CLAT 2026: Notification (Soon), Exam Dates (TBA), Registration, Pattern, Syllabus

CLAT 2026: The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) is expected to release the CLAT Notification 2026 soon. The CLAT Registration 2026 is likely to begin in July 2025 on the official website at consortiumofnlus.ac.in. The CLAT 2026 Exam is tentatively scheduled for December 14, 2025, but the official date is yet to be confirmed. Students who wish to pursue law courses at NLUs must appear for the CLAT 2026.

Check CLAT 2026 College Predictor Here

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted for admissions into 5-year integrated LLB and 1-year LLM programmes offered by 24 NLUs across India. The exam is held in offline mode and tests candidates on subjects like English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. CLAT follows a negative marking scheme with +1 for correct answers and -0.25 for wrong ones. Read further to know more about the CLAT 2026 Entrance Exam.

CLAT 2026 Exam Highlights

CLAT, or Common Law Admission Test, is a national-level entrance test in India for students who want to study law. CLAT scores are used to get admission into top law colleges called National Law Universities (NLUs) and other private law colleges. The exam is held once a year. It is a pen-and-paper test that lasts for 2 hours (120 minutes). Students have to answer 120 multiple-choice questions. The questions are in English. For each correct answer, candidates will get one mark. For each wrong answer, 0.25 marks are deducted.

CLAT is very important for students who want to become lawyers in India. It helps them enter the best law colleges and start their legal careers. Candidates can check the table below to know the important details about the CLAT 2026.

CLAT 2026 Exam Dates

CLAT 2026 exam is expected to take place in December 2025. Interested candidates can check the important dates for the CLAT exam in the table below.

CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates who wish to appear for CLAT exam must meet the eligibility criteria of the exam. They must secure at least 45% marks in class 12 or in any equivalent exam. Check the required eligibility criteria of CLAT 2026 exam in the table below.

Check CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

CLAT 2026 Application Process

The Consortium of NLUs will soon start theCLAT 2026 Application Process in July 2025 on the official website at consoritumofnlus.ac.in. The CLAT Registration 2026 will only be conducted online. Therefore, eligible candidates must register and apply for the exam through online mode only. Candidates must follow the steps below to complete the application process.

1. Go to the official website of CLAT 2026 exam and register by entering name, mobile number, and email ID.
2. Now, click on log in to access the application form.
3. Select the course choice.
4. Fill the application form. Enter the details such as personal information, communication details, qualifying examination status, and exam centre preferences.
5. Upload the required documents.
6. Submit the application form and pay the application fee of INR 500.

CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern

The authority released the CLAT 2026 exam pattern along with the notification at the official website.CLAT Exam Pattern 2026 includes the structure of the question paper, including the types of questions, marking scheme, and topics covered. Candidates must go through the CLAT exam pattern before appearing for the exam. Check the table below for category-wise exam patterns for the UG and PG programs.

CLAT 2026 Syllabus

Candidates can download CLAT 2026 Syllabus from the official website of consortiumofnlus.ac.in. The syllabus and exam pattern have been released. CLAT 2026 Syllabus includes subjects like General Knowledge, English, Mathematics, Legal & Logical Reasoning. The syllabus for UG and PG is different for CLAT 2026 exam.

CLAT 2026 Syllabus Subject-Wise Weightage

Candidates preparing for CLAT 2026 exam must check the table below for the subject-wise weightage for CLAT 2026 Syllabus in the table below.

CLAT 2026 Preparation Tips

Students who are preparing for the CLAT 2026 exam can follow the tips to prepare for the CLAT 2026. The tips are as given below-

