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Anupama Mehra
Deputy Manager – Content
Updated on Jun 18, 2026 15:43 IST
CLAT Full Form is Common Law Admission Test. CLAT UG is conducted for admission to 24 NLUs while CLAT PG is conducted for 21 NLUs along with 61 other private affiliated colleges. Check CLAT 2027 eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern, top NLUs in India, application process, seat intake, counselling, and preparation tips for law aspirants.

CLAT Full Form is Common Law Admission Test. CLAT UG is conducted for admission to 24 NLUs, while CLAT PG is conducted for 21 NLUs along with 61 other private affiliated colleges. Check CLAT 2027 eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern, top NLUs in India, application process, seat intake, counselling, and preparation tips for law aspirants.

What is CLAT Full Form? Eligibility Criteria, Syllabus, Participating Universities, other details

What is CLAT Full Form? Eligibility Criteria, Syllabus, Participating Universities, other details

The CLAT Full Form is Common Law Admission Test. It is a national-level law entrance examination conducted for admission to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programmes. Every year, thousands of law students appear for CLAT exam to secure admission to top law colleges in India, including NLUs. The exam is conducted for admission to 24 NLUs for UG courses and 21 NLUs for PG courses. Apart from the NLUs in India, 61 other private affiliated colleges consider CLAT scores, and several PSUs accept it for recruitment.

The CLAT exam pattern 2027 will contain questions from English Language, Current Affairs & General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative abilities. Understanding CLAT eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern, is important for candidates preparing for the examination. Apart from admissions, CLAT results are also accepted by several private universities and public sector organisations for recruitment and higher studies. 

The CLAT Exam Date 2027 would tentatively be December 6, 2026. Students who are appearing for the exam can check important dates, exam highlights and syllabus details here. 

Table of contents
  • CLAT Important Dates 2027
  • CLAT Participating Universities
  • CLAT Exam 2027 Highlights
  • CLAT Exam Full: Syllabus
  • CLAT Exam Pattern 2027

CLAT Important Dates 2027

Check the CLAT exam dates below: 

Event

Tentative Dates

CLAT 2027 exam day 

06-Dec-2026 (expected)

CLAT 2027 Admit Card

TBN

CLAT 2027 Application Date

TBN

CLAT 2027 Answer Key

TBN

Official CLAT Final Answer Key 2027

TBN

Declaration of CLAT 2027 results

TBN

Also Read:

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Can I get NLU if my CLAT Rank is 1500?
A: 

Yes, with a CLAT Rank of 1500, you have a very good chance of getting into several good NLUs. Some fo the NLU where your chances are high are NLIU Bhopal or NLU Jodhpur.

Q:   How many merit list will be released by the Consortium?
A: 

The Consortium will release atleast five merit list to complete the admission process through CLAT Score. However, the number of merit list might change in case of some discrepancy in answer key or result.

Q:   Can I get admission in NLUs without clearing CLAT Exam?
A: 

No you can not get admission to 26 participating NLUs without clearing CLAT Exam. For admission to NLU Delhi, you need to clear AILET Exam. 

Q:   What does CLAT cutoff mean?
A: 

The CLAT cutoff means the minimum rank or score required to get admission into a National Law University (NLU). Candidates must get the cutoff to participate in the counselling process.

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CLAT Participating Universities 

Every year, 24 NLUs participate in the counselling and seat allotment process of the CLAT exam for UG and PG course admission. Here's the list of NLUs for CLAT exam:

CLAT participating National Law Universities (NLUs)

National Law School of India University, Bangalore 

National Academy of Legal Study & Research (NALSAR) University of Law, Hyderabad

The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata

National Law Institute University, Bhopal

National Law University, Jodhpur

Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur

Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar

Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow

Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala

Chanakya National Law University Patna

National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi

National Law University Odisha, Cuttack

National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi

National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam

Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU) Visakhapatnam

The Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirapalli

Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai

Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur

Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad

Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla

Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur

Dr B R Ambedkar National Law University Sonipat, Haryana

NLU Silvassa

NLU Tripura 

CLAT Exam 2027 Highlights

CLAT exam is conducted in pen and paper based mode for 2 hours duration. Students can check important details including exam mode, pattern, syllabus, marking scheme, etc here: 

Features Details
Name of the exam  Common Law Admission Test
Popularly known as  CLAT
Conducting body The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) 
Exam Level National-level exam
Exam Purpose

CLAT is conducted for: 

  1. Admission to UG and PG law courses offered at the participating NLU
  2. Admissions to Private and self-financed colleges
Application Fee INR 4,000 for General/ OBC category, INR 3500 for all other reserved categories
Question Paper Language English 
Exam mode Pen-and-paper exam
Exam duration Two hours
Number of seats

For UG courses - 3, 213 and for PG courses - 1,217 (Not including sponsored, supernumerary, NRI, and extra seats.)

