The CLAT exam is conducted for admission to 24 NLUs for UG courses and 21 NLUs for PG courses. Apart from the NLUs in India, there are 61 other private affiliated colleges that considers CLAT Scores and several PSUs that accept it for recruitment. Read further to know more about CLAT.
What is CLAT Full Form? Eligibility Criteria, Syllabus, Participating Universities, other details
CLAT Full Form: The Consortium of Law Universities (NLUs) conducts a national-level law entrance exam called as CLAT. The full form of CLAT is the Common Law Admission Test. CLAT is conducted for admission to 5-year integrated LLB (UG) and one-year LLM (PG) courses. The exam is conducted for admission to 24 NLUs for UG courses and 21 NLUs for PG courses. Apart from the NLUs in India, 61 other private affiliated colleges consider CLAT Scores and several PSUs accept it for recruitment.
Explore colleges based on CLAT
Want better recommendations?
There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.Q: Why is CLAT exam important?
Q: How many candidates take CLAT exam every year?
More than one lakh candidates from different cities across India appear for the CLAT exam every year. The exam authority has informed that Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2025 registered a total increase of 24.5% in applications compared to last year (CLAT 2024). Specifically, the Consortium of National Law Universities received 34.7% more Undergraduate applications and 25.8% more Postgraduate applications this year as compared to last year (CLAT 2024). For CLAT 2023, 56,472 candidates appeared out of 60,895 registrations. In 2021, 62,106 candidates appeared for the CLAT exam.
Q: How many times CLAT Exam is conducted in a year?
The CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is conducted once a year. It is typically held in December for admission to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs at the participating National Law Universities (NLUs) across India. CLAT 2025 is scheduled to be held on December 1, 2024. CLAT Exam is held in pen-and-paper mode.
Q: What are the Centres of CLAT exam?
CLAT Consortium released the list of CLAT 2025 exam centres along with admission notification. The Consortium also inform about new addition in the list of CLAT 2025 test centre, if any. The exam was held in more than 139 cities listed as CLAT 2025 test centres across the country.
Candidates were given the option to select CLAT exam centres 2025 from the list of test cities while filling up the form only. The details of the allotted CLAT 2025 exam centre, including the name and location was mentioned on the admit card itself. On the day of the CLAT 2025 exam, a candidate had to report to the exam centre as per the scheduled time mentioned on the admit card. Since, the exam centre authority did not allow entry to candidates who are late.
Q: Will there be any break in between CLAT 2025 exam duration?
No, the candidates were not allowed to take breaks or exit the exam centre while they are attempting CLAT exam. Candidates were allowed to drink water, eat or use the washroom only before or after the exam timings. Therefore, on the day of examination candidates should prepare themselves to sit for two hours straight without any breaks. They should use washroom right before entering the examination hall. They were allowed to carry a transparent water bottle for themselves. However, they should limit the amount of water intake to avoid taking break in between. No request to leave examination hall will be allowed by the centre officials to avoid cheating or any other activities. If you have any medical condition that requires you to take a break, it will be allowed only at prior notification and permission by the exam authority.
Q: For which courses CLAT Exam conducted?
The full form of CLAT is Common Law Admission Test. CLAT is a national-level entrance exam that is conducted for admission to Undergraduate B.A. LL.B. BBA LL.B.Com LL.B.Sc. LL.B. And Postgraduate LL. M. courses offered by the participating National Law Universities. The entrance exam is held in pen-paper mode for two hours. Candidates qualifying CLAT are then shortlisted for admission to the 24 NLUs through Centralized Counselling Process. CLAT exam scores are also accepted by private universities that have signed MOU with the consortium of NLUs as well as, top private law colleges in India. Meanwhile, many popular PSUs use CLAT PG scores for recruitment purposes. Therefore, CLAT for UG candidates serves the purpose of admission, and for PG candidates admissions and recruitment process.
Q: How much time is required for CLAT preparation?
Candidates were advised to give minimum one year to six months of preparation time to crack CLAT exam with high scores. CLAT is one of the most competitive law entrance exam, and candidates need to devote their time sufficiently to surpass cutoff marks. The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2025 is now over. For qualifying CLAT exam with maximum marks, candidates had to prepare exhaustively, but in a strategic manner.
Q: In what all languages is CLAT exam conducted?
As of now, CLAT is conducted only in English language. However, there is no confirmation yet on whether CLAT 2025 will be conducted in regional languages. However, the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) has said that they are considering the possibility of conducting the exam in regional languages in the future. Earlier, the Central government has cleared its stand on conducting CLAT 2024 Exam in regional languages. While supporting the petition before the Delhi High Court to hold the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) in regional languages, the Education Ministry has given its no objection to holding CLAT 2024 in regional languages.
