Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)
Built from official exam bulletins, conducting body notifications, and institution pages.
What this exam is
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is the centralised national entrance exam for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programmes at the participating National Law Universities (NLUs) across India. It is conducted annually by the Consortium of National Law Universities, a body established in 2017 to coordinate admissions and improve standards across NLUs.
CLAT is offered at two levels. The UG exam (CLAT UG) admits students to five-year integrated law programmes such as BA LLB and BBA LLB. The PG exam (CLAT PG) admits law graduates to one-year LLM programmes at participating NLUs.
The exam is held once a year, typically in December, in pen-and-paper (offline) mode at exam centres across India. It is the single most important gateway to NLU admissions — approximately 60,000 to 70,000 candidates compete for around 3,700 UG seats spread across 24 to 27 participating NLUs.
CLAT has undergone significant structural revision since 2020. The current format is comprehension-passage based throughout, moving away from direct knowledge-testing questions towards application and analytical reasoning. This shift means that preparation requires developing the ability to read and extract meaning from dense passages under time pressure, not simply memorising facts or legal provisions.
Who should take this exam
CLAT is the primary exam for any student aiming for the top law schools in India, specifically the NLUs. If admission to NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata, NLU Jodhpur, or GNLU Gandhinagar is the goal, CLAT is effectively the only route. These institutions do not accept any other entrance exam for their regular UG quota seats.
Students who have completed Class 12 (or are appearing) and want to pursue a five-year integrated law programme should sit CLAT UG. Law graduates who wish to advance to an LLM at a top NLU should sit CLAT PG.
CLAT is also relevant for candidates considering non-NLU law schools. Many private universities and affiliated colleges accept CLAT scores, though each institution sets its own minimum score requirements separately from the NLU counselling process.
Students planning to apply to Jindal Global University should note that Jindal primarily uses other exams (LNAT, JSAT) for its law programmes and no longer accepts CLAT scores for its flagship Jindal Global Law School — though CLAT scores may still be considered for some programmes. Check Jindal’s current admissions page for updated criteria.
Exam pattern and structure
CLAT is a 120-minute, offline, pen-and-paper test with 120 multiple-choice questions. Each correct answer earns 1 mark; each wrong answer results in a deduction of 0.25 marks; unanswered questions carry no penalty. The total is marked out of 120.
| Section | Questions | Approximate Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 22–26 | ~20% |
| Current Affairs including General Knowledge | 28–32 | ~25% |
| Legal Reasoning | 28–32 | ~25% |
| Logical Reasoning | 22–26 | ~20% |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10–14 | ~10% |
| Total | 120 | 100% |
Format: Every section is passage-based. Candidates read a comprehension passage of approximately 300–500 words and then answer 4–8 multiple-choice questions derived from that passage. Questions test inference, application, and critical reasoning — not isolated recall.
CLAT PG pattern: The PG exam follows the same format — 120 MCQs, 120 marks, 120 minutes, with a negative marking of 0.25 per wrong answer. Questions are derived from legislative materials: statutes, regulatory frameworks, and judicial pronouncements. Unlike CLAT UG, there are no separate named sections; the questions collectively test comprehension and application of legal rules, identification of correct legal principles, and analysis of factual scenarios in a legal context.
Language: English only.
Mode: Offline (pen-and-paper). Candidates must attend an assigned exam centre. CLAT is not conducted in computer-based or online mode.
Key change from older pattern: Prior to 2020, CLAT UG had 150 questions and included direct legal knowledge questions (legal GK), separate English and logical reasoning sections, and a mathematics section. The current 120-question format replaced all of this with a unified passage-based approach. Candidates who prepared using pre-2020 materials should be aware that the exam’s character has fundamentally changed.
Syllabus overview
English Language (22–26 questions)
Questions are drawn from passages covering both fiction and non-fiction writing. Skills tested include identifying the main idea and supporting arguments, drawing inferences, recognising the author’s tone, vocabulary in context, and grammar in use. Candidates are not tested on isolated grammar rules; questions require understanding language as it appears within a passage.
Current Affairs including General Knowledge (28–32 questions)
Passages are drawn from news reports, editorial pieces, or summaries of recent events — national and international. Topics include legal and constitutional developments, Supreme Court judgments, government policy, international relations, science and technology, arts and culture, and historical events of continuing relevance. Candidates should track current affairs over the preceding 12 months.
Legal Reasoning (28–32 questions)
This is the most distinctively law-specific section. Passages are drawn from judicial decisions, statutory text, or fact situations involving legal principles. Questions ask candidates to identify the applicable legal rule, apply it to a new scenario, draw a legal conclusion, or evaluate competing arguments. No prior legal knowledge is assumed — the rules are stated in the passage and candidates must apply them correctly. Topics that recur include constitutional provisions, contract and tort principles, criminal law scenarios, and public policy situations.
