 (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM) |
| Provisional Answer Key Release | December 8, 2025 |
| Objection Window | December 9-12, 2025 |
| Final Answer Key | December 20, 2025 (Tentative) |
| Result Declaration | December 23, 2025 (Tentative) |
| Counselling Registration | January 2026 |
CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet the Consortium's eligibility norms for UG or PG programs. Non-fulfilment leads to disqualification during verification.
- Nationality: Indian Nationals/NRIs eligible; Foreign Nationals apply directly to NLUs.
- UG Eligibility: Passed 10+2 or equivalent with 45% marks (40% for SC/ST); appearing candidates eligible (must pass by admission time).
- PG Eligibility: LLB (3-year/5-year) with 50% marks (45% for SC/ST).
- Age Limit: No upper age limit.
- Attempts: No restriction.
- Reservation: As per NLU policies (SC 15%, ST 7.5%, OBC 27%, EWS 10%, PwD 5%).
CLAT 2026 Application Form: Step-by-Step Guide
The CLAT 2027 application process is entirely online through the official Consortium website. Candidates must register for UG or PG separately, with no offline mode available. The form requires accurate details as corrections are limited.
- Visit consortiumofnlus.ac.in → Click “CLAT 2026 Online Application”
- Register with name, mobile, email, and DOB → Verify via OTP
- Log in and select the UG/PG program, fill in personal, academic (10+2/LLB details), and reservation details
- Upload scanned photograph, signature, and category documents if applicable
- Pay application fee online (Net Banking / Card / UPI)
- Submit and download the filled application PDF for records
CLAT 2026 Application Fees
Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Based on the CLAT 2026 structure, expected fees for 2027:
| Category | Fee (INR) - UG/PG |
| General / OBC / NRI / PIO / OCI / PwD | ₹ 4,500 |
| SC / ST / BPL | ₹ 4,000 |
| EWS | ₹ 4,000 |
Document Specifications for Upload
Scanned documents must meet the exact specifications to avoid rejection:
| Document | Size | Format | Specific Requirements |
| Photograph | 20 KB – 300 KB | JPG/JPEG | Recent passport-size, white background, 80% face coverage |
| Signature | 10 KB – 200 KB | JPG/JPEG | Black ink on white paper, within a 6 cm × 3 cm box |
| Category Certificate (if applicable) | 50 KB – 500 KB | Issued by the competent authority, recent for EWS/OBC |
CLAT Application Correction Window & Exam Centers
The Consortium provides a one-time correction window post-registration:
- Correction Window: Typically 3–5 days in the last week of October 2026; editable fields include personal details, academic info, except name, DOB, mobile, email, and category.
- Exam Centers: Over 130 cities across India (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, etc.) + international centres in Dubai and Singapore. Choose up to 3 preferred cities during application; final allotment by the Consortium.
- Special Note: PwD candidates can request scribe/ extra time during application.
CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern
CLAT UG 2027 remains a 2-hour offline test with 120 comprehension-based MCQs. There is no fixed sectional time limit, and the focus is on reading ability rather than rote learning.
| Section | Subject | Questions | Marks | Weightage |
| 1 | English Language | 22–26 | 22–26 | 20% |
| 2 | Current Affairs & GK | 28–32 | 28–32 | 25% |
| 3 | Legal Reasoning | 28–32 | 28–32 | 25% |
| 4 | Logical Reasoning | 22–26 | 22–26 | 20% |
| 5 | Quantitative Techniques | 10–14 | 10–14 | 10% |
| Total | 120 | 120 | 100% |
- Marking: +1 for correct, –0.25 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted
- All questions are passage-based (400–450 words each)
- No prior legal knowledge required
CLAT 2026 Detailed Syllabus
The syllabus tests reading and analytical skills through passages:
- English Language: Reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, inference-based questions
- Current Affairs & GK: National & international events, awards, sports, history, geography, science (last 18 months)
- Legal Reasoning: Legal principles, contracts, torts, constitutional law, criminal law (applied to factual situations)
- Logical Reasoning: Arguments, assumptions, conclusions, syllogisms, analogies, critical reasoning
