The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a pivotal exam for aspiring law students in India, marking the official entry into the legal field. Conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities, this exam outlines all essential details, from exam dates and centers to syllabus and eligibility criteria.
With approximately 45,000 students aiming to pursue law after Class XII, CLAT is a significant event in the legal education calendar. This guide focuses on the UG-CLAT 2026, catering specifically to undergraduate aspirants.
What is the CLAT Exam?
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) serves as a national-level entrance test for undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs across 24 National Law Universities (NLUs) in India. It is also utilized by several affiliated institutions and organizations for admissions and recruitment purposes.
Starting in the Academic Year 2026-2027, all admissions to the 5-year integrated LL.B. and 2-year LL.M. programs will be conducted through CLAT 2026.
Key Highlights
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) |
| Test Conducting Body | Consortium of National Law Universities |
| Test Level | UG & PG |
| Test Frequency | Once a year |
| Test Mode | Offline |
| Test Duration | 120 Minutes |
| Test Language | English |
| Test Purpose | Admissions to various law courses |
CLAT 2026 Exam Dates
Based on the previous year’s announcements, here are the tentative key dates for CLAT 2026:
| Event | Timeline (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| Release of CLAT admission notification | Early May (Around May 15) |
| Start of CLAT online application form | Early July (Around July 15) |
| CLAT 2026 last registration date | Last week of October 2025 (Around October 22) |
| Release of CLAT 2026 admit card | Mid-November 2025 |
| CLAT 2026 Exam date | December 7, 2025 |
| Release of final answer key | First week of December 2025 |
| Declaration of results | Second week of December 2025 |
| Commencement of counseling | January 2026 |
CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The CLAT exam consists of five sections designed to test aptitude and reasoning abilities. The structure is as follows:
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Mode: Offline
- Type of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Total Questions: 120
- Marking Scheme: 1 mark for each correct answer; 0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect answer.
Sections Breakdown
| Section | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| English Language | 22-26 |
| Current Affairs, including General Knowledge | 28-32 |
| Legal Reasoning | 28-32 |
| Logical Reasoning | 22-26 |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10-14 |
CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The CLAT 2026 eligibility criteria will be released alongside the official notification. Generally, the criteria from CLAT 2025 serve as a reliable reference:
Educational Qualification
Applicants must have completed the 10+2 or an equivalent examination. The minimum marks required are as follows:
- General/OBC/Specially Abled: 45%
- SC/ST: 40%
Note: Candidates awaiting their Class 12 results in March/April 2026 are also eligible, provided they can furnish proof of passing upon admission.
Age Limit
CLAT has no upper age limit; candidates fulfilling the eligibility criteria can appear for the exam.
CLAT 2026 Application Process
The application process for CLAT 2026 is expected to commence in July 2025 and conclude in the last week of October 2025. Here’s how candidates can apply:
- Registration: Register on the CLAT website using your mobile number and email address.
- OTP Verification: An OTP will be sent for validation.
- Login: Use the registered mobile number and password to log in.
- Form Filling: Fill out the application form, pay the fee, and upload required documents.
Documents Required for Registration
| Documents | Format |
|---|---|
| Photograph | jpeg/png |
| Signature | jpeg/png |
| Category Certificate (if applicable) |
Application Fees
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI | INR 4000 |
| SC/ST/EWS | INR 3500 |
CLAT 2026 Exam Syllabus
The CLAT exam syllabus encompasses five sections. Here’s a brief overview:
| Section | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| English Language | 22-26 |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10-14 |
| Logical Reasoning | 22-26 |
| Current Affairs, including General Knowledge | 28-32 |
| Legal Reasoning | 28-32 |
A detailed review of the syllabus refer to- https://vidhigya.com/blog/wp-admin/post.php?post=321&action=edit
CLAT 2026 Preparation Tips
Structured Study Plan
- Create a monthly and weekly study schedule to cover all subjects and concepts systematically.
Mock Tests and Practice
- Regularly take mock tests and analyze results to identify weak areas.
Conceptual Clarity
- Focus on strengthening your understanding of fundamental concepts.
Recommended Books for CLAT 2026 Preparation
English Language
- Objective General English 2023 by SP Bakshi
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
Quantitative Techniques
- Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Arihant Publications
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Pearson
Logical Reasoning
- A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by RS Aggarwal
- Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey
Legal Reasoning
- Legal Awareness and Legal Reasoning by Pearson
- Objective Legal Aptitude by RS Aggarwal
Current Affairs
- Current Affairs Yearly by Arihant Publications
- Manorama Year Book by Manorama Publications
CLAT 2026 Exam Centers
CLAT exam centers are available across various cities in India. Candidates can choose three preferred locations during the application process. Here’s a selection of exam cities:
- Agra
- Bengaluru
- Chennai
- Delhi
- Gurugram
- Kolkata
- Mumbai
CLAT 2026 Admit Card
The CLAT Admit Card will be available 15 days before the exam date. Candidates can download it from the official website.
Steps to Download the Admit Card
- Visit https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
- Log in using your registered mobile number and password.
- Click on the Download Admit Card link.
- Save the PDF and print multiple copies.
CLAT 2026 Reservation Policy
Approximately 3400 seats for the 5-year LL.B. program will be distributed based on reservations for various categories. Each NLU has its reservation criteria, and candidates should check the respective NLU websites for details.
CLAT 2026 Expected Cut-off
The expected cut-off marks for admission to NLUs are as follows:
| Category | Expected Cut-Off Marks (out of 120) |
|---|---|
| General | 85-90 |
| OBC/SC/ST | 70-80 |
CLAT 2026 Result
The CLAT results will likely be announced in December 2025. Candidates can access their results on the consortium website, which will include their score, overall rank, and further instructions for counseling.
Key Takeaways
- CLAT 2026 will likely be held in early December 2025.
- The exam consists of 120 questions across five sections.
- A well-structured study plan is crucial.
- Regular practice and mock tests will enhance your performance.
Stay motivated and believe in your capabilities as you prepare for this vital exam!