The Consortium of National Law Universities in India is responsible for conducting CLAT 2026. However, it is not advised to study for the test before being aware of the clat eligibility criteria.
The eligibility criteria for the CLAT 2027 have not been released yet. The official notification will be released soon in July 2027, which contains all the information about eligibility, exam dates, registration dates, syllabus, and more.
The first step towards becoming a lawyer is fulfilling the CLAT 2027 eligibility criteria. It contains all the essential details on CLAT eligibility, including both category-specific and general criteria.
The first step towards becoming a lawyer is fulfilling the CLAT 2026 eligibility criteria. It contains all of the essential details regarding CLAT eligibility, including both category-specific and generalized criteria.
You can find the answers to specific queries about age restrictions and the number of exam attempts in this blog.
This blog will answer all of your questions and determine whether you are qualified to take the
CLAT 2027, regardless of whether you are enrolled in Class 12 or have graduated and wish to practice law.
First, a few important things to remember:
Before delving into the specifics of the CLAT 2026 eligibility criteria, each candidate must pay attention to a few crucial points:
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The CLAT 2026 eligibility criteria differ for each category. Among these categories are OBC, SC/ST, and general.
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The CLAT entrance exam does not have an upper age limit.
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Maintaining at least the minimum passing score in 12th grade is always advised.
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Maintaining at least the minimal score required to pass the test is always advised.
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As long as they are eligible, candidates may take the CLAT exam once or more.
It's time to talk about who is eligible to take the CLAT exam.
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CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for UG Courses: Being aware of the requirements for undergraduate CLAT applicants in terms of nationality, age restrictions, and educational background.
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CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for PG Courses: The qualifying requirements for postgraduate CLAT applicants, including the necessary credentials, are examined in depth here.
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CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for NRI Students: Certain requirements and considerations for NRI applicants to the CLAT law program.
Who is eligible for the CLAT exam?
Postgraduate (PG) and undergraduate (UG) courses have slightly different eligibility requirements for the CLAT exam. First, let's concentrate on the UG programs:
CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for Undergraduate Law Programs:
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Candidates must have passed the 10+2 exam or its equivalent from an approved board to meet the CLAT 2026 eligibility criteria for UG courses.
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Candidates who are OBC or general must have at least 45% in the 12th grade.
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SC/ST candidates must receive at least 40% of the aggregate marks.
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There is no upper age limit to take the CLAT exam. Applicants may apply for the exam at any age as long as they meet the educational requirements.
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Candidates who will be taking the Class 12 examinations in 2026 may also apply for the CLAT as long as they receive the minimum number of points required by the results.
The following are the CLAT 2026 eligibility criteria for postgraduate programs:
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For General and OBC candidates, an LL.B. or comparable degree with at least 50% aggregate marks.
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A minimum of 45% for candidates who are SC/ST.
CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for UG: Educational Qualification, Age Threshold, and Citizenship
Who is eligible to take the CLAT exam? Before filling out the CLAT Application Form, it is crucial to comprehend the eligibility requirements for the exam. To correctly fill out the CLAT Application Form 2026, you must meet the qualifying conditions for CLAT 2026.
Without further warning or notification, you will be eliminated from the recruiting process if you do not meet the CLAT 2026 eligibility criteria.
Understanding the CLAT 2026 eligibility criteria is crucial for filling out the CLAT Application Form 2026 since it establishes your exam eligibility.
Eligibility for the CLAT exam is primarily determined by three key elements, which are listed below:
Nationality-Based CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
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Indian Nationals, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) who meet the CLAT 2026 eligibility criteria for UG courses from the previous year are eligible to apply for the CLAT Exam 2026.
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Although they must have a valid passport, foreign nationals are also eligible to apply for CLAT 2026.
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The age limit is the first requirement for applying to the Common Law Admission Test.
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There is no upper age limit to apply for the CLAT Exam, according to the Consortium's announcement.
CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Academic Requirements
The CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria are significantly influenced by educational background. What are the CLAT 2026 academic criteria, then?
Let's examine the specifics and comprehend the standards established by the Consortium. Ascertain who is qualified to take the CLAT exam based on their educational background.
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You must have passed your 10+2 or equivalent exam from an accredited board or university and match the educational requirements listed in the CLAT 2026 eligibility criteria to be eligible for CLAT 2026.
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Assume you fall into one of the following categories: General, OBC, PWD, NRI, PIO, or OCI. If so, you must receive at least 45% in the Senior Secondary School or 12th Board Examination to be eligible for the CLAT 2026 exam.
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In the 12th grade, students who fall into the SC/ST categories must receive 40% of the aggregate marks, or a comparable number.
