CLAT EXAM
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is India's gateway to the prestigious National Law Universities (NLUs), offering integrated 5-year BA LLB/BSc LLB/BCom LLB programs (UG) and 1-year LLM programs (PG). Conducted by the Consortium of NLUs, CLAT isn't just an exam; it's a launchpad to diverse careers—from litigator to legal consultant, earning starting salaries of ₹10-20 lakhs per annum at top firms, scaling to crores with experience.
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Law Careers in India
India's legal sector is booming, with multiple options for law careers. There are 1.3 million lawyers, yet demand outstrips supply in specialized fields like IP, cyber law, and arbitration. NLUs boast 95%+ placement rates, with alumni at Supreme Court benches and global firms like Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas.
Let’s check the opportunities in law careers with their job roles, average salaries, and top recruiters.
| Career Path | Key Roles | Avg. Starting Salary (₹ LPA) | Top Recruiters |
| Litigation | Advocate, Public Prosecutor | 8-15 | Law Firms, Courts |
| Corporate | In-House Counsel, M&A Advisor | 12-25 | AZB & Partners, Khaitan & Co. |
| Judiciary | Judge, Legal Services Authority | 10-18 (govt scale) | High Courts, Tribunals |
| Academia/Policy | Professor, Think Tank Analyst | 10-20 | NLUs, NITI Aayog |
| International | UN Legal Officer, Arbitrator | 20-40 | ICC, WTO |
Source: Bar Council of India reports and NLU placement data (2024-25 trends).
CLAT scores unlock 24 NLUs, plus private affiliates, with UG focusing on holistic skills and PG on advanced legal acumen.
CLAT Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply for CLAT?
The table below provides the specific details for CLAT exam eligibility criteria. UG does not require prior legal knowledge—it is designed for school leavers. PG targets graduates and has no upper age limit, promoting inclusivity.
CLAT UG Eligibility
| Criterion | General/OBC/EWS | SC/ST/PwD | Notes |
| Qualification | 10+2 or equiv. | Same | Min. 45% aggregate (Gen); 40% (reserved). Appearing students eligible; proof required at admission. |
| Age Limit | None | None | - |
| Attempts | Unlimited | Unlimited | - |
CLAT PG Eligibility
| Criterion | General/OBC/EWS | SC/ST/PwD | Notes |
| Qualification | LLB or equiv. | Same | Min. 50% aggregate (Gen); 45% (reserved). Appearing eligible; proof at admission. |
| Age Limit | None | None | - |
| Attempts | Unlimited | Unlimited | 3-year or 5-year LLB accepted. |
Also Read: CLAT UG 2026
CLAT Exam Dates
With applications live as of August 1, 2025 (today's date: Sept 22), act fast—last date is Oct 31. Exam on Dec 7 ensures results by Christmas for Jan intakes.
| Event | UG & PG Date | Details |
| Notification Release | July 20, 2025 | Official bulletin on consortiumofnlus.ac.in |
| Applications Open | August 1, 2025 | Online registration starts |
| Last Date to Apply | October 31, 2025 | No extensions typically |
| Application Correction Window | November 1-3, 2025 (tentative) | Edit form post-submission |
| Admit Card Release | November 20, 2025 (tentative) | Download from portal |
| Exam Date | December 7, 2025 (2-4 PM) | Offline, pen-paper mode at 100+ centers |
| Provisional Answer Key | December 8, 2025 | Objections invited |
| Final Answer Key & Results | December 20, 2025 (tentative) | Merit lists published |
| Counseling Registration | December 25, 2025 - January 5, 2026 | Separate fee: ₹50,000 (adjustable) |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment | January 15, 2026 | Online choice-filling based |
| Classes Commence | July 2026 | Varies by NLU |
For Details: Visit Official CLAT Website
CLAT Application Process
CLAT aspirants can apply for CLAT 2026 by following these steps.
- Visit https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/ and create an account with email/mobile.
- Fill Form: Enter personal/academic details. Upload photo (80-100KB, white bg), signature (50-100KB), and category certs if applicable.
- Select Preferences: Choose UG/PG (or both for ₹5,000 fee). Opt for NLUs.
- Pay Fee: Online (net banking/card/UPI). Non-refundable.
