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Law

CLAT: what it is and how counselling follows

Common Law Admission Test (Undergraduate)

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Conducted byConsortium of National Law Universities
CategoryLaw
Used forIntegrated Law

Overview

CLAT is the entrance test for five year law degrees at the National Law Universities that belong to the Consortium. Many other law schools also accept the score. The Consortium was set up in 2017 and its website carries the notification each year. The undergraduate paper tests English, current affairs and general knowledge, legal reasoning, logical reasoning and quantitative techniques. After the result, you take part in the counselling run by the Consortium, where you list universities in order of choice. Read the current notification for the exact pattern, dates and conditions.

At a glance

Conducted byConsortium of National Law Universities
ModePen and paper test at centres in recent cycles; confirm in the notification
FrequencyOnce a year, usually in December
DurationTwo hours in recent cycles
Question typeMultiple choice questions based on passages in recent cycles
SectionsEnglish; current affairs and general knowledge; legal reasoning; logical reasoning; quantitative techniques
LanguagesEnglish
Who can applyClass 12 students and those who have passed, as per the notification

Who can apply

Check the current information bulletin: age, attempts and qualification rules can change.

  • Students who have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination, or who are appearing in it in that year.
  • The notification sets the minimum marks, which are lower for some categories. Check the current figure for your category.
  • In recent cycles there was no upper age limit. Confirm in the notification.
  • Candidates who are still appearing in Class 12 must show the result by the date given in the notification.
  • Each university may add domicile or quota rules, which the notification explains.

Exam pattern

As described in recent official bulletins. The bulletin of the current cycle is final.

English languageIn recent cycles, passage based questions that test understanding and use of English.
Current affairs and general knowledgeIn recent cycles, passage based questions on events and general topics.
Legal reasoningIn recent cycles, passages on legal principles with questions that ask you to apply them. No prior law study is needed.
Logical reasoningIn recent cycles, passages that test your ability to follow and judge arguments.
Quantitative techniquesIn recent cycles, short sets with graphs or texts that need basic maths up to Class 10.
Marks and negative markingIn recent cycles, correct answers earned marks and wrong answers lost a fraction. Read the current notification for the exact scheme.

Syllabus areas

Reading comprehension in EnglishVocabulary and grammar in contextCurrent affairs and general knowledgeLegal principles and how to apply themCritical reasoning and argumentsBasic arithmetic and data interpretationPassage based analysis

How to apply and appear

  1. Read the CLAT notification on the Consortium website.
  2. Register online with a valid email and mobile number.
  3. Fill in the application form and choose your exam centres.
  4. Upload your photograph, signature and certificates for any category you claim.
  5. Pay the fee online as shown on the portal.
  6. Download your admit card and appear for the test.
  7. Check the provisional answer key and raise objections in the window given.

From exam to admission

  1. 1Read the notificationCheck eligibility, pattern and dates on the Consortium website
  2. 2Register and applyFill the form, choose centres and pay the fee online
  3. 3Take the testAppear at your centre with the admit card
  4. 4Get the resultThe Consortium publishes the result and rank lists
  5. 5Register for counsellingComplete the counselling registration on the Consortium portal
  6. 6Fill your choicesList the universities in the order you prefer
  7. 7Seat allotmentSeats are allotted in rounds based on rank, category and seat availability
  8. 8Accept and reportAccept the seat, pay the fee as shown there and report with your documents

After the exam

  • The Consortium publishes the result and the merit lists.
  • Counselling is run through the Consortium portal, where you list your choices.
  • Seats are allotted by rank, category and quota in rounds.
  • Some law schools outside the Consortium use the score in their own process. Check each one.
  • Keep your certificates and domicile proofs ready.

Courses this exam leads to

UG

Integrated Law

Five-year integrated law programmes.

Official sources

Frequently asked questions

Who conducts CLAT?

The Consortium of National Law Universities, which has many member universities.

Do I need to have studied law subjects?

No. The paper tests reading and reasoning. No earlier law study is needed.

Is there negative marking?

In recent cycles, yes. Read the current notification for the exact rule.

Is CLAT online or on paper?

In recent cycles, on paper at centres. Confirm in the notification.

How long is the test?

Two hours in recent cycles.

Can I apply in Class 12?

Yes, if the notification allows it and you show your result by the date given.

Are all law schools covered by CLAT counselling?

No. Only the participating universities are. Others have their own tests or processes.

Can Padhaidekho promise a law seat through CLAT?

No. We help you plan. We cannot promise any seat.

Dates, syllabus, pattern, eligibility and fees are published by the conducting body for each cycle. Always read the current official information bulletin.

Content checked against the official sources above in 2026-10. Rules, dates and eligibility change every cycle: always confirm on the official notice. This page is general guidance, not legal advice or an admission guarantee.

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