In short: CLAT 2027 is scheduled for December 6, 2026 — just weeks away. It is the gateway to 26 National Law Universities (NLUs) including NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, and NLU Delhi (through AILET). The exam has 120 MCQs in 2 hours across 5 sections. Registration closes October 31. If you are a Class 12 student interested in law, this guide covers everything you need.
CLAT 2027 Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam name | Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) |
| Conducting body | Consortium of National Law Universities |
| Exam date | December 6, 2026 |
| Registration deadline | October 31, 2026 |
| Mode | Offline (pen and paper) |
| Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Total questions | 120 MCQs |
| Total marks | 120 |
| Marking | +1 correct, -0.25 wrong |
| Official website | consortiumofnlus.ac.in |
Who Can Apply
- Passed or appearing in Class 12 (any stream — Science, Commerce, Arts)
- Minimum marks: 45% for General/OBC, 40% for SC/ST
- No age limit for UG CLAT (removed since 2023)
- Any stream students can apply — Law is open to Science, Commerce, and Arts equally
The 5 Sections
| Section | Questions | What it tests |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 22-26 | Reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar |
| Current Affairs & GK | 28-32 | Last 1-year current affairs, static GK |
| Legal Reasoning | 28-32 | Legal principles, case-based reasoning |
| Logical Reasoning | 22-26 | Analytical reasoning, patterns, puzzles |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10-14 | Basic maths (Class 10 level arithmetic, data interpretation) |
Key insight: CLAT is NOT a law exam — it tests general aptitude. You do not need to know laws to prepare. The "Legal Reasoning" section gives you a legal principle and asks you to apply it to a scenario.
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Preparation Strategy for Class 12 Students
If You Have 2 Months (Nov-Dec 2026)
Week 1-2: Current Affairs
- Read 1 newspaper daily (The Hindu or Indian Express)
- Make notes on major events from Oct 2025 to Oct 2026
- Focus on: Supreme Court decisions, new laws, international events, economic policies
Week 3-4: English + Logical Reasoning
- Practice 2 comprehension passages daily (600-800 words each)
- Solve 10 logical reasoning puzzles daily
- Use CLAT previous year papers for practice
Week 5-6: Legal Reasoning + Quantitative
- Practice 5 legal reasoning passages daily (principle + fact pattern)
- Revise Class 10 Maths basics (percentages, ratios, averages, data interpretation)
Week 7-8: Mock Tests
- Solve 5-6 full-length CLAT mock tests
- Time yourself strictly (120 minutes)
- Analyze mistakes after each mock
If You Are in Class 11 (1+ Year)
Start with current affairs and reading habit. Add formal CLAT preparation from Class 12.
How to Balance CLAT with Board Exams
CLAT is on December 6 — before board exams (Feb-Mar). This is an advantage:
- Oct-Nov: Focus 60% on CLAT, 40% on boards. CLAT English and GK don't overlap with boards but Legal/Logical reasoning need dedicated practice.
- December 6: Give CLAT.
- Dec 7 onwards: Shift 100% to board exam preparation.
- Board exams (Feb-Mar): Full focus on boards.
The board preparation you do in Nov-Dec helps your English skills for CLAT. And CLAT's current affairs knowledge helps in SST board answers.
Top National Law Universities (NLUs)
| Rank | NLU | Location | CLAT Cutoff (General) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NLSIU Bangalore | Karnataka | Top 50 |
| 2 | NALSAR Hyderabad | Telangana | Top 100 |
| 3 | NUJS Kolkata | West Bengal | Top 200 |
| 4 | NLU Jodhpur | Rajasthan | Top 300 |
| 5 | GNLU Gandhinagar | Gujarat | Top 400 |
| 6 | RMLNLU Lucknow | UP | Top 500 |
| 7 | NLU Bhopal | MP | Top 700 |
| 8 | HNLU Raipur | Chhattisgarh | Top 800 |
| 9 | CNLU Patna | Bihar | Top 1000 |
| 10 | NLU Odisha | Odisha | Top 1200 |
Total UG seats across 26 NLUs: approximately 4,000.
Note: NLU Delhi (the top-ranked) uses AILET (its own exam), not CLAT. AILET exam is typically in May.
Why Law Is a Growing Career
- Starting salary at top NLUs: ₹12-25 LPA
- Top law firms: AZB, Trilegal, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, S&R Associates
- Alternative careers: Corporate law, judiciary, civil services, policy, journalism, politics
- Growing demand: India's legal services market is growing 10-15% annually
- International opportunities: Top NLU graduates work in London, Singapore, Dubai
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Science/Commerce students give CLAT?
Yes. CLAT is open to students from ALL streams. Many successful lawyers come from Science and Commerce backgrounds. The exam does not test subject-specific knowledge — it tests general aptitude.
Is CLAT harder than JEE or NEET?
Different, not necessarily harder. CLAT tests reading comprehension and reasoning, while JEE tests mathematical problem-solving. CLAT has lower competition (92K applicants vs 12L for JEE), but the top NLU seats are very limited (4,000).
How many attempts are allowed for CLAT?
There is no attempt limit. You can take CLAT multiple times. Many students improve significantly in their second attempt.
Is coaching necessary for CLAT?
Not mandatory. A strong reading habit, current affairs awareness, and 3-4 months of structured practice can be enough. Practice with CLAT previous year papers and mock tests.
What is the difference between CLAT and AILET?
CLAT is for 26 NLUs. AILET is specifically for NLU Delhi. Both test similar skills but have different formats. Many students prepare for both simultaneously.
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