CLAT 2026 Dress Code For Male & Female Candidates

Candidates taking the CLAT 2026 exam must strictly adhere to the dress code and exam day instructions set by the CNLUs. The Consortium has also issued a list of items that are not allowed inside the examination hall. This article on Shiksha outlines the CLAT 2026 dress code and the prohibited items within the exam center. Read further to know more.

The CLAT 2026 exam date has not been announced yet. However, it is expected to be held on December 7, 2025. The CLAT exam will be conducted in pen-and-paper mode. CLAT Exam Date will be announced in the official CLAT Notification 2026. The official website of CLAT 2026 is consortiumofnlus.ac.in. Candidates appearing for CLAT 2026 have to strictly follow the dress code and exam day instructions issued by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs). Failure to follow these guidelines could lead to disqualification, barring candidates from taking the exam. The Consortium also provided a list of prohibited items that are not permitted inside the examination hall. This article on Shiksha detailed the CLAT 2026 dress code and the items banned within the CLAT exam center.

Also Know: How to fill CLAT 2026 OMR Sheet? Check Important Guidelines, Mistakes to avoid

CLAT 2026 Highlights

Here are the key highlights of the CLAT 2026 exam:

Features	Details
Exam Conducting Body	Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs)
Frequency of Conduct	Once a year
CLAT 2026 exam date	07-Dec-2025 (Tentatively)
Exam Level	National-level exam
Exam purpose	CLAT is conducted for: 1.     Admission to UG and PG law courses offered at the participating NLUs 2.     Admissions to Private and self-financed colleges 3.     PSUs recruitment for legal positions
Application Fee	INR 4,000 for General/ OBC category, INR 3500 for all other reserved categories
Mode of Exam	Pen-and-paper mode
Question paper language	English (expected to be held in vernacular/ regional languages too)
Duration of the exam	2 hours
Number of Seats	UG program - more than 3,000 seats PG program - around 1,000 seats
Official website	Consortiumofnlus.ac.in

CLAT 2026 Dress Code

The CLAT 2026 exam follows a strict dress code to maintain uniformity and ensure security at the examination centers. Candidates have to adhere to the dress code to avoid any inconvenience on the exam day. Here are the key points of the CLAT 2026 dress code:

Clothing Guidelines:

• Comfortable clothing is advised. Candidates should wear regular, simple attire.
• Formal attire such as shirt, trousers, and salwar kameez is recommended for both male and female candidates.
• Avoid wearing clothes with too many pockets as they might raise security concerns.
• Candidates are advised not to wear items like scarves, stoles, or other accessories that may cover their heads, unless for religious reasons.

Also Read: CLAT Selection Process 2026: Step-by-Step Complete Guide

Footwear:

• Closed-toe shoes are preferred.
• Slippers/sandals with a back strap are also acceptable.
• Avoid wearing shoes with thick soles or heels that could obstruct security checks.
• Personal Belongings: No electronic devices (including mobile phones, smartwatches, and calculators) will be allowed inside the examination hall.
• No accessories such as jewelry, belts, or hats should be worn. Candidates may be asked to leave these items outside the exam hall.

Religious Attire:

Candidates who wear religious attire such as hijabs, turbans, etc. for cultural or religious reasons are allowed to wear them. However, they may be asked to ensure that the attire does not obstruct the security check or facial recognition process.

No Printed/Embroidered Clothing:

Clothes with printed slogans, logos, or graphics may not be allowed. Stick to plain, simple attire. Candidates should follow these guidelines to ensure they are allowed entry to the exam hall without any issues.

Also Read: What after CLAT: Result, Counselling, Admission Process and courses

CLAT 2026 Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct for candidates appearing for the CLAT 2026 exam is designed to ensure fairness, security, and discipline during the exam. All candidates have to strictly adhere to the following guidelines:

• Adherence to Exam Schedule:

Candidates must arrive at the exam center at least one hour before the scheduled time. Latecomers will not be allowed to enter the exam hall after the designated time.

• Valid Identification:

Candidates must carry a valid CLAT admit card and photo ID proof (Aadhaar card, passport, voter ID, etc.) for verification at the exam center. The admit card must be printed in color and must not be altered or defaced.

• Examination Center Etiquette:

Candidates must maintain discipline and respectful behavior at the exam center. No candidate is allowed to communicate with others during the exam, either verbally or non-verbally. No candidate should indulge in any unfair means or attempt to cheat.

• Prohibited Items:

Electronic devices such as mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, or any other unauthorized items are strictly prohibited. Personal belongings, including bags, books, and study material, must be left outside the exam hall. Candidates must not bring any paper or writing material other than what is provided by the exam center.

