CLAT Exam 2026: Latest Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus & More

The CLAT Exam 2026 is the national-level entrance test for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programmes across 25 National Law Universities (NLUs) in India. CLAT 2026 was conducted on 7th December 2025 for the 2026-27 academic session, and the results were declared on 16th December 2025.

Whether you're preparing for your first attempt or planning a reattempt, this blog will help you cut through the confusion and focus on what matters.

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CLAT Exam 2026: Key Highlights

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The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a widely recognised national-level entrance exam for students aspiring to pursue undergraduate (5-year LLB) or postgraduate (1-year LLM) law programs in India. Organised by the Consortium of National Law Universities, CLAT is the primary route to gaining admission into 25 National Law Universities (NLUs) for UG and PG courses across the country. Here are a few Important exam details including mode, duration, seats, and more:

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CLAT 2026 Exam Date

CLAT 2026 followed the regular December schedule, with the exam conducted on 7th December 2025 for the 2026-27 admission cycle. Below is a timeline of the key dates from notification through to the result. The next CLAT (for the 2027-28 session) is expected to follow a similar December schedule. Here’s an overview of the CLAT 2026 exam dates:

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Eligibility for CLAT Exam 2026

CLAT 2026 is open to candidates seeking admission to UG and PG law programs across NLUs, with specific academic and category-based requirements. Both final year students and those who have completed their qualifying exams can apply. Here’s an overview of the eligibility criteria for undergraduate and postgraduate aspirants.

1. Undergraduate (UG) Eligibility

To apply for the 5-year integrated LLB course via CLAT 2026:

• Minimum Marks:
  
  • General/OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI: 45% in Class 12 or equivalent
  • SC/ST: 40% in Class 12 or equivalent
• Appearing Candidates: Those appearing for Class 12 may apply, but must provide proof of qualification at admission time.

2. Postgraduate (PG) Eligibility

For candidates applying to the one-year LLM program:

• Minimum Marks in LLB or Equivalent Degree:
  
  • General/OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI: 50%
  • SC/ST: 45%
• Final Year Candidates: Those in the final year of their law degree are also eligible to apply.
  
  

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Documents Required for CLAT Exam 2026

Here’s a list of documents and file specifications required for the application:

Essential Documents:

• Valid mobile number and email ID
• Scanned passport-sized photograph (Max: 500 KB, jpg/jpeg)
• Scanned signature (Max: 100 KB, jpg/jpeg)
• Class 10 & 12 mark sheets
• Identity proof (Aadhaar/Passport/PAN, etc.)
• State Domicile Certificate (PDF, Max: 2 MB)
• Caste/PWD/BPL certificate (if applicable, PDF)

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CLAT Exam 2026 Application Process

A step-by-step guide on how candidates apply

Step 1: Registration

• Visit the official CLAT portal
• Click on the registration link and provide basic details like name, mobile number, and password.
• Verify using the OTP sent to your mobile number.

Step 2: Fill Application Form

After logging in, candidates enter:

• Personal details (DOB, gender, parents' names, category)
• Communication address
• Academic history (class 10, 12/LLB details, board/university, passing year)
• Preferences for test centres (choose 3 cities) and NLU colleges
• Reservation category details, if applicable
  

Step 3: Upload Documents

• Upload your photograph and signature as per the required format.
• Upload supporting documents for category and domicile if required
  

Step 4: Application Fee Payment

The fees vary by category and whether the candidate opts to purchase CLAT's previous years' question papers.

Note: Bank charges (₹50 or more) are added at checkout.

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Subject-wise Syllabus of CLAT Exam 2026  

To prepare effectively for CLAT 2026, it's essential to know which subjects are included and the type of topics you'll encounter in each. Here's an overview of what each section typically includes.

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CLAT Exam 2026 Marks Distribution

Each subject area contributes a different weight to the total score. Here's how the 120 questions are generally split across the five major sections:

Note: The total number of questions is 120 for the UG paper (carrying 1 mark each, with 0.25 negative marking), across all sections combined.

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CLAT Exam 2026 Admit Card 

Candidates may obtain their hall tickets by downloading them from the official website – consortiumofnlus.ac.in. Here are the steps to access the CLAT admit card:

1. Visit the official CLAT website.
2. Log in using your registered mobile number/application number and date of birth.
3. If prompted, update your exam centre details before proceeding.
4. Save and print the hall ticket to carry with you on exam day.

Make sure the admit card contains accurate information—name, photograph, signature, exam centre, and reporting time.

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What You'll Find on Your CLAT Exam 2026 Admit Card?