- Submit & Print: Download confirmation.
CLAT Exam Fees
The exam fees for CLAT 2026 is as mentioned below:
| Category | Fee (₹) | Additional for Both UG+PG |
| General/OBC/NRI/PwD | 4,000 | +1,000 |
| SC/ST/BPL | 3,500 | +1,000 |
| Previous Papers | 500 (optional) | - |
CLAT Exam Pattern & Syllabus: UG 2026
A 2-hour sprint: 120 MCQs (1 mark each), -0.25 for wrongs. Focus: Comprehension (450-word passages) over rote. Tests Class 12-level aptitude.
Exam Pattern
| Section | Approx. Questions | Marks | Time Suggestion |
| English Language | 28-32 | 28-32 | 30 min |
| Current Affairs & GK | 35-39 | 35-39 | 25 min |
| Legal Reasoning | 35-39 | 35-39 | 35 min |
| Logical Reasoning | 28-32 | 28-32 | 25 min |
| Quantitative Techniques | 13-17 | 13-17 | 15 min |
| Total | 120 | 120 | 120 min |
Detailed Syllabus
All sections passage-based; questions on inference, summary, application.
| Section | Key Topics | Question Types | Prep Focus |
| English | Fiction/non-fiction passages; vocab, grammar in context | Infer arguments, summarize, compare viewpoints | Read The Hindu editorials; practice 5 passages/day |
| CA & GK | News (last 1-2 yrs), arts, history, intl. events | Identify events, cultural significance | Daily newspaper; GK apps like Inshorts |
| Legal Reasoning | Fact scenarios, public policy, moral issues (no prior law needed) | Apply principles to facts; infer rules | Read legal news (PRS India); mock scenarios |
| Logical Reasoning | Arguments, premises, analogies, contradictions | Analyze validity, strengthen/weaken conclusions | Puzzle books; LSAT-style questions |
| Quantitative | Data interp., ratios, algebra, stats (Class 10 level) | Extract/manipulate numbers from text | NCERT Math Ch. 10-15; speed calcs |
Also Read: CLAT UG 2025 English section Analysis
Also Read: CLAT UG 2025 CSGK Paper Analysis
CLAT Exam Pattern & Syllabus: PG 2026
For law grads: 2 hours, 120 MCQs, same marking. Single section on core subjects; tests application over theory. Ideal for specialization.
Exam Pattern
| Parameter | Details |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Questions | 120 MCQs |
| Marking | +1 correct; -0.25 wrong |
| Sections | One: Substantive & Procedural Law |
| Mode | Offline |
Detailed Syllabus
60% weightage: Substantive (Constitution, Contracts, etc.); 40%: Procedural. Questions: Objective on principles, case laws, application.
| Subject Area | Weightage (%) | Key Topics | Question Types |
| Constitutional Law | 20-25 | Preamble, FRs, DPSPs, Amendments, Judicial Review | Identify principles; apply to hypotheticals |
| Jurisprudence | 10-15 | Schools of thought, rights/duties, ownership | Conceptual analysis; compare theories |
| Contract Law | 10-15 | Formation, breach, remedies (IPC/Contract Act) | Case-based; validity checks |
| Torts | 5-10 | Negligence, nuisance, strict liability | Fact application; defenses |
| Criminal Law | 15-20 | IPC offenses, punishments, mens rea | Scenario resolution; elements proof |
| International Law | 5-10 | Treaties, state responsibility, UN Charter | Principle inference; dispute resolution |
| Family Law | 5 | Marriage, adoption, succession (Hindu/Muslim) | Norm application |
| Property Law | 5 | Transfer, easements (TPA) | Rights determination |
| IPR/Company Law | 5 | Patents, incorporation, winding up | Basic application |
| Procedural: CPC, CrPC, Evidence | 40 | Suits, trials, admissibility, burdens | Process steps; evidentiary rules |
Participating NLUs in CLAT 2026: Seats & Specializations
24 NLUs; total UG seats 3,200; PG 1,300. Each offers BA/BCom/BSc LLB (Hons.) for UG; LLM with electives like Cyber/IP for PG.
