CLAT 2026 Exam Date, Syllabus, Pattern, Registration, Eligibility, Preparation Tips

Before applying for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2025, candidates must carefully review the eligibility requirements set by the Consortium of NLUs. The criteria vary slightly for Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) law programs.

For UG (LL.B.) Programs

• Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent from a recognized board.

• Minimum Marks:

  • General / OBC / PwD / NRI / PIO / OCI: 45% marks

  • SC / ST: 40% marks

• Students Appearing: Candidates appearing for their Class 12 board exams in 2025 are also eligible, provided they submit proof of qualification at the time of admission.

For PG (LL.M.) Programs

• Educational Qualification: Candidates must hold an LL.B. degree or equivalent from a recognized university.

• Minimum Marks:

  • General / OBC / PwD / NRI / PIO / OCI: 50% marks

  • SC / ST: 45% marks

• Students Appearing: Final-year LL.B. students can also apply if they complete their degree before admission.

Age Limit

• There is no upper age limit for appearing in CLAT 2025, for both UG and PG programs.

The CLAT 2025 application process will be conducted entirely in online mode through the official website of the Consortium of NLUs. Candidates are advised to carefully go through the eligibility criteria before applying to avoid rejection later.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1 – Registration

• Visit the official CLAT 2025 website.

• Click on Register and create an account by providing your name, email ID, and mobile number.

• Generate a login ID and password for future access.

Step 2 – Fill Application Form

• Log in using the credentials and fill in personal, academic, and communication details.

• Choose your preferred NLUs and exam centres while filling the form.

• Upload scanned copies of the following:

  • Recent passport-size photograph

  • Signature

  • Category certificate (if applicable)

Step 3 – Payment of Application Fee

• Pay the application fee online via Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.

• After successful payment, download and save the fee receipt for future reference.

Step 4 – Submit & Print

• Review all details carefully before final submission.

• Once submitted, take a printout of the confirmation page for record-keeping.

The application fee for CLAT 2025 varies based on category. Candidates must pay the fee online only via Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.

Additional Charges: Candidates opting to purchase the previous years’ CLAT question papers will need to pay an extra ₹500.

Important Note: The application fee is non-refundable under any circumstances. Candidates must ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria before making payment.

The CLAT 2025 counselling process will be conducted online by the Consortium of NLUs after the declaration of results. It is a centralized admission process for candidates seeking admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programs across 24 National Law Universities (NLUs).

Step-by-Step CLAT 2025 Counselling Process

1. Publication of Merit List

   • After the declaration of results, a CLAT merit list will be released.

   • Shortlisted candidates will be invited for counselling based on their All India Rank (AIR) and preferences filled.

2. Online Registration for Counselling

   • Candidates must register online for counselling through the official CLAT portal.

   • A counselling fee (adjustable against admission fee later) needs to be paid to confirm participation.

3. Seat Allotment

   • Seats will be allotted based on rank, category, and preferences of NLUs.

   • The seat allotment list will be released in multiple rounds.

4. Acceptance of Seat / Upgradation Option

   • Candidates can either:

     • Accept the allotted seat and complete admission formalities, OR

     • Apply for upgradation in subsequent rounds.

5. Document Verification & Final Admission

   • Candidates must upload and verify required documents such as:

     • CLAT Admit Card & Scorecard

     • Class 10th & 12th Mark Sheets (for UG) / LL.B. Degree (for PG)

     • Caste/Category Certificate (if applicable)

     • Residence Certificate (if required)

   • Once verified, candidates must pay the balance admission fee to confirm their seat.

Important Note: If a candidate fails to accept the seat or pay the required fee within the given time, the seat will be forfeited and passed on to the next eligible candidate.

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2025 will be conducted in offline (pen-and-paper) mode across multiple test centres in India.
The exam pattern is different for UG (LL.B.) and PG (LL.M.) programs, but both are designed to assess candidates’ analytical, reasoning, and legal aptitude skills.

CLAT 2025 UG Exam Pattern

• Mode of Exam: Offline (OMR-based)

• Type of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

• Total Questions: 120

• Duration: 2 Hours (120 minutes)

• Marking Scheme:

  • +1 mark for each correct answer

  • - 0.25 marks for each wrong answer

Sections in UG CLAT 2025:

1. English Language

2. Current Affairs, including General Knowledge

3. Legal Reasoning

4. Logical Reasoning

5. Quantitative Techniques

CLAT 2025 PG Exam Pattern

• Mode of Exam: Offline (OMR-based)

• Type of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

• Total Questions: 120

• Duration: 2 Hours (120 minutes)

• Marking Scheme:

  • +1 mark for each correct answer

  • - 0.25 marks for each wrong answer

Sections in PG CLAT 2025:

• Constitutional Law

• Other areas of Law from the UG curriculum (such as Jurisprudence, Contract, Torts, Criminal Law, International Law, IPR, etc.)

Key Point: The CLAT exam focuses on comprehension-based questions, ensuring that candidates demonstrate understanding, reasoning, and application skills rather than rote learning.

The CLAT 2025 exam will be conducted in multiple test cities across India to ensure accessibility for candidates nationwide.
Applicants can select their preferred exam centre while filling out the application form. 

List of CLAT 2025 Exam Centres

P.O. Bag 7201, Nagarbhavi,
Bangalore - 560 072 Karnnataka, India

clat@consortiumofnlus.ac.in
Phone No.: 08047162020 (From 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on all working days)