The CLAT 2026 admit card isn't just your entry pass to the exam—it contains important personal and exam-related details. After downloading it from the official website, make sure all information matches what you filled out in your application form. Any mismatch could lead to issues on the test day. Here's what your CLAT 2026 admit card will display:

After downloading the admit card, verify every section carefully. If you spot any errors, report them to the CLAT authorities before the exam day.

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CLAT 2026 Answer Key 

The Consortium of NLUs publishes the CLAT answer key in two phases—provisional and final. The provisional version gives candidates an opportunity to review the official answers and raise objections if they believe there’s an error in any question or option. Once these challenges are reviewed, the final answer key is issued, and it forms the basis for preparing the CLAT results. Here’s how one can access the CLAT answer key 2026:

1. Go to consortiumofnlus.ac.in
2. Find and click on the "CLAT 2026 Answer Key" link
3. Download the PDF of the answer key and the corresponding question paper

Make sure to download and save the answer key, as your result will be based on the final version.

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CLAT Exam Result 2026

The updated CLAT 2026 results will be announced shortly following the publication of the final answer key. The result will reflect your scores, rank, and qualifying status. You'll be able to download the scorecard from the official portal.

Steps to Check CLAT 2026 Result:

1. Visit consortiumofnlus.ac.in
2. Click the result link on the homepage
3. Log in using:
   
   • CLAT 2026 application number or admit card number
   • Date of birth
4. Once logged in, your result will appear
5. Download and print the scorecard for future use

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CLAT 2026 Cut-Off Course 

The Consortium will release round-wise CLAT 2026 cutoff scores for each National Law University. These scores will vary based on course (UG or PG) and candidate category (General, SC, ST, OBC, PwD, etc.). Falling below this mark typically means you may not get a seat in your preferred law school.

Note: Indicative opening and closing ranks from a recent cycle. Final round-wise cut-offs are published by the Consortium for each cycle.

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CLAT Exam 2026 NLU-Wise Seat Distribution

Here's a look at how many seats each participating National Law University (NLU) offers for the 5-year B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) program via CLAT. This breakdown will help you plan your preferences when filling out your college choices.

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CLAT 2026 Counselling Process 

The CLAT 2026 counselling is held entirely online through the official website. The Consortium will conduct five counselling rounds, and shortlisted candidates will need to participate as per the announced schedule.

Here's an overview on what happens during CLAT counselling:

• Candidates can accept, upgrade, or withdraw from their offered seat in each round.
• To retain or upgrade a seat, candidates must pay a confirmation fee.
• Seat allotments will be based on CLAT rank, category, and college preferences.
• If you exit, your seat will be passed to another eligible candidate.

A merit list update will follow each round, and the counselling process will continue until all available seats are filled.

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How to Prepare for CLAT 2026 Effectively?

Acing CLAT 2026 requires more than just studying hard—it calls for the right strategy, smart planning, and consistent practice. Since top NLUs have limited seats, it's crucial to approach your preparation with focus and discipline. Here's an overview of how you can prepare section-wise and build a robust prep plan.

• Understand the Exam Format First
  Familiarise yourself with the updated CLAT pattern and focus on comprehension-based practice, since most sections—except Quant—are passage-driven.
• Solve Previous Years' Question Papers
  Practising past three years' papers will help you grasp the question types and identify areas where you need improvement.
• Prepare for Legal Reasoning with Real-World Context
  Study key legal topics like Contracts, Torts, Constitutional Law, and Family Law, and regularly read legal journals and editorial columns to develop analytical reasoning.
• Boost English Skills with Focused Reading
  Reading English newspapers and using vocabulary-building books like Word Power Made Easy will improve your grammar, comprehension speed, and word recognition.
• Stay Consistent with Current Affairs & GK
  To stay updated, read newspapers daily and track monthly news round-ups, especially since this section includes passage-based questions linked to recent events.
• Give Attention to the Quant Section Despite Low Weightage
  Even though it accounts for only 10% of the paper, the maths section is often tricky—regularly solve problems related to profit & loss, percentages, and puzzles.
• Make Mock Tests a Regular Habit
  Full-length mock exams are essential for building time management skills, refining your strategy, and boosting exam-day confidence.

Securing admission into a top National Law University takes more than just clearing the CLAT—it demands clarity, strategy, and timely preparation. From understanding the exam pattern and syllabus to tracking seat allotment trends and cut-offs, every detail plays a role in shaping your admission journey. As competition intensifies each year, staying informed becomes your strongest edge. With the right preparation and awareness, you can position yourself for success, both in the exam and beyond.

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