- Quantitative Techniques: Basic arithmetic, algebra, ratios, percentages, profit-loss, time-speed, data interpretation (Class 10 level)
Best Books for CLAT 2026 Preparation
| Subject | Book Title | Author / Publisher |
| English | Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis |
| English | High School English Grammar & Composition | Wren & Martin |
| GK & Current Affairs | Manorama Yearbook / Pratiyogita Darpan | – |
| GK & Current Affairs | Lucent’s General Knowledge | Lucent |
| Legal Reasoning | Legal Awareness & Legal Reasoning | Pearson / Universal |
| Logical Reasoning | Analytical Reasoning | M.K. Pandey |
| Logical Reasoning | Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
| Quantitative | Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams | R.S. Aggarwal |
| Full Prep | Universal’s CLAT Guide | Universal |
| Full Prep | CLAT Solved & Practice Papers | Arihant / LexisNexis |
| Previous Year | 23 Years CLAT Topic-wise Solved Papers | Disha |
CLAT 2026 Cutoff Trends (First List – General Category)
| NLU | 2026 (Expected) | 2025 | 2024 |
| NLSIU Bangalore | 98–102 | 99 | 97 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 95–99 | 98 | 97 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | 93–97 | 95 | 94 |
| NLIU Bhopal | 90–94 | 92 | 91 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 89–93 | 91 | 90 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | 87–91 | 89 | 88 |
| RMNLU Lucknow | 78–82 | 80 | 78 |
| HNLU Raipur | 74–78 | 76 | 75 |
Top NLUs Fees (2026–27)
| NLU | Annual Fee (Approx.) |
| NLSIU Bangalore | ₹ 3.8–4.2 lakh |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | ₹ 2.9–3.3 lakh |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | ₹ 3.2–3.6 lakh |
| NLIU Bhopal | ₹ 2.8–3.2 lakh |
| NLU Jodhpur | ₹ 3.0–3.4 lakh |
CLAT vs AILET: Quick Comparison
Both are top law entrances, but differ significantly in scope, difficulty, and seats.
| Parameter | CLAT 2027 | AILET 2027 |
| Conducting Body | Consortium of NLUs | National Law University Delhi |
| Colleges | 24 NLUs + 60+ private colleges | Only NLU Delhi |
| UG Seats | ≈ 3,000+ | ≈ 110 (plus 10–15 supernumerary) |
| Questions / Duration | 120 Qs / 2 hrs | 150 Qs / 2 hrs |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate–High | Very High (longer passages, tougher Maths & Legal) |
| Sections | English, GK/CA, Legal, Logical, Maths | English, GK/CA, Logical Reasoning (no separate Legal & Maths) |
| Negative Marking | –0.25 | –0.25 |
| Cutoff (General) | 95–100+ for top 3 NLUs | 90–95+ (out of 150) |
| Competition Ratio | ≈ 1:25 | ≈ 1:600+ |
CLAT 2027 Counselling & Seat Allotment
Counselling is fully online and centralised through the Consortium portal.
- 5 counselling lists (usually in Jan–May 2027)
- Registration fee: ₹50,000 (General), ₹20,000 (SC/ST)
- Option locking is mandatory for each list
- Exit option available till List 4
- Documents required: CLAT scorecard, 10th & 12th marksheets, caste/EWS/PwD certificate, migration certificate
How to Download CLAT 2027 Admit Card
Admit cards are released 10–15 days before the exam on the official portal.
- Visit consortiumofnlus.ac.in → Log in with mobile number & password
- Click “Download Admit Card” → Verify details → Download PDF
- Print in colour and carry with original photo ID (Aadhaar/PAN/Passport/Voter ID)
CLAT 2027 Exam Day Instructions
Strict rules apply at all centres:
- Report 60 minutes before exam time
- Entry closes 15 minutes before start
- Prohibited items: Mobile, calculator, smart watch, notes, bags
- Dress code: Light clothes, no jackets or large buttons
- Biometric verification and frisking are mandatory
- Only black/blue ballpoint pen allowed
CLAT 2027 Result & Score Card
Results are declared within 15–20 days of the exam. Individual scorecards and merit lists are published.
- Scorecard shows section-wise marks, total score, and All India Rank (AIR)
- Tie-breaker: Higher marks in Legal Reasoning → Logical Reasoning → Age (older preferred)
- Valid only for 2027–28 admission cycle
Frequently Asked Questions
- For General/OBC/PwD/NRI/PIO/OCI candidates: minimum 45% aggregate in 10+2 or equivalent. For SC/ST candidates: minimum 40%. Candidates appearing in the 2027 board exams are eligible, but must submit a passing certificate at the time of admission, failing which admission will be cancelled.
