What is CLAT exam?
CLAT is a national-level law entrance examination in India, designed for students aspiring to study at National Law Universities (NLUs) and other top law colleges across the country. Currently, 26 NLUs in India consider CLAT scores for admission.
To better understand CLAT’s significance, it helps to look at the history of legal education in India. India is unique in having universities dedicated exclusively to law. The National Law Universities were established on the model of IITs and IIMs, aiming to transform legal education in the country. The National Law School of India University in Bangalore, founded in 1987, was the first NLU. Since then, the number of NLUs has grown to 26, providing specialised and high-quality legal education nationwide.
Purpose of CLAT exam
The main purpose of CLAT is to provide a standardised admission process for undergraduate and postgraduate law programmes in India, ensuring that entry to law colleges is based on merit.
Admissions to Law Colleges
By clearing the CLAT exam, students can secure admission to their preferred law colleges or National Law Universities. As a national-level examination, CLAT streamlines and standardises the process of entry into law programmes across the country.
Standardised Assessment of Aptitude
CLAT evaluates candidates’ aptitude through questions on logical reasoning, legal reasoning, English, general knowledge, and quantitative techniques. This single, standardised evaluation process helps identify talented individuals purely on merit, irrespective of their socio-economic background.
Levels in CLAT exam
- UG level: For admission to integrated law programmes (e.g., BA LLB)
- PG level: For Master of Laws (LLM) programmes
| Level | Programmes covered |
| UG | 5-year integrated LLB |
| PG | LLM |
CLAT exam dates and schedule 2026
| Event / Category | Details / Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Opens | August 2026 |
| Online Application Closes | November 2026 |
| CLAT 2027 Admission Test (Offline) | December 2026 |
| Application Fee (UG & PG) | Rs. 4,000 |
| Application Fee (SC/ST/PwD/BPL) | Rs. 3,500 |
CLAT 2026 application process
Registrations for CLAT 2027 are expected to open in August 2026. Candidates must complete the application form before the closing date. The application process is entirely online and can be accessed at Consortium of National Law Universities.
- To register, candidates need to provide their name, mobile number, and email ID. After registration, verify your email and log in using the OTP sent to your registered address.
- Next, complete the application form by entering personal details (name, date of birth, gender, category), communication address, parent/guardian information, academic qualifications, preferred test centres, and uploading the required documents.
- The application is finalised by paying the fee online via debit/credit card or net banking. The fee is Rs. 4,000 for General and OBC candidates, and Rs. 3,500 for SC/ST/BPL/PwD candidates.
- Once submitted, download the confirmation page for future reference.
Document required for CLAT 2026
| Document type | Purpose |
| Photograph and signature | Identity verification |
| Class 10th and 12th marksheets | Academic eligibility |
| Graduation degree/PG mark sheet | For PG applicants |
| Proof of identity (Aadhaar, etc.) | Verification |
CLAT eligibility criteria
The test is primarily open to Indian citizens and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). Foreign nationals interested in applying to any participating law university must contact the respective institution directly to understand the available international student quotas. The Consortium of National Law Universities provides detailed CLAT eligibility criteria, including educational requirements, minimum marks, and age-related conditions.
The eligibility criteria are as follows:
Undergraduate Courses
- Candidates must have completed their Senior Secondary (10+2) or an equivalent examination from a recognized board.
- A minimum aggregate score of 45% is required (relaxed to 40% for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates).
- There is no upper age limit for appearing in the exam.
Postgraduate Courses
- Applicants must hold an LL.B degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognized university.
- A minimum aggregate score of 50% is required (relaxed to 45% for SC/ST candidates).
- Candidates who have completed their qualifying degree through supplementary, compartment, or repeat attempts are also eligible, provided they can submit proof of achieving the required marks by the admission deadline or within the timeframe specified by the respective university.
CLAT syllabus
The postgraduate (LLM) course syllabus is designed to assess candidates’ expertise in various areas of law. The CLAT LLM exam evaluates proficiency in the subjects listed below:
CLAT PG Syllabus 2026
| Subject 1 | Subject 2 |
|---|---|
| Criminal Law | Constitutional Law |
| Jurisprudence | Property Law |
| Constitutional Law | Public International Law |
| Administrative Law | Tax Law |
| Family Law | Labour and International Law |
| Law of Contract | Environmental Law |
| Company Law | Torts |
The PG-CLAT exam comprises 120 questions, with a total duration of 120 minutes. Each question carries one mark, and there is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer.