Explore more Law exams with upcoming dates
10 Jan '25
5 Jan '25 - 12 Jan '25
1 Jan '25 - 14 Jan '25
25 Jan '25
15 Jan '25 - 20 Feb '25
21 Feb '25
4 Apr '25
1 Dec '24 - 22 Jan '25
27 Dec '24 - 27 Jan '25
13 Mar '25 - 8 Apr '25
CLAT Exam 2025 will be conducted in pen-and-paper mode. CLAT Exam Date 2026 has not been announced yet. However, it is expected that CLAT 2026 Exam will be held on December 7, 2025. Read further to know more about CLAT in depth.
CLAT Participating Universities
Every year, 24 NLUs participate in the counselling and seat allotment process of CLAT exam for UG and PG course admission. Here's the list of NLUs for CLAT exam:
| CLAT participating National Law Universities (NLUs) |
|
|---|---|
| National Law School of India University, Bangalore |
National Academy of Legal Study & Research (NALSAR) University of Law, Hyderabad |
| The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata |
National Law Institute University, Bhopal |
| National Law University, Jodhpur |
Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur |
| Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar |
Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow |
| Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala |
Chanakya National Law University Patna |
| National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi |
National Law University Odisha, Cuttack |
| National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi |
National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam |
| Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU) Visakhapatnam |
The Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirapalli |
| Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai |
Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur |
| Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad |
Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla |
| Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur |
Dr B R Ambedkar National Law University Sonipat, Haryana |
| NLU Silvassa |
NLU Tripura |
CLAT 2026 Highlights
Every year some of the key details of CLAT exam remain the same including exam mode, pattern, syllabus, marking scheme, etc. CLAT 2026 can be understood from the table given below which also carries details of CLAT important dates 2026:
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the exam | Common-Law Admission Test |
| Popularly known as | CLAT |
| Conducting body | The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) |
| Exam Level | National-level exam |
| Exam Purpose | CLAT is conducted for:
|
| Application Fee | INR 4,000 for General/ OBC category, INR 3500 for all other reserved categories |
| Question Paper Language | English |
| Exam mode | Pen-and-paper exam |
| Exam duration | Two hours |
| Number of seats | For UG courses - 3, 213 and for PG courses - 1,217 (Not including sponsored, supernumerary, NRI, and extra seats.) To read more about CLAT score accepting institutes - Click Here |
| Accepting colleges |
24 participating NLUs, and 61 private law colleges
|
| Top-ranked participating NLU |
Here are top-ranking participating NLUs as per NIRF Ranking 2022
|
| Exam helpdesk number | 08047162020 |
| Official website | https://clatconsortiumofnlu.ac.in/ |
CLAT Exam Full: Syllabus 2026
Before starting your preparation, the first thing you should do is go through the CLAT syllabus carefully.
UG Syllabus CLAT 2026
Take a look at the syllabus and weightage for CLAT UG as mentioned in the table below:
| Subjects | Topics | Marks |
| Current Affairs, including GK |
|
35 - 39 marks |
| English |
|
28 - 32 marks |
| Logical Reasoning |
|
28 - 32 marks |
| Quantitative Techniques |
|
13 - 17 marks |
| Legal Reasoning |
|
35 - 39 marks |
CLAT LLM 2026 Syllabus - Section-Wise Weightage
Check the table below for more details on LLM syllabus for CLAT:
| CLAT LLM Sections | Main Topics | Marks Per Section |
|---|---|---|
| Sec A – Constitutional Law |
|
120 |
| Sec B - Contract, Torts, Criminal Law, International Law, IPR and Jurisprudence |
|
|
| Sec C – Law topics and Contemporary issues | Important constitutional and legislative provisions, recent judgments, historical case law and amendments, legal issues and facts. |
CLAT Exam Pattern 2026
CLAT exam is being held in pen-and-paper mode at various exam centres in the country. Read key points related to the exam pattern below.
| CLAT Exam Pattern | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | 5-Year LLB | 3-Year LLB |
| Exam mode | Pen-and-paper mode | Pen-and-paper mode |
| Exam duration | 2 hours | 2 hours |
| Type of questions | Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) | Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Total questions | 150 questions | 120 questions |
| Maximum marks | 150 marks | 120 marks |
| Marking scheme |
|
|
| Test language | English | English |
While the candidates who are aiming to crack CLAT 2026 must be in preparation mode. They must have a strategy for effective preparation and best results. Those who are still wondering how to prepare for CLAT can plan it as under:
- Make an effective preparation plan
- Have a subject-wise approach
- Get all the prep material based on the exam pattern and syllabus of CLAT
- Cross-check and practise previous year papers for CLAT (past 3 years are relevant as per the new pattern)
- Take CLAT Mock Test 2025/ CLAT sample papers 2025 to improve test-taking skills and performance
The effective strategy for CLAT 2025 will be helpful in ensuring result-oriented performance, which is to score above cutoff marks.
