CLAT 2027: Complete Guide to Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus and Preparation

The common law admission test (CLAT) is a national entrance exam for 5-year law degrees and LL.M. programmes at 26 National Law Universities (NLUs). CLAT 2027 will be held on 6 December 2026, and registration closes on 31 October 2026.

• Mode: The CLAT exam is an offline, pen-and-paper test held once a year, from 2 pm to 4 pm.
• Programmes: UG covers 5-year integrated law degrees such as BA LL.B., and PG covers the 1-year Master of Laws (LL.M.).
• Eligibility: UG needs Class 12 with 45% (40% for SC/ST), and CLAT PG needs an LL.B. with 50% (45% for SC/ST).
• Application fee: Rs. 4,000 for General, OBC and PwD candidates, and Rs. 3,500 for SC, ST and BPL candidates.
• Pattern: 120 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours, with 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer.

Planning to pursue an LL.M. while practising law? Check your lawyer loan eligibility to explore financing options for course fees and other eligible professional expenses.

The common law admission test (CLAT) is a national offline entrance exam, held once a year, for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programmes at 26 National Law Universities (NLUs) and other participating colleges.

• Full form: Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)
• Conducting body: Consortium of National Law Universities
• Programmes covered: 5-year integrated law degrees (UG) and the 1-year LL.M. (PG)
• Participating institutions: 25 NLUs and the Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) Silvassa campus, plus affiliated law colleges
• Mode: Offline, pen-and-paper test

The first NLU, the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, opened in 1987. CLAT was first held in 2008 so that students could apply to all NLUs through one test. A seat through the CLAT exam leads to careers as an advocate, corporate counsel, judicial officer or legal researcher.

The CLAT exam replaces separate entrance tests with one merit-based test for all participating NLUs. It serves 3 purposes.

The CLAT exam has 2 levels: CLAT UG for 5-year integrated law degrees and CLAT PG for the LL.M. Both papers have 120 questions and last 2 hours.

Some public sector undertakings also use CLAT PG scores to recruit legal officers.

CLAT 2027 is scheduled for 6 December 2026, from 2 pm to 4 pm. Candidates seeking admission to participating National Law Universities (NLUs) should track the registration window and prepare their applications before the deadline.

Applicants should submit the form and pay the applicable fee before registration closes. They should also check the official CLAT website for updates on admit cards, results and counselling. Dates may change if the Consortium issues a revised schedule.

You apply for CLAT 2027 online on the Consortium of NLUs website in 4 steps, before 31 October 2027.

1. Register: Enter your name, mobile number and email ID, then verify with the one-time password (OTP) sent to you.
2. Fill in the form: Add personal details, category, address, guardian details, academic record and 3 preferred test cities.
3. Upload documents and pay: Upload your photograph, signature and certificates, then pay the fee by card or net banking.
4. Save the confirmation: Download the confirmation page for your records.

You need 7 documents for the CLAT 2027 application, in JPG or PDF format within the size limits on the Consortium portal.

he CLAT 2027 eligibility criteria set the academic requirements for students seeking admission to undergraduate law degrees and postgraduate LL.M. programmes at participating National Law Universities (NLUs). Applicants must meet the minimum qualification and marks requirements for their chosen programme.

Who can apply for CLAT UG?

• Educational qualification: Candidates must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination from a recognised board.
• Minimum marks: A score of at least 45% is required.
• Students awaiting results: Candidates appearing for their Class 12 examinations in 2027 can apply, subject to meeting the qualifying requirements before admission.
• Age limit: There is no upper age limit for CLAT UG.

Who can apply for CLAT PG?

• Educational qualification: Applicants must hold an LL.B. degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognised university.
• Minimum marks: Candidates need at least 50% in their qualifying degree.
• Final-year students: Students awaiting their qualifying examination results may apply, subject to the admission rules.
• Age limit: There is no upper age limit for CLAT PG.

Applicants should confirm the latest requirements in the official CLAT 2027 notification, as admission rules and qualifying conditions may be updated.

The CLAT exam has 120 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours. Each correct answer earns 1 mark, and each wrong answer loses 0.25 marks. Since 2020, questions follow passages, with about 5 to 6 questions per passage.

