CLAT 2025 Timelines – Important Dates, Syllabus Schedule & Deadlines

The Common Law Admission Test July - November exam cycle includes multiple key stages such as registration, admit card download, exam conduction, and result declaration. Staying updated with the latest Common Law Admission Test schedule assures you never miss an important milestone in your preparation and application journey.

Historically, CLAT has maintained a consistent annual timeline, making it easier for aspirants to anticipate important milestones. The examination is consistently conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities once a year, typically in December, for admissions to the subsequent academic session. For instance, the CLAT 2025 examination, which granted admission for the academic year 2025, followed a similar pattern. The official notification for CLAT 2025 was released in July 2024. The registration period commenced in July 2024 and concluded by October 2024. The admit cards for CLAT 2025 were released in mid-November 2024, and the examination was successfully held on December 1, 2024. Subsequently, the provisional answer key was released shortly after the exam in early December 2024, followed by a brief objection window. The results were declared by mid-December 2024, with the counselling process beginning around the same time. This established consistency provides a clear roadmap for prospective candidates. By understanding these past trends, aspirants can effectively plan their preparation strategy, align their study schedule with the expected official notification, and ensure timely submission of applications. This predictability benefits candidates in preparation and scheduling, allowing them to optimize their efforts. By reviewing past schedules, aspirants can set realistic preparation goals and stay ahead in their CLAT journey.

Among the many dates in the CLAT 2026 schedule, a few stand out as absolutely critical to a candidate’s success. The official notification for CLAT 2026 was released in July 2025, initiating the admission cycle. The application submission period began on August 1, 2025, and extends until October 31, 2025. This application deadline is a pivotal checkpoint, as failure to submit the form within this window will render a candidate ineligible to appear for the examination. Aspirants must complete their registration and fee payment well in advance to avoid last-minute technical glitches. Following the successful registration, the admit card release in mid-November 2025 is another crucial milestone. The admit card is a mandatory document for entry into the examination hall, containing vital details such as the candidate's roll number, exam center, and reporting time. The CLAT 2026 examination is firmly scheduled for December 7, 2025. This is the culmination of months of preparation, and candidates must ensure they are fully prepared and present at their designated centers on this day. Post-examination, the declaration of results in mid-December is highly anticipated. A successful result paves the way for the counselling process, which is expected to begin in mid-December 2025. Each of these milestones plays a pivotal role in the admission journey, and missing any of these high-impact deadlines may result in disqualification or missed opportunities for securing a seat in a National Law University. By staying alert to these high-impact deadlines, aspirants can avoid last-minute stress and ensure they remain on track for every stage of the CLAT process.

Once the CLAT 2026 concludes, the post-exam process begins with the release of the provisional answer key. This key, typically published in early December, allows candidates to review their responses and estimate their scores. A short objection window immediately follows the provisional answer key release, during which candidates can challenge any discrepancies they identify in the questions or answers. These objections are carefully reviewed by the examination authority. After thorough consideration of all submitted objections, the Consortium of National Law Universities publishes the final answer key. This final version is conclusive and serves as the basis for evaluating all candidatures. Soon after the final answer key, the much-awaited CLAT 2026 results are declared, generally by mid-December. The results are published in a centralized manner, often including individual scorecards and rank lists. Successful candidates who meet the cutoff criteria are then invited for the counselling process. The counselling for CLAT 2026 is anticipated to commence in mid-December 2025. This multi-round process involves registration, preference filling for National Law Universities, seat allotment based on rank and preferences, document verification, and fee payment for final admission. This structured post-exam process ensures transparency, fairness, and a smooth transition from test-taking to admission.