CLAT
Common Law Admission Test
CLAT is the Consortium of National Law Universities' admission test for the five-year integrated LL.B. and the LL.M. programmes at its participating universities — 26 NLUs for CLAT 2027. It is a two-hour pen-and-paper test of 120 one-mark multiple-choice questions, with 0.25 marks deducted for a wrong answer; the UG paper covers English Language, Current Affairs including General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Techniques. Indian nationals, NRIs and OCI/PIO cardholders can sit it; foreign nationals cannot and apply to each NLU directly. NLU Delhi is not a participating university — it admits through its own test, AILET.

Frequency
Once a year (CLAT 2027: Sunday 6 December 2026, 2–4 p.m.)
Duration
2 hours
Format
Paper-based
Score range
120 (UG and PG papers: 120 one-mark questions; 0.25 deducted per wrong answer)
Eligibility
UG: 10+2 or equivalent with at least 45% marks (40% for SC, ST and PwD); candidates sitting the qualifying exam in March/April 2027 may apply. PG: LL.B. or equivalent with at least 50% marks (45% for SC, ST and PwD); candidates sitting the qualifying exam in 2027 may apply. No upper age limit. Open to Indian nationals, NRIs and OCI/PIO cardholders; foreign nationals are not eligible to sit CLAT (CLAT 2027).
Conducting body
Consortium of National Law Universities
Registration fee
CLAT 2027: ₹4,000 for General and OBC candidates; ₹3,500 for SC, ST, BPL and PwD candidates. Bank charges are extra; the fee is non-refundable
Source: Consortium of National Law Universities. Details here are for guidance only — fees, dates and eligibility change each cycle, so confirm on the official site before applying.
Verified against: Consortium of NLUs — official site (members; CLAT 2027 notices); Consortium of NLUs — CLAT 2027 press release, 22 July 2026 (date and application window) (PDF); CLAT 2027 — UG general instructions (mode, date, nationality, application fee); CLAT 2027 — UG eligibility; CLAT 2027 — PG eligibility; CLAT 2027 — UG question paper format; CLAT 2027 — PG question paper format; CLAT 2027 — participating universities; CLAT 2027 — FAQs (programmes covered).
Last verified: 30 September 2026.
Related / Next steps
Explore studying in India →Guides that cover the CLAT
6 min read
CLAT Eligibility and Exam Pattern Explained
What the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is, who can apply, the subject areas it tests, and how the paper is structured — with a reminder to confirm current details on the official source.
9 min read
CLAT PG Exam Guide (LLM Admission to NLUs)
CLAT PG — the LLM entrance to the National Law Universities. Eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, admission process and prep, with current figures to confirm on the official Consortium website.
5 min read
CLAT vs AILET: What Is the Difference?
CLAT and AILET — who conducts each, which universities they lead to, and how to decide which test (or both) to take.
9 min read
AP LAWCET & TS LAWCET Exam Guide
The Telugu-states law entrance tests — AP LAWCET (APSCHE) and TG/TS LAWCET (TGCHE) — for 3-year and 5-year LLB, plus the LLM PGLCET route. Verify specifics on the official portals.
9 min read
MH CET Law Exam Guide (Maharashtra)
MH CET Law — Maharashtra's state entrance test for the 3-year and 5-year LLB — including eligibility, exam structure, and how the CET Cell's CAP counselling works. Verify specifics on cetcell.mahacet.org.
8 min read
State Judicial Services (PCS-J) Exam Guide
The State Judicial Services (PCS-J) exam for entry-level Civil Judge posts — eligibility including the legal-practice requirement, the three-stage Prelims–Mains–Interview structure, and how to prepare — with state-specific details deferred to each High Court and State PSC.
6 min read
National Law Universities in India: An Overview
What the National Law Universities are, how students are admitted, and how to find the current official list — without rankings or judgments.
6 min read
How to Choose a Stream After 10th
Picking Science, Commerce or Arts after Class 10 — based on interests, aptitude and goals, not on perceived prestige.
Need prep advice for the CLAT?
Ask GSB for a personalised study plan.
Ask GSB →Studying in India
Continue exploring India
Universities, entrance tests, costs and visa facts for India — all in one place, each linked to its official source.
Popular topics · India
Popular guides
View all →