CLAT analysis 2021 includes insights on paper difficulty level, exam pattern, good attempts, good score, expected cutoff and type of questions. Read complete CLAT 2021 exam analysis by experts.
CLAT 2021 was conducted on July 23 from 2:00-4:00 PM. Unlike last year, the exam was conducted in offline mode as a pen-and-paper based test. At the end of the exam, students were not only allowed to carry the CLAT 2021 question paper but also the carbonized copy of the OMR sheet. The move to allow carrying OMR sheets after the exam was taken by the NLU Consortium to ensure transparency in the examination process.
As per experts from coaching institutes such as IMS GSL and LegalEdge, the CLAT 2021 exam was easier than 2020. However, the paper was lengthy.
- CLAT 2021 Analysis Highlights
- CLAT 2021 Analysis of Question Paper
- Section-Wise CLAT Exam Analysis 2021
- CLAT 2021 Analysis: Overall
- CLAT 2021 Expected Cutoff
CLAT 2021 Analysis Highlights
CLAT 2021 exam was conducted amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, complete safety protocols were followed at the exam centres to ensure smooth process of the exam. Check major CLAT paper analysis 2021 highlights below:
Explore colleges based on CLAT
- The CLAT 2021 question paper carried total 30 passages and 150 MCQs
- Overall, the exam was of moderate difficulty level, however, as compared to last year, it was easier
- Some sections in the exam were lengthy due to which time management was a major issue for many candidates
- All the passages and questions in the exam were on predictable lines
- Total good attempts for the exam will be 104-115
- The CLAT 2021 cutoff is expected to go higher than previous year’s cut-off
- The expected CLAT cutoff as per exam experts is 125+
Also Read: CLAT 2021 answer key
CLAT 2021 Analysis of Question Paper
This year, candidates had to answer total 150 objective-questions based on 30 passages. Check the breakup of CLAT question paper 2021 along with sectional weightage:
| CLAT 2021 Sections |
Passages & MCQs |
Marks |
Weightage (in %) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passages: 6 MCQs: 30 |
30 |
20 |
|
| Passages: 7 MCQs: 35 |
35 |
25 |
|
| Passages: 6 MCQs: 30 |
30 |
20 |
|
| Passages: 8 MCQs: 40 |
40 |
25 |
|
| Passages: 3 MCQs: 15 |
15 |
10 |
|
| Total |
Passages: 30 MCQs: 150 |
150 |
100 |
Also Read: CLAT exam pattern
Section-Wise CLAT Exam Analysis 2021
Check section-wise CLAT 2021 exam analysis by experts below:
CLAT Analysis for English
The passages and questions in CLAT English section were based on topics such as COVID-19 Vaccination, Education, Truth and Reconciliation Commission and ‘A Scandal in Bohemia’. Know what experts have to say about the difficulty level of CLAT English section:
| Experts |
CLAT English Section Analysis |
|---|---|
| KP Singh, IMS GSL |
The English section was easy and not lengthy. All the passages were either short or moderately lengthy. Good attempts: 24-27 Good score: 18-20 |
| Harsh Gagrani, LegalEdge |
The English section was easier as compared to previous year. Most of the questions were direct and to the point. |
CLAT Analysis for GK including Current Affairs
The passages and questions in CLAT GK including Current Affairs section were based on topics such as TSO KAR Wetland Complex, Narendra Modi’s Visit to Bangladesh, United Nations, Line of Actual Control and SAARC. Know what experts have to say about the difficulty level and good attempts for CLAT GK including Current Affairs section:
| Experts |
CLAT GK & Current Affairs Section Analysis |
|---|---|
| KP Singh, IMS GSL |
Overall, the section was moderate to difficult. Some passages were difficult while mostly were easy to attempt. Good attempts: 20-24 Good score: 18-20 |
| Harsh Gagrani, LegalEdge |
The section was easy as compared to previous year’s paper as there were some tough GK questions in CLAT 2020. This year, there were not many tricky questions in GK and Current Affairs. |
CLAT Analysis for Legal Reasoning
The passages and questions in CLAT Legal Reasoning section were based on topics such as Consent under IPC, Hindu Marriage Act, Jurisdiction under Contract Law and Communication under Contract Law. Know what experts have to say about the difficulty level and good attempts for CLAT Legal Reasoning section:
| Experts |
CLAT Legal Reasoning Section Analysis |
|---|---|
| KP Singh, IMS GSL |
The difficulty level of the section was easy to moderate. However, the passages were lengthy to attempt. Good attempts: 34-36 Good score: 30-32 |
| Harsh Gagrani, LegalEdge |
The questions in the section were easy as compared to previous year’s paper. The questions were based on very standard topics. |
CLAT Analysis for Logical Reasoning
The passages and questions in CLAT Logical Reasoning section were majorly based on COVID-19. Know what experts have to say about the difficulty level and good attempts for CLAT Logical Reasoning section:
| Experts |
CLAT Logical Reasoning Section Analysis |
|---|---|
| KP Singh, IMS GSL |
The Logical Reasoning section was relatively tough as compared to other sections of the exam. The section was dominated by Critical Reasoning questions. Good attempts: 19-21 Good score: 13-15 |
| Harsh Gagrani, LegalEdge |
The difficulty level of the section was easy to moderate. The questions were based on standard topics such as inference, strengthen and weaken etc. |
CLAT Analysis for Quantitative Techniques
Know what experts have to say about the difficulty level and good attempts for CLAT Quantitative Techniques section:
| Experts |
CLAT Quantitative Techniques Section Analysis |
|---|---|
| KP Singh, IMS GSL |
The Quant section was easy. Topics like Percentage and Ratio dominated the section this year. Good attempts: 9-11 Good score: 8 |
| Harsh Gagrani, LegalEdge |
The difficulty level of the section was low. This means the questions were easy to attempt. This year, there were no graphs in the paper but only paragraph-based questions. |
CLAT 2021 Analysis: Overall
Check out the overall difficulty level and good attempts for CLAT 2021 below:
| CLAT 2021 Sections |
Difficulty Level |
Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|
| English Language |
Easy |
24-27 |
| Current Affairs including General Knowledge |
Easy to Moderate |
20-24 |
| Logical Reasoning |
Moderate |
19-21 |
| Legal Reasoning |
Easy to Moderate |
34-36 |
| Quantitative Techniques |
Easy |
8-10 |
| Total |
Easy to Moderate |
105-115 |
CLAT 2021 Expected Cutoff
As per exam experts, CLAT cutoff 2021 would be higher as compared to previous year’s cut off. The expected cutoff for Rank 1 holders is 125+.
