CLAT Consortium: History, Objectives, Members, Participating Universities, Seats
Common Law Admission Test 2027 ( CLAT )
Registration - 1 Aug '26 - 31 Oct '26
CLAT Consortium or Consortium of NLUs is the conducting body for CLAT 2026. Know all about CLAT Consortium, its member universities, CLAT official website & more.
CLAT Consortium: History, Member Universities, Exam, Seat Intake, CLAT 2026 Official Website
One of the common questions in the back of the candidate's mind is ‘What is CLAT Consortium?’ In this article, candidates will get complete details on the Consortium of NLUs, its objectives, functioning, member universities, and much more. The Consortium of NLUs (aka the CLAT Consortium) will conduct CLAT 2026 on December 7, 2025. CLAT 2026 Exam will be held in offline mode. The official website of CLAT 2026 is -consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
- What is CLAT Consortium?
- CLAT Consortium - Governing Body
- History of CLAT Consortium
- Participating Universities of CLAT Consortium
- FAQs for CLAT Consortium
What is CLAT Consortium?
CLAT Consortium or the Consortium of NLUs is the conducting body for the national-level law entrance exam. The governing body of the Consortium includes vice-chancellors of all the 24 participating NLUs.
Also Read:
- What are NLUs? How are these Different from Other Law Schools?
- How to clear CLAT 2026 in first attempt?
Every year, the governing body of the Consortium announces the organizing members of CLAT who are majorly responsible for conducting the exam that year. The governing body of the consortium includes the following members:
CLAT Consortium - Governing Body
Eversince the consortium has been governed by the members as under:
| Governing body - Members | Profile |
|---|---|
| Prof. (Dr.) V.C. Vivekanandan | Vice-Chancellor, Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur |
| Vice-Chancellor, National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru Secretary-Treasurer CLAT Consortium |
|
| Prof. Dr. Sri Krishna Deva Rao |
Vice-Chancellor, NALSAR University of Law (NALSAR), Hyderabad Permanent Member CLAT Consortium |
| Prof. (Dr.) V. Vijayakumar |
Vice-Chancellor, The National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal Permanent Member CLAT Consortium |
| Prof. (Dr.) N.K. Chakrabarti | Vice-Chancellor. The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata Member CLAT Consortium |
| Prof. (Dr.) Poonam Saxena | Vice-Chancellor, National Law University (NLU), Jodhpur Member CLAT Consortium |
| Prof. (Dr.) V.C. Vivekanandan | Vice-Chancellor, Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur Vice-President, CLAT Consortium |
| Prof. (Dr.) S. Shanthakumar | Director, Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar Convener, CLAT-2024 |
| Prof. (Dr.) Subir K. Bhatnagar | Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU), Lucknow Member CLAT Consortium |
| Prof. (Dr.) G.S. Bajpai | Vice-Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Punjab Member CLAT Consortium |
| Hon'ble Justice Smt. Mridula Mishra | Vice-Chancellor (In-Charge), Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna Member CLAT Consortium |
| Hon’ble Mr. Justice S. Siri Jagan | Acting Vice-Chancellor, National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), Kochi Member CLAT Consortium |
| Prof. (Dr.) Ved Kumari | Vice-Chancellor, National Law University Odisha (NLUO), Cuttack Member CLAT Consortium |
| Prof. (Dr.) Kesava Rao Vurrakula | Vice-Chancellor, National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL), Ranchi Member CLAT Consortium |
| Prof. (Dr.) V.K. Ahuja | Vice-Chancellor, National Law University and Judicial Academy (NLUJA), Assam Member CLAT Consortium |
| Prof. (Dr.) S. Surya Prakash | Vice-Chancellor, Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU), Visakhapatnam Member CLAT Consortium |
| Prof. (Dr.) V.S. Elizabeth | Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU), Tiruchirappalli Member CLAT Consortium |
| Prof. (Dr.) Dilip Ukey | Vice-Chancellor, Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Mumbai Member CLAT Consortium |
| Prof. (Dr.) Vijender Kumar | Vice-Chancellor, Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Nagpur President CLAT Consortium |
| Prof. (Dr.) K.V.S. Sarma | Vice-Chancellor, Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Aurangabad |
| Prof. (Dr.) Nishtha Jaswal | Vice-Chancellor, Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU), Shimla Member CLAT Consortium |
| Prof. (Dr.) V. Nagaraj | Vice-Chancellor, Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur (M.P.) Member CLAT Consortium |
| Dr. Archana Mishra | Vice-Chancellor, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University, Haryana Member CLAT Consortium |
| Prof. (Dr.) Yogesh Pratap Singh | Vice-Chancellor, National Law University, Tripura Member CLAT Consortium |
Also read:
History of CLAT Consortium
The Consortium of NLUs was established on August 19, 2017, to improve the standard of legal education in the country and make the CLAT exam more effective and organized. Total 16 NLUs came together and became the founding members of the CLAT Consortium. In the later years, more National Law Universities joined and thus, currently, the Consortium includes 26 participating NLUs.