Logical Reasoning (22–26 questions)
Questions test the ability to identify the structure of arguments, spot unstated assumptions, strengthen or weaken a stated argument, identify logical fallacies, and draw defensible conclusions. Passages are short (around 300 words) and candidates must engage analytically rather than rely on general knowledge.
Quantitative Techniques (10–14 questions)
This section involves data interpretation from graphs, charts, and tables, alongside basic arithmetic. Topics include ratios, percentages, averages, and elementary statistics. Mathematical difficulty is at the Class 10 level; the challenge lies in reading data presented in passage or graphic form accurately and quickly.
Eligibility and registration
CLAT UG eligibility:
- Passed 10+2 or equivalent examination from a recognised board
- Minimum 45% aggregate marks (General/OBC/PwD/NRI/PIO/OCI)
- Minimum 40% aggregate marks (SC/ST categories)
- Students appearing in Class 12 exams in the same year are eligible to apply; proof of passing must be submitted at admission
- No upper age limit
CLAT PG eligibility:
- Passed LLB (3-year or 5-year integrated) from an institution recognised by the Bar Council of India
- Minimum 50% aggregate marks (General/OBC/PwD/NRI/PIO/OCI)
- Minimum 45% aggregate marks (SC/ST categories)
- Final-year LLB students may apply; results must be submitted before admission
- No upper age limit
Registration process:
Applications are submitted online at the official CLAT portal (consortiumofnlus.ac.in). The registration window typically opens in July–August and closes in October. The registration fee is ₹4,000 for General/OBC/PwD/NRI/PIO/OCI candidates and ₹3,500 for SC/ST/BPL candidates. Payment is online only.
At the time of registration, candidates provide personal details, educational qualifications, and category information. NLU preferences are submitted after results are declared, not at the time of registration — a change introduced to allow candidates to make preference decisions after seeing their scores and the competition.
The exam is held in December each year. Admit cards are released approximately two to three weeks before the exam date.
Cutoffs and score interpretation
CLAT cutoffs are expressed as ranks, not raw scores. After results are declared, candidates are ranked by their total score (with tie-breaking rules applied where scores are equal — the higher score in the Legal Reasoning section takes priority, followed by age). Admission to each NLU is then determined by how far down the rank list that NLU’s available seats extend.
The following table shows CLAT 2025 closing ranks for the General category after three rounds of counselling:
| NLU | City | Closing Rank (General, 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| NLSIU | Bengaluru | 112 |
| NALSAR | Hyderabad | 159 |
| WBNUJS | Kolkata | 327 |
| NLU Jodhpur | Jodhpur | 367 |
| NLIU | Bhopal (BA LLB) | 480 |
| GNLU | Gandhinagar | 464 |
| MNLU | Mumbai | 1,473 |
| HNLU | Raipur | 807 |
| RMLNLU | Lucknow | 764 |
| NUSRL | Ranchi (BA LLB) | 1,667 |
Ranks for EWS, OBC, SC, and ST categories are higher (numerically), reflecting a larger pool of candidates competing for reserved seats across multiple NLUs. For example, NLSIU’s 2025 SC closing rank was 3,133 and ST closing rank was 3,396.
A score of 95 or above out of 120 is generally competitive for the top five NLUs in the General category. Scores of 80–85 are typically sufficient for admission to at least one NLU in the General category. These figures shift each year based on the difficulty of the paper and the number of candidates.
Candidates near the cutoff should track multiple rounds of counselling. NLUs release multiple rounds of seat allotment as higher-ranked candidates withdraw or accept seats at preferred NLUs. Waitlist movement can be significant, particularly in the third and subsequent rounds.
Colleges and programmes that accept this exam
CLAT is the mandatory entrance exam for the NLU system. All 24 to 27 currently participating NLUs admit students exclusively through CLAT for both UG and PG programmes.
UG programmes accepted (through NLUs): BA LLB, BBA LLB, BSc LLB, BCom LLB (depending on the NLU)
PG programmes accepted (through NLUs): LLM
The full list of participating NLUs as of 2026 includes:
| NLU | City |
|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | Bengaluru |
| NALSAR University of Law | Hyderabad |
| National Law Institute University (NLIU) | Bhopal |
| West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS) | Kolkata |
| National Law University | Jodhpur |
| Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) | Raipur |
| Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) | Gandhinagar |
| GNLU Silvassa Campus | Silvassa |
| Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU) | Lucknow |
| Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) | Punjab |
| Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) | Patna |
| National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) | Kochi |
| National Law University Odisha (NLUO) | Cuttack |
| National University of Study & Research in Law (NUSRL) | Ranchi |
| National Law University and Judicial Academy (NLUJA) | Assam |
| Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU) | Visakhapatnam |
| Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU) | Tiruchirappalli |
| Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) | Mumbai |
| Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) | Nagpur |
| Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar |
| Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU) | Shimla |
| Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU) | Jabalpur |
| Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University (DBRANLU) | Haryana |
| National Law University Tripura (NLUT) | Agartala |
| Ram Manohar Lohia Prayagraj National University of Law (RPNLUP) | Prayagraj |
| Indian Institute of University for Law, Education and Research (IIULER) | Goa |
| National Law University Meghalaya | Shillong |
| NLU Delhi | New Delhi |
Beyond NLUs, many private law schools and affiliated universities also accept CLAT scores, though they conduct their own separate counselling. Candidates should check each institution’s admission policy individually, as CLAT score requirements and the counselling process differ significantly between NLUs and private institutions.