CLAT 2026 Eligibility for PG
You must be aware of the CLAT 2026 eligibility criteria for age, educational background, and minimum qualifying scores to enroll in a postgraduate legal program.
The eligibility requirements for the LLM course are summarized here. Refer to CLAT PG Eligibility for the specific requirements.
Nationality-Based CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for PG
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Indian nationals, non-resident Indians (NRIs), overseas citizens of India (OCIs), persons of Indian origin (PIOs), and foreign nationals are all eligible to apply for the CLAT PG Exam 2026, according to the official announcement from the previous year.
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Foreign nationals and NRIs must, however, apply for the test using the NRI quota provided by the CLAT participating colleges.
CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for PG: Maximum Age
Candidates for LLM programs may be of any age because the CLAT PG Exam has no upper age limit.
The CLAT qualifying age is important even for postgraduate legal programs, though, as the minimum age to apply for the exam is over 20.
CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for PG: Academic Requirements
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You can apply for CLAT PG 2027 if you took your qualifying exam in the last year. At admission, you have to submit your final year's grades.
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minimum of 50% in LLB or an equivalent degree from an accredited university is required to be qualified for the CLAT PG 2027.
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Nonetheless, SC/ST candidates must have a minimum percentage of 45%. There is a 5% age relaxation.
CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for PG: General Requirements
You can apply for a five-year integrated LLB or LLM program if you take your qualifying test in April or May 2025.
CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for NRI Students
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NRI applicants must fulfil the CLAT 2026 eligibility criteria and complete the required admissions procedures to be admitted under the NRI quota.
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The concerned institution allots the CLAT seats under the NRI Quota, and admissions for candidates in the NRI/NRI-sponsored category are made based on their merit scores.
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For information on admission procedures, minimum CLAT exam eligibility, necessary documentation, and other pertinent questions regarding applying for admission under the NRI Quota, please contact the relevant university immediately.
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Seats will be changed to NRI/NRI-sponsored seats if there are no seats available for foreign nationals.
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In the aforementioned instance, admission will be determined by the CLAT ranking.
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The list of applicants who qualify for CLAT admission under this category must be released by the CLAT Office.
List of Documents Needed for CLAT 2026 Admission for NRI Candidates
The following documents must be submitted during admission if you are an NRI.
A copy of the student's valid Indian passport, any student visas obtained during the previous 12 months, and a certificate from the local embassy attesting to the individual's status as an NRI, OCI, or PIO card
Documents Needed for NRI-sponsored Candidates to Take the CLAT 2026 Exam
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A copy of the sponsor's current Indian passport.
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Visas that the sponsor has acquired within the last 12 months
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The local embassy's certificate attesting to the sponsor's NRI, OCI, or PIO status
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A statement from the sponsor attesting to the sponsor's interest in the student's academic matters and readiness to provide financial support for the students' education for the ensuing five years.
Final Takeaway
You can start preparing confidently and get closer to getting into one of India's esteemed NLUs by fully comprehending the eligibility requirements for the CLAT exam. If you meet the CLAT 2026 eligibility criteria, you have a great chance at a successful legal profession, regardless of whether you are a Class 12 student or a graduate.
Clat Eligibility Criteria 2026 FAQs
Q1. Who can take the CLAT exam 2026?
Students must typically have completed their Class 12 or equivalent from an accredited board with at least 45% of the aggregate marks (or 40% for SC/ST students) in order to be eligible for CLAT 2026.
Q2. How old must one be to apply for CLAT 2026?
The NLU Consortium has not established an age restriction for CLAT 2026 applications. So anyone can apply for the exam after passing 12th class.
Q3. Is there any criterion for nationality to apply for CLAT 2026?
Indian nationals, NRIs, PIOs, and OCIs are eligible to apply.
Q4. What is the tie-breaker rule of CLAT 2026?
In the event that candidates have identical scores, a computerized drawing of lots will be used to break the tie based on age.
Q5. Will there be two CLATs in 2026?
No, two CLATs are not scheduled for 2026. Admissions for the 2026–2027 academic year will be determined by the results of CLAT 2026, which will only be administered once in December 2026.
Q6. For CLAT 2027, what are the main subjects to concentrate on?
Concentrate on key subjects including English language proficiency, legal reasoning, current events, logical reasoning, and quantitative methods. It's critical to stay current with legal developments.
Applying for CLAT has no upper age restriction.
The CLAT test does not heavily rely on the 12th grade, but you must have met a minimum score or percentage.
Admission to any of NLUs ' legal programs requires passing the CLAT. Therefore, to apply to any law program, prospective lawyers must take the CLAT.
The Commerce stream, followed by B.Com and LLB, is the best option if you are certain that you will take the CLAT to pursue a legal profession. As an alternative, you can apply for CLAT right away after finishing the 12th grade.