The Consortium of National Law Universities has officially announced the schedule for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026. As per the press release dated July 20, 2025, the CLAT 2026 exam will be held on Sunday, December 7, 2025, from 2 PM to 4 PM.

The application portal for CLAT 2026 will be activated on August 1, 2025, and candidates will be able to submit their applications until October 31, 2025, which is the final deadline. Details related to the syllabus, application procedure, and counselling process are expected to be released shortly.

The CLAT exam is a national-level entrance test conducted annually for admissions into 22 premier National Law Universities (NLUs) across India, as well as several affiliated private law schools. The test is held for both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programmes.

The Consortium of NLUs, headquartered at National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, is the organizing body for CLAT. Only candidates who meet the prescribed eligibility requirements will be allowed to apply.

• The CLAT exam is conducted once a year by NLU. CLAT 2025 was held on 1st December 2024 (2p.m. to 4 p.m.). Know important CLAT exam dates here.
• Other private law colleges and public sector undertakings for admissions and recruitment use the CLAT scores.
• One who qualifies for the CLAT exam can seek admission in 3- year/5-year integrated LLB and LLM programs as per their requirement. Know about CLAT Results here.

Know about CLAT Eligibility Criteria here.

Direct Link for CLAT Result

CLAT Exam 2026: Overview

The CLAT 2026 is a national entrance test for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programs at 22 National Law Universities (NLUs) across India. It assesses candidates' proficiency in English, current affairs, legal and logical reasoning, and quantitative techniques.

Download CLAT Exam 2026 Notification

What is CLAT?

The Consortium of National Law Universities was established on 19th August 2017 to improve the standard of legal education in the country and the justice system through legal education. The consortium aspires to facilitate better coordination among National Law Schools to achieve the country's highest standards of legal education. 22 National Law Universities have joined the consortium as founder members. 

1st National Law University, namely, the National Law School of Indian University was established in Bangalore in 1987. India is the only country in the world that has universities for legal discipline alone. On 17.10.2018, a permanent CLAT secretariat office was established in Bangalore. It conducts admission tests for undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

CLAT Exam Dates

Knowing the CLAT exam dates is crucial for candidates to plan and prepare effectively, ensuring they meet all application deadlines and are ready for the test day. Timely awareness of these dates also helps in scheduling study plans and avoiding last-minute preparations.

CLAT Apply Online 2025

After the registration process, candidates should keep their login id and password safe for further requirements. Now, candidates have to proceed for further application process by following the follow processes:

Step 1: Login using your login credentials (mobile no. and password)

This initial step involves logging into the Consortium of NLUs portal using your registered mobile number and password to begin the application process.

Step 2: Select the course for which you are applying - UG and PG

Here, applicants choose whether they are applying for the Undergraduate (UG) or Postgraduate (PG) programme within the CLAT exam, ensuring they select the correct course option.

Step 3: Fill all asked details carefully such as education, personal and other details

Candidates must provide accurate information regarding their educational qualifications, personal details, and any other required information as part of the application form.

Step 4: Upload the required documents - photograph, signature

Applicants are required to upload scanned copies of their photograph and signature as per the specifications provided by the CLAT authorities.

Step 5: Complete the mandatory fields such as qualification and preferences

Ensure all mandatory fields related to educational qualifications and preferences (if applicable) are filled out correctly before proceeding with the application submission.

Step 6: Pay the prescribed application fee for CLAT 2025 registration

Candidates need to make the payment of the application fee using the specified online payment modes to complete the registration process.

Step 7: Apply after checking it carefully

Before final submission, carefully review all entered details and uploaded documents to avoid any errors or discrepancies in the application form.

Step 8: Download the soft copy and take a printout for future reference

After successful submission, download and save a soft copy of the completed application form for your records. Also, print a hard copy for future reference and verification purposes if required.

Candidates can check CLAT Previous Year Papers before applying!

CLAT Application Fee 2026

The candidates should keep in mind that without payment of the fee, their registration will not be completed. The candidates themselves will have to bear the bank transaction charges for remitting the fee online. The actual bank transaction charges will be displayed on the payment gateway page after you choose the mode of payment. Application fees are non-refundable. Here are the different charges for CLAT 2026 registration:

CLAT Selection Process 2026

The CLAT selection process consists of the following two stages: A written test and CLAT counselling. The candidates will be selected for the counselling session based on the scores achieved in the written exam.

CLAT Written Exam

The CLAT written exam, an essential admission test for law programs, will be conducted in offline mode, requiring candidates to complete the test on paper. Candidates must arrive at the designated test center on the exam day with all necessary documents, including their admit card and valid identification proof, to ensure they are allowed to participate. Being well-prepared with these documents is crucial for a hassle-free examination experience and compliance with the test center protocols.