- No. The Supreme Court struck down the upper age limit in 2017. Candidates of any age can appear for CLAT UG as long as they meet the educational qualification.
- There is no restriction on the number of attempts. You can appear every year until you secure admission in your desired NLU.
- No. Mathematics is not mandatory in Class 12. The Quantitative Techniques section is only Class 10 level (10–14 questions), so even Arts/Commerce students perform well with basic preparation.
- For General category: 98–102+ out of 120 in CLAT 2027 is considered safe for NLSIU Bangalore and NALSAR Hyderabad (top 50–80 AIR). In the last three years, NLSIU closed at 97–102 marks and NALSAR at 97–100 marks in the first list.
- Among top NLUs, NLIU Bhopal, HNLU Raipur, and DSNLU Visakhapatnam have relatively lower fees (₹2.5–3.2 lakh per year). NLSIU Bangalore and NALSAR Hyderabad are on the higher side (₹3.8–4.5 lakh), but offer excellent scholarships and fee waivers for economically weaker students.
- Yes. With 80–85 marks (AIR 2000–5000), you can get newer NLUs such as NLU Odisha, NLU Tripura, HPNLU Shimla, or lower-ranked older NLUs like RGNUL Patiala, CNLU Patna, or NUSRL Ranchi in later counselling lists.
- Not mandatory, but highly recommended for structured preparation, mock tests, and current affairs coverage. Toppers from the last 5 years: ~85% had coaching (online/offline), but many rankers under AIR 100 have cracked it through self-study using proper resources.
- Not tough at all. No prior legal knowledge is required. Questions are based on principles given in the passage. You just need to apply the rule to the facts — similar to contract/tort puzzles. Consistent practice of 500+ passages makes it the highest-scoring section for most students.
- Class 11 students: Start immediately (18–20 months prep). Class 12 students: Start latest by April–May 2026 (10–12 months). Droppers: Full-time 8–12 months with 8–10 hours daily + 100+ mocks is the standard strategy of toppers.
- 24 National Law Universities (except NLU Delhi, which conducts separate AILET) + over 60 private law colleges (Symbiosis, NMIMS, UPES, Lloyd, etc.) accept CLAT scores for 5-year LLB.
- Offline pen-and-paper mode. You mark answers on OMR sheet with black/blue ballpoint pen.
- Yes. You can reorder, add, or delete preferences until the last date of each counselling list (usually 2–3 days before allotment). Final locking happens automatically after the deadline.
- ₹50,000 for General/OBC/EWS/PwD and ₹20,000 for SC/ST. This is adjusted against the first-year fee of the allotted NLU. It is non-refundable if you exit after List 3.
- If you do not pay the fee or lock choices for a particular list, you are automatically considered for the next list (except the final list). Missing the final list leads to forfeiture of seat and removal from the process.
- Yes. Most NLUs reserve 25–50% seats for state domicile candidates (e.g., WBNUJS – 100% for West Bengal in some categories, NLU Odisha – 25% for Odisha residents). Check individual NLU brochures.
- Yes. Most NLUs have 5–15% NRI/NRI-sponsored seats filled through CLAT merit list (separate merit list published). Fees are higher (USD 10,000–25,000 per year).
- Yes, 80–85% syllabus overlaps (English, GK, Logical Reasoning). Extra preparation needed for AILET: longer passages, tougher Maths (15–20 Qs), and more emphasis on static GK & Legal GK.
- Around 70,000–80,000 for UG and 10,000–12,000 for PG. Registered candidates cross 1 lakh annually.
- Yes. Most NLUs offer merit-cum-means scholarships, fee waivers for SC/ST, EWS scholarships, and state government scholarships. NLSIU Bangalore waives full fees for family income below ₹8 lakh.
- Jindal Global Law School (Sonipat), Symbiosis Law School (Pune, Hyderabad, Noida), NMIMS Kirit Mehta (Mumbai), Christ University (Bangalore), and Nirma University (Ahmedabad) are highly reputed and accept CLAT scores.
- No. Only CLAT score and category determine merit list and allotment. 12th marks are checked only for eligibility (45%/40%). Tie-breaker uses Legal Reasoning marks and age, not board percentage.
- Transparent water bottle is allowed. Diabetic/PwD candidates can carry medicines and snacks with prior permission mentioned on admit card.
