The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted for admission into undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs offered by 22 National Law Universities (NLUs) across India.
These NLUs are regarded among the top law schools in the country offering integrated five-year law courses such as B.A. LL.B., B.B.A. LL.B., and B.Com LL.B. for students immediately after Class 12. The exam is organized by the Consortium of National Law Universities, which represents all participating NLUs.
CLAT primarily evaluates a candidate’s comprehension, reasoning, and analytical abilities — the key skills essential for pursuing a legal career. It is designed to test aptitude rather than prior legal knowledge, though general awareness can help in sections like Current Affairs.
CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern
- Total Questions: 120 (Multiple Choice Questions)
- Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)
- Mode of Exam: Offline (Pen and Paper)
- Medium: English
- Marking Scheme: +1 for every correct answer, -0.25 for each wrong answer
The exam comprises five sections assessing different competencies:
| Section | No. of Questions | 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% |
Detailed CLAT 2026 Syllabus
1. English Language
This section includes passages of around 450 words covering diverse themes such as literature, science, history, business, and social issues.
Each passage is followed by questions that test comprehension, inference, vocabulary, and summarization skills. Candidates must identify central ideas, evaluate opinions, and interpret meanings of phrases or words within context. The difficulty level will be suitable for a student of Class 12.
2. Current Affairs Including General Knowledge
Passages of about 450 words are sourced from newspapers, journals, and other non-fiction materials.
Questions focus on contemporary events, international affairs, arts and culture, historical developments, and general awareness. No prior legal knowledge is needed; candidates must interpret the information within the passage and apply their understanding of ongoing events.
3. Legal Reasoning
This section includes passages of approximately 450 words, often based on legal or moral situations, public policy, or ethical dilemmas.
Although prior knowledge of law is not required, awareness of current legal issues will help. Candidates must interpret principles, apply them to factual scenarios, and assess how modifications in rules might influence the outcome of a case.
4. Logical Reasoning
Candidates will face short passages (around 300 words each) designed to test argument evaluation and critical thinking.
Questions may involve identifying premises and conclusions, analyzing reasoning, finding assumptions, drawing inferences, and recognizing analogies or contradictions. Logical reasoning skills help assess clarity of thought and consistency in argumentation.
5. Quantitative Techniques
This section includes numerical data, graphs, charts, and short sets requiring analysis and basic mathematical operations.
Questions are based on Class 10-level concepts like ratios, percentages, algebra, and mensuration. Candidates must interpret data, apply quantitative formulas, and draw accurate conclusions.
Tip: Strengthen reading and analytical skills, stay updated with current affairs, and practice Class 10 mathematics to perform well in this section.
CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
There is no upper age limit for appearing in the UG CLAT examination.
Educational Qualification:
Candidates must have completed their 10+2 (or equivalent) with the following minimum marks:
- 45% for General, OBC, and SAP (Specially Abled Persons) categories
- 40% for SC and ST candidates
Students appearing in their Class 12 exams in March/April 2026 are also eligible to apply, but they must provide proof of qualification during admission, failing which their candidature will be cancelled.
CLAT 2026 Application Process
Candidates seeking admission to NLUs must complete the online application through the official website — consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
The process typically begins in July and closes around mid-November.
Steps to Apply:
- Register online using a valid mobile number and email ID.
- Fill in personal and academic details.
- Upload required documents (photo, signature, certificates).
- Pay the application fee online.
- Download the confirmation page for future reference.
Application Fee:
- ₹4,000 for General/OBC/SAP
- ₹3,500 for SC/ST
Mode of Payment: Online through credit/debit card or net banking.
Participating National Law Universities (NLUs)
| S.No. | University Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Law School of India University (NLSIU) | Bangalore |
| 2 | NALSAR University of Law | Hyderabad |
| 3 | National Law Institute University (NLIU) | Bhopal |
| 4 | WB National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS) | Kolkata |
| 5 | National Law University (NLU) | Jodhpur |
| 6 | Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) | Raipur |
| 7 | Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) | Gandhinagar |
| 8 | Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU) | Lucknow |
| 9 | Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) | Patiala |
| 10 | Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) | Patna |
| 11 | National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) | Kochi |
| 12 | National Law University Odisha (NLUO) | Cuttack |
| 13 | National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL) | Ranchi |
| 14 | National Law University and Judicial Academy (NLUJAA) | Guwahati |
| 15 | Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU) | Visakhapatnam |
| 16 | Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU) | Tiruchirappalli |
| 17 | Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) | Mumbai |
| 18 | Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) | Nagpur |
| 19 | Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) | Aurangabad |
| 20 | Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU) | Shimla |
| 21 | Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU) | Jabalpur |
| 22 | Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University (DBRANLU) | Sonipat |
| 23 | Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) | Silvassa |
For more details and official brochures, visit:
🔗 Participating NLUs 2024 – Consortium of NLUs
Application Instructions:
🔗 CLAT 2024 UG Application Guidelines
Final Thoughts
The CLAT 2026 exam emphasizes reading comprehension, reasoning ability, and awareness rather than rote learning. To succeed, focus on improving analytical skills, staying informed with daily current affairs, and practicing regular mock tests.
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