Accepting colleges
24 participating NLUs, and 61 private law colleges
Top-ranked participating NLU
Here are top-ranking participating NLUs as per NIRF Ranking 2022
  • NLSIU Bengaluru - Rank 1
  • NALSAR - Rank 3
  • WBNUJS Kolkata - Rank 4
Exam helpdesk number  08047162020
Official website clatconsortiumofnlu.ac.in

CLAT Exam Full: Syllabus 

Before starting your preparation, the first thing you should do is go through the CLAT syllabus carefully.

UG Syllabus CLAT 

Take a look at the syllabus and weightage for CLAT UG as mentioned in the table below:

Subjects Topics Marks
Current Affairs, including GK
  • Contemporary events of national and international significance
  • Arts and culture
  • International affairs
  • Historical events of continuing significance
35 - 39 marks 
English
  • Correcting Incorrect Grammar Sentences
  • Synonyms & Antonyms
  • Tenses
  • Fill in the Blanks
  • Spotting Grammatical Errors
  • Active & Passive Voice
28 - 32 marks
Logical Reasoning
  • Analogies
  • Relationships
  • Syllogism
  • Cause & Effect
  • Premises & Conclusion
  • Inferences
28 - 32 marks
Quantitative Techniques
  • Short sets of facts or propositions
  • Graphs
  • Other textual material
  • Pictorial or diagrammatic representations of numerical information
  • 10th standard mathematical operation, including ratios and proportions, basic algebra, mensuration, and statistical estimation
  • Derive, infer, and manipulate numerical information
13 - 17 marks
Legal Reasoning
  • Legal Maxims
  • Important Supreme Court Judgments
  • Legal GK
  • Indian Constitution
  • Important Acts and Amendments of the Legislature
  • Current Affairs
35 - 39 marks 

CLAT LLM Syllabus - Section-Wise Weightage 

Check the table below for more details on LLM syllabus for CLAT

CLAT LLM Sections Main Topics Marks Per Section
Sec A – Constitutional Law
  • Legislative power – procedure, privileges
  • Judicial power – organisation of the judiciary, the jurisdiction of SC of India,
  • Federal Idea – Nature of Indian Polity, co-operative federalism
  • Freedoms of Inter-state Trade and Commerce
  • Impact of Emergency on center-state Relations
  • Elements of crime, Actus Reas and Men's rea, group liability, abetment, criminal conspiracy, exceptions, attempt to commit offenses, offences against public tranquility, offenses against body – culpable homicide, murder, hurt, grievous hurt, wrongful confinement and wrongful restraint criminal force, assault, abduction, kidnapping, rape & un-natural offenses
  • Classification of torts, trespass, nuisance, defamation, liability for misstatements, negligence
    Formation of contract, validity, discharge and performance of contract, remedies and quasi-contracts, Indian contract act-1872, Indian specific relief act-1963
120
Sec B - Contract, Torts, Criminal Law, International Law, IPR and Jurisprudence
  • Elements of crime, Actus Reas and Men's rea, group liability, abetment, criminal conspiracy, exceptions, attempt to commit offenses, offences against public tranquility, offenses against body – culpable homicide, murder, hurt, grievous hurt, wrongful confinement and wrongful restraint criminal force, assault, abduction, kidnapping, rape & un-natural offenses
  • Classification of torts, trespass, nuisance, defamation, liability for misstatements, negligence
  • Formation of contract, validity, discharge and performance of contract, remedies and quasi-contracts, Indian contract act-1872, Indian specific relief act-1963
  • Definition, origin and development of international law, sources and subjects of International law, the relationship between International and municipal law, state recognition, state succession, international rive and canals, international law of the sea, air, space, aerial navigation, outer space exploration and use, nationality statelessness, state jurisdiction, the basis of jurisdiction, jurisdiction immunity, extradition and asylum, diplomatic and consular relations, law of treaties, war and use of force in International law, the law of contraband & blockade, the concept of war, legal effects of the outbreak of war and enemy character, settlement of international disputes, state responsibility, retorsion, reprisals, Armed interventions with the role of United Nations
  • Nature, meaning, definition and scope of IPR, Trademarks Act 1999, Patents Act 1970, Copyright Act 1957, IPR in International Perspective
  • Legal method, Indian Legal system, basic theory of law, Analytical positivism, Kelsen’s pure theory of law, Hart’s definition of law, Austin’s theory of law, definition of law by Holland and Salmond, different theoretical approaches to study law and jurisprudence – Historical and anthropological approach, Sociological approach, economic approach (Marx’s and Engel’s views about the law and state, realist approach – American and Scandinavian realism,
Sec C – Law topics and Contemporary issues Important constitutional and legislative provisions, recent judgments, historical case law and amendments, legal issues and facts.

