CLAT 2026: The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is one of the most sought-after law entrance exams in India. Conducted by the CLAT Consortium, this national-level exam is the gateway to prestigious National Law Universities (NLUs) and other top law schools. If you’re planning to appear for CLAT 2026, this guide will walk you through the key details, including exam dates, registration, syllabus, and preparation tips.
Table of Contents
CLAT 2026 Exam Date (Tentative)
Mark your calendars! Here’s a tentative schedule for CLAT 2026:
| Event | Date (Tentative) |
| CLAT 2026 Application Start | July 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | November 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | Late November/Early December 2025 |
| CLAT Exam Date | December 2025 (Offline) |
| Answer Key Release | December 2025 |
| CLAT Result Declaration | December 2025 – January 2026 |
| Counseling Process | January 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria:
| Criteria | CLAT (UG) | CLAT (PG) |
| Education Qualification | Class 12 with minimum 45% (General) & 40% (SC/ST) | 3-year or 5-year LLB with 50% (General) & 45% (SC/ST) |
| Age Limit | No age limit | No age limit |
| Number of Attempts | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Note: Students appearing for their qualifying exams in 2026 can also apply for CLAT.
How to Register for CLAT 2026
The registration process for CLAT 2026 is simple and completely online. Here’s how you can apply:
- Visit the official website: CLAT Consortium
- Create an account: Register with your email ID and contact details.
- Fill out the application form: Enter your academic and personal details carefully.
- Upload required documents: Photograph, signature, and domicile certificate.
- Select your preferred test centers.
- Pay the application fee and submit the form.
CLAT 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Fee (INR) |
| General/OBC/PwD | 4000 |
| SC/ST | 3500 |
Exam Pattern
CLAT is designed to test your aptitude and reasoning skills across multiple sections. Here’s what to expect:
- Total Questions: 120 (MCQs)
- Time Duration: 120 minutes
- Marking Scheme: +1 for each correct answer, -0.25 for each wrong answer
Subject-Wise Weightage
| Section | No. of Questions | Weightage |
| English | 22-26 | 20% |
| Current Affairs & GK | 28-32 | 25% |
| Logical Reasoning | 22-26 | 20% |
| Legal Reasoning | 28-32 | 25% |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10-14 | 10% |
| Total | 120 | 100% |
CLAT 2026 Syllabus Overview
English Language
- Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Synonyms & Antonyms, Sentence Rearrangement, Idioms & Phrases.
Quantitative Techniques (Maths)
- Profit & Loss, Averages, Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, Number Systems.
Current Affairs & GK
- Science & Technology, Politics, History, Sports, Economy, Static GK.
Logical Reasoning
- Syllogisms, Blood Relations, Coding-Decoding, Series, Analogies, Statement & Conclusion.
Legal Aptitude
- Legal GK, Important Laws, Supreme Court Judgments, Amendments, International Treaties.
Available Seats in NLUs
Each year, thousands of students compete for limited seats in NLUs. Here are some of the top NLUs and their available seats:
| NLU | Seats Available (B.A. LL.B Hons.) |
| NLSIU Bangalore | 80 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 105 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | 127 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 115 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | 180 |
| RGNUL Punjab | 180 |
| MNLU Mumbai | 50 |
Why Should You Take CLAT 2026?
- Admission to India’s top law universities, including 22 NLUs.
- Excellent career opportunities in Judicial Services, Legal Practice, Research, Civil Services, and Corporate Law.
- Top firms and PSUs hire law graduates from NLUs with attractive salary packages.
- Several private law colleges also accept CLAT scores.
CLAT Preparation Tips
Success in CLAT depends on strategic preparation. Here’s how you can ace the exam:
Understand the exam pattern & syllabus before you start preparing.
Make a study plan and allocate time for each subject.
Practice previous year question papers to understand question trends.
Stay updated on current affairs by reading newspapers daily.
Focus on legal aptitude by reading about constitutional and contract law.
Take mock tests regularly to improve speed and accuracy.
Enhance vocabulary and grammar skills through books like Word Power Made Easy.
Conclusion
If you’re serious about a career in law, now is the time to start preparing for CLAT 2026! With dedication and the right approach, you can secure a seat in one of India’s top NLUs.
Read more: CLAT Mock Test Strategy for 2025 & 2026 Preparation
