Clat UG 2026: Exam date pattern

Clat UG 2026: Exam Date Pattern

Posted on : 25 September, 2025 3:52 pm

CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is a national-level law entrance examination administered by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) for getting admission to 5‑year integrated law courses (BA LLB, BBA LLB, etc.) and LLM courses in the participating NLUs. Clat UG 2026: Exam Date Pattern It is one of the most significant law entrance exams in India.  APPLY NOW

Important Dates & Exam Schedule (CLAT 2026)

Here are the key dates (tentative / announced) for CLAT 2026 (UG) which candidates must mark:

Event Date / Time
Release of official notification July 20, 2025
Commencement of registration / application August 1, 2025
Last date to apply October 31, 2025
Release of admit card Expected in November 2025 (last week)
Exam date (UG) Sunday, December 7, 2025, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
For PWD candidates (additional time) 2:00 PM to 4:40 PM
Counselling / seat allotment starts After result declaration (tentative)
Important: Although these dates are put together based on the formal CLAT consortium releases and media reports, candidates should always verify the official website (consortiumofnlus.ac.in) for any updates or changes.  APPLY NOW

Eligibility Criteria (UG) & Registration Terms

Eligibility Criteria for CLAT UG 2026

To be considered for CLAT UG 2026, candidates must fulfill the following:

  • Educational qualification: 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized Board or University.

  • Minimum marks: 45% aggregate for General / OBC; 40% for SC / ST / reserved category.
    The Economic Times

  • No upper age limit is mentioned for UG.

  • Foreign nationals or NRIs: Special seats may be available in some NLUs; such candidates should refer to respective NLU brochures.

Registration / Application Process  APPLY NOW

Here’s a step-by-step of how to fill CLAT UG 2026 application:

  • Online registration
    Visit official site (consortiumofnlus.ac.in). Register with mobile number, email etc.
  • OTP / verification
    You will get OTPs for verifying mobile / email.
  • Fill personal & academic details
    Fill in personal details, address, educational background, etc.
  • Select exam center(s)
    You might be required to give exam city / centre preferences. (Typically up to 3 options)
  • Upload documents
    Scanned copies of:  APPLY NOW
  • Class 10 and 12 mark sheets / certificates
  • Identity proof (Aadhar, PAN, etc.)
  • Caste / category certificate (if necessary)
  • PwD / disability certificate (if necessary)
  • Passport photo & signature
  • Domicile certificate (if required)
  1. Pay application fee
    The fee will be approximately ~ ₹ 4,000 for General / OBC and ₹ 3,500 for SC / ST / BPL (as per previous years)

  2. Submit and print confirmation
    After successful submission, download / save the confirmation page or form for future use.

Before final submission, be certain all fields are accurate- after it is submitted and the fee is paid, it may or may not be possible to alter an submitted entry.  

Exam Structure (UG) & Marking Method

Below is the structure and pattern of CLAT UG 2026 as per up to date changed format: (Detailed):

Parameter Detail
Mode Offline / Pen & Paper
Duration 2 hours (120 minutes)
Number of questions 120 MCQs
Marks per question +1 for correct answer
Negative marking –0.25 for each incorrect answer
No marks for unattempted questions 0 marks
Sections / Subjects 5 sections: English Language, Current Affairs / General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Techniques

Section-wise weightage (approximate)  APPLY NOW

The number of questions in each section and their weight in the total:

Section Approx Questions Approx % Weightage
English (Language & Comprehension) 22–26   20%
Current Affairs + General Knowledge 28–32  25%
Legal Reasoning 28–32  25%
Logical Reasoning 22–26  20%
Quantitative Techniques 10–14  10%

Important changes / notes:

  • Finally, CLAT previously years, had 150 questions. This has been cut down to 120 questions from 2025 / 2026 onwards.

  • All questions will be multiple choice (objective).

  • The medium of examination is English only.  APPLY NOW

Syllabus / Topics Covered

Following is a list of topics which you should be prepared for under each category. This is based on previous year exams as well as syllabus outlines released by coaching / education websites.  APPLY NOW

English Language & Comprehension

  • Reading comprehension: passages with inference / detail / vocabulary / grammar questions

  • Vocabulary usage, synonyms, antonyms, idioms & phrases

  • Grammar and usage: error detection, sentence correction

  • Para jumbles, sentence completion, fill in blanks  APPLY NOW

Current Affairs / General Knowledge

  • Static GK: Indian polity, geography, history, economy, science & technology, environment, awards etc.

