CLAT Highlights
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), also known as CLAT, is the exam required for admission to leading undergraduate programmes in India. Students have the option of participating in the examination based on their stream. Check out the following table for the key highlights of CLAT 2027.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) |
| Conducting Body | Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) |
| Exam Level | National Level Entrance Examination |
| Exam Frequency | Annual (Once / Twice a Year) |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
| Courses Offered | 5-Year Integrated BA/BBA LLB & LLM Programmes |
| Exam Paper Language | English, Hindi, and Regional Languages |
| Exam Duration | 120 Minutes (2 Hours) |
| Total Marks | 120 Marks |
| Official Website | consortiumofnlus.ac.in |
NEWWhat's New in CLAT?
For 2027, the examination authority has introduced enhanced biometric verification at centres and standardized hybrid CBT modes to ensure transparency and security for all candidates across India.
CLAT Important Dates
Key dates and deadlines for CLAT 2027 admissions:
| CLAT Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| CLAT Notification Release | November 2026 |
| Online Application Window Opens | December 2026 |
| Last Date for Application Submission | January - February 2027 |
| Application Correction Window | February 2027 |
| Advance City Intimation Slip | 10 Days Before Exam |
| Admit Card Download Starts | 3-4 Days Before Exam |
| CLAT Examination Date | April - May 2027 |
| Provisional Answer Key Release | 1 Week After Exam |
| CLAT Final Result & Rank List | June 2027 |
| Counselling & Seat Allotment | July - August 2027 |
CLAT Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy the following fundamental eligibility requirements prescribed by Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) before applying:
| Category | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Qualifying Examination | Candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12th or equivalent examination from a recognized central/state board. |
| Subject Requirements | Mandatory subjects required: Quantitative Techniques, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Current Affairs & GK, English Language. |
| Minimum Percentage | General/OBC candidates require a minimum of 50-60% aggregate in qualifying subjects (40-45% for SC/ST/PwD categories). |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit for most national entrance examinations, unless specifically restricted by council regulations. |
| Nationality | Indian Citizens, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), and Foreign Nationals are eligible. |
Detailed category-wise reservations follow Government of India guidelines (15% SC, 7.5% ST, 27% OBC-NCL, 10% EWS, 5% PwD).
CLAT Application Process
Applications for CLAT must be submitted exclusively online via the official portal (consortiumofnlus.ac.in).
Step-by-Step Application Procedure
Follow these 4 simple steps to complete your registration:
- Step 1 (Online Registration): Register with Name, Email ID, Mobile Number and generate Application Number and Password.
- Step 2 (Fill Application Form): Enter Personal Details, Educational Qualifications, Exam City Preferences, and Category.
- Step 3 (Document Upload): Upload clear scanned passport photograph, signature, and category certificates in JPG/PDF format.
- Step 4 (Fee Payment): Pay the examination application fee securely through Net Banking, UPI, Credit/Debit Card.
Required Documents for Application
Keep scanned digital copies ready before starting registration:
- Recent Passport Photograph (10 KB to 200 KB, white background)
- Candidate Signature (4 KB to 30 KB, black/blue ink on white paper)
- Class 10th Certificate / Marksheet (for Date of Birth verification)
- Category / Caste Certificate (EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST if applicable)
- Valid Government Photo ID (Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID)
Digital Upload Specifications
| Document | File Type | File Size |
|---|---|---|
| Passport Size Photograph | JPG / JPEG | 10 KB – 200 KB |
| Signature | JPG / JPEG | 4 KB – 30 KB |
| Category Certificate | 50 KB – 300 KB | |
| Class 10th Certificate | 50 KB – 300 KB |
CLAT Application Fee Structure
Application fees vary by candidate category:
| Category | Application Fee | Add. Subject |
|---|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | ₹ 1,000 – ₹ 1,700 | ₹ 500 |
| Gen-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹ 900 – ₹ 1,600 | ₹ 450 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender | ₹ 500 – ₹ 1,000 | ₹ 300 |
| Outside India (International Centres) | ₹ 3,000 – ₹ 6,000 | ₹ 1,500 |
CLAT Application Form Correction
Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) provides a one-time correction facility after the registration closes.