CLAT Counselling

During CLAT counselling, candidates must fill out an application form and specify their preferred institutions. Seats are allocated based on the preferences indicated by the candidates, availability of seats, and the merit list. This process ensures that candidates are granted seats in their preferred order, provided they meet the necessary merit and seat availability criteria.

Final Admission

For final admission, candidates must secure their seat by paying a specified fee, which officially blocks their spot in the program. After the seats are allotted, candidates need to complete the remaining admission formalities, which may include submitting necessary documents and fulfilling other institutional requirements. Once these steps are completed, they are ready to commence their academic session as per the institution's schedule, marking the beginning of their journey in the law program.

CLAT Eligibility 2026

The candidates must know about the CLAT eligibility criteria like qualifications, age, number of attempts, minimum marks, and many more details for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. 

• For CLAT 2025 UG programmes, there is no upper age limit. Candidates need a minimum of 45% marks (General/OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI) or 40% marks (SC/ST) in their 10+2 or equivalent examination.
• For CLAT 2025 PG courses, candidates need an LLB degree or equivalent with 50% marks (General/OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI) or 45% marks (SC/ST). There is no upper age limit specified for appearing in the exam.

CLAT Exam Pattern 2026

Understanding the CLAT Exam Pattern for 2026 is crucial as it provides insights into the structure, marking scheme, and topics covered, helping candidates strategize their preparation effectively.

• CLAT 2026 consists of five sections: English including comprehension, General knowledge and current affairs, Elementary mathematics, Legal aptitude, and Logical reasoning.
• The exam comprises a total of 150 questions, with each correct answer awarded one mark.
• Negative marking applies, with 0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect answer.
• The duration of the CLAT exam is 2 hours, and it will be conducted in English medium only.
• Topics covered include comprehension skills, current affairs, basic mathematics, legal reasoning, and logical thinking skills.

CLAT Syllabus 2026

The CLAT 2026 syllabus spans essential subjects for undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Undergraduates focus on English, general awareness, mathematics, reasoning, and legal aptitude. Postgraduates delve into Constitutional Law, Contract Law, Criminal Law, and specialized areas like Environmental Law and International Law. Mastery of these subjects is key to excelling in the CLAT 2026 exam.

CLAT Books

Choosing the appropriate CLAT books is essential for effective exam preparation. These books not only comprehensively cover the diverse subjects and topics outlined in the CLAT syllabus but also provide detailed explanations, practice exercises, and mock tests that simulate the exam environment. By studying from recommended CLAT books, candidates can strengthen their conceptual understanding, refine their problem-solving abilities, and gain insights into exam patterns and strategies. This structured approach not only enhances confidence but also maximizes the chances of achieving a competitive score in the CLAT exam, thereby facilitating admission into esteemed law programs across India.

CLAT Cut-Off

The CLAT cut-off marks serve as benchmarks that determine eligibility for admission into various National Law Universities (NLUs) and other participating institutions. These cut-offs are typically influenced by factors such as the number of applicants, the difficulty level of the exam, and the availability of seats. Understanding the CLAT cut-off trends helps applicants gauge their performance relative to others and plan their preferences for law school admissions accordingly. It's crucial for aspirants to stay updated with previous years' cut-off trends and prepare strategically to meet or exceed these benchmarks for a competitive edge in the admission process.

CLAT Admit Card

The CLAT admit card is a crucial document that candidates must download and carry to the examination center. It serves as proof of provisional eligibility to sit for the CLAT exam and contains essential details such as the candidate's name, roll number, exam center details, and exam timings. Admit cards are typically released online by the conducting authority within a specified timeframe before the exam date. It is important for candidates to verify all details on the admit card and ensure its safekeeping until the completion of the examination process.

CLAT Answer Key

The CLAT answer key is released shortly after the exam and provides candidates with the correct answers to all questions asked in the CLAT exam. It allows candidates to cross-check their responses and estimate their probable scores before the official results are declared. The answer key also facilitates transparency in the evaluation process, enabling candidates to raise objections against any discrepancies found in the answers provided. This helps in ensuring fairness and accuracy in the assessment of CLAT results.

CLAT Result

The CLAT result is the outcome of candidates' performance in the Common Law Admission Test, determining their eligibility for admission into various law programs offered by National Law Universities and other participating institutions. It includes individual scores, rank, and qualifying status, providing a clear indication of candidates' competitive standing relative to others. The result is typically published online by the conducting authority and is crucial for candidates to check as it marks the culmination of their efforts and sets the stage for further admission procedures.

Know List of Colleges Accepting CLAT Score here.

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