Check college-wise previous year’s CLAT cutoff (closing ranks at which the last candidates got admission) to get an idea about your chances of securing admission in a National Law University (NLU):
| CLAT Cut offs 2020 |
Closing Ranks |
|---|---|
| 98 |
|
| 177 |
|
| 532 |
|
| The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata |
227 |
| 323 |
|
| 772 |
|
| 3238 |
|
| 742 |
|
| 1012 |
|
| 1256 |
|
| 1377 |
|
| 1052 |
|
| 1290 |
|
| 1799 |
|
| 1518 |
|
| 1155 |
|
| 1575 |
|
| 2403 |
|
| 1584 |
|
| 6760 |
|
| 10934 |
|
| 2315 |
Read More:
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
13 Dec '25 - 20 Dec '25 | AILET Counselling 2026 fee sub... |
13 Dec '25 - 22 Dec '25 | AILET Counselling Registration... |
8 Jun '25 | LSAT India 2025 May Session Re... |
May '25 | LSAT India 2025 May Exam |
Jan '26 | ULSAT 2026 Applications (3-yea... |
Jan '26 | ULSAT 2026 Applications (5-yea... |
18 Dec '25 | SLAT 2026 admit card for Test ... |
20 Dec '25 | SLAT 2026 Test Day 1 |
Apr '26 | RULET 2026 Application Process |
May '26 | RULET 2026 Correction Window |
Dec '25 | MH CET Law 2026 Application (f... |
Jan '26 | MH CET Law 2026 Application (f... |
Jul '23 | LFAT 2023 Declaration of Resul... |
1 Jun '23 - 7 Jun '23 | LFAT 2023 Reserved Exam Dates |
Feb '26 | ACLAT Exam 2026 |
1 Oct '25 | ACLAT 2025 Application |
Mar '26 | PU UGLAW 2026 online registrat... |
Apr '26 | PU UGLAW 2026 last date of fee... |
Student Forum
Answered 20 hours ago
The CLAT Sample Papers will be released on consortiumofnlus.ac.in. Candidates who have paid for the sample papers will be able to download and solve the same.
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 20 hours ago
Solving Sample papers will help candidates to understand the overall exam and the expected difficulty level. Hence, candidates must solve as many sample paper as possible.
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 5 days ago
The CLAT Provisional Answer Key PDF was released on December 10, 2025 at 5 pm. CLAT Answer Key 2026 PDF will be released in two phases. First CLAT Provisional Answer Key and then the Final Answer Key. The CLAT 2026 Answer Key will be released on consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 5 days ago
Absolutely! A low CLAT 2026 score does not affect your chances of getting admission to BA LLB or
BCom LLB programs at Chandigarh University. The university follows its own entrance process called
CUCET, which is mandatory for all applicants. Your admission is based on your CUCET performance
and 10+2 ma
V
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 5 days ago
You do not need CLAT 2026 marks to get admission at Chandigarh University, and direct admission is
not offered for law programs. The university clearly requires all law applicants to appear for CUCET,
which is the only valid pathway for admission. Even if you haven't taken CLAT or don't want to appear
I
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 5 days ago
No, you do not need a CLAT 2026 rank to get a law seat at Chandigarh University. The university does
not make CLAT compulsory for admission into any of its law programs. Instead, the main requirement is
to appear for CUCET, which is the university's own entrance test. You only need 30 out of 100 marks
I
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 5 days ago
The law department at Chandigarh University is known for keeping many links with the legal world. The department follows Bar Council of India (BCI) rules and also uses the Choice Based Credit System to give more practical work. The university has tie-ups and collaborations with J Sagar Associates, A
Answered 5 days ago
Even after clearing CLAT 2026, choosing Chandigarh University for law studies has several advantages. The university offers a structured curriculum through its University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS), combining strong academic learning with practical exposure. Students get opportunities for moo
H
Beginner-Level 3
Answered 5 days ago
No, appearing for CLAT 2026 is not required for admission to BA LLB or BCom LLB programs at Chandigarh University. The university has its own entrance process, called CUCET, which every applicant must take. Your eligibility is based on 10+2 marks (minimum 55–60% depending on the program) and your pe
s
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 5 days ago
While Chandigarh University does not directly consider CLAT 2026 scores for BA LLB admissions, a good CLAT score can still be helpful indirectly. Preparing for CLAT improves your skills in legal aptitude, reasoning, comprehension, and current affairs, which are also tested in the university's entran
s
Beginner-Level 4
CLAT Sample Papers 2026 will be released online or offline?