How to Edit Application Form
The candidates can follow the steps to unlock the application correction window:
- Visit the official website and click on Candidate Login.
- Enter Application Number, Password, and Security PIN.
- Click on "Correction in Application Form" tab.
- Review and update permissible fields (Exam City, Category, Academic Details).
- Save changes, pay additional balance fee if category changes, and download the revised Confirmation Page.
CLAT Application Editable Fields
Editable and Non-Editable Fields:
Here is the list of fields that the candidate can edit in any one of them:
- Candidate's Father Name
- Candidate's Mother Name
- Photograph / Signature Re-upload
Here is the list of fields that the candidate can edit in all the fields:
- Class 10 & 12 Academic Details
- Category / Sub-category
- Exam City Choices
- Medium of Question Paper
CLAT Exam Pattern
CLAT follows a standardized objective format designed to assess speed, accuracy, and depth of knowledge.
| Section | Number of Questions per Section | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Section A: Quantitative Techniques | 24-30 Questions (24-30 Marks) | 45-60 Mins per section |
| Section B: Legal Reasoning | 24-30 Questions (24-30 Marks) | 45-60 Mins per section |
| Section C: Logical Reasoning | 24-30 Questions (24-30 Marks) | 45-60 Mins per section |
| Section D: Current Affairs & GK | 24-30 Questions (24-30 Marks) | 45-60 Mins per section |
| Section E: English Language | 24-30 Questions (24-30 Marks) | 45-60 Mins per section |
CLAT Marking Scheme
Standard marking scheme applied across all multiple-choice sections:
- If more than one option is found to be correct and you marked any one, full marks are awarded.
- If all options are found to be correct, full marks are awarded to all who attempted.
- If a question is dropped due to technical error, full marks are awarded to all candidates.
CLAT Syllabus
Official syllabus outline covering key subject domains:
Section 1: Domain-Specific Subject
The other section of the CLAT Exam is the Domain-Specific Subject. The candidates will be allowed to choose up to 5 subjects as per the university. The breakdown of the Section 1 Syllabus is as follows:
← Scroll horizontally to view full syllabus →
CLAT Preparations
Cracking CLAT with a top rank requires disciplined study, daily topic practice, and continuous mock test benchmarking.
- Master the Core Syllabus: Focus 80% of your time on high-weightage topics and foundational NCERT / standard concepts.
- Daily Chapter-Wise Practice: Solve at least 30-50 practice questions per chapter to lock in formulas and concepts.
- Take Timed Mock Tests: Practice with real exam timers on TestExplorer to master time management and eliminate exam anxiety.
- Analyze Weak Areas: Review answer explanations and pinpoint conceptual gaps after every test attempt.
- Systematic Revision: Maintain a formula sheet and revision notes to review key summaries weekly.
CLAT Admit Card
The CLAT Admit Card is an essential identity document released online approximately 3-7 days before the exam date.
Steps to Download CLAT Admit Card:
The candidate can access the CLAT Admit Card by following the steps mentioned below:
- Go to the official website: consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
- Click on the link "Download Admit Card".
- Enter your Application Number, Date of Birth, and Security PIN.
- Review the printed details (Name, Roll Number, Exam Centre, Shift Timing).
- Download and print 2-3 clear color copies.
Details Mentioned on Admit Card:
The following details will be present on the CLAT Admit Card:
- Candidate Name, Roll Number & Application Number
- Father Name, Date of Birth & Category
- Exam Date, Shift Timing & Reporting Time
- Exam Centre Code and Full Address
- Passport Photograph and Signature
- Important Exam Day Instructions & COVID / Security Guidelines
In case of any discrepancy in your name or photo, immediately contact the official helpline.
CLAT Answer Key
Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) publishes the Provisional Answer Key and candidate response sheets shortly after the exam.
