CLAT 2026 - Important Dates, Exam Pattern, & Syllabus
The CLAT 2025 exam date is expected to fall in December 2025, as per last year's trends.
It draws about 45,000 law students who want to study law beyond class XII, making it an important event on the legal education calendar. Last year, 96.36% of the registered applicants turned up for the exam.
The consortium of the NLU is expected to release the CLAT exam date 2026 application form in mid-July 2025. The CLAT exam 2026 registration last date is expected to fall in October 2025. The CLAT 2026 exam date is tentatively set for December 7, 2025.
The CLAT 2026 exam date PDF will be available on the official website once the notification is released, probably in July 2025, which will comprise details about the CLAT exam 2026 registration last date,
CLAT 2026 syllabus, CLAT exam date 2026 application form window, and CLAT 2026 exam date expected.
Let’s begin with the details of the CLAT 2026 exam:
CLAT 2026 Exam Date Expected
The table below lists the CLAT 2026 exam date expected. The CLAT 2025 exam calendar serves as the primary basis for these dates.
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Event
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Timeline
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Release of CLAT 2026 notification
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In May 2025
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CLAT exam date 2026 application form start
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Mid-July 2025
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CLAT exam 2026 registration last date
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End of October 2025
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Release of CLAT 2026 admit card.
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Mid-November 2025
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CLAT 2026 Exam Date Expected
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December 7, 2025
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Release of provisional CLAT answer key
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December 7, 2025
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Release of the CLAT final answer key
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December 13, 2025
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Declaration of CLAT results
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December 13, 2025
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Commencement of CLAT counseling
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December 15, 2024
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What is the CLAT Exam?
For admission to undergraduate (UG) and graduate (PG) legal studies at India's 24 National Law Universities, candidates must take the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), a national entrance exam.
CLAT is a national-level exam chaired by the Consortium of NLUs (National Law Universities) representing the public law education. Many businesses and affiliated organizations use the CLAT exam for entry and employment.
The CLAT exam 2026 will be used for all admissions to the five-year combined L.L.B. and LL.M. programs beginning in the Academic Year 2025–2026.
To be informed about the crucial exam dates, pay attention to the chart below.
CLAT 2026 Notification Expected
The Consortium is expected to release the CLAT notification 2026 by the following month, May 2025, assuming they must adhere to the previous years' pattern, which is doubtful given the delay in the results and counseling session procedure last year.
The notification will comprise all the important dates and information related to the CLAT 2026 exam, including the CLAT 2026 exam date expected, eligibility requirements, CLAT exam 2026 registration last date, CLAT 2026 syllabus, and CLAT exam date 2026 application form window, and more.
CLAT 2026 Exam Details
This page will include all the CLAT 2026 exam date latest news, and announcements from the Consortium for the academic years 2025–2026, which is updated regularly. The easiest method to prepare for the upcoming CLAT exam in 2026 is to be aware of its specifics beforehand.
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Exam Highlights
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Details
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Full Form
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CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)
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Exam Conducting Body
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The Consortium of National Law Universities
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Exam Level
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UG
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Exam Frequency
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Once a year
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Exam Mode
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Offline
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Exam Duration
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120 Minutes
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Exam Language
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English
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Exam Purpose
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Admissions to BA LLB, B.Com LLB, BSc LLB, BBA LLB, BSW LLB, and LLM courses
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Exam Schedule & Timings for CLAT 2026
CLAT 2026 will take place offline at the authorized exam locations around the nation from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. In addition to bringing a printout of their CLAT 2026 admit card, candidates must arrive at the exam location at the designated time.
Exam Day Schedule for CLAT 2026
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Timings
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Details
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01:00 PM
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Examinees arrive at the exam site.
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01:30 PM
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It is recommended that candidates take their seats in the assigned exam room.
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02:00 PM
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The exam begins.
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02:15 PM
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After this point, candidates are not permitted to re-enter the exam room.
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4:00 PM
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The exam is over.
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Where to Find the CLAT 2026 Exam Date
Candidates should frequently check consortiumofnlus.ac.in, the Consortium of National Law Universities' official website, for the most accurate and current information regarding the CLAT 2026 exam date. All official CLAT 2026 exam date latest news, such as the release of the CLAT 2026 exam date, the CLAT exam date 2026 application form, and any schedule modifications, are primarily found on this page. For convenience, it is advised to bookmark the official CLAT website.
For more information on the CLAT 2026 exam date expected, candidates can visit this link. Here, they can be sure of the information they receive about the CLAT 2026 exam date latest news and other events.