Also Read:
- CLAT 2025 Logical Reasoning Questions - Preparation for Analytical Reasoning Section
- CLAT 2026 Legal Aptitude Questions - Preparation for Legal Reasoning Section
- CLAT 2026 GK Questions - Preparation for Current Affairs including GK Section
- CLAT 2025 Maths Questions - Preparation for Quantitative Techniques Section
"The pen is mightier than the sword". Anupama totally believes in this and respects what she conveys through it. She is a vivid writer, who loves to write about education, lifestyle, and governance. She is a hardcor... Read Full Bio
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
10 Jan '25 | AILET Second Provisional Merit... |
23 Jan '25 | AILET Third Provisional Merit ... |
Jan '25 | LSAT India 2025 January Sessio... |
Aug '24 | LSAT India 2025 May Session Re... |
15 Jan '25 - 15 Mar '25 | ULSAT 2025 Application for LLM |
15 Jan '25 - 15 Mar '25 | ULSAT 2025 Applications (3-yea... |
3 Dec '25 | SLAT 2025 admit card for Test ... |
3 Dec '25 | SLAT 2025 Admit Card for Test ... |
21 May '25 - 10 Jun '25 | RULET 2025 application process |
12 Jun '25 | RULET 2025 correction window |
27 Dec '24 - 27 Jan '25 | MH CET Law 2025 Application (f... |
3 Jan '25 - 3 Feb '25 | MH CET Law 2025 Application (f... |
Jul '23 | LFAT 2023 Declaration of Resul... |
1 Jun '23 - 7 Jun '23 | LFAT 2023 Reserved Exam Dates |
2 Jul '24 | ACLAT Exam 2024 |
1 Jul '24 | ACLAT Admit Card 2024 |
Mar '25 | PU UGLAW 2025 online registrat... |
Apr '25 | PU UGLAW 2025 last date of fee... |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 15 hours ago
As per official sources, the CLAT 2025 results have been released by the NLU Consortium. Candidates seeking admission to the JLU Bhopal BA LLB course via CLAT must have secured a minimum of 50 marks. Those who have not secured the prescribed marks can appear for the JLUET exam, which is conducted by
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 days ago
If you want to go through flat exam in university so you had to wait for 1 year but if you want to do your course you can take admission in private and better colleges
R
Beginner-Level 1
Answered 6 days ago
To apply for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), follow these steps:
Step 1: Meet the Eligibility Criteria
Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for CLAT, which typically includes:
- - For UG Programmes: Passed 10+2 or equivalent examination with a minimum of 45% marks (40% for SC/ST candidates)
- -
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
The CLAT ranks below 1000 are enough for getting INLU of Nirma University.
Scholar-Level 18
Answered a week ago
No, its not at all mandatory to give CLAT to become a lawyer. Candidates can enroll in Law courses offered by various universities and colleges to pursue UG and PG law courses. However, those who wish to take admission in one of NLUs except NLU Delhi will have to appear for Common National Admission
M
Beginner-Level 4
Answered a week ago
Yes, Gujarat National Law University, accepts CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) scores for admission to its various undergraduate and postgraduate law programs, including the BA LLB, BCom LLB, BBA LLB, BSc LLB and LLM courses. CLAT is a common entrance test used by many of the top law schools in Indi
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
Your prospects of getting into a National Law University (NLU) with an All India Rank of 37,778 and a SC category rank of 2452 in the CLAT rely on a number of variables including seat availability, cutoff trends and reservation rules
elite NLUs: Because of higher cutoffs admission to elite NLUs such
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Chances of getting the following NLUs CA be made.
- NLU Kochi
- NLU Assam
- NLU Tripura
Scholar-Level 18
Answered 2 weeks ago
NLUs are not possible on this rank. Please try some private colleges.
Scholar-Level 18
Answered 2 weeks ago
The National Law University (NLU) admission prospects are slim in view of a CLAT rank of 7616 and an EWS rank of 640. Most of the NLU cut-off ranks tend to be exceptionally lower as compared to general category and EWS candidates, even in some of the most sought-after courses like BA LLB.
Factors inf
R
Contributor-Level 10
What is the CLAT result date for admission to JLU Bhopal BA LLB course?