| NLU | Location | UG Seats | PG Seats | Key Specialties |
| NLSIU | Bengaluru | 300 | 120 | Constitutional, Intl. Law |
| NALSAR | Hyderabad | 132 | 66 | Cyber, Human Rights |
| NLIU | Bhopal | 200 | 60 | Corporate, Environ. |
| WBNUJS | Kolkata | 132 | 66 | Maritime, IP |
| NLU | Jodhpur | 120 | 50 | Banking, Taxation |
| GNLU | Gandhinagar | 172 | 57 | Intl. Trade, Mediation |
| HNLU | Raipur | 170 | 60 | Tribal, Energy Law |
| RMLNLU | Lucknow | 169 | 80 | Labour, Family |
| RGNUL | Patiala | 180 | 60 | Women's Studies |
| CNLU | Patna | 120 | 50 | - |
| NUALS | Kochi | 60 | 60 | Maritime |
| NLUO | Odisha | 60 | 60 | Tribal Rights |
| NUSRL | Ranchi | 120 | 50 | - |
| NLUJ | Assam | 60 | 60 | NE Studies |
| TNNLU | Tiruchirappalli | 120 | 50 | - |
| DSNLU | Visakhapatnam | 120 | 50 | - |
| MNLU | Mumbai | 120 | 50 | - |
| MNLU | Nagpur | 120 | 50 | - |
| MNLU | Aurangabad | 120 | 50 | - |
| HPNLU | Shimla | 120 | 50 | - |
| DNLU | Jabalpur | 120 | 60 | - |
| NLU | Tripura | 60 | 30 | - |
| MPNLU | Bhopal | 120 | 60 | - |
| Total | - | 3,213 | 1,217 | - |
Includes NRI/FN quotas (5-15%).
Reservation Policy in CLAT Exam: Ensuring Equity
NLUs follow GoI norms; state-specific for home-state quotas (30% in some).
| Category | % Reservation | Horizontal (within) | Documents Needed |
| SC | 15% | PwD (5% of seats) | Caste cert from Tehsildar |
| ST | 7.5% | - | Same |
| OBC | 27% (non-creamy) | - | OBC-NCL cert |
| EWS | 10% | - | EWS cert (income <₹8L) |
| PwD | 5% (across) | - | UDID card |
| NRI/NRI-Sponsored | 5-15% (NLU-wise) | - | Passport/sponsorship affidavit |
| Supernumerary (FN) | Varies | - | - |
CLAT Cutoff Trends: Benchmark Your Target
Cutoffs rise 2-5 marks yearly due to competition (60,000+ applicants). Expected for 2026 based on 2025 trends (Gen category, Round 1).
UG Cutoff Ranks/Marks (Top NLUs)
| NLU | Gen Rank | Marks (out of 120) | SC/ST/OBC Ranks |
| NLSIU Bengaluru | 50-100 | 95-100 | 500-1000 / 200-400 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 100-150 | 92-97 | 1000-1500 / 400-600 |
| NLIU Bhopal | 150-250 | 88-93 | 1500-2000 / 600-800 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | 250-350 | 85-90 | 2000-2500 / 800-1000 |
| Mid-Tier (e.g., GNLU) | 500-1000 | 75-85 | 3000+ / 1500+ |
PG Cutoff Marks
| NLU | Gen Marks | Reserved Marks |
| NLSIU/NALSAR | 95-105 | 85-95 |
| NLU Jodhpur/GNLU | 85-95 | 75-85 |
| Others | 70-85 | 65-75 |
Beyond CLAT: Opportunities in Law Careers
NLU life: Mooting, internships (₹20K stipends), internships at SC/STF. Post-LLB: AILET/CLAT for judiciary; LLM abroad via Fulbright. Women: 50%+ NLU intake; scholarships abound (KC Mahindra).
| Milestone | Timeline | ROI |
| Internships | 2nd-4th Yr | Network, skills |
| Placements | 5th Yr | 90%+ offers |
| Bar Exam | Post-LLB | Practice license |
| Higher Studies | Post-UG/PG | PhD/JSD abroad |
FAQs
What is CLAT full form?
CLAT full form is the Common Law Admission Test. It’s a national-level entrance test for UG and PG programs in National Law Universities and law schools across India.
