Best Books for CLAT 2026: Subject-wise Books, Key Parameters to select CLAT Books

Among all the books of CLAT 2026 in the world, first, go for the NCERT books. You must complete all the NCERT books first before moving to other reference books available in the market. After completing the NCERT books, you can go for the following books to boost up your practice and concepts: Universal’s LLB Entrance Guide, Lexis Nexis, Objective Arithmetic, GK Today, India Year Book and Analytical, Logical Reasoning by RS Aggarwal,  Word Power Made Easy,  Verbal Reasoning by RS Aggarwal,  Manorama Year Book and Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey.

CLAT books are incredibly useful for preparing for the Common Law Admission Test. They provide a structured approach to understanding the syllabus, covering key topics like Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, English, Mathematics, and General Knowledge. These books often include detailed explanations of concepts, solved examples, and practice questions that mirror the CLAT exam pattern. Many also offer previous years' papers and mock tests, helping students familiarize themselves with the question format and improve time management skills. Reliable CLAT books, when used alongside other resources like sample papers and coaching material, can significantly boost preparation and confidence for the exam.

The question paper of CLAT exam is released alongwith the answer key after the exam is over. Candidates can obtain it from the official website, however, the exam authority removes it when the admission notification for next session is announced. Therefore, Shiksha keeps a bank of CLAT question papers from the past years that candidate can download from the links provided here. Candidates should also note that they will be able to obtain past 5 years question papers for CLAT exam when they fill and submit the application form of upcoming session. They will have to purchase the question paper with additional fee - INR 500.

English sections of CLAT will test the reading, comprehension and basic grammar skills of the aspirants. Aspirants must focus on improving their reading skills while preparing for CLAT English section. Candidates should concentrate on grammar and vocabulary too. Candidates can check CLAT 2026 best books for English Language including comprehension here: English is Easy by Chetananand Singh,  Barron’s Pocket Guide to Vocabulary,  Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis,  Objective General English by RS Aggarwal, High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin.

Candidates must note that it is most important sections in CLAT 2026 as it carries 25% weightage. The legal aptitude sections carries questions that are mostly concepts bases on topics such as Law of Tort, Law of Contract, Constitutional law, Indian Constitution, Polity, preposition and facts etc. Candidates can follow the study material and reference given here to prepare for CLAT legal aptitude section: Bare Acts of Indian Constitution, LexisNexis Butterworths, Legal Awareness and Legal Aptitude by Andhra Pradesh Bhardwaj, Universal’s CLAT Guide.

 

NCERT books can be a good starting point for CLAT preparation, particularly for subjects like English and Mathematics, as they cover basic concepts and fundamentals. NCERT books for Classes 8 to 10 are helpful for brushing up on elementary mathematics and grammar. For General Knowledge, NCERT books on history, polity, and economics for Classes 6 to 10 can provide foundational knowledge.

However, NCERT books alone are not sufficient for CLAT preparation. The exam requires a deep understanding of legal reasoning, logical reasoning, and advanced comprehension skills, which are better addressed through specialised CLAT preparation books, practice papers, and mock tests. Combining NCERTs with targeted study material is essential for a comprehensive preparation strategy.

Following analysis about Logical Reasoning section of CLAT exam in the past years can help students in better preparation: 

Particulars	Details
Number of questions asked	28-32
Weightage	18.66 - 21.33 %
Type of questions asked	Passage-based questions.  Length - Each passage will be around 300 words. Questions - Each passage will be followed by a series of questions
Skills tested	Recognize an argument, its premises, and conclusions; Read and identify the arguments set out in the passage; Critically analyze patterns of reasoning, and assess how conclusions may depend on particular premises or evidence; Infer what follows from the passage and apply these inferences to new situations; Draw relationships and analogies, identify contradictions and equivalence and assess the effectiveness of arguments.
Question areas	Sources include opinion and editorial pieces from newspapers and magazines, and essays on moral philosophy available online and in various books. Some passages will be created specifically for the exam. Examples of source material include: Ethics in the real world - 82 brief essays on Things That Matter by Peter Singer Articles and Editorials taken from The Economist, a leading international newspaper History for Health published by the Telegraph Where I am - An editorial published in the Indian Express.

CLAT 2026 general knowledge section is very important and questions are asked from history, geography, economy and environment. Candidates can easily prepare for CLAT GK section by reading the standard books. But for the current affairs, they are advised to religiously read the newspapers and monthly magazines. Apart from this, the CLAT Books for General Knowledge and Current Affairs that candidates can refer are: Pearson General Knowledge Manual,  Lucent’s General Knowledge,  Manorama Year Book,  India Year Book,  Competition Success Review,  Pratiyogita Darpan and Newspapers like: The Hindu,  The Indian Express,  The Telegraph.

