The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) released the CLAT eligibility criteria 2026 session for UG and PG programs on July 20, 2025. Applicants who wish to take the law entrance exam must be qualified as per CLAT Eligibility Criteria 2026. Even if they pass the entrance exam, candidates will not be considered for admission to NLU if they do not match the CLAT Eligibility Criteria 2025 for the exam. The CLAT application form 2026 has been closed on November 7, 2025, and the correction window ended on November 9, 2025. The offline version of CLAT 2026 will take place on December 7, 2025.
The Common Law Admission Test, or CLAT for short, is administered to prospective students wishing to enroll in the five-year LLB and LLM programs offered by more than 60 affiliated law schools and 24 national law colleges around the country.
CLAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 Highlights
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Criteria
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UG
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PG
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Educational Qualifications
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Candidates must have finished their class 12 education from an accredited board to be eligible for CLAT 2026.
Applicants can also apply for CLAT 2026 if they are awaiting their class 12 results.
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Candidates must have obtained their LLB degree—either a 3-year or 5-year degree—from an institution accredited by the BCI to be eligible for CLAT PG 2026.
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Minimum marks in qualifying exam
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General /OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI - 45%
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General /OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI - 50%
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SC/ST category - 40%
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SC/ST category - 45%
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Age limit
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No age limit
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CLAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 for UG Program - Detailed Information
Qualifications in Education and Passing Scores
Applicants must have at least a 45% aggregate in Class 12 or an equivalent exam from an accredited board or institution to be eligible for the CLAT 2026. For SC/ST applicants, the minimum percentage needed is 40%.
Applicants may also appear in CLAT 2026 if they pass the qualifying exam (the Class 12 exam in April or May of 2026). These candidates must present their qualifying exam certificate to qualify for admission; otherwise, admission will be rejected.
CLAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Maximum Age
There is no set CLAT age limit for participating in the UG CLAT 2026 and obtaining an LLB degree at a national law school.
CLAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 for PG
The qualifying requirements for the PG program for the CLAT exam are as follows:
Education Requirement and Required Minimum Scores
A minimum percentage of 50% in an LLB (5-year or 3-year LLB) or an equivalent degree from a university recognized by the Bar Council of India is required for eligibility in CLAT PG 2026.
But for SC/ST applicants, the minimum percentage needed is 45%.
Applicants for CLAT LLM 2026 who are in their final year of LLB college are also eligible. These candidates must present their qualification certificates at the time of applying for admission.
CLAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 for 12th students
Students may apply for CLAT 2026 if they are preparing to sit for the class 12th board exam in 2026. Students must present documentation of their passing the exam during the admissions process.
CLAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 for International Students
Students who are sponsored by NRIs or foreign nationals are also eligible to take the CLAT exam if they meet the requirements. International students should consult the official website of their local NLUs as the eligibility for the CLAT may vary amongst them.
Limit of Age for CLAT LLM 2026
The age limit to appear in the CLAT 2026 for the LLM program is not set.
Application Form for CLAT 2026
The consortium released the CLAT application form 2026 on its official website - consortiumofnlus.ac.in, on August 1, 2025. Candidates must provide their personal information, contact and educational details, preferred NLU, and other information while filling out their application form. Those who meet the CLAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 will sit for the CLAT 2026 exam. The cost of applying for CLAT is Rs. 3500 (or Rs. 3,000 for applicants from SC and ST).
CLAT Exam Dates 2026
The CLAT 2026 exam dates have been released by the exam authority, and students can check the dates on its official website consortiumofnlus.ac.in as well as in the admission notification. The following table shows the CLAT 2026 exam dates :
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Event
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Timeline
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Release of CLAT 2026 notification
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July 20, 2025
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CLAT exam date 2026 application form start
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August 1, 2025
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CLAT exam 2026 registration last date
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October 31, 2025
(Extended to November 7, 2025)
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Last date to pay the registration fee
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November 9, 2025 till 11.59 PM
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CLAT 2026 Application Correction Window
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November 5-9, 2025 till 11.59 PM
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Release of CLAT 2026 admit card.
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To be Notified
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CLAT 2026 Exam Date
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December 7, 2025
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Release of provisional CLAT answer key
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To be Notified
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Release of the CLAT final answer key
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To be Notified
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Declaration of CLAT results
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To be Notified
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Commencement of CLAT counselling
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To be Notified
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FAQs for CLAT Eligibility Criteria 2026
Q1. Can I apply for CLAT 2026 if I'm in class 12?
You may apply for CLAT 2026. However, you must pass the Class 12 exam by April or May of 2026 and present your passing certificate to qualify for admission.
Q2. What is the maximum age limit to sit for CLAT 2026?
The officials state that there is no maximum age to take CLAT 2026. Any age group can apply to take the exam.
Q3. Does a three-year LLB require the CLAT?
No, there is no CLAT for admission to a three-year LLB program. Only admission to 5-year integrated LLB and LLM programs is based on CLAT scores.
Q4. Who can take the CLAT exam?
The CLAT 2026 exam will be open to applicants who passed their class 12 or who are presently taking their class 12 exam.
Q5. In what format would CLAT 2026 take place?
CLAT 2026 will be administered in the traditional pen-and-paper format.
Q6. Do law students alone take the CLAT?
Yes, the CLAT 2026 exam is solely given to law students who want to get into NLUs.
Q7. Who can apply to take the CLAT?
Applicants to CLAT UG must have completed Class 12 with a minimum of 45% in the aggregate marks. However, CLAT LLM is open to graduate candidates.
Q8. Which subjects are necessary to pass the CLAT?
The subjects for eligibility for the CLAT exam have not been established by the consortium. Candidates may take the CLAT exam in any discipline.