Currently, all the major National Law Universities across the country are part of the CLAT Consortium, except NLU Delhi which conducts its own exam, named, All India Law Entrance Test (AILET).
It may be noted that before the Consortium came into functioning, that is, until 2018, the CLAT exam was conducted by all NLUs on a rotational basis.
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Participating Universities of CLAT Consortium
Check out the complete list of 26 NLUs (along with their seat intake) that are the member universities of the CLAT Consortium.
| Member Universities of CLAT Consortium |
Courses-wise Seat Intake |
Total Seat Intake |
|---|---|---|
| BA LLB (Hons) – 240 seats LLM – 100 seats |
340 seats |
|
| The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata |
BA LLB (Hons) and BSc LLB (Hons) – 132 seats LLM – 100 seats |
232 seats |
| BA LLB (Hons) and BBA LLB (Hons) – 120 seats LLM – 57 seats |
177 seats |
|
| BA LLB (Hons) – 172 seats LLM - 57 seats |
229 seats |
|
| BA LLB (Hons) – 180 seats LLM – 60 seats |
240 seats |
|
| National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), Kochi |
BA LLB (Hons) – 60 seats LLM – 60 seats |
120 seats |
| National University of Study & Research in Law (NUSRL), Ranchi |
BA LLB (Hons) – 120 seats LLM – 50 seats |
170 seats |
| Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU), Visakhapatnam |
BA LLB (Hons) – 120 seats LLM – 60 seats |
180 seats |
| BA LLB (Hons) – 100 seats LLM – 50 seats |
150 seats |
|
| BA LLB (Hons) – 60 seats LLM – 60 seats |
120 seats |
|
| BA LLB (Hons) – 120 LLM - 50 seats |
170 seats |
|
| National Academy of Legal Study & Research (NALSAR) University of Law, Hyderabad |
BA LLB (Hons) – 132 LLM – 66 seats |
198 seats |
| BA LLB - 134 seats BSc LLB – 68 seats LLM – 60 seats |
262 seats |
|
| BA LLB (Hons) – 170 seats LLM – 90 seats |
260 seats |
|
| Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU), Lucknow |
BA LLB (Hons) – 187 seats LLM – 31 seats |
218 seats |
| BA LLB - 69 seats BBA LLB - 69 seats |
138 seats |
|
| BA LLB (Hons) – 180 seats LLM – 46 seats |
226 seats |
|
| BA LLB (Hons) – 60 seats LLM – 40 seats |
100 seats |
|
| The Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU), Tiruchirapalli |
BA LLB (Hons) and BCom LLB (Hons) – 114 seats LLM – 18 seats |
132 seats |
| BA LLB (Hons) – 120 seats LLM – 60 seats |
180 seats |
|
| BA LLB - 120 seats BBA LLB (Hons) – 60 seats LLM – 80 seats |
260 seats |
|
| Dr B R Ambedkar National Law University (DBRANLU), Sonipat, Haryana |
BA LLB (Hons) – 120 seats |
120 seats |
| National Law University, Tirupura (Admissions on Hold for academic year 2023) |
BA LLB (Hons) -120 seats LLM - 50 seats |
170 seats |
| GNLU Silvassa Campus (w.e.f. 2023) |
BA LLB (Hons) - 66 seats LLM - 33 seats |
99 seats |
| RPNLUP Prayagraj |
BA LLB (Hons) - 60 seats
|
60 seats |
| IIULER Goa |
BA LLB (Hons)- 60 seats BBA LLB (Hons)- 60 seats |
120 seats |
| 24 NLUs |
Total Seats Intake | 4,664 seats |
Read More:
Here are the commonly asked questions for the exam authority of CLAT 2026 i.e CLAT Consortium:
FAQs for CLAT Consortium
Q. What is CLAT Consortium?
A. The CLAT Consortium in layman term is a group formed to represent the National Law Universities accepting the Common Law Admission Test for admissions to it undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The consortium is responsible for planning, decision making and conducting events of CLAT exam including application process, arranging test centres, conducting the examination, publishing and rectifying answer key, results, as well as conducting counselling and seat allotment process.