CLAT 2026 Exam Registration Last Date (Expected)
The first week of July 2025 will mark the start of the CLAT exam date 2026 application form. The CLAT 2026 exam registration date is yet to be announced. To fill out their application, candidates must go to the Consortium of National Law Universities' (NLUs') official website. It's crucial to frequently visit the official website to see the precise dates and any registration-related modifications.
To prevent any problems, candidates should make sure they register within the allotted period. Candidates who register early can easily acquire their admission cards and other vital notifications. Make sure you have all the required paperwork and information on hand before beginning the registration process.
CLAT 2026 Exam Date: Admit Card
Two weeks before the exam, the Consortium of NLUs is expected to release the CLAT 2026 admit card in mid-November or early December 2025. When the admission card becomes available, it can be retrieved from the official website, consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
It is required to have an admit card to take the CLAT. Information including the candidate's roll number, the exam center's name and address, exam times, and instructions are all included on the admit card.
How to obtain the CLAT Admit Card 2026 when it is released
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Step 1: Go to https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in, the exam's official website.
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Step 2: Choose the CLAT test 2026 and enter your password and registered mobile number to log in.
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Step 3: Click the "Download Admit Card" option in the upper right corner of the screen after logging in.
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Step 4: Save the PDF file of the entrance card to your device.
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Step 5: For future use, print two or three copies of the entry card on A4 paper.
CLAT 2026 Answer Key Date
The CLAT provisional answer key 2026 will be made available by the Consortium of NLUs about one to two days following the test. The authorities will launch an online objection window following the release of the CLAT answer key. Candidates will have the opportunity to voice their concerns about the provisional answer key during this time.
The Consortium of NLUs will release the CLAT final answer key 2026 after taking into account the students' concerns. The final answer key will be used to determine the CLAT 2026 results.
To download the CLAT 2026 Answer Key for both undergraduate and graduate levels, complete these steps:
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Go to the official website.
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Click the "Common Law Admission Test Answer Key" link that is located in the website's Notification section on the home page.
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Kindly input and submit your login details.
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You may now see the answer key for the course.
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Check the responses; if there are any mistakes, objections must be made within the allotted time.
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The solution key PDF can be downloaded and printed out for future use.
CLAT Results 2026 Expected
The CLAT 2026 exam result date, as per last year’s pattern, is likely to be made public by the end of December 2025. Specific dates will be announced closer to the exam date, which is anticipated to be around December 2025. Following the release of the final answer key, the exam's results will be announced.
The final answer key is used to prepare the CLAT result. A merit list of candidates who made the short list based on their Law Entrance Test scores is made public for the counseling process.
Once the scorecard is released, different colleges will release their cut-off marks and merit lists.
The following procedures must be followed to view the CLAT Paper results:
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Go to the official website.
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From the list of links, select "Common Law Admission Test Result."
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After entering your password and registration number, click "Submit."
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Once you have logged in, select the scorecard tab.
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A new page displaying the scorecard's results will open.
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The scorecard PDF can be downloaded and saved for later use.
CLAT Counselling 2026 Expected
Counseling for CLAT 2026 will start as soon as the results are revealed. Although the precise dates are still unknown, it is anticipated to begin in mid-December 2025 and last for a few days. The official counseling schedule and other information will be made public by the Consortium of NLUs closer to the time of the exam results announcement.
To register for the CLAT 2026 counseling process, you must pay Rs. 30,000 for the General Category and Rs. 20,000 for the ST, SC, OBC, BC, EWS, PWD, and other reserved categories online.
You have to select one of the three choices when the initial tentative list is made public:
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Accept the designated seat (option to freeze).
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Apply for a Float Option Upgrade
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Exit (Exit Option) from the admissions process
Documents Required in CLAT 2026
The following documents must be with you when you attend counseling:
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Application Form
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Scorecard
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10th & 12th Mark sheets
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Admit Card
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Specially-abled Certificate (if applicable)
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Domicile Certificate (if applicable)
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Caste Certificate (if applicable)
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NRI Certificate (if applicable)
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Sponsored NRI Certificate (if applicable)
CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The Consortium also includes the CLAT eligibility requirements to take the CLAT UG test in the CLAT notice. CLAT 2026 is probably going to feature the following eligibility requirements, continuing the pattern from the previous year.
Academic Qualification
The CLAT 2026 exam is open to all candidates who have passed the 10+2 or an equivalent exam. Below is a list of the minimum scores needed for each category:
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45% for the categories of General, Other Backward Class (OBC), and Specially Able Persons
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Scheduled Class (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) groups receive 40% of the aggregate marks.
Note: Applicants are also eligible to take the test if they pass the Class 12 exam in March or April 2025.
These applicants must present documentation proving they passed the Class 12 exam to be admitted. Those who don't meet this requirement will be turned away and denied admittance.
