Updated on Jul 23, 2021 22:48 IST
CLAT 2021 was conducted on July 23 from 2:00-4:00 PM. As per experts from coaching institutes, the CLAT 2021 exam was easier than 2020. However, the paper was lengthy.

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 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.

Table of contents
  • 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:

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  • 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 %)

English Language

Passages: 6

MCQs: 30

30

20

Current Affairs including General Knowledge

Passages: 7

MCQs: 35

35

25

Logical Reasoning

Passages: 6

MCQs: 30

30

20

Legal Reasoning

Passages: 8

MCQs: 40

40

25

Quantitative Techniques 

Passages: 3

MCQs: 15

15

10

Total

Passages: 30

MCQs: 150

150

100

Also ReadCLAT 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:

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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

National Law School of India University, Bangalore

98

NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad

177

National Law Institute University, Bhopal

532

The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata

227

National Law University, Jodhpur

323

Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur

772

Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar

3238

Dr Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University, Lucknow

742

Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala

1012

Chanakya National Law University, Patna

1256

National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi

1377

National Law University Odisha, Cuttack

1052

National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi

1290

Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirappalli

1799

Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Visakhapatnam

1518

Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Mumbai

1155

Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Nagpur

1575

Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Aurangabad

2403

National Law School and Judicial Academy, Assam

1584

Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur

6760

Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla

10934

Dr BR Ambedkar National Law University, Sonepat

2315

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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

Mohit Dhawan

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

Manisha Gard

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

Akanksha

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

...Read more

V

Virender Mehta

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

...Read more

I

Itti Dogra

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

...Read more

I

Itti Dogra

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

...Read more

76561359
GAURAV JOSHI

Guide-Level 13

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

...Read more

H

Harpreet Singh

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

...Read more

s

sam

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

...Read more

s

sam

Beginner-Level 4