CLAT 2026 Law Entrance Exam – National Law Universities (NLU) Admission

Introduction

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026 is India’s most prestigious and nationally recognized law entrance examination, conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities for admission to prestigious law programs across India. The CLAT 2026 examination serves as the unified gateway for admission to 5-year integrated BA LLB programs (BA LLB, BBA LLB, B.Com LLB, B.Sc LLB, B.Tech LLB) and postgraduate LLM programs at 22 National Law Universities (NLUs) and affiliated institutions nationwide. With an expected participation of over 4 lakh candidates, CLAT 2026 stands as one of Asia’s most competitive law entrance examinations, offering opportunities to pursue legal education at India’s premier law institutions.​

The examination is meticulously designed to assess candidates’ legal reasoning, analytical thinking, English proficiency, and general knowledge essential for legal practice. CLAT qualification opens doors to admission at elite institutions, including National Law University Delhi, National Law School of India Bangalore, Nalsar Hyderabad, Gujarat National Law University, and 18 other prestigious NLUs, ensuring world-class legal education and a launching pad for successful legal careers.​

About CLAT and National Law Universities

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) was established to provide a unified, standardized examination for law admissions across India’s premier National Law Universities. Conducted since 2008, CLAT has evolved into the benchmark examination for legal education in India, maintaining the highest standards of transparency, meritocracy, and fair selection. The examination is recognized by legal regulatory bodies, including the Bar Council of India, signifying the quality and credibility of CLAT-based admissions.​

National Law Universities represent the highest echelon of legal education in India, offering rigorous curricula, experienced faculty, extensive library resources, and exposure to contemporary legal issues. CLAT qualification provides access to these premier institutions, facilitating comprehensive legal education and preparation for careers in the judiciary, corporate law, public interest litigation, and international law.​

Examination Overview and Structure

CLAT 2026 Examination Details:

• Conducting Authority: Consortium of National Law Universities

• Exam Mode: Offline (Pen and Paper)

• Total Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)

• Total Questions: 150 questions (UG) / 120 questions (PG)

• Total Marks: 150 marks (UG) / 120 marks (PG)

• Question Types: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) with a single correct answer

• Marking Scheme: +1 mark for correct answer, -0.25 mark for incorrect answer

• Exam Date: December 7, 2025 (Sunday), 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

• Exam Centers: 150+ cities across India and international centers

• Score Validity: Valid for one academic year (2026-2027 admission cycle)

• Frequency: Conducted once annually

• Languages: English only

• Number of Attempts: Unlimited attempts allowed

• Participating NLUs: 22 National Law Universities nationwide

• Total Seats Available: Approximately 3,700+ seats​

Paper Structure and Content Details

CLAT UG 2026 (BA LLB / BBA LLB / B.Com LLB / B.Sc LLB / B.Tech LLB) Paper:

• English Language – 40 marks, 30 questions

  • Reading comprehension passages

  • Vocabulary and grammar

  • Sentence completion

  • Synonyms and antonyms

• Current Affairs & General Knowledge – 30 marks, 25 questions

  • National and international current events

  • Indian history and culture

  • Geography and science

  • Static general knowledge

• Legal Reasoning – 40 marks, 35 questions

  • Legal principles and concepts

  • Case scenarios and fact patterns

  • Legal interpretation and application

• Logical Reasoning – 30 marks, 25 questions

  • Analytical reasoning

  • Syllogisms and deductive reasoning

  • Data analysis and interpretation

• Quantitative Techniques – 10 marks, 10 questions

  • Basic mathematical operations

  • Percentage and ratios

  • Arithmetic and number systems

CLAT PG 2026 (LLM) Paper:

• Constitutional Law – 30 marks

• Other Law Subjects – 90 marks:

  • Administrative Law

  • Tax Law

  • Environmental Law

  • Jurisprudence

  • Labour Law

  • Industrial Law

  • Family Law

  • Law of Contract

  • Criminal Law

  • Torts

  • Property Law

  • Company Law

  • Public International Law

Marking Scheme:

• Correct Answer: +1 mark

• Incorrect Answer: -0.25 mark

• Unanswered: 0 marks

• Maximum Score: 150 marks (UG) / 120 marks (PG)​

Comprehensive Eligibility Criteria

For CLAT UG 2026 (BA LLB):

• Must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent examination

• Minimum marks requirement:

  • General/OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI: 45% marks in the qualifying exam

  • SC/ST: 40% marks in the qualifying exam

• Educational qualification from any recognized state or central board

• Any stream (Science, Commerce, Arts) is eligible

• Candidates appearing in the Class 12 exam in 2026 can also apply (must submit proof at admission)

For CLAT PG 2026 (LLM):

