CLAT Selection Process 2026: Stages, Marks, Counselling & Step-by-Step Admissions
Common Law Admission Test 2026 ( CLAT )
Counselling - 5 Feb '26
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 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. The Consortium has begun the CLAT Counselling Process 2026. Read further to know more about the overall CLAT Selection Process and Criteria.
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Latest Update: CLAT 2026 Second Merit List Live Updates
- CLAT Selection Process 2026: Know here
- CLAT Answer Key
- How to download CLAT 2026 Answer Key?
- How to Check CLAT 2026 Merit List ?
- What after CLAT 2026 Seat Allotment Result - Counselling Process
- Preparation Tips for CLAT 2026
CLAT Selection Process 2026: Know here
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.
The selection process for CLAT 2026 involves various steps and it is important to understand it. Check all the steps and process.
CLAT Eligibility 2026
Candidates who meet the eligibility were issued the CLAT Admit Card. Candidates could check CLAT Eligibility Criteria for both UG and PG program below
Eligibility for the UG Program
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Candidates who meet the following criteria were 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. |
Eligibility for the PG Program
To appear for CLAT PG Program it was mandatory to have fulfill following criteria
The CLAT Counselling Process is completely online. Candidates need to register first by uploading their documents, and participate in choice filling and seat allotment. For original document verification aspirants will have to go to thedesignated centres.
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.
| 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 was then the next step in the selection process. There were separate patterns for UG and PG programs, as detailed below
CLAT UG Exam Pattern 2026
Candidates could 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 carried 120 MCQ for 120 marks. Going by the CLAT 2026 sectional weightage, candidates could 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 (Elementary 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 could 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 contained objective-type questions. There were 120 MCQs that candidates had 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 could refer to the marking scheme for UG courses below
- For every correct answer, candidates were awarded one mark
- For every wrong attempt, 0.25 marks was deducted from their total score. No marks were 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
The Consortium released the CLAT Provisional Answer Key PDF first. 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 was 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 First Merit list for both UG and PG programs was released on January 7, 2026, at 10 AM. Candidates were ranked according to their scores, and the merit list determined their eligibility for the next stage.
How to Check CLAT 2026 Result?
Candidates could 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
How to Check CLAT 2026 Merit List ?
Candidates can check the NLU-wise CLAT merit list by following the below given process-
- Visit consortiumofnlus.ac.in
- Navigate to Notifications section
- Click on CLAT 2026 First Allotment List link
- View and download the CLAT first allotment list 2026
What after CLAT 2026 Seat Allotment Result - Counselling Process
All candidates will be allotted seat through these steps
Accept the seat: This option is used by candidates to confirm their choice of NLU. Once the lock option is used, a candidate's seat at the allotted NLU is freezed. Thereafter, the candidate need not participate in further seat allotment rounds and complete the remaining admission formalities (mentioned below).
Apply for Upgrade: This option is used when candidates want to change the allotted institute to his or her higher choice (upward shifting). Candidates choosing upgrade are considered active participants, therefore, they too need to complete the remaining admission formalities (mentioned below).
Exit from seat allotment: Candidates can choose to exit from the counselling process if they do not wish to participate in the current or further rounds of counselling. It may be noted that once exited, candidates will not be given another chance to participate in the counselling for NLU admissions.
Completing admission formalities
If a candidate accepts the allotted seat or apply for upgrade, they need to upload all the prescribed documents on the official website for verification. Thereafter, they also need to pay the remaining admission fee to the allotted NLU.
Also Read: CLAT Counselling Important Documents
Preparation Tips for CLAT 2026
The tips to pass the CLAT Exam 2026 in 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 5 days ago
The 'exit' from CLAT counselling means leave the counselling process; and the student will not be considered for further rounds. This option allows candidates to withdraw from the admission process entirely at any time after registration. If a seat was previously allocated and accepted (via Freeze/F
P
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 5 days ago
Freeze option in CLAT Counselling means accept the NLU seat, lock it, and opt-out of the upgrade process. In this case, the fee becomes non-refundable and has to be paid before the last date. The candidate is removed from the counseling process for future rounds.
P
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 5 days ago
Yes, the CLAT counselling fee is refundable if no seat is allotted or if a student withdraws before the final date. A penalty of INR 5,000 may be applied if a seat is frozen and later withdrawn after May 30th.
P
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 5 days ago
There will be a total of 5 rounds for CLAT 2026. Students who make it to the merit list and who receive an invitation via email/SMS can register and pay the counselling fee. Students have to pay a fee of INR 30,000 for General and INR 20,000 for ST/SC/OBC/BC/EWS/PwD, for CLAT examination.
P
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a week ago
The GNLU Silvassa CLAT Cutoff 2026 was released for round 2 for B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) and Master of Law (LL.M.) programme. The cutoff was released for various categories under both the All India and Home State quotas.
The NLU Silvassa CLAT Cutoff 2026 for round 2 was 1264 for BA LLB (Hons) course and 1
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The NLU Sonipat CLAT Cutoff 2026 is out for round 2 for various categories under both the All India and Home State quota candidates. The cutoff was released for admission to the B.A. LL.B and Master of Legislative Laws (LL.M.) courses.
For the LLM course, the General AI category cutoff was 2349 in r
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The NLU Shimla CLAT Cutoff 2026 has been released for round 2 for multiple categories under both the All India and Home State quota. The cutoff was out in the form of opening and closing ranks.
For the General HS category, the cutoff was 11211 for the B.A LL.B (Hons.) course, and 16167 for B.B.A.LL.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The NLU Jabalpur CLAT Cutoff 2026 was released for round 2 for admission to BA LLB (Hons) and LLM courses. The cutoff was released for all categories under the All India and Home State quota.
For the General AI category, the round 2 cutoff for BA LLB (Hons) course was 1789. For LLM courses, it was
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The NLU Assam CLAT Cutoff 2026 has been released for admission to the LL.M. LL.B. (Hons.) and LLM courses for round 2. The cutoff was released for various categories under both the All India and Home State quotas.
For the OBC AI category, the cutoff ranged from 2430 to 3669, wherein the LLM course a
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
NLU Assam CLAT Cutoff 2026 has been released till round 2 for admission to BA LLB (Hons) and LLM courses for various categories under both the All India and Home State quota.
For the SC AI category, the round closing ranks ranged between 4884 and 11777, for the LLM and BA LLB (Hons) courses, respect
N
Contributor-Level 10
CLAT Notifications
Candidates could check important preparation strategies of CLAT 2026 below