• Candidates should start by understanding the latest CLAT exam pattern and syllabus. Knowing the structure of the exam, including the number of sections, types of questions, and the weightage given to each section, helps candidates plan their study time and focus on important areas. This foundational knowledge is essential for creating a targeted study plan.
• Candidates need to make a well-structured study plan. A good timetable helps candidates cover all topics, manage their time, and reduce last-minute stress. Candidates should set daily and weekly goals, divide time among all sections, and give extra attention to weaker areas or topics with more weight in the exam.
• Candidates must choose the right study material. Using recommended CLAT preparation books, previous years’ question papers, and online resources is important. Candidates should also take regular mock tests to check their preparation, improve speed, and get used to the exam format.
• Candidates should practice and revise regularly. Solving old question papers helps candidates understand the exam pattern and question types. Regular revision ensures that important topics are remembered on exam day.
• Candidates must focus on current affairs and general knowledge. Reading newspapers and magazines daily and making notes on important news, government schemes, sports, and legal events will help in this section. Candidates should revise major events and judgments before the exam.
• Candidates are advised to manage their time well. Practising questions with a timer helps candidates learn how to skip tough queries and return to them later. Focusing on accuracy is important to avoid negative marking.
• Candidates should track their progress by reviewing performance in mock tests and practice sessions. If candidates find certain sections difficult, they should adjust their study plan and spend more time on those areas.
• Candidates must balance study with breaks and self-care. Regular breaks, eating well, and getting enough sleep help candidates stay healthy and focused. Maintaining a positive attitude is also important for success.

CLAT 2026 Subject-Wise Preparation Books

Candidates preparing for CLAT exam can refer to the following books to prepare for the exam. The subject-wise best book names are mentioned below.

CLAT 2026 Admit Card

The Consortium of NLUs will release the CLAT 2026 Admit Card a week before the exam. Registered candidates will be able to download the CLAT 2026 Admit Card at the official website by visiting the official website at consoritumofnlus.ac.in. Enter the phone number and password to download the admit card on the login window. Candidates must check all the details mentioned on the admit card.

CLAT 2026 Exam Day Guidelines

Candidates must follow the exam day guidelines before appearing for the exam.

• Reach the exam centre early. Entry starts at 1:00 pm, and you must be inside by 1:30 pm. The exam starts at 2:00 pm. No entry is allowed after 2:15 pm.
• Carry the CLAT admit card and a valid original photo ID proof (like Aadhaar Card, Driver’s License, Passport, or Voter ID). If your photo on the admit card is unclear, bring a self-attested photo.
• Candidates with disabilities must bring their original disability certificate.
• Bring two black or blue ball-point pens, a transparent water bottle, and an analogue watch (no digital/smart watches).
• Do not bring mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, or electronic gadgets. These are not allowed inside.
• Do not carry notes, written papers, or any unauthorised material.
• Listen to and follow all instructions from the invigilators.
• Do not talk or communicate with other candidates during the exam.
• Do not leave your seat or the exam hall before 4:00 pm.
• Use only black or blue ball-point pens to fill the OMR sheet and mark answers. Shade the circles fully and do not mark more than one answer for a question.
• Inform the invigilator immediately if candidates find any errors in their question paper or OMR sheet.
• There is no sectional time limit; candidates should manage their time as they wish within the 2 hours.
• No bathroom breaks are allowed during the exam.
• Wait for instructions before leaving the hall. Candidates can exit after 4:15 pm.
• Make sure the invigilator signs your OMR sheet before you leave.

CLAT 2026 Result

The authority will announce the CLAT 2026 Results within a few days after the exam completion. The Consortium of NLUs declared CLAT Revised Result 2025 on May 17, 2025. Candidates can download the result using the required credentials at the official website at consortiumofnlus.ac.in. Earlier, the result was declared on December 7, 2025. Candidates can download CLAT 2025 Scorecard through the CLAT login. There are no minimum qualifying marks for CLAT 2026 exam.

How to Download CLAT 2026 Result?

Candidates who appeared for CLAT 2026 exam can follow the steps below to check the result and download the scorecard.

• Go to the official website at consoritumofnlus.ac.in.
• Enter your registered mobile number and password.
• After entering the details, click on the result link.
• CLAT 2026 Result will be displayed on the screen.
• Download the result and save it for further use.

Details Mentioned on CLAT 2026 Result & Scorecard

Candidates can check the details mentioned below on CLAT 2026 Result and Scorecard. They must verify all the details before downloading.

