CLAT Selection Process 2026: Stages, Marks, Counselling & Step-by-Step Admissions
Common Law Admission Test 2027 ( CLAT )
Registration - 1 Aug '26 - 31 Oct '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 conducted for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law courses in the country. The CLAT Counselling Process 2026 is currently underway for postgraduate courses. However, the CLAT UG Counselling 2026 has been put on hold and new schedule will be released soon.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.
- 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 selection process for CLAT 2026 involves various steps and it is important to understand it. Check all the steps and processes.
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
Candidates who meet the following criteria were eligible for the CLAT UG Program (BA LLB). Parameters that candidates need to meet to fulfill CLAT eligibility criteria for undergraduate (UG ) level law courses are mentioned below. Candidates must ensure that they meet the required CLAT UG 2027 Eligibility Criteria:
| Criteria | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Educational Requirement |
|
| CLAT Age Limit | No age bar |
Eligibility for the PG Program
Candidates must ensure that they meet the required CLAT PG 2027 Eligibility Criteria.Candidates can check the eligibility criteria for CLAT PG 2027 below.
| Criteria | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Educational Requirement |
|
| CLAT Age Limit | No age bar |
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 |
Commonly asked questions
Candidates could check important preparation strategies of CLAT 2026 below
- Prepare a monthly and weekly timetable and have the syllabus handy
- Make sure to cover all the topics and concepts right on time and revise them at frequent intervals
- Write mock tests and practice tests frequently and analyze the tests taken to recognize the weak areas, and work towards improving them
- Do not make assumptions while attempting the questions in actual CLAT as for every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks will be deducted
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 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
Commonly asked questions
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.
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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 3 days ago
Candidates can download the CLAT PYQs by visiting https://www.shiksha.com/law/clat-exam-question-papers. Candidates must solve CLAT PYQS to score well in the exam.
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
Based on recent CLAT analyses, the English Language and General Knowledge & Current Affairs sections were rated as the easiest. English is more about reading comprehension with direct questions. GK is highly scoring for those with consistent, up-to-date daily news preparation.
M
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 3 days ago
The CLAT exam for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses will be held for 2 hours. There will be 120 MCQs. The total number of sections in the question paper will be five.
D
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 5 days ago
Whether SLS Pune is better than an NLU really depends on what you want. SLS Pune gives a strong private college aura, with a good campus, nice location, and a good brand name. Many people think it's ahead of some low-tier NLUs (Tier 2 or Tier 3). But the top NLUs like NLSIU Bengaluru or NLU Delhi st
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 5 days ago
Yes, you can join quite a few law colleges in Kolkata without sitting for CLAT.
Note: All info. is from official sources and can change.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
The difficulty level of the SLAT and CLAT exams varies depending on various factors such as exam pattern, exam difficulty level, and the number of candidates who appear for the exam. The following observations have been noted:
- The English section of CLAT is more difficult.
- The GK section of SLAT is ea
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week 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 a week 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 a week 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 a week 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 4
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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