CLAT 2027: Registration Date, Eligibility, Syllabus & Pattern

CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is a highly competitive national-level law entrance examination in India. It is conducted for admission to 5-year undergraduate law programmes offered by 26 National Law Universities and several other law colleges. 

The exam is organised by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs). This year, more than 96% of registered candidates appeared for the CLAT 2026 examination. It is considered the most prestigious law entrance exam in India and serves as the primary gateway to admission to the country's top National Law Universities (NLUs). 

Key Highlights of CLAT Examination

Who is Eligible for CLAT?

• CLAT UG: Candidates who have passed or are appearing for Class 12 (or equivalent) are eligible to apply.
• CLAT PG: Candidates who have completed or are in the final year of an LLB degree are eligible.

Read More: Undergraduate Law Programmes

Is CLAT only for Law Students? 

No, CLAT is not just for law students! It is an entrance exam for those students who want to study law after class 12th and for those who have passed LLB and want to pursue LLM. This exam is open to students of all academic disciplines interested in pursuing a career in the legal profession.

CLAT Exam Pattern

The duration of the exam is two hours. The question paper consists of 120 multiple-choice questions. The question paper covers the following five subject areas: 

• English Language: The UG CLAT 2026 English section includes passages of around 450 words from contemporary and historical fiction or non-fiction, designed for a Class 12 reading level.                             
• Current Affairs, including General Knowledge: You will be given a passage of 450 words from newspapers, magazines, and other non-fiction sources. The questions will test your reading comprehension and understanding of legal concepts mentioned in the passage. No prior legal knowledge is required.
• Legal Reasoning: This section includes passages of around 450 words on legal situations, public policy, and ethical issues. It tests your ability to understand legal principles and apply them to the given scenarios. 
• Logical Reasoning: This section consists of 450-word passages with questions that test your logical reasoning and analytical skills.
• Quantitative Techniques: This section includes short numerical passages or data-based questions that test your ability to interpret information and apply basic Class 10 mathematics, including ratios, algebra, mensuration, and statistics.

CLAT Question Format

How to Register for CLAT?

The registration process is conducted online through the official website of the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs). Please follow these simple steps-

• Step 1- Visit the Official Website: Go to the official CLAT portal and click "Register" to create a new account.
• Step 2- Create an Account: Enter your name, mobile number, email ID, and create a password. Verify your account using the OTP sent to your registered contact details. 
• Step 3- Log In: Sign in using your registered mobile number/email ID and password. 
• Step 4- Fill the Application Form: Enter personal, academic, category, communication, and exam centre preference details carefully.
• Step 5- Upload Documents: Upload a recent passport-size photograph, signature, and other required certificates in the prescribed format. 
• Step 6- Pay the Application Fee: Complete the payment using the available online payment methods. The application is considered complete only after successful fee payment. 
• Step 7- Review and Submit: Verify all entered details before final submission. Incorrect information may lead to issues during the admission process. 
• Step 8- Download Confirmation: After successful submission, download and save the application confirmation page and payment receipt for future reference. 

Read More: LLB Course Details: Full form, Duration, Eligibility, Top colleges, and Career

CLAT Registration Dates and Exam Schedule

As the official exam notification is still awaited, the following registration dates and exam schedule are tentative and based on the previous admission cycle. Candidates should refer to the official Consortium of NLUs notification for the latest updates and confirmed dates.

How to Prepare for CLAT?

To crack the Common Law Admission Test, practice, understanding, and time management are essential. Understand the CLAT Exam Pattern-

Understand the Exam Pattern

Before starting your preparation, familiarise yourself with the exam pattern and syllabus. The CLAT UG exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions divided into five sections:

• English Language
• Current Affairs & General Knowledge
• Legal Reasoning
• Logical Reasoning
• Quantitative Techniques

Understanding the weightage of each section helps you allocate your study time effectively.

Subject-wise Weightage (Approximate)

Create a Realistic Study Plan

Develop a study schedule that suits your routine and covers all subjects. Ideally:

• Study 4–6 hours daily (depending on your available time).
• Allocate more time to weaker subjects.
• Include daily revision and practice sessions.
• Set weekly and monthly goals to track your progress.

Build Strong Reading Habits

Reading is one of the most important skills for the exam.

Read newspapers such as:

• The Hindu
• The Indian Express

Also read:

• Editorials
• Legal news
• Opinion articles
• Magazines on current affairs

Regular reading improves comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking.

Prepare Section-Wise

English Language

Focus on:

• Reading comprehension
• Vocabulary
• Grammar
• Sentence correction
• Inference-based questions
• Practice RC passages daily to improve speed and accuracy.

Read More: BBA LLB Course Details: Full Form, Admission Process, Subjects, and Career

Current Affairs & General Knowledge

Study:

• National and international news
• Government schemes
• Awards
• Important judgments
• Sports
• Economy
• Science and technology

Revise current affairs regularly using monthly compilations.

Legal Reasoning

You do not need prior legal knowledge.

Instead, practice:

• Legal principles
• Case-based passages
• Logical application of legal rules
• Analytical thinking

Logical Reasoning

Develop:

• Critical reasoning
• Assumption and inference questions
• Cause-and-effect analysis
• Argument-based questions

Practice a variety of reasoning questions every day.