Q. What is the role of Consortium of NLUs in CLAT admission process?
A. The consortium is responsible for entire admission process of CLAT exam on behalf of the National Law Universities.
Q. Is the CLAT Consortium responsible for deciding top NLUs in India?
A. No, the CLAT Consortium's main objectives does not include ranking the NLUs in India. The top 3 NLUs in India have been determined by the National Institute of Ranking Framework (NIRF).
Q. Is Consortium of NLUs a government owned organization?
A. No, the Consortium of NLUs is a private set-up having MOU signed up with 22 national law universities.
Q. Can Consortium of NLUs revise the seat intake of NLUs?
A. The Consortium can not directly revise the seat intake of NLUs as it will be reviewed and approved by the Bar Council of India only. Also read: The Bar Council of India (BCI): Latest News, Eligibility, Legal regulations, AIBE exam, and more
Q. Which universities are governing body in CLAT Consortium?
A. The following NLUs are the governing members of CLAT Consortium:
- NLIU Bhopal
- NLSIU Bangalore
- NALSAR Hyderabad
- WBNLU Kolkata
- NLU Jodhpur
- HNLU Raipur
- GNLU Gandhinagar
- DRMNLU Lucknow
- RGNUL Punjab
- CNLU Patna
- NUALS Kochi
- NLUO Cuttack
- NUSRL Ranchi
- NLUJA Assam
- DSNLU Visakhapatnam
- TNNLU Tiruchirapalli
- MNLU Mumbai
- MNLU Nagpur
- MNLU Aurangabad
- HPNLU Shimla
- DNLU Jabalpur
- DBRANLU Sonepat
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 13 hours ago
Yes, you can join a few law colleges in Patna without CLAT.
- CUSB BA LLB requires CUET
- Bihar Institute of Law's BA LLB course does not require any entrance.
Note: All info. is from official sites and can change.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 16 hours ago
Many students feel the AILET exam is a bit tougher than CLAT because it has fewer seats and high competition. The AILET syllabus focuses more on reasoning and legal aptitude. Both tests need good preparation, but AILET 2027 usually has a higher cutoff for AILET colleges under NLU Delhi.
R
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 days ago
No, the CLAT Admit Card 2027 is not out yet. The admit card will likely be released on November 15, 2026. The official schedule has not been announced yet.
M
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 3 days ago
Yes you can apply for LLM at without competitive exams score as you may appear toh IILM's entrance test or interview based on competitive exam merit. The benefit of these include that you may avail to scholarships and get wavier on tuition fees according to laws of IILM's University. You can check f
R
Beginner-Level 3
Answered 3 days ago
No, the CLAT scores are not accepted for BA (hons) admissions at National Law School of India University, Bangalore. Candidates need to appear for the NLSAT-BA in order to qualify for National Law School of India University, Bangalore admissions.
Candidates with a CLAT score will need to apply to app
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
Yes, the CLAT is compulsory entrance exam for all candidates who wish to apply for National Law University, Bangalore BA LLB (hons) admissions. In addition to the CLAT, candidates are also required to fulfill te BA LLB (hons) eligibility criteria to secure a seat.
The admission will be based on the c
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Admission to the IIULER BA LLB (Hons.) programme is now strictly and only integrated with the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) framework. As a member of the Consortium of NLUs, IIULER no longer conducts an independent entrance test for this program. Prospective students must register for CLAT during
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a week ago
No. Since IIULER has officially joined the Consortium of NLUs, it no longer conducts a separate entrance test for admission to IIULER BA LLB (Hons.) course. Admission is strictly based on the CLAT (UG) merit list. If you miss the CLAT window, you generally cannot apply for that academic year.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a week ago
Candidates who score 60% and above in CLAT are eligible for various levels of tuition fee reduction as follows:
- AIR 1 to 5,000 in CLAT: The adjusted tuition fee is Rs. 4.2 Lacs for the first year, with a total annual fee of INR 7.2 lakh.
- AIR 5,001 to 10,000 in CLAT: The adjusted tuition fee is INR 4.5
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Your CLAT rank acts as a direct "discount key" for your entire five-year journey at IIULER. If you work hard and rank in the top 5,000, your total expenditure drops significantly to INR 29,88,610. Even if your rank is between 10,001 and 15,000, you still benefit from a reduced total cost of INR 32,3
R
Contributor-Level 9
She has over 10 years of experience in the education and publishing sectors. She specialises in exam coverage and content creation. At Shiksha, she writes, analyses, and presents information for students preparing f
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