How to Download Answer Key & OMR / Response Sheet:
The candidate can check the CLAT Answer Key by following the steps mentioned below:
- Visit the official website consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
- Log in with your credentials.
- Click on "View Question Paper & Response Sheet".
- Download the answer key PDF and compare with your marked responses.
Answer Key Challenge Process:
The candidate is required to make a payment of the fee of ₹ 200 per challenged question (non-refundable processing fee) to object to the answer key. The candidate can object or challenge the CLAT Provisional Answer Key by following the instructions below:
- Select the Question ID you wish to challenge.
- Upload valid supporting proof / textbook justification in PDF format.
- Pay the non-refundable processing fee online.
- The expert panel reviews challenges and releases the Final Answer Key.
CLAT Results
CLAT Results and All India Ranks (AIR) will be declared on the official portal.
How to Check Scorecard & Rank:
The candidates will be able to unlock and download their CLAT Results by following the steps mentioned below:
- Visit consortiumofnlus.ac.in and click on "CLAT Scorecard".
- Enter Application Number, Date of Birth, and Security PIN.
- Your scorecard with Subject-wise Percentile, Total Score, and AIR Rank will be displayed.
- Download and save the PDF for counselling sessions.
Information on Scorecard:
Ensure all details on your scorecard are accurate:
- Candidate Details (Name, Roll Number, Category, Nationality)
- Total Marks Scored & Section-wise Marks
- All India Rank (AIR) & Category Rank
- Qualifying Cutoff Status for Counselling
CLAT Cutoff
Cutoff scores for CLAT depend on exam difficulty, total applicants, and seat availability.
Key factors influencing cutoffs include total test-takers, seat matrix, and relative difficulty across shifts.
Estimated Qualifying Cutoff Percentile / Marks
| College | Programme | Category | Cutoff Rank | Cutoff Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Tier Institutions | Core Degree | General (UR) | Top 1% - 3% | 97+ Percentile |
| Premier Central Colleges | Regular Degree | OBC-NCL | Top 5% - 8% | 92+ Percentile |
| State Level Universities | All Streams | SC / ST | Top 15% - 20% | 80+ Percentile |
| Government Institutes | Reserved Quota | EWS | Top 6% - 10% | 90+ Percentile |
CLAT Counselling
Qualified candidates can register for centralized online counselling for seat allotment across participating universities.
Mandatory Documents Required for Counselling Verification:
Original documents and self-attested photocopies required:
- CLAT Rank Card & Scorecard
- CLAT Admit Card
- Class 10th & 12th Marksheets and Passing Certificates
- Category / Caste Certificate (if applicable)
- Character Certificate & Migration Certificate
- Valid Government Photo Identity Proof
- Passport Size Photographs (6-8 copies matching admit card)
CLAT Participating Universities
Top universities and premier colleges accept CLAT scores for admission:
Top National Institutions Participating in CLAT
The following list of top national institutions will accept CLAT for admission to various courses:
| College Name | College Name |
|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | NALSAR Hyderabad |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | NLU Delhi |
| NLIU Bhopal |
CLAT FAQs
How many times can I attempt CLAT?
Most national entrance exams allow candidates to attempt as long as they meet the qualifying eligibility and educational criteria.
Is there negative marking in CLAT?
Yes, standard marking is +4 for correct answers and -1 mark deducted for incorrect answers.
How can I practice with authentic mock tests for CLAT?
You can practice full chapter-wise tests and full-length simulated mock exams directly on TestExplorer with instant AI-driven analytics.
Can I change my exam centre after admit card release?
No, exam centre allotments once printed on the admit card are final and cannot be changed.
Current Updates
| Event | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| CLAT Official Notification Released | November 2026 | Announced |
| Online Application Form Live | December 2026 - February 2027 | Live |
| Correction Window Facility | February 2027 | Upcoming |
| Admit Card Release Date | April - May 2027 | Upcoming |
Past Events
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Previous Academic Session Cutoff Declared | June 2026 |
| Institutional Counselling Closed | August 2026 |