Age Limit for CLAT 2025
There is no upper age limit set by the Consortium for applicants who want to take the CLAT exam. You can take the test as long as you fulfil the requirements for eligibility.
Read the CLAT Eligibility Criteria in detail for a detailed explanation of the Consortium's most recent CLAT eligibility requirements.
CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for the PG Program
For students hoping to gain admission to post-graduation programs, such as the Master of Laws at prestigious law universities, the CLAT 2026 PG exam is administered.
For precise prerequisites, view the comprehensive CLAT PG Eligibility Criteria:
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The PG Program has no upper age limit.
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Members of the General, OBC, PWD, NRI, PIO, and OCI categories must have earned at least 50% of the possible points in their LLB degree or its equivalent.
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The official announcement states that individuals who fall under the SC/ST categories must have earned 45% of the possible points in an LLB degree or its equivalent.
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On the day of admission, you must have passed the qualifying exam for your last semester or year.
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You must be an Indian citizen to be eligible for the exam, though foreign nationals and NRIs may also be able to apply. However, as they could differ from one college to another, you should verify the eligibility requirements for each participating college independently.
CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The weighting and quantity of questions in each CLAT part vary. Although the precise number of questions on the CLAT exam is never known, the table below highlights the weights assigned to each segment.
Each question is worth one mark, and each incorrect response will result in a deduction of 0.25 marks.
Exam Pattern
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Duration of the test
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120 minutes (2 hours)
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Mode
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Offline mode
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Type of Questions
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Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
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Number of Questions
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120
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Test Sections
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English Language
Current Affairs, including General Knowledge
Legal Reasoning
Logical Reasoning
Quantitative Techniques
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Marking scheme
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Total marks: 120 marks
Objective questions will each carry 1 mark. 0.25 marks to be deducted for an incorrect answer.
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Language
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English
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Subject-Wise Weightage
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Subject/Section
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Number of questions (weightage)
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CLAT 2025 (No. of Questions)
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English Language
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22-26 (20% of the paper)
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24
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Quantitative Techniques
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10-14 (10% of the paper)
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12
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Logical Reasoning
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22-26 (20% of the paper)
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24
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Current Affairs, including General Knowledge
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28-32 (25 % of the paper)
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28
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Legal Reasoning
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28-32 (25 % of the paper)
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32
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Total Questions
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120 questions of one mark each
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120
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Total Marks
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120
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120
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Total Time (min)
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120
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120
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Marks for the correct answer
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1 marks
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1
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Negative Marking
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0.25 marks for each wrong answer
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0.25 marks for each wrong answer
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CLAT 2026 Syllabus
The exam is administered offline and consists of 120 questions divided into five sections. Based on the previous CLAT exam's syllabus, the section-by-section
CLAT Syllabus 2026 is summarized here.
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CLAT Subject/Section
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Brief Summary
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English Language
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This section comprises questions 22–26. It mostly consists of reading comprehension.
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Quantitative Techniques
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10–14 questions in this segment. It mostly consists of diagrammatic, verbal, or visual representations of numerical data.
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Logical Reasoning
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This segment comprises questions 22–26. Critical reasoning for argument-based questions makes up the majority of its syllabus.
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Current Affairs, including General Knowledge
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28–32 questions in this segment. Passages based on current events and general knowledge make up the majority of its syllabus.
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Legal Reasoning
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28–32 questions in this segment. It mostly consists of sections designed to assess your legal knowledge, research skills, and problem-solving ability.
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CLAT 2026 Syllabus for PG Courses
Additionally, comprehension-based questions form the basis of the PG syllabus. According to the announcement from the previous year, the descriptive portion of the syllabus was eliminated.
Learn about the most crucial subjects from the CLAT PG Syllabus by looking at the table below:
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Constitutional Law
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Jurisprudence
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Torts
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Family Law
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Company Law
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Public International Law
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Labour Law
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Industrial Law
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How Can I Apply for the CLAT 2026 Exam?
You can only complete the CLAT Registration Form online. The application process consists of four steps: registering online, completing the form, uploading supporting documentation, and paying the application cost.
To ensure a seamless process, adhere to the following steps:
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Step 1: Go to https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/, the official website.
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Step 2: To finish the registration procedure, click the "REGISTER" link on the home page. Enter your name, mobile number, and password.
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In the third step, enter the OTP that was sent to the registered mobile number. The registration process is now complete.
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Step 4: Enter your password and registered mobile number to access the portal.
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Step 5: Fill out the application by providing accurate information.
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Step 6: Upload the required scanned documents, photos, and signatures in the format that has been stated.
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Step 7: To finish the application procedure, pay the cost using one of the several online payment options.
