CLAT Selection Process 2026: Stages, Marks, Counselling & Step-by-Step Admissions
Common Law Admission Test 2026 ( CLAT )
Counselling - 17 Dec '25 - 27 Dec '25
Understanding the CLAT 2026 Selection Process is important to get a seat in NLUs. Read further to know about the same.
CLAT Selection Process 2026: Marks Distribution, Pattern, Syllabus, Counselling Process
The Common Law Admission Test is an entrance exam conducted for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programs in India. CLAT 2026 Exam Date was December 7, 2025. The exam was held across the country in more than 140 exam centres. The CLAT Exam was held in pen-and-paper mode. Read further to know more about the overall CLAT Selection Process and Criteria.
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Latest Update:
The Consortium of NLUs has begun CLAT Counselling Process 2026. The counselling process of CLAT will be conducted in online mode on the official website of Consortium of NLUs; i.e. consortiumofnlus.ac. The Counselling Process will be held in five rounds.
Candidates can follow the process mentioned below to check the CLAT seat allotment result:
- Visit the official website of CLAT
- Enter mobile number & password.
- Click on Login.
- Check the seat allotment result.
- CLAT Selection Process 2026: Know here
- How to download CLAT 2026 Answer Key?
- Preparation Tips for CLAT 2026
CLAT Selection Process 2026: Know here
The selection process for CLAT 2026 is
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CLAT Eligibility 2026
Candidates who meet the eligibility will only be issued the CLAT Admit Card. Candidates can check CLAT Eligibility Criteria for both UG and PG program below
Eligibility for the UG Program
Candidates who meet the following criteria will be eligible for the CLAT UG Program (BA LLB).
| Requirement |
Details |
|---|---|
| Age Limit |
There is no upper age limit for CLAT 2026. However, candidates have to be at least 17 years old at the time of admission. |
|
Educational Qualification
|
10+2 (or equivalent) exam from a recognised board with at least 45 per cent aggregate marks (40 per cent for SC/ST candidates). |
| Appearing Candidates | Candidates who are appearing for their 12th exams in 2025 are also eligible to apply for CLAT UG 2026. |
The CLAT Counselling Process is completely online. Candidates need to register through the counselling portal, upload their documents, and participate in choice filling and seat allotment online. Physical presence is not required for most stages. However, original document verification is done in-person at designated centres. Candidates must regularly check the official website for specific instructions.
There will be five rounds of counselling. During CLAT 2025 Admission, the number of rounds were reduced to three. But until then the CLAT Counselling use to be of five rounds only.
No, you can not appear for counselling if you have not cleared CLAT Exam.
Eligibility for the PG Program
Those who fulfil the minimum conditions will be CLAT PG Program:
| Requirement |
Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Marks |
Candidates must have secured at least 50 per cent marks in their LLB (45 per cent for SC/ST candidates). |
|
Educational Qualification
|
Candidates must have completed a 5-year integrated LLB or a 3-year LLB degree from a recognized university. |
| Appearing Candidates | Candidates who are appearing for their final-year LLB exam in 2025 can also apply. |
Also Read: CLAT 2026 Question Paper Booklet (UG/PG): Download All Sets PDF
CLAT Exam 2026
The CLAT 2026 Exam is the next step in the selection process. There are separate patterns for UG and PG programs, as detailed below
CLAT UG Exam Pattern 2026
Candidates can check CLAT UG Exam Pattern below
| Particulars |
CLAT Exam Pattern Highlights |
|---|---|
| Total Duration |
2 hours |
| Number of Questions |
150 |
| Total Marks |
150 |
| Question Type |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
Also Read: What after CLAT: Result, Counselling, Admission Process and courses
CLAT 2026 Sectional Weightage
The CLAT Question Paper consists of 120 MCQ for 120 marks. Going by the CLAT 2026 sectional weightage, candidates can check the section-wise questions weightage as under:
| Sections |
MCQs per section |
Maximum Marks |
Approximate Weightage (in %) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28-32 |
28-32 |
18.66 - 21.33 |
|
| 35-39 |
35-39 |
23.33 - 26 |
|
| 28-32 |
28-32 |
18.66 - 21.33 |
|
| 35-39 |
35-39 |
23.33 - 26 |
|
| Quantitative Techniques (Elementry Mathematics up to Class 10) |
13-17 |
13-17 |
8.66 - 11.33 |
| Total |
120 |
120 |
100% |
Also Read: Synonyms & Antonyms for Law Entrance: List of Most Commonly Asked Words
CLAT PG Exam Pattern 2026
Candidates can check the CLAT LLM Exam Pattern below:
| Particulars |
CLAT Exam Pattern Highlights |
|---|---|
| Total Duration |
2 hours |
| Number of Questions |
100 |
| Total Marks |
120 |
| Question Type |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
CLAT LLM Pattern 2026: Section-Wise & Weightage
CLAT question paper 2026 for LLM contains objective-type questions. There will be 120 MCQs that candidates have to attempt in two hours. Check the complete CLAT LLM exam pattern for each for reference below.
