CLAT Exam - Complete Overview

The CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is a national-level entrance exam in India used for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programmes at National Law Universities and other participating law colleges.

Important Updates:
Next CLAT Exam Date: Dec 2026

CLAT Exam

CLAT 2027 Important Updates

The CLAT is a national-level entrance exam conducted for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programmes in India.

CLAT Important Updates

CLAT Exam Overview

The Common Law Admission Test, commonly known as CLAT, is a national-level entrance examination for students who want to study law in India. It is conducted every year by the Consortium of National Law Universities, a body formed to coordinate admissions to leading law universities in the country.

CLAT is the main gateway for admission to National Law Universities (NLUs) and several other law colleges in India. Through this exam, students can get admission to five-year integrated law programmes after Class 12 and LL.M postgraduate programmes after completing an LLB degree.

Every year more than one lakh students appear for CLAT, making it one of the most competitive law entrance exams in India. Successful candidates can secure admission to some of the country’s most prestigious law schools

Our Coaching Program

CLAT Offline Course

CLAT Online Course

CLAT Exam Pattern

The CLAT UG exam is designed to test a candidate’s reading ability, reasoning skills, and understanding of current affairs through passage-based questions.

 

  • Mode of Exam: Offline (Pen and Paper)
  • Duration: 2 Hours
  • Type of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) based on passages
  • Total Questions: 120
  • Maximum Marks: 120

 

Marking Scheme:

 

  • Correct Answer: +1 mark
  • Incorrect Answer: –0.25 mark
  • Unattempted: 0 mark

The CLAT PG exam is meant for candidates seeking admission to LLM programmes in NLUs and tests advanced understanding of legal subjects.

 

  • Mode of Exam: Offline (Pen and Paper)
  • Duration: 2 Hours
  • Type of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions based on legal passages
  • Total Questions: 120
  • Maximum Marks: 120

 

Marking Scheme:

 

  • Correct Answer: +1 mark
  • Incorrect Answer: –0.25 mark

CLAT Exam Syllabus

The CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is a national-level entrance exam in India used for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programmes at National Law Universities and other participating law colleges.

The CLAT UG syllabus is designed to test reading ability, reasoning skills, and awareness of current affairs.

English Language
– This section contains passages followed by comprehension questions.
– Topics include vocabulary, grammar, sentence correction, inference, and understanding the main idea of the passage.

Current Affairs and General Knowledge
– Questions are based on passages related to recent events and important developments.
– Topics generally include national and international news, government schemes, international organisations, awards, sports, and important legal developments.

Legal Reasoning
– This section tests the ability to understand legal principles and apply them to factual situations.
– Candidates are given passages related to legal issues and must answer questions based on reasoning rather than prior legal knowledge.

Logical Reasoning
Passages in this section assess analytical thinking and the ability to identify arguments, assumptions, conclusions, and logical patterns.

Quantitative Techniques
Questions are based on short sets of numerical information, graphs, or data tables.
Topics generally include basic mathematics such as ratios, percentages, averages, and data interpretation.

The CLAT PG syllabus focuses on advanced legal knowledge and interpretation of legal texts.

Candidates are given passages taken from important legal subjects, and questions test understanding of legal principles and case law.

Major subjects include:

  • Constitutional Law
  • Jurisprudence
  • Administrative Law
  • Contract Law
  • Law of Torts
  • Criminal Law
  • Property Law
  • Company Law
  • Public International Law
  • Tax Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Family Law

CLAT Exam Eligibility

CLAT UG Eligibility Criteria

To apply for CLAT UG (BA LL.B., BBA LL.B., BSc LL.B., etc.), candidates must meet the following requirements:

Educational Qualification: A candidate must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination from a recognised board.

Minimum Marks Required

  • General / OBC / PWD / NRI / PIO / OCI: Minimum 45 per cent marks in Class 12
  • SC / ST: Minimum 40 per cent marks in Class 12

Students appearing for their Class 12 board examinations in the same year as CLAT are also eligible to apply, provided they produce proof of qualification at the time of admission.

Age Limit: There is no upper age limit for appearing in CLAT UG.

CLAT PG Eligibility Criteria
For admission to LLM programmes through CLAT PG, the following conditions apply:

 

Educational Qualification: Candidates must have completed LL.B. or an equivalent law degree from a recognised university.

 

Minimum Marks Required

  • General / OBC / PWD / NRI / PIO / OCI: Minimum 50 per cent marks in LL.B.
  • SC / ST: Minimum 45 per cent marks in LL.B.

 

Candidates who are in the final year of their LL.B. programme are also eligible to appear for the exam, subject to fulfilling the degree requirement at the time of admission.

In simple terms, CLAT UG requires Class 12 qualification, while CLAT PG requires an LL.B. degree or final-year eligibility.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.