Note that Jindal Global University’s law school (JGLS) no longer accepts CLAT scores for its flagship law programmes; it switched to LNAT and its own JSAT exam from 2025 onward.
How to prepare
Understand the passage-based format first. The most common preparation mistake is treating CLAT like a knowledge exam. All five sections require reading a passage and answering questions based on what is stated or implied. Speed-reading and active comprehension — not rote learning — are the core skills.
English Language: Read long-form articles, editorials, and literary prose regularly. Focus on identifying argument structure, distinguishing the author’s position from evidence, and spotting tone. Practice grammar in context rather than in isolation.
Current Affairs: Maintain a daily reading habit using newspapers and quality news magazines. The most tested areas are Supreme Court decisions, constitutional amendments, major government schemes, international relations, and science news. Keep a running note of events from at least 12 months before the exam.
Legal Reasoning: Study this section by practising with actual CLAT questions, not by reading law textbooks. The passages give you the rules; your job is to apply them accurately. Focus on precision: the difference between a right and a wrong answer in Legal Reasoning is usually a careful reading of the stated rule, not independent legal knowledge.
Logical Reasoning: Work through argument-based questions systematically. Learn to identify premises, conclusions, and unstated assumptions. Practise identifying common logical fallacies and the difference between strengthening and weakening an argument.
Quantitative Techniques: Revise Class 10 arithmetic and practice reading data from graphs and tables under time pressure. This section is relatively low-stakes by weightage (~10%) but is a reliable source of marks if practised consistently.
Mock tests and timed practice: CLAT requires completing 120 questions in 120 minutes — exactly one minute per question. Timed mock tests are essential. Analyse errors by section and adjust accordingly.
CLAT PG preparation: Focus on recent Supreme Court judgments, statutory interpretation questions, and constitutional law. Read the passages carefully and apply the stated legal rule strictly — do not introduce outside knowledge.
Recommended official resources: The Consortium releases official sample papers and previous years’ question papers on the CLAT website. These are the most reliable preparation material.
Key dates and timeline
CLAT follows a consistent annual cycle:
| Event | Approximate Timing |
|---|---|
| Registration opens | July–August |
| Registration closes | October |
| Admit card release | November |
| CLAT exam | First or second week of December |
| Results declared | December–January |
| NLU preference submission | After results |
| Counselling and seat allotment | January–March |
For the most current dates, always refer to the official CLAT website at consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
Related exams
- LSAT India — administered by LSAC through Pearson VUE for private law colleges; tests analytical and logical reasoning without a legal knowledge component. Note that LSAT India was discontinued from 2025 onward.
- IPMAT — the IPM Aptitude Test for IIM’s five-year integrated management programme; a different domain but a comparable level of competitive preparation for students at the Class 12 stage.
- AILET — All India Law Entrance Test, conducted by National Law University Delhi; NLU Delhi does not participate in CLAT and admits students only through AILET.
- MH CET Law — Maharashtra state-level law entrance exam; accepted by colleges in Maharashtra including non-NLU institutions.
Sources Used
- Consortium of National Law Universities — official website: https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/
- CLAT 2026 Participating Universities (Consortium of NLUs): https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/clat-2026/participating_universities.html
- CLAT 2026 UG Eligibility Criteria (Consortium of NLUs): https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/clat-2026/ug-eligibility.html
- CLAT 2026 PG Eligibility Criteria (Consortium of NLUs): https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/clat-2026/pg-eligibility.html
The information on this page is compiled from official sources and institutional programme pages. It may not reflect the most recent changes. Always verify directly with the institution before making any admission or financial decision.
Sources Used
- Consortium of National Law Universities — official website: https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/
- CLAT 2026 Participating Universities (Consortium of NLUs): https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/clat-2026/participating_universities.html
- CLAT 2026 UG Eligibility Criteria (Consortium of NLUs): https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/clat-2026/ug-eligibility.html
- CLAT 2026 PG Eligibility Criteria (Consortium of NLUs): https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/clat-2026/pg-eligibility.html