  • Current affairs: national / international events, important dates, summits, reports, sports etc.

  • Occasional passage-based current affairs questions  APPLY NOW

Legal Reasoning

  • Analyzing legal principles, statutes, facts & their application

  • Legal scenarios / fact patterns + questions

  • Cusal grasp of legal concepts like rights, torts, contracts etc.

  • Legal text interpretation, reasoning in law  APPLY NOW

Logical Reasoning

  • Arguments and assumptions, inference, deductions

  • Critical thinking, analogies, logical sequence

  • Arrangements, syllogisms, reasoning puzzles etc.  APPLY NOW

Quantitative Techniques (Elementary Mathematics)

  • Arithmetic (percentage, ratio, averages, time & work, speed & distance etc.)

  • Number system, basic algebra, profit & loss, simple interest / compound interest

  • Data interpretation (tables, charts, graphs)

  • Elementary mathematical calculations (level of Class 10)

 

For CLAT PG (LLM) syllabus, the exam would be more on law subjects: Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Jurisprudence, International Law, etc. (but this blog is specifically about UG).  APPLY NOW

Counselling, Seat Allotment & Other NLUs / Law Colleges

Participating NLUs & Seat Matrix

  • CLAT is held for admissions to 24 National Law Universities (NLUs) (certain sources write 22 or 24).

  • Approximate seat numbers: ~ 4,000+ seats in 5‑year LLB programmes through CLAT.

  • Apart from NLUs, a few private law colleges / state universities also take into account CLAT ranks or have tie-ups — students are advised to verify institutions individually.  APPLY NOW

Counselling / Admission Process

The counselling and seat allotment process for CLAT typically includes these steps:

  1. Result & Invite List
    Following the exam, results are announced. An “invite list” is released – candidates whose names feature are eligible to attend counselling.

  2. Registration for counselling
    Eligible candidates need to register for the counselling process (choose NLUs preferences etc.).

  3. Seat Allotment / Multiple Rounds
    There are several rounds (Round 1, 2, maybe more) wherein seats are alloted on the basis of rank and preference.

  4. Freeze / Float / Exit
    Aspirants can either “freeze” (take the seat assigned), “float” (wait for superior alternative), or “exit.”

  5. Payment & Confirmation
    Pay margin / counselling fee to secure seat, and then finish further admission procedures at the seat allotted NLU.

  6. Reporting to the NLU
    Submit documents, do joining and registration at the NLU. APPLY NOW

Some additional points:

  • The counselling fee / confirmation fee in earlier years has been huge (partially non-refundable).

  • In case a candidate drops out after a cut-off, they can lose part or whole fee.

Top Government Law Universities in India APPLY NOW

  1. Faculty of Law, University of Delhi (DU)
  2. Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI)
  3. National Law Universities (NLUs)
  4. Amity Law School, Noida
  5. O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU)
  6. Puran Murti College of Law

In addition to NLUs and government colleges, Puran Murti College of Law is a great option for those seeking quality legal education with state-of-the-art facilities.

About the College

  • Sonipat, Haryana

  • Approved by Bar Council of India (BCI)

  • Practical legal training, research-based learning, and industry interaction are known offerings. APPLY NOW

Law Courses Offered

Facilities & Highlights

  • Moot court practice for actual advocacy skills.

  • An electronic library with law journals, e-books, and case studies.

  • Active seminars, workshops, and guest lectures by legal experts.

  • Great placement assistance in corporate law firms and law chambers

  • Reasonable fees emphasizing all-round development. APPLY NOW

Preparation Tips

  • Get started with your preparations as early as possible, and get familiar with previous years’ papers.

  • Be aware of legal reasoning and current affairs because these topics carry the most weightings in the assessment.

  • Keep practicing mock examinations for pacing yourself.

  • Build good reading habits for comprehension and general knowledge.

  • Revisit regularly in the last 2 months. APPLY NOW

Admit Card & Exam Day Guidelines

  • Admit card released in November 2026.

  • Take admit card + valid photo ID proof to the centre.

  • Reach at least 1 hour before exam.

  • Strictly follow exam centre instructions (no electronic devices allowed). APPLY NOW