The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is one of India’s most prestigious entrance exams for students aspiring to build a career in law. Conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs), CLAT opens the door to 22+ top NLUs and several affiliated colleges across the country.
With the CLAT 2026 exam officially scheduled for 7th December 2025, thousands of law aspirants are gearing up to secure their place in the best universities. If you’re planning to appear for CLAT 2026, this blog covers everything you need to know — from eligibility to preparation tips.
📅 CLAT 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | July 2025 |
| Application Form Start | August 1, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | October 31, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | November 2025 |
| Exam Date | December 7, 2025 |
| Result Declaration | January 2026 |
🔗 Official Website: https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in
🎓 What is CLAT?
CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is a national-level entrance exam for admission to five-year integrated undergraduate (LL.B) and postgraduate (LL.M) law programs. It assesses candidates’ aptitude in English, reasoning, legal awareness, current affairs, and mathematics.
The exam is known for its competitive nature, with over 60,000+ students applying each year for limited seats in top law universities.
✅ CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
For UG Program (B.A. LL.B / B.B.A. LL.B)
- Must have passed Class 12 or equivalent with at least 45% marks (General/OBC/PWD) or 40% (SC/ST).
- Candidates appearing in 2026 board exams are also eligible.
- No upper age limit for appearing in CLAT.
For PG Program (LL.M)
- Must possess an LL.B or equivalent degree from a recognized university.
- Minimum marks: 50% (General), 45% (SC/ST).
🧾 CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern
| Section | Number of Questions | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 22–26 | 20% |
| Current Affairs (including GK) | 28–32 | 25% |
| Legal Reasoning | 28–32 | 25% |
| Logical Reasoning | 22–26 | 20% |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10–14 | 10% |
- Total Questions: ~120
- Marks: 120 (1 mark each)
- Negative Marking: -0.25 per wrong answer
- Duration: 2 hours
- Mode: Offline (Pen and Paper)
💡 The questions are passage-based, focusing on reading comprehension and analytical reasoning rather than rote memorization.
📘 CLAT 2026 Syllabus Highlights
1. English Language
- Reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms.
2. Current Affairs & General Knowledge
- National & international events, government policies, awards, sports, law-related news.
3. Legal Reasoning
- Legal principles, laws, and application of logic in given scenarios.
4. Logical Reasoning
- Critical reasoning, assumptions, arguments, inferences, and puzzles.
5. Quantitative Techniques
- Data interpretation, percentages, ratios, averages, and basic arithmetic.
📝 How to Apply for CLAT 2026
- Visit the official website consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
- Register with your email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in personal and academic details carefully.
- Upload scanned photo and signature in the prescribed format.
- Select your preferred NLUs and exam centres.
- Pay the fee (₹4,000 for General / ₹3,500 for SC/ST).
- Download and print the application confirmation page.
🎯 Preparation Tips for CLAT 2026
- Understand the Exam Pattern – Familiarize yourself with question types and marking schemes.
- Read Daily – Newspapers like The Hindu and Indian Express are gold for current affairs and comprehension.
- Practice Mock Tests – Regularly attempt full-length tests to improve accuracy and timing.
- Focus on Legal Reasoning – It carries high weightage; practice solving scenario-based legal problems.
- Revise NCERT Basics – Especially for Quantitative and English sections.
- Stay Consistent – Study 3–4 hours daily and track your weak areas.
🎓 Consistency beats intensity. Small, steady progress every day will get you through.
🏛 Top National Law Universities Accepting CLAT 2026 Scores
- National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore
- National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad
- National Law University (NLU), Delhi (via AILET)
- The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata
- National Law University, Jodhpur
- Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar
- Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU), Lucknow
📈 Why Choose Law as a Career?
A degree in law opens diverse career paths — litigation, corporate law, judiciary, academia, or even entrepreneurship.
Top NLUs offer high placement rates, with graduates securing roles at leading law firms, consultancies, and international organizations.
🧩 CLAT 2026 – Key Takeaways
- Exam Date: December 7, 2025
- Application Window: August–October 2025
- Mode: Offline (Pen and Paper)
- Eligibility: Class 12 Pass (UG) / LL.B Pass (PG)
- Preparation: Focus on reading, reasoning, and regular mock tests
🚀 Start early, stay disciplined, and you’ll be ready to conquer CLAT 2026 with confidence.
CLAT 2026 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
CLAT 2026 (Common Law Admission Test) is a national-level law entrance exam conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) for admission into five-year integrated LL.B and one-year LL.M programs across India.
The CLAT 2026 exam date is 7 December 2025 (Sunday). The test will be conducted in offline (pen-and-paper) mode across various centres in India.
CLAT is organized by the Consortium of National Law Universities (CNLUs), which includes 24 participating NLUs that collaborate to standardize admissions into their undergraduate and postgraduate law programs.
For UG Courses: Candidates must have completed Class 12 with a minimum of 45 % marks (General/OBC) or 40 % (SC/ST).
For PG Courses: An LL.B or equivalent degree with 50 % (General) or 45 % (SC/ST).
There is no age limit for appearing in CLAT.
CLAT 2026 will be conducted in offline (OMR-based) mode for both UG and PG programs.
The CLAT syllabus includes reading comprehension, vocabulary, legal reasoning, logical reasoning, current affairs, and elementary mathematics (quantitative techniques). The focus is on comprehension-based analytical skills rather than rote learning.
CLAT scores are accepted by 22 National Law Universities (NLUs), including NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata, NLU Jodhpur, and GNLU Gandhinagar, along with several private and state law colleges.
CLAT is mandatory for NLUs and most top law universities, but not all colleges require it. Some private institutions conduct their own entrance exams or accept other national law test scores.
The CLAT 2026 results are expected to be released in January 2026, followed by the counselling and seat-allocation process for successful candidates.