• Must have passed a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent degree

• Minimum marks requirement:

  • General/OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI: 50% marks in LLB

  • SC/ST: 45% marks in LLB

• Bachelor’s degree from any recognized university

• Candidates appearing for the LLB final year exam in March/April 2026 can also apply

Age Limit:

• No upper age limit – Candidates of any age can appear

• No minimum age restriction

• Both school-going students and working professionals are eligible

Nationality:

• Indian citizens

• Non-Resident Indians (NRI)

• Persons of Indian Origin (PIO)

• Overseas Citizens of India (OCI)

• Foreign nationals

• All are eligible to apply

Number of Attempts:

• Unlimited attempts – No cap on the number of times a candidate can appear

• Previous year CLAT scorers can reappear to improve their scores​

Important Dates and Application Timeline

CLAT 2026 Critical Schedule (UPDATED):

• Notification Release Date: July 20, 2025

• Online Registration Start Date: August 1, 2025 (10:00 AM)

• Original Application Deadline: October 31, 2025

• Extended Application Deadline: November 7, 2025 (5:00 PM) – EXTENDED

• Last Date for Fee Payment: November 7, 2025 (EXTENDED)

• Application Correction Window: November 5-9, 2025 (11:59 PM)

• Admit Card Release: 3rd week of November 2025 (expected)

• CLAT 2026 Exam Date: December 7, 2025 (Sunday), 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

• Provisional Answer Key: December 8-9, 2025 (expected)

• Objection Window: December 9-11, 2025 (expected)

• Final Answer Key: 3rd week of December 2025 (expected)

• Result Declaration: 3rd week of December 2025 (expected)

• Counselling Registration Starts: Last week of December 2025 (expected)

• Seat Allotment Begins: Late December 2025 – Early January 2026

• Admission Process: January-June 2026

• Academic Session Commencement: July 2026​

Category-Wise Application Fee Structure

CLAT 2026 Registration Fees:

Payment Methods Available:

• Net Banking (all banks)

• Debit Card (all banks)

• Credit Card (all banks)

• UPI (Unified Payments Interface)

• PayPal (for international candidates)

Important Fee Information:

• Application fees are strictly non-refundable

• Bank transaction charges are payable by the applicant

• Processing charges and GST are additional

• Payment must be completed online only

• Once the fee is paid, no refund under any circumstances​

How to Apply Online for CLAT 2026

Step-by-Step Registration Process (UPDATED):

1. Visit Official Website: Navigate to consortiumofnlus.ac.in

2. Register New Account: Click “Register” and provide:

   • Valid email address

   • Active mobile number

   • Create a strong password (minimum 8 characters)

   • Accept terms and conditions

3. Email Verification: Receive OTP on the registered email and verify the account

4. Log in to Portal: Use email ID and password to access CLAT account

5. Fill Personal Information:

   • Full name (as per Class 12/college certificate)

   • Date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY)

   • Gender (Male/Female/Other)

   • Category (General/OBC/SC/ST/PWD/BPL/NRI/PIO/OCI)

   • Nationality

   • Permanent and correspondence addresses

   • State, district, and city details

   • Emergency contact information

6. Provide Educational Details:

   • Class 10 board and percentage (UG applicants)

   • Class 12 board name and year of passing

   • Class 12 marks obtained and percentage

   • Bachelor’s degree university name (PG applicants)

   • LLB marks obtained and percentage (PG applicants)

   • Stream details

7. Select Program Preference:

   • Choose program (BA LLB/BBA LLB/B.Com LLB/B.Sc LLB/B.Tech LLB for UG; LLM for PG)

   • Select up to 4 exam centers in order of preference

8. Select NLU Preferences:

   • Select the preferred National Law Universities in order of choice

9. Upload Required Documents:

   • Passport-size photograph (colored, 50×60 mm, JPEG, 20-200 KB, 80% face visible)

   • Signature (30×60 mm, JPEG, 10-100 KB)

   • Category certificate (if applicable)

   • Government ID proof (Aadhaar/PAN/Voter ID)

10. Pay Application Fee: Complete online payment as per category

11. Submit Application: Review all information and submit the form

12. Download Confirmation: Download and save the application receipt with the registration number

13. Application Correction: If needed, modify details during the correction window (Nov 5-9, 2025)​

Career Opportunities After CLAT Qualification

• Direct admission to all 22 National Law Universities

• Access to prestigious law institutions with global recognition

• Career opportunities in the judiciary, corporate law, and legal consultancy

• Public interest litigation and social justice work

• International law and diplomacy

• Legal academia and research

• Average law graduate salary: ₹6-15 lakhs per annum (varies by specialization and career path)

• Scholarship opportunities for high scorers