The CLAT PG syllabus covers 13 law subjects taught in an LL.B., tested through passages. The paper has 120 questions in 2 hours, with 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer.

You download the CLAT 2027 admit card from the Consortium of NLUs portal using your registration login, before the 6 December 2026 exam.

• The admit card shows your exam date, test centre and personal details.
• Carry a printed copy and a valid photo ID to the centre; you cannot sit the exam without both.
• Report any error on the admit card to the Consortium before exam day.

The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) publishes the CLAT result on its official website after evaluating the entrance exam. Candidates can access their scorecards online to review their marks and rank. These details help them understand their position and prepare for the next stage of admission.

Candidates can check their CLAT result by following these steps:

1. Visit the official CLAT website.
2. Sign in using the registered mobile number and password.
3. Find the result link for CLAT 2027.
4. Open the scorecard and review the marks and rank.
5. Download the scorecard and keep a copy for counselling.

The result is used during the admission process, but securing a seat depends on factors such as rank, course preferences, seat availability and counselling outcomes. Candidates should follow official announcements for the result date and subsequent admission rounds.

CLAT counselling is a central online process run by the Consortium of NLUs, with seats allotted on rank, category and preference over 5 rounds. You must register for counselling and pay a registration fee of Rs. 30,000 (Rs. 20,000 for reserved categories), which is refundable under the Consortium's rules.

1. Register and list preferences: Rank every NLU you are willing to join, in order.
2. Check your allotment: The Consortium allots seats based on your rank, category and available seats.
3. Choose an option: Freeze to accept the seat, float to accept it but stay in line for a higher preference, or exit to leave counselling.
4. Pay the confirmation fee: Freeze and float need a non-refundable confirmation fee by the deadline.
5. Later rounds: Vacant seats move to the next round for candidates still in the process.

Tips for CLAT counselling

The CLAT cut-off is the closing rank at which each NLU fills its last seat, and it changes every year. Four factors drive it.

Older NLUs such as NLSIU Bengaluru and NALSAR Hyderabad close at the highest ranks. Check previous years' closing ranks on the Consortium website to set your target.

CLAT exam centres are spread across 29 states and union territories. You choose 3 test cities in order of preference while applying.

Confirm the current centre list on the Consortium website before you choose your test cities.

CLAT is the main route into 25 NLUs, while other exams cover single universities or state colleges.

Many candidates take CLAT and AILET in the same season, because NLU Delhi does not admit through CLAT.

Four types of books cover the CLAT UG sections: a legal aptitude guide, a vocabulary builder, a yearbook and core law textbooks.

Prepare for CLAT PG by revising the 13 core LL.B. subjects, reading judgments and taking timed mock tests. You can choose classroom coaching, online courses or self-study with free resources.

A CLAT-based law degree leads to careers in litigation, the judiciary, companies and academia.

Practising advocates preparing for CLAT PG can use a lawyer loan from Bajaj Finance of Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 30 lakh for LL.M. fees, coaching and books, with no collateral guarantor. The loan needs a SANAD (Bar Council enrolment certificate), so CLAT UG aspirants are not eligible.

You can calculate the equated monthly instalment (EMI) with this formula: EMI = P × r × (1 + r)^n ÷ ((1 + r)^n − 1), where P is the loan amount, r is the monthly interest rate and n is the tenure in months.

Example: Ananya, 26, is an advocate in Jaipur with 2 years of practice. She earns Rs. 80,000 a month and has a CIBIL Score of 750. She borrows Rs. 3,00,000 at 15% per annum for 36 months to pay for LL.M. fees and CLAT PG coaching. Her EMI is Rs. 10,400, which is 13% of her monthly income. She pays about Rs. 74,386 in total interest, plus a processing fee of up to Rs. 8,850 (2.95%).

If Ananya chooses 60 months instead, her EMI falls to Rs. 7,137, and her total interest rises to about Rs. 1,28,219. A longer tenure means a smaller EMI and a higher total cost.

After your LL.M., a professional loan can support further career growth. Check the Lawyer Loan interest rates and charges before you apply.