• Conduct Inside the Exam Hall:

Candidates must follow the instructions given by the invigilators during the exam. No candidate should disturb others or engage in any disruptive behavior during the exam.

• Use of Scribe:

If a candidate is eligible for a scribe due to disability, they must follow the guidelines for scribe usage as specified by the exam authorities. The scribe should not have a background in law or humanities.

• Misconduct and Penalties:

Any act of impersonation, disruptive behavior, or violation of exam rules will result in disqualification from the exam. Legal action may be taken in case of serious misconduct. Violation of any of the conduct rules can lead to cancellation of exam results and banning from future exams.

CLAT 2026: Allowed and Banned Items

The CLAT 2026 exam has strict guidelines regarding what candidates are allowed to bring into the examination hall. Here is a list of allowed and banned items for the exam:

Allowed Items in CLAT Exam 2026:

• Admit Card: A printout of the CLAT 2026 admit card is mandatory for entry into the exam center.
• Photo Identity Proof: A valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, Passport, or Driver’s License) must be carried to the exam center for verification.
• Photographs: Two recent passport-sized photographs may be required for verification purposes, depending on the instructions given by the exam authorities.
• Personal Water Bottle: A transparent, plastic water bottle is allowed. No other items, including any colored bottles, are permitted.
• Mask and Hand Sanitizer: Face masks and hand sanitizers (in a transparent bottle) are allowed, especially considering the ongoing health guidelines.
• Pencil, Pen, and Eraser: Candidates can bring a pen or pencil for marking their answers on the OMR sheet (if applicable), but make sure that the pen is in black or blue ink only. No other writing materials are allowed.
• Documents: Any necessary documents mentioned in the CLAT 2026 admit card must be carried to the exam center.

Banned Items in CLAT Exam:

• Electronic Devices: Mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, bluetooth devices, or any other electronic gadgets are strictly prohibited inside the exam hall.
• Study Material: Any books, notes, or printed material, including study aids, pocket-sized notes, or formula sheets, are not allowed.
• Personal Belongings: Bags, backpacks, purses, clutches, and briefcases are not allowed inside the exam hall. All belongings must be left outside in the designated area.
• Jewelry and Accessories: Jewelry (earrings, rings, necklaces, etc.) and accessories (belts, scarves, etc.) are prohibited. Only simple, functional clothing should be worn.
• Food Items: No food or snacks are allowed inside the exam hall. Water bottles must be clear and uncolored.
• Colored Bottles: Colored or opaque water bottles are not allowed. Only transparent water bottles are permitted.
• Hats, Caps, and Sunglasses: Hats, caps, and sunglasses are not permitted unless worn for religious or medical reasons, in which case prior permission may be required.
• Printed/Embroidered Clothes: Clothes with logos, slogans, graphics, or designs may be prohibited. Simple, plain clothing is recommended.

Important Notes:

• Candidates should follow all the security checks and instructions provided by the exam center staff.
• In case of religious attiresuch as turbans or hijabs, candidates are allowed to wear them but must ensure that they do not interfere with security procedures.

 CLAT 2026: Important Dos and Don’ts

Here’s the list of important Dos and Don’ts for the CLAT Exam for easy reference:

Dos	Don'ts
Do Carry Your Admit Card	Don’t Bring Banned Items
Bring a printed copy of your admit card.	Do not bring mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, calculators, etc.
Do Bring a Valid Photo ID	Don’t Carry Bags or Purses
A valid photo ID like Aadhaar, voter ID, etc.	Bags, purses, and clutches are prohibited
Do Arrive Early	Don’t Wear Unnecessary Jewelry
Arrive at least 2 hours before the exam starts	Avoid wearing jewelry (rings, bracelets, etc.).
Do Follow the Dress Code	Don’t Leave Your Seat During the Exam
Adhere to the dress code and wear simple, comfortable clothing.	Don’t leave your seat or exam hall once the exam has started.
Do Carry Allowed Items	Don’t Communicate with Other Candidates
Carry two passport-size photos, transparent water bottle, and sanitizer.	Do not talk or share materials with other candidates.
Do Read Instructions Carefully	Don’t Write on Admit Card or OMR Sheet
Follow all instructions on the admit card and from invigilators	Do not make unauthorized marks on admit card or OMR sheet.
Do Use the Washroom Before the Exam	Don’t Enter the Exam Hall Late
Use the restroom before the exam begins.	Late arrivals will not be allowed entry after the exam starts.
Do Fill OMR Sheet Carefully	Don’t Disregard Exam Center Instructions
Mark answers clearly and accurately on the OMR sheet.	Follow all instructions from exam center staff.
Do Check Your Answers	Don’t Attempt to Cheat or Engage in Malpractice