CLAT Overview
CLAT is the national entrance exam for admission to the 5-year integrated LLB programmes (UG) and LLM (PG) at the 24 National Law Universities. Many private law colleges and public sector undertakings also use the CLAT score.
Check consortiumofnlus.ac.in for the latest notification, exam date and counselling schedule.
| Full form | Common Law Admission Test |
| Conducting body | Consortium of NLUs |
| Exam level | National |
| Mode | Offline (pen and paper) |
| Frequency | Once a year |
| Duration | 2 hours (UG) |
| Programmes | 5-year integrated LLB (UG), LLM (PG) |
| Official website | consortiumofnlus.ac.in |
CLAT Important Dates
| Event | Date / timing |
|---|---|
| Registration | July / August to October |
| Admit card | November |
| Exam | First Sunday of December |
| Result and counselling | December to January onwards |
Typical timeline based on previous years - exact dates are in the official notification.
CLAT Eligibility
- UG: Class 12 or equivalent with at least 45% marks (40% for SC / ST). Students appearing in Class 12 can apply.
- PG (LLM): LLB degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC / ST).
- There is no upper age limit for CLAT UG.
CLAT Exam Pattern
| Total questions (UG) | 120 (passage-based) |
| Total marks | 120 |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Question type | Multiple choice |
| Marking | +1 for correct, -0.25 for wrong answer |
Section-wise structure
| Section | Approx. questions | Details |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 22 to 26 | Comprehension passages, grammar and vocabulary |
| Current Affairs including General Knowledge | 28 to 32 | Current events, static GK, international affairs |
| Legal Reasoning | 28 to 32 | Legal principles applied to fact situations |
| Logical Reasoning | 22 to 26 | Arguments, critical reasoning and analogies |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10 to 14 | Basic maths from Class 10 level, data interpretation |
CLAT Syllabus
English
Reading comprehension, inference, vocabulary in context, grammar.
Current Affairs and GK
Recent national and international events, awards, polity, economy, static GK.
Legal Reasoning
Passages on law, constitutional principles, torts, contracts, criminal law - apply rules to given facts.
Logical Reasoning
Argument analysis, assumptions, conclusions, analogies and patterns.
Quantitative Techniques
Ratio, percentage, average, profit and loss, data interpretation (Class 10 level).
How to Apply for CLAT
- Register on consortiumofnlus.ac.in and create your account.
- Fill in the application form and select your NLU preferences.
- Upload documents and pay the fee.
- Download the admit card and appear in the exam.
- Attend CLAT counselling and choose NLUs after the result.
CLAT Preparation Tips
- Read a newspaper daily for Current Affairs.
- Practise passage-based questions - almost the whole paper is passage-based.
- Solve previous papers in a timed manner.
- Keep a monthly current-affairs notebook.
Colleges Accepting CLAT
CLAT FAQs
Is CLAT only for NLUs?
CLAT is mainly for the National Law Universities, but many other law colleges also accept the CLAT score.
Is there a negative marking in CLAT?
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer.
Is there an age limit for CLAT?
There is no upper age limit for CLAT UG.
How can I get CLAT counselling?
Use the Call, WhatsApp or Email buttons on this page to talk to the StudyGalaxy counselling team.
Exam dates, pattern and eligibility can change every year. Please confirm on the official website before applying.