Yes, there is math in CLAT exam. The section carries 10 per cent weight. Scoring well in maths can give candidates big boost over competition. The CLAT syllabus for Quantitative Techniques  includes the following important highlights:

• The section includes 13-17 questions in the exam
• Unlike other sections, the Quantitative Techniques section includes short sets of facts, propositions, graphs or other textual, pictorial, diagrammatic representation of numerical information
• Majority of the questions in the section are created specifically for the exam, however, few graphs and histograms are also derived from public sources such as the official website of Reserve Bank of India
• The difficulty level of questions in the exam is of Class 10 level, however, the questions are more logic-based rather than formulae-based
• Important topics on which Maths questions are based in the exam include:

CLAT Syllabus for Quantitative Techniques
Number Theory & Basic Arithmetic	Averages & Percentages
Ratio & Proportion	Mixtures & Allegations
Time & Work	Time, Distance & Speed
Fractions & Equations	Monetary Evaluations
Probability	Permutations & Combinations
Data Interpretation to analyse Charts, Tables, Histograms & other Graphical Information

 

The difficulty of cracking the Mathematics section in the CLAT exam depends on your preparation and comfort with basic mathematical concepts. The section primarily tests elementary-level mathematics, focusing on topics like percentages, averages, profit and loss, ratios, time and work, time and distance, and simple data interpretation. For someone with a clear understanding of these concepts, the questions can feel relatively easy.

However, if math is not your strong suit or you have a fear of numbers, this section might seem challenging. Regular practice, solving mock tests, and understanding shortcuts for calculations can help make the Math section more manageable and boost your confidence.

The CLAT 2026 will also include Mathematics questions under Quantitative Techniques section, carrying 13-17 questions out of total 120 questions. The candidates need to prepare Mathematics questions for CLAT 2026 irrespective of weightage, as the section will be included for final score calculation. As per the exam pattern of CLAT exam, the Quantitive Techniques section contain Maths questions based on passages. The Quantitative Techniques section of CLAT question paper will basically be based on the following topics from Class 10 Mathematics: 

Number theory and basic arithmetic
Averages and Percentages
Ratio and Proportion
Mixtures and alligations
Basic Algebra 
Time and work
Time, distance, and speed
Fractions and equations
Monetary evaluations
Probability
Permutation and combinations

 

The best books for CLAT logical reasoning 2026 sections are: Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by RS Aggarwal,  Analytical and Logical Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal,  Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey. Candidates must focus on practising the previous year questions and similar types of questions from several pratice books, to score good marks in CLAT logical reasoning section. In order to grasp the conceptual understanding of problems based on puzzles, blood relations, numbers, series, sets and arguments, the below-mentioned books would be extremely beneficial.

 

Yes, NCERT books are sufficient to complete the CLAT syllabus. A number of past years' CLAT toppers have claimed that they referred only to NCERT books for preparation. NCERT text books act as the base to complete the syllabus and develop conceptual clarity and understanding of the topics and chapters. However, for practice purposes, students may refer to other books and resources as well. It is advised that while starting the CLAT preparation, candidates refer to the NCERT books and move towards other books and advance resources after that.

To prepare for the CLAT exam, you require the right approach along with the right study materials and strategy. Plan your preparation after knowing your strengths and weaknesses. You need to be organized and follow a time-table. You may refer to reference books related to the course. Internet will also be a huge source of information for you. You may even join coaching institute to work on your fundamentals. When you get a grip on the basic syllabus, you may refer to mock tests / previous years question papers to analyze your preparation and performance before the final exam.

As per the CLAT exam pattern released by the NLU Consortium, Legal Reasoning remained a part of the question paper along with Quantitative Techniques, English Current Affairs including General Knowledge and Logical Reasoning. If the exam authority decides to remove any of the sections of CLAT UG question paper in 2026, then it will inform the candidates in admission notification itself, so that candidates can prepare for the exam accordingly.However, no such announcement has been made so far. The Legal Reasoning section has been removed from AILET question paper only.

The CLAT question paper for UG courses had objective-type questions from subjects such as Logical Reasoning, Legal Reasoning Quantitative Techniques, English and Current Affairs including General Knowledge. The CLAT paper for the LLM. course had both objective questions from law subjects such as Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, Administrative Law, Law of Contract, Torts, Family Law, etc. Generally, the questions are designed as passage followed by series of questions of one mark each. Candidates had to attempt the questions by reading and interpreting the passages only. 

There isn't a set amount of CLAT prep books that students need to read in order to pass the test. They should concentrate on the quality of preparation rather than the quantity. CLAT applicants should consult NCERT books in addition to at least one section-specific CLAT study book for each section, followed by a comprehensive preparation guide, in terms of numbers. You should solve old question papers and take lots of practise tests in addition to consulting the well-known literature.

Yes, you can still appear for CLAT 2026 even if you fail to clear CLAT 2025. CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) has no limit on the number of attempts for eligible candidates. As long as you meet the eligibility criteria for the exam in 2026 (such as age and educational qualifications), you can reappear for it.

The only thing to keep in mind is that you will need to ensure you're within the prescribed eligibility requirements for that year, so it's worth checking the updated criteria once they are released.