CLAT Exam Pattern 2027

CLAT exam is held in pen-and-paper mode at various exam centres in the country. Read key points related to the exam pattern below.

CLAT Exam Pattern 
Features 5-Year LLB 3-Year LLB
Exam mode Pen-and-paper mode Pen-and-paper mode
Exam duration 2 hours 2 hours
Type of questions Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
Total questions 150 questions 120 questions
Maximum marks 150 marks  120 marks 
Marking scheme
  • 1 for correct answer
  • -0.25 for incorrect answer
  • 1 for correct answer
  • -0.25 for incorrect answer
Test language English English

While the candidates who are aiming to crack CLAT 2027 must be in preparation mode. They must have a strategy for effective preparation and best results. Those who are still wondering what is correct way for CLAT exam preparation can plan it as under: 

  1. Make an effective preparation plan 
  2. Have a subject-wise approach 
  3. Get all the prep material based on the exam pattern & syllabus of CLAT 
  4. Cross-check and practise previous year papers for CLAT (past 3 years are relevant as per the new pattern)
  5. Take CLAT Mock Test 2027 to improve test-taking skills and performance 

The effective strategy for CLAT 2027 will help ensure result-oriented performance, which is to score above cutoff marks. 

Also Read:

 Idioms and Proverbs for CLAT With Meaning

 How to Score 25+ in CLAT Legal Reasoning? Tips to prepare

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About the Author
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Anupama Mehra
Deputy Manager – Content

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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Answered Yesterday

No, candidates who apply for BBA LLB (hons) admissions at NMIMS Mumbai through CLAT-UG are not required to appear in NLAT to qualify. 

During selection process, such candidates will be selected based on CLAT-UG scores only for BBA LLB (hons) admission.

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 5 days ago

CLAT is not compulsory to get admission in BA LLB programme. Amity University, Bengaluru offers merit-based admission into BA LLB programme. However, the university accepts CLAT scores for admission as well. 

R

Raj Priya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 5 days ago

DU cutoff 2026 has been released for BA LLB (Hons.) and BBA LLB (Hons) courses based on CLAT score. During the Round 2 cutoff 2026, the cutoff for BA LLB (Hons) admission was 90.25 for students belonging to the General AI quota. Check out the table below to view the second round category-wise cutoff

...Read more

R

Rashmi Sinha

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 5 days ago

No, CLAT is not compulsory for BA LLB at Jain University. The university accepts JET-LAW and AILET scores as well along with CLAT. The selection is based on entrance merit and interview performance. 

B

Bipasha Jha

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 5 days ago

No, students need to appear for CLAT exam and obtain valid score to be eligible for admission in BA LLB at DU. Admission is given on the basis of eligibility, CLAT score, seat availability, seat reservation policy and preferences provided by the candidates.

S

Saumya Gairola

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 6 days ago

No, candidates are not required to appear in CLAT-UG in order to apply for Parul University BBA LLB admission. Candidates are only required to appear in Class 12 board exams and pass with a minimum aggregate of 45% to apply for BBA LLB course.

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 6 days ago

Yes, students can get admision in JECRC University BA LLB without CLAT. JECRC University BA LLB admissions are merit- based. Students are selected based on scores in last qualifying exam, followed by Personal Interview. Although, preference is given to students with valid score in CLAT. 

G

Gaurika Chhabra

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 6 days ago

No, aspirants do not require CLAT score for admission in BA LLB (Hons) course. Candidates can get admission in BA LLB (Hons) programme based on their merit. They only need to meet eligibility i.e. Class 12 with at least 50% aggregate for admission.

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered a week ago

Yes, NMIMS Mumbai accepts CLAT scores for admission in BA LLB (Hons) course. However, it is not compulsory. Aspirants can also appear for NMIMS-LAT for admission in BA LLB (Hons) programme.

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered a week ago

Yes, candidatedcan apply for Parul University BA LLB without appearing in CLAT-UG. Admission to this course is conducted on merit basis through Class 12 board exam scores by Parul Vadodara. No other entrance exams are mandatory for admission into this course.

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10