Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026 will be held on December 7, 2026, for both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programmes. Conducted by the Consortium of NLUs, CLAT UG is for students who have completed or are appearing in Class 12 and want to join a five-year integrated law course like BA LLB or BBA LLB. CLAT PG, on the other hand, is for candidates who have completed or are pursuing an LL.B. degree and wish to specialise with an LL.M. programme.
While both exams are of two hours with 120 questions, the pattern and syllabus are different. CLAT UG focuses on English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques, while CLAT PG tests advanced subjects such as Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, Contracts, Criminal Law, and IPR.
Admission to top NLUs like NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata, and NLU Jodhpur is highly competitive, with limited seats for both UG and PG courses. After CLAT UG, students can pursue careers in litigation, corporate law, judiciary preparation, or government services, whereas CLAT PG graduates often enter specialised practice, PSUs, research, or academia.
CLAT 2026 Highlights
CLAT 2026 will be conducted for both UG and PG law programmes. The exam pattern, eligibility requirements, and subjects vary for each level. The table below gives a quick look at the major features of CLAT UG 2026 and CLAT PG 2026, including eligibility, duration, subjects, and marking scheme.
Also Check: CLAT Logical Reasoning: Exam Pattern, Important Topics, Preparation Tips & Analysis
CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To apply for CLAT 2026, candidates must meet the eligibility conditions set by the Consortium of NLUs. The requirements are different forCLAT UG Eligibility andCLAT PG Eligibility. These include educational qualifications, minimum marks, and age criteria. The details are explained below.
CLAT 2026 Syllabus
The CLAT 2026 syllabus is designed differently for UG and PG candidates. While CLAT UG Syllabus focuses on testing reading, reasoning, basic mathematics, and legal aptitude, the CLAT PG Syllabus checks advanced knowledge of core law subjects, constitutional law, and recent legal issues.
CLAT 2026 UG Syllabus
CLAT 2026 PG Syllabus
Also Check: How to fill CLAT application form 2026: Online Registration (OPEN), Fee payment & Last Date
CLAT UG vs CLAT PG 2026: What to Expect in the Exam Pattern?
While both exams have 120 MCQs and a 2-hour time limit, the type of questions differs significantly.
CLAT UG vs CLAT PG 2026: Past Year Cut-Off Trends
The CLAT cut-off trends help in understanding how many marks and a rank are usually required to secure admission into top NLUs. These cut-offs change every year depending on the number of candidates, exam difficulty, and available seats. For CLAT UG, the cut-off ranks for top NLUs like NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata, and NLU Jodhpur are usually very high. For CLAT PG, the competition is also tough, with top law universities closing ranks early for general category candidates.
CLAT UG 2024 Approximate Cut-offs (General Category):
CLAT PG 2024 Approximate Cut-offs (General Category):
Also Check: How to Cancel CLAT Registration 2026? Complete Guide on Errors and Solutions
CLAT UG vs CLAT PG 2026: Seat Intake at Top NLUs
The seat intake for CLAT UG and CLAT PG shows how many students can get admission to the top National Law Universities (NLUs). Each NLU has a fixed number of seats for undergraduate (BA LLB) and postgraduate (LLM) courses. Knowing the seat intake helps candidates understand the level of competition and plan their preparation better.
CLAT UG vs CLAT PG 2026: Career Scope
Both CLAT UG and CLAT PG offer various promising career opportunities to the candidates. Some of them are mentioned below:
Final Thoughts
CLAT 2026 will be a major opportunity for law aspirants, whether aiming for CLAT UG 2026 or CLAT PG 2026. While both exams open doors to top NLUs, the exam pattern, syllabus, and career scope are different. CLAT UG is best for students starting their legal education after Class 12, while CLAT PG is for graduates who want to specialise further. With proper preparation, focus on the CLAT syllabus and practice with the CLAT question paper, candidates can secure admission to some of the best law schools in India and build strong careers in the legal field.
