CLAT PG Pattern 2026: Exam Mode, Marking Scheme, Negative Marking & Exam Duration

Common Law Admission Test 2026 ( CLAT )

DeskCalelnderCounselling - 25 Feb '26 - 6 Mar '26

This exam is conducted for courses given below:
Anupama Mehra
Updated on Jul 25, 2025 16:27 IST

By Anupama Mehra, Assistant Manager – Content

CLAT 2026 exam pattern for LLM courses has been released by NLU Consortium. The CLAT LLM paper will carry both objective- and subjective-type questions. The Consortium dropped the subjective section from the CLAT PG Exam 2026. As per the revised CLAT Exam Pattern 2026, candidates have to attempt a total of 120 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) in 120 minutes duration. Given below is the detailed CLAT pattern for LLM.

Candidates are advised to thoroughly go through the CLAT exam pattern 2026 for LLM courses to know important test details such as the number of questions, type of questions, maximum marks, minimum cutoff criteria, exam subjects and marking scheme.

Table of contents
  • CLAT Exam Pattern 2026: Highlights
  • CLAT LLM Pattern 2026: Section-Wise & Weightage
  • CLAT 2026 Minimum Cutoff Criteria
  • Important Points regarding CLAT LLM 2026 Exam Pattern
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CLAT Exam Pattern 2026: Highlights

The key features of CLAT LLM question paper are mentioned below:

Particulars

CLAT Exam Pattern for LLM

Exam mode

Offline 

Exam duration

120 minutes (2 hours)

Test language

English 

Type of questions

Objective 

Exam subjects

Various law subjects divided into two sections

Total questions

120

Total marks

120

Marking scheme

+1 for every correct answer

-0.25 for every incorrect answer

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CLAT LLM Pattern 2026: Section-Wise & Weightage

CLAT question paper 2026 for LLM contains objective-type questions. There will be 120 MCQs that candidates have to attempt in two hours. Check the complete CLAT LLM exam pattern for each for reference below.

CLAT LLM Sections

MCQs per section

Marks per section

Sec A – Constitutional Law

120

120

Sec B - Contract, Torts, Criminal Law, International Law, IPR and Jurisprudence.

Sec C – Law topics and Contemporary issues

If you are appearing for CLAT UG 2026, then take a look at the following articles:

CLAT Exam Pattern for UG Courses CLAT Syllabus for UG Courses
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CLAT 2026 Minimum Cutoff Criteria

As per the CLAT minimum cutoff criteria, only candidates who score a minimum 40 per cent aggregate (35 per cent for SC/ST/PwD) in the objective section of the exam will qualify for evaluation of their answers in the descriptive section.

Candidates appearing for CLAT 2026 can check CLAT Cutoff for UG Courses here

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Important Points regarding CLAT LLM 2026 Exam Pattern

Some of the important points that candidates must keep in mind regarding the CLAT test pattern for LLM courses include:

  • The CLAT PG 2026 exam will focus on the comprehension capabilities of candidates
  • The CLAT PG paper will contain extracts from primary legal materials followed by a series of questions. Candidates will need to answer those questions while demonstrating their reading and comprehension ability, awareness of issues discussed in the passage and knowledge application ability.
  • The paper will be based on all the mandatory subjects of UG-level law course of candidates and as per the CLAT 2026 LLM Syllabus shared by Consortium 
  • In the descriptive section of the exam, candidates' answers should not exceed 800 words
  • While writing descriptive essays, candidates should be able to demonstrate their awareness of legal, factual and philosophical issues. Candidates should also be able to structure their answers well.

Check complete CLAT syllabus for LLM.

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Answered 12 hours ago

Yes, you can join an LLB programme without CLAT at many law colleges in Mumbai. The most common entrance exam is not CLAT, but MHCET Law for 30+ government colleges in Mumbai. Find more about them below. 

  1. K.C Law College 
  2. Government Law College, Churchgate
  3. JCCL

Note: All info. is from official sites and

...Read more

S

Syed Aquib Ur Rahman

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 18 hours ago

No, students do not need CLAT exam score for admission into BA LLB programme. The college offers merit-based admission based on score in Class 12. The students who score atleast 45% marks in Class 12 are eligible to apply for this course.

R

Raj Priya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 20 hours ago

Yes, you can absolutely get admission to law college without taking the CLAT exam by applying to private colleges with direct/merit-based admission, taking state-level entrance exams, or appearing for university-specific tests like SLAT or AILET for other colleges. Many colleges base admission on Cl

...Read more

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

Yes, you can find some good private law colleges in Chandigarh that do not necessarily require CLAT scores for LLB or related programmes. For instance, you can check Chitkara University's BA LLB course, which has merit-based admissions. without an entrance exam. If you are particularly looking for a

...Read more

S

Syed Aquib Ur Rahman

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

The Consortium of NLUs will conduct the CLAT Exam in offline; pen and paper mode. The exam will be conducted from 2 to 4 pm. 

N

Nitesh Srivastava

Contributor-Level 8

Answered Yesterday

The CLAT 2026 exam will be conducted in over 131 test centres spread across 89 cities in 25 states and 5 union territories throughout India. The exam, conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities, is a pen-and-paper-based test, with these numerous centers providing extensive access to la

...Read more

A

Akanksha

Contributor-Level 8

Answered Yesterday

Candidates can check the allotted CLAT Exam Centre on their admit card. It must be noted that there is no way to know the exam centre except checking the hall ticket.

M

Mohit Dhawan

Contributor-Level 8

Answered Yesterday

Candidates can apply for CLAT Exam by visiting consortiumofnlus.ac.in. Candidates must check the eligibility criteria before applying. CLAT Admission Process is completely online and no offline form will be accepted. 

C

Chanchal Patra

Contributor-Level 8

Answered Yesterday

While filling the CLAT application form 2026, candidates have to select three CLAT centres.  Based on the preferences added by the candidate, authorities will allot the exam centre based on the choices added. Candidates must select the districts which are near their permanent or present address and

...Read more

P

Priya Peter

Contributor-Level 8

Answered Yesterday

The CLAT 2026 exam will be conducted at over 130 test centres spread across 89 cities in India. These centers cover 25 states and 5 union territories. Candidates can select up to three, or sometimes more, test city preferences during the application process, with the exact number of venues subject t

...Read more

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Anupama Mehra

Contributor-Level 10

176 Institutes accepting CLAT

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    Nalsar University of Law

    Tilak Road, Hyderabad Public

    Nalsar Uni
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