Dimensions of the Photo and Signature for CLAT 2026 Registration
Please fill out the Common Law Admission Test registration form using the size and format given below:
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Dimensions
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Image Size (Maximum)
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Format
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Photograph
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500 KB
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.jpg/.jpeg
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Signature
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100 KB
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.jpg/.jpeg
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CLAT 2026 Registration Fees
Each category has a different application fee. The registration costs for each category are shown in the table below:
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Category
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CLAT Exam Fees
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General / OBC / PWD/
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Rs. 4000
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NRI / PIO / OCI candidates
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Rs. 4000
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SC / ST / BPL candidates
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Rs. 3500
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Expected CLAT 2026 Cut-Off Marks [Category-wise]
The exam's difficulty level, the number of available seats, and the number of students taking the test are some of the elements that the Consortium considers when determining the CLAT cut-off.
The following crucial data is based on the CLAT 2025 first allocation list:
1] Opening and Closing Ranks by Category:
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General: There is a wide variation; the top NLUs, such as NLU Bangalore, have an opening rank of 1 and a closing rank of 84.
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OBC: There are more thorough opening and closing ranks. NALSAR Hyderabad, for example, starts at 189 and rises to 1076.
Top 3 NLU Admission Expected Cut-offs:
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NLU Bangalore: The expected cut-off range is 90+ for the general category.
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NALSAR Hyderabad: The expected cut-off range for the general category is between 87+.
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NLU Kolkata: The expected cut-off range for the general category is 90+.
Reservation Policy for CLAT 2026
Approximately 3400 spaces are available for the five-year LLB program through the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs). Reservations for various categories, such as OBC, SC, ST, PWD, KM (Kashmiri Migrants), the Armed Forces, and others, determine how these seats are allocated.
The reservation criteria set by each NLU are crucial throughout the CLAT 2024 seat allocation process. Every university has a different reservation policy, which varies by university. To find out about the reservations for various castes, candidates should visit the websites of each NLU.
CLAT 2026 Merit List
The Consortium of NLU typically releases the merit list following the results.
The UG and PG CLAT Merit Lists will be made available separately on the official website.
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For every counseling round, a unique merit list will be made public.
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The category-by-category merit rank of the candidate who passed the test is included in the Merit List.
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All applicants' scores are used to prepare it, with the highest scores at the top and the lowest scores at the bottom.
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Your admit card number, All India Rank, and total admission exam scores are among the information on the merit list.
Top NLUs and Colleges Accepting CLAT 2026 Score
The CLAT Seat Allotment process is started by the NLU based on merit and preference.
The college-by-college seat distribution for both LLB and LLM courses is shown in the table below:
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Name of the CLAT Participating Colleges (2024)
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UG Seat Intake
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PG Seat Intake
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National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru
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300
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120
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National Academy of Legal Study & Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad
|
132
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66
|
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National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal
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BA LLB 134
BSc LLB 68
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60
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The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata
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BA LLB 108
BSc LLB 50
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100
|
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National Law University (NLUJ), Jodhpur
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120
|
50
|
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Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur
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170
|
90
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Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar
|
172
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57
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Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU), Lucknow
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169
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48
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Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Patiala
|
180
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60
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National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), Kochi
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60
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60
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National Law University Odisha (NLUO), Cuttack
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BA LLB 120
BBA LLB 60
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44
|
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National University of Study & Research in Law (NUSRL), Ranchi
|
134
|
60
|
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National Law University & Judicial Academy (NLUJA), Assam
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60
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60
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Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU), Visakhapatnam
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120
|
60
|
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The Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU), Tiruchirapalli
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BA LLB 60
B.Com LLB 60
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60
|
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Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Mumbai
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100
|
50
|
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Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Nagpur
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BA LLB 120
BBA LLB 60
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60
|
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Maharashtra National Law University, (MNLU) Aurangabad
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BA LLB 60
BBA LLB 60
|
60
|
|
Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU), Shimla
|
BA LLB 60
BBA LLB 60
|
80
|
|
Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU), Jabalpur
|
120
|
50
|
|
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University (DBRANLU), Sonipat, Haryana
|
120
|
-
|
|
National Law University Tripura (NLUT), Agartala
|
60
|
50
|
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Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Silvasa
|
66
|
33
|
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Total (not including supernumerary, NRI, extra, and FN seats)
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3163
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1378
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In conclusion
We took you on an exciting tour into the ins and outs of the CLAT 2026, a crucial first step towards your ideal law school, in this engrossing blog. We discovered crucial information specifically for you while navigating this legal maze:
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The importance of CLAT 2026 lies in gaining admission to prestigious law schools.
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A thorough explanation of the material and exam format.
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Strategies to ace the test with poise and assurance.
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The importance of careful planning and astute tactics.