With the CLAT 2026 Exam scheduled for December 7, 2026, law aspirants across India are preparing for one of the most competitive entrance tests in the country. This year, both CLAT UG and CLAT PG will be conducted on the same day by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs), attracting tens of thousands of candidates.
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is divided into two different exams to cater to different stages of legal education. CLAT UG 2026 is designed for students who have recently completed their Class 12 and wish to pursue a five-year integrated law course, such as B.A. LL.B., BBA LL.B., or B.Sc. LL.B. In contrast, CLAT PG 2026 is aimed at candidates who have already obtained an LL.B. or an equivalent law degree and wish to advance their legal expertise with a Master of Laws (LL.M.) program.
Both exams are gateways to India’s top National Law Universities (NLUs), but the target audience, syllabus, exam pattern, and career outcomes are quite different. Understanding CLAT UG vs CLAT PG 2026 differences is important before deciding which path to follow.
Two CLAT Exams, Two Different Paths
When aspirants search for CLAT details, they quickly notice these two variations. The choice depends entirely on academic stage and career goals.
- If the aim is to start a law career right after your Class 12, CLAT UG 2026 is the way.
- If the aim is to specialise or advance after graduation, CLAT PG 2026 is the route.
What is CLAT UG?
CLAT UG is the undergraduate-level entrance exam for admission to 22 NLUs offering five-year integrated law programmes.
Eligibility criteria
With tens of thousands of students competing for limited seats in top NLUs each year, knowing the exact CLAT UG 2026 Eligibility Criteria can save candidates from last-minute disqualification.
Exam purpose
To test a candidate’s reading comprehension, legal aptitude, and logical thinking- skills necessary for succeeding in law school.
Syllabus
What is CLAT PG?
CLAT PG is the postgraduate-level exam for entry into LL.M. programmes at NLUs and for recruitment purposes in some Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
Eligibility Criteria
CLAT PG is for law graduates aiming for LL.M. courses in top NLUs. Knowing the eligibility rules helps candidates apply with confidence.
Exam purpose
CLAT PG is basically conducted to evaluate in-depth legal knowledge candidates gained during LL.B. studies, focusing on constitutional law, jurisprudence, and other core subjects.
Syllabus
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
Cut-offs vary each year depending on difficulty and competition.
CLAT UG 2024 Approximate Cut-offs (General Category):
CLAT PG 2024 Approximate Cut-offs (General Category):
CLAT UG vs CLAT PG 2026: Seat Intake at Top NLUs
Candidates can find below the seat intakes at top NLUs based on CLAT UG and CLAT PG:
CLAT UG:
CLAT PG:
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:
After CLAT UG:
- Litigation: Work as an advocate after enrolment.
- Corporate Law: Join law firms or in-house teams.
- Judiciary Prep: Appear for judicial services exams.
- Government Jobs: UPSC, SSC, legal officer posts.
After CLAT PG:
- Specialised Practice: Constitutional, corporate, IPR, etc.
- Academia: Teaching in law colleges.
- PSU Recruitment: Companies like ONGC, BHEL, PowerGrid.
- Research Roles: Think tanks, policy bodies.
So, to add a sense of conclusion, it can be said that both CLAT UG and CLAT PG are important and competitive exams that provide great opportunities to law aspirants in India. Which one to go for basically depends on the aspirants’ educational qualification. Having an idea of the eligibility criteria, syllabus details, exam format, and future career options for CLAT 2026 will help candidates choose the exam that suits them the best. Taking the time to make this decision wisely is an important step toward building a strong and successful career in law.