• Name
• Father's Name
• Roll Number
• Application Number
• Category (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.)
• CLAT 2026 sectional and overall scores
• All India Rank (AIR)
• Category Rank

CLAT 2026 Answer Key

The authority first will release the provisional answer key of CLAT 2026 exam along with the result. Candidates will be able to raise objections to the provisional answer key. Previously, in CLAT 2026, out of the 18 objections raised,13 questions from the master booklet of CLAT 2026 were rejected by the Delhi HC, and only 5 were considered. One question from the Logical Reasoning section and two from the Quantitative Techniques section have been withdrawn, and the answer keys for each question in the English and Legal Reasoning sections have been revised. For each objection, candidates have to pay INR 1000. After considering the objections, the authority released the final answer key.

How to Download CLAT 2026 Answer Key?

Candidates can follow the steps below to download CLAT 2026 Answer Key.

• Go to the official website at consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
• Now, click on ‘CLAT 2026’ link.
• From the notification section, click on the answer key and master question paper link.
• The answer key will be displayed on the screen.
• Download and save it for future use.

CLAT 2026 Merit List

The Consortium of NLUs will publish the CLAT 2026 First Merit List on the official website of NLUs. Candidates can book their slots based on the first merit list released by the authority. CLAT 2026 Merit List includes details such as rank, category, admit card number, status of candidates, etc. Candidates can check the steps below to download the merit list.

How to Download CLAT 2026 Merit List?

Candidates can follow the steps below to download CLAT Merit List 2026.

• Go to the official website at consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
• Click on the tab ‘CLAT 2026’.
• Click ‘CLAT 2025 Merit List’ in the notification section.
• CLAT Merit List 2025 will be displayed on the screen.
• Download the merit list and save it for future reference.

CLAT 2026 Marks vs Rank

Candidates must be wondering about the rank based on their marks after completing the exam. Many students get confused between the two terms, marks and ranks. CLAT Marks is the total marks secured by the candidate, whereas rank is the position secured by the candidate at a national level. They can check the table below for the marks vs rank analysis.

CLAT Cutoff 2026

The authority will releaseCLAT Cutoff 2026 after each round of counselling. Only the candidates with the proper rank will get admission. Till then, Candidates can check the previous year’s CLAT Cutoff 2025 in the table below.

CLAT UG Cutoff 2025

Candidates preparing to get admission to 5-year LLB courses through CLAT exam must refer to the below table for the institute-wise previous year’s cutoff.

*state category reservation

CLAT PG Cutoff 2025

Candidates preparing to get admission to 3-year LLM courses through CLAT exam must refer to the below table for the institute-wise previous year’s cutoff.

*state category reservation

CLAT 2026 Counselling

The authority will start the CLAT 2026 Counselling after the declaration of CLAT Result. Candidates who have qualified the exam can register for the CLAT Counselling 2026 through the official website. The registration fee for the counselling process is INR 30,000 for the General category candidates and INR 20,000 for the SC/ST category candidates. There will be a total of three rounds of CLAT 2026 Counselling.

Steps to Register for CLAT 2026 Counselling

Candidates can follow the steps below to register for CLAT Counselling 2026.

• Go to the official website of CLAT exam i.e., consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
• For the shortlisted candidates, an option for payment will be opened in the CLAT Account, Click on that to complete the payment.
• Enter the complete bank account details.
• Make the payment.
• Wait for the message ‘Payment Successful’.
• After completing the payment, candidates will be registered for the counselling process.

CLAT 2026 Courses and Seat Intake

Candidates who appeared in CLAT exam can get admission to the 5-year LLB courses and LLM courses at all the NLUs in India. Check the table below for the list of courses and the total seats available.

CLAT 2026 Participating Colleges

There are a total of 24 National Law Universities where candidates can get admission by participating in CLAT 2026 exam. Only NLU Delhi and NLU Meghalayado not accept CLAT scores. Apart from NLUs, over 60 different private law schools accept CLAT scores. Candidates can check the colleges participating in the table below.

CLAT 2025 Exam Analysis

CLAT 2025 exam was conducted successfully. As per the students’ reactions, the question paper was easier compared to last year. A good score in CLAT 2025 is expected to be 100 or above. Candidates can check the subject-wise exam analysis in the table below.

CLAT 2026 FAQs