CLAT 2026 — Introduction

 CLAT 2026 — Introduction

1. What is CLAT?
   The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is India’s national entrance test for admission to undergraduate (BA LL.B, BBA LL.B, etc.) and postgraduate (LL.M) law programs offered by most National Law Universities (NLUs). It’s conducted by the Consortium of NLUs.

2. Who should read this?
   Class 12 students (or those who’ve passed) aiming for 5-year integrated law degrees, and law graduates targeting LL.M seats.

3. Basic eligibility snapshot

   • UG: Class 12 passed/appearing; minimum aggregate as per category (exact % varies by year).

   • PG: LL.B/Equivalent completed or final year appearing.

   • No upper age limit (as per recent norms).

4. What does the exam test? (UG pattern focus)
   Reading-heavy MCQs across:

   • English language & comprehension

   • Current affairs & general knowledge

   • Legal reasoning (no prior law needed)

   • Logical reasoning

   • Quantitative techniques (basic maths)

5. PG pattern (quick view)
   Objective questions based on core law subjects and legal comprehension passages.

6. Why CLAT matters
   Your score decides your All-India Rank (AIR), which is used in centralized counselling for seats across participating NLUs and some affiliated institutes.

7. Participating institutes
   Most NLUs across states accept CLAT (NLU Delhi is the usual exception—AILET). State/private universities and law schools also use CLAT scores for some seats.

8. Application route (high level)

   • Register on the Consortium portal.

   • Fill personal/academic details.

   • Select test cities and category.

   • Upload documents & photograph/signature.

   • Pay the fee and submit.

9. Key documents you’ll need
   Recent photo, signature, Class 10/12 details, category/ PwD/ domicile certificates (if applicable), and an active email/phone.

10. Marking system (typical)
    MCQs with +1 for correct answers and negative marking for wrong ones (penalty usually −0.25 per error).

11. Counselling in short
    After results, you lock preferences of NLUs, pay the counselling fee, and track multiple allotment rounds to accept/float/exit.

12. When is it held?
    Generally once a year, usually in early December. Always confirm exact dates on the Consortium website.

13. Medium & mode
    Conducted in English, in offline (OMR) mode across designated test centres nationwide.

14. Fee concessions & categories
    Application and counselling fees differ by category; fee relaxations are available for reserved categories—check the official notice.

15. How to use this guide
    This introduction gives you the map. In your blog, follow up with detailed sections on syllabus breakdown, a 90-day study plan, previous-year paper strategy, and counselling mistakes to avoid.

Always verify current eligibility, dates, fees, and participating NLUs on the official portal: consortiumofnlus.ac.in.