Quantitative Techniques

Revise Class 10-level mathematics, including:

• Percentages
• Ratios and proportions
• Averages
• Profit and loss
• Time and work
• Data interpretation

Focus on accuracy rather than attempting difficult calculations.

Solve Previous Year Question Papers

Practising previous years' CLAT papers helps you:

• Understand question patterns
• Improve speed
• Identify important topics
• Build exam confidence

Try solving papers in a timed environment.

Take Regular Mock Tests

Mock tests are essential for CLAT exam preparation.

Aim to:

• Attempt one mock test every week initially.
• Increase to two or three mocks per week as the exam approaches.
• Analyse every mock thoroughly to identify mistakes and improve performance.

Improve Time Management

During the exam:

• Do not spend too much time on one question.
• Attempt easier questions first.
• Avoid unnecessary guessing because CLAT has negative marking.
• Reserve the last few minutes to review marked questions.

Revise Consistently

Revision is the key to retaining information.

• Prepare short notes for current affairs.
• Maintain vocabulary lists.
• Revise legal principles and important concepts regularly.
• Review your mistakes from mock tests.

Which Colleges Accept CLAT Scores? 

The Common Law Admission Test score is accepted by participating National Law Universities (NLUs) and several private universities and affiliated law colleges across India. 

CLAT Colleges in India (Participating Universities)

1. National Law School of India University, Bangalore
2. NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
3. The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata
4. National Law Institute University, Bhopal
5. National Law University, Jodhpur
6. Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar
7. GNLU Silvassa, Silvassa is an off-centre campus of GNLU
8. Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur
9. Dr Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University, Lucknow
10. National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi
11. Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala
12. Chanakya National Law University, Patna
13. National Law University Odisha, Cuttack
14. Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Visakhapatnam
15. National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi
16. National Law School and Judicial Academy, Guwahati
17. Tamil Nadu National Law University, Trichy
18. Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai
19. Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur
20. Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad
21. Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla
22. Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur
23. Dr B. R. Ambedkar National Law University, Sonipat
24. National Law University Tripura, Agartala
25. Dr Rajendra Prasad National Law University, Prayagraj
26. NLU Meghalaya, Shillong

Note: National Law University, Delhi (NLU Delhi) is not part of the CLAT admission process. It conducts admissions through the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) instead.  

What Rank is Required to get into a top NLU?

If you are aiming for a specific tier of NLUs, these are good targets:

• Top 3 NLUs (NLSIU, NALSAR, WBNUJS): Aim for AIR below 300.
• Top 5 NLUs: Aim for AIR below 500.
• Top 10 NLUs: Aim for AIR below 1,200.
• Most NLUs through CLAT: An AIR below 2,000 generally provides a wider range of admission opportunities, depending on category and counselling movement.

Note: College Admission is based on closing ranks, not just marks. Since scores and ranks vary every year depending on the paper's difficulty and competition, candidates should focus on achieving the highest possible rank rather than targeting a fixed score.

Private Universities and Affiliated Law Colleges

Did You Know

Conclusion

The Common Law Admission Test is the gateway to some of India's top National Law Universities (NLUs) and other leading law institutions. Whether you aspire to become an advocate, legal advisor, corporate lawyer, judge, or pursue a career in legal research, securing a good score can open the door to excellent academic and career opportunities. To succeed, focus on understanding the exam pattern, building strong conceptual knowledge, practising mock tests, and staying consistent with your preparation. With the right strategy and dedication, you can confidently take the next step toward a rewarding career in law.

FAQ

Q1. What are the minimum marks required to apply for the law entrance exam?

Ans. For the UG CLAT, candidates must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination. General/OBC/PwD/NRI/PIO/OCI candidates need at least 45% marks, while SC/ST candidates require 40% marks. 

Q2. What is the CLAT application fee?

Ans. The application fee is ₹4,000 for General/OBC/PwD/NRI/PIO/OCI candidates and ₹3,500 for SC/ST/BPL candidates. Additional charges may apply if you choose to purchase previous years' question papers. 

Q3. What is the full form of CLAT?

Ans. CLAT stands for Common Law Admission Test. It is a national-level entrance exam conducted for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programmes offered by participating National Law Universities (NLUs) and other law colleges.

Q4. How many attempts are allowed for the law entrance exam?

Ans. There is no limit on the number of attempts for the exam. Candidates can appear for the exam as many times as they meet the eligibility criteria. 

Q5. What is a good score in CLAT?

Ans. A score of 90+ is generally considered good for securing admission to many NLUs, while 95–100+ or higher may improve your chances of getting into top-ranked NLUs. The required score varies each year based on the exam's difficulty level, cut-offs, and seat availability. 

Q6. Is there any age limit for applying?

Ans. No, there is currently no upper age limit for appearing in the national law entrance examination. 

Q7. Can students from any stream apply?

Ans. Yes. Students from Science, Commerce, and Arts streams are eligible to apply if they fulfil the required eligibility conditions. 

Q8. Is the exam conducted online or offline?

Ans. The examination is conducted in offline (pen-and-paper) mode at designated test centres across India.