| CLAT LLM Sections |
MCQs per section |
Marks per section |
|---|---|---|
| Sec A – Constitutional Law |
120 |
120 |
| Sec B - Contract, Torts, Criminal Law, International Law, IPR and Jurisprudence. |
||
| Sec C – Law topics and Contemporary issues |
Also Read: Idioms and Proverbs for CLAT 2026 With Meaning
CLAT 2026 Marking Scheme
The consortium released the marking scheme for CLAT 2026 Exam. Aspirants can refer to the marking scheme for UG courses below
- For every correct answer, candidates are awarded one mark
- For every wrong attempt, 0.25 marks are deducted from their total score. No marks are awarded or deducted for questions not left un-attempted.
| CLAT Marking Parameters |
Marks Awarded |
|---|---|
| Correct answer |
+1 marks |
| Incorrect answer |
-0.25 marks |
| Un-attempted question |
0 marks |
CLAT Answer Key
Once the CLAT Exam is over, the Consortium released the CLAT Provisional Answer Key PDF. Candidates were able to challenge the same until the CLAT Objection Window was open. Once the Consortium received all the objections, it released the CLAT Final Answer Key. The result for CLAT Exam will be released based on CLAT Final Answer Key.
How to download CLAT 2026 Answer Key?
- Visit consortiumofnlus.ac.in
- Click on CLAT 2026 link
- Click on CLAT UG answer key link
- View, download and save CLAT 2026 UG answer key and question paper PDF.
Also Read: CLAT NLU CutOff 2026
CLAT Results and Merit List
The Consortium released the CLAT Results on December 16, 2025, and the CLAT Merit list for both UG and PG programs will be released on January 7, 2026, at 10 AM. Candidates will be ranked according to their scores, and the merit list will determine their eligibility for the next stage.
How to Check CLAT 2026 Result?
Candidates can download the CLAT result 2026 following the steps mentioned below:
- Click on the result link given above or directly enter: https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/clat-2026/view-result.html
- A log-in window will open.
- Fill in the following details:
- CLAT 2026 application number / Admit card number
- Date of birth
- On successful login, the results will be displayed on the screen
- Download and take a printout of the CLAT 2026 scorecard.
Also Read: CLAT 2026 Cutoffs for NLUs
CLAT Counseling Process
The counseling process has begun. The CLAT Counseling Process will involve:
- Online registration for counseling
- Candidates will then have to fill in their preferences for NLUs.
- The consortium will then release the merit list
- Candidates who are shortlisted can freeze, float or exit the counselling process. Those who are shortlisted will have to get their documents verified.
- Once all the above steps are completed, candidates can confirm their selection by paying fees.
Also Read: CLAT Counselling Important Documents
Preparation Tips for CLAT 2026
The tips to pass the CLAT Exam 2026 on the first attempt are given below
- Understand the exam pattern properly.
- Daily practice and revise whatever you study.
- Keeping track of current affairs.
- Mock Tests.
- Time Management.
- Solve previous year question papers.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
Hi.
Level: Comparable overall. NLET may be slightly more analytical/legal-reasoning oriented.
Preparation Overlap: Preparing for CLAT will largely cover NLET syllabus, but you may need extra practice on complex legal reasoning questions for NLET.
Difficulty: Both are competitive; CLAT is high due to la
h
Scholar-Level 18
Answered Yesterday
Hi...
Colleges You Can Get With Your CLAT Rank (General Guide)
Since you didn’t mention your exact CLAT rank, here’s a helpful list of law colleges that accept CLAT scores, including National Law Universities (NLUs) and good non‑NLU options, including options for mid to higher ranks. All these accept
h
Scholar-Level 18
Answered 4 days ago
To raise grievances on the CLAT 2026 Result, log in to your account on the Consortium of NLUs website (consortiumofnlus.ac.in), find the 'Submit Grievance' button, detail your issue (score/rank discrepancy, conduct) with supporting proof within the specified time, and submit online; accepted grievan
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 4 days ago
Yes, you can. Candidates can raise their grievances by sending an email. Candidates can follow the steps given below
- Go to the consortiumofnlus.ac.in
- Login using your email
- Enter your password
- Click on the grievance option
- Submit
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 5 days ago
Yes, you can get admission based on CLAT Score. Apart from that you can also appear for ULSAT Exam conducted by the university.
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Yes, you can absolutely prepare for CLAT and UPES ULSAT together, as they share significant syllabus overlap (Legal/Logical Reasoning, GK, English, Quant), making integrated preparation efficient; focus on core areas for both but tailor extra practice for ULSAT's specific GK/current affairs and CLAT
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
You should understand that once you opt to get out of the counselling process you can not go back. You will get option to either freeze your seat or choose to let it go and participate in next round. You can anytime exit the whole process too.
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
There is no restriction as such for the CLAT exam. Thus, one can give CLAT any number of times they want to. Candidates should not feel bad if they are not able to clear the CLAT exam in first time.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
No you can not get admission to 24 participating NLUs without clearing CLAT Exam. For admission to NLU Delhi, you need to clear AILET Exam.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
Yes, you can, However, the consortium will not open any objection window for the same. In case you have any problem with your result you have to contact the helpdesk directly.
M
Contributor-Level 7
CLAT Notifications
Candidates could check important preparation strategies of CLAT 2026 below