CLAT exam pattern 2026
This national-level law entrance exam is conducted over a span of two hours. The CLAT question paper consists of 120 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), organized into five key sections:
- English, including Comprehension
- Current Affairs, including General Knowledge
- Legal Reasoning
- Logical Reasoning
- Quantitative Techniques (Mathematics)
Since 2020, the exam has adopted a paragraph-based format, where each passage is followed by around 5 to 6 questions. The marks are generally distributed across these sections in the following manner:
| Subjects | Number of Questions | Marks |
| English Language | 22-26 questions | 22 - 26 |
| Current Affairs, including General Knowledge | 28-32 questions | 28 - 32 |
| Legal Reasoning | 28-32 questions | 28 - 32 |
| Logical Reasoning | 22-26 questions | 22 - 26 |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10-14 questions | 10 - 14 |
| Total | 120 | 120 |
CLAT admit card 2026
- Issued via the official Consortium portal
- Downloadable using registration credentials
- Contains exam date, centre details, and candidate information
- Mandatory to carry with valid ID proof
CLAT result
- Published online on the Consortium’s website
- Includes scorecard and rank
- Qualified candidates proceed to counselling and seat allotment
CLAT 2026 cutoff
- Varies by NLU, category, and course
- Dependent on seat availability, difficulty level, and applicant count
- Released after final results
CLAT 2026 Exam Centres
| State/Union Territory | Exam Centre Cities |
| Andhra Pradesh | Chittor/Tirupathi, Kurnool, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Vishakapatnam |
| Assam | Guwahati |
| Bihar | Muzaffarpur, Patna |
| Chhattisgarh | Bilaspur, Durg, Raipur |
| Gujarat | Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara |
| Haryana | Faridabad, Gurugram, Hisar, Kurukshetra, Sonepat |
| Himachal Pradesh | Shimla |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Jammu, Srinagar |
| Jharkhand | Jamshedpur, Ranchi |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru, Hubli / Dharwad, Mangalore, Mysore |
| Kerala | Calicut, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram |
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur |
| Maharashtra | Amrawati, Aurangabad, Mumbai, Nagpur, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Thane |
| Manipur | Imphal |
| Meghalaya | Shillong |
| National Capital Territory of Delhi | New Delhi |
| Odisha | Bhubaneswar, Cuttack |
| Punjab | Amritsar, Jalandhar, Mohali, Patiala |
| Chandigarh UT | Chandigarh |
| Rajasthan | Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota |
| Sikkim | Gangtok |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Tirunelveli, Trichy |
| Telangana | Hyderabad |
| Tripura | Agartala |
| Puducherry (Union Territory) | Puducherry |
| Silvassa (Union Territory) | Silvassa |
| Diu (Union Territory) | Diu |
| Uttar Pradesh | Agra, Allahabad, Bareilly, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Greater Noida / Noida, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Meerut, Varanasi |
| Uttarakhand | Dehradun, Haldwani |
| West Bengal | Asansol, Barrackpore, Hooghly, Kharagpur, Kolkata, Malda, Siliguri |
Books for CLAT preparation
| Book/Author | Subject focus |
| Legal Aptitude & Legal Reasoning | Legal reasoning, case studies |
| Word Power Made Easy | Vocabulary building |
| Manorama Yearbook | General knowledge & current affairs |
| Legal subject textbooks | For deeper conceptual clarity |
CLAT PG preparation tips
The preparation approach for this highly competitive exam typically falls into two main categories:
offline learning through traditional classroom coaching and online preparation using digital tools. While classroom-based coaching has long been the preferred method, online learning has seen a sharp rise since 2020. Aspirants now rely on digital platforms in several effective ways:
- Free study material: Candidates can access complimentary PDFs, including section-wise question banks, previous years’ papers with detailed solutions, and free mock tests. Online videos also play a key role in simplifying difficult concepts.
- Structured virtual learning: Although self-study is useful, guidance from expert faculty helps build a strong edge. Online coaching platforms offer organized lessons, doubt-solving sessions, extensive practice sets, and proven time-management strategies—crucial for an exam with strict time limits.
- Mock tests and quizzes: Regular practice is essential. Online portals allow students to take sectional tests or full-length mocks that closely replicate the real exam, helping them improve speed, accuracy, and overall exam strategy.
- Current affairs updates: Reading a reputed national newspaper remains valuable, but for quick revision, many candidates prefer crisp, curated summaries available online, offering the most relevant national and international events.
- Official preparation material: After completing registration, candidates can access authorized study resources uploaded by the Consortium directly on their personal dashboard.
Career opportunities after CLAT
| Qualification | Career paths |
| UG/LLB | Advocate, Judicial Services, Corporate Counsel |
| PG/LLM | Legal researcher, Law faculty, Policy roles |
Lawyer loan options for CLAT PG aspirants
Explore financial support options if you need funding for law education or related expenses. You can also lawyer loan to help with tuition, coaching, or exam prep.
Conclusion
CLAT 2026 offers a key pathway into premier law institutions in India. Knowing its date, registration procedures, eligibility, syllabus, and exam structure is crucial for aspirants. After securing admission, you may also consider a professional loan to support your academic or career growth.
