The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) has formally released the exam date for one of India’s premier entrance tests. The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026 will be conducted on Sunday, December 7, 2025. The timely announcement allows future law students to better plan their journey toward admission in the nation’s 26 NLUs.
With the application window already open, thousands of students are now fine-tuning their strategies. But what does this exam entail, and who is eligible? This guide breaks down every critical aspect of CLAT 2026.
What is CLAT? Understanding the Gateway to NLUs
For those new to the law entrance landscape, the first question is fundamental.
What is CLAT?
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a centralized national entrance exam for admission to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs offered by the 26 participating National Law Universities (NLUs). Scores from this extremely competitive exam are accepted by several private law schools throughout India, however they are primarily for NLUs.
What's at stake?
A good CLAT score secures a seat in the coveted 5-year integrated LL.B. program at the UG level and the one-year LL.M. program at the PG level in institutions like NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, and WBNUJS Kolkata.
Who Can Apply? Decoding the CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The consortium has defined clear academic requirements, which applicants must meet prior to beginning the application process.
Undergraduate (UG) Program Eligibility:
- Educational Qualification: Passed the 10+2 or equivalent examination.
- Minimum Marks: A minimum of 45% aggregate marks for General, OBC, PWD, NRI, PIO, and OCI categories. For SC/ST categories, the requirement is 40%.
- Age Limit: There is no upper age limit for appearing in CLAT UG.
- Appearing Candidates: Students may also apply if they will be taking their class 12 final examinations in March or April of 2026.
Postgraduate (PG) Program Eligibility:
- Educational Qualification: Must hold an LL.B. degree or an equivalent qualification.
- Minimum Marks: A minimum of 50% marks for General, OBC, PWD, NRI, PIO, and OCI categories. For SC/ST categories, the requirement is 45%.
- Age Limit: There is no upper age limit.
- Appearing Candidates: Candidates may apply in 2026 during the last year or semester of their LL.B. degree.
The Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
CLAT 2026 is an all-online application process. Here's a brief yet thorough explanation:
- Visit the Official Website: Go to consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
- New Registration: To generate your login credentials, click the registration link and enter details such as full name, mobile number, and a valid email ID.
- Log In and Fill the Form: After signing in, make sure to enter your personal, academic, and contact details accurately and thoroughly.
- Upload Documents: Make sure your scanned photo, signature, and category certificates are in the correct size and format before uploading them.
- Select Preferences: Choose your preferred NLUs for admission and your desired exam city center.
- Pay the Application Fee: Complete the payment online using net banking, credit/debit card, or UPI.
- Final Submission: Verify every entry thoroughly prior to submitting the form, then download and print the confirmation page for your records.
The Exam Pattern: What to Expect on December 7, 2025?
To prepare effectively, candidates must understand the exam pattern—CLAT 2026 is a two-hour computer-based test with 120 MCQs.
UG Exam Pattern (Section-wise Weightage):
- English Language: 22-26 questions (20%)
- Current Affairs & General Knowledge: 28-32 questions (25%)
- Legal Reasoning: 28-32 questions (25%)
- Logical Reasoning: 22-26 questions (20%)
- Quantitative Techniques: 10-14 questions (10%)
PG Exam Pattern:
There will be 120 objective-style questions from fundamental legal courses offered at the undergraduate level in the PG paper.
Major Subjects Include: Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, Contract Law, Torts, Criminal Law, International Law, and more.
Marking Scheme Pattern: Each correct answer carries 1 mark, with a penalty of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer.
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Results and Next Steps
Here’s what happens next.
When will the results be out? Results for CLAT 2026 are anticipated by mid-December 2025 or early January 2026, approximately a week or two after the examination.
How to check the result?
- Visit the official consortium website.
- Find and click on the 'CLAT 2026 Result' link.
- Log in using your application number and password/date of birth.
- Your scorecard will be displayed; download the PDF for the counselling process.
Are Registrations Still Open?
Yes. The CLAT 2026 registration process is currently open. The application window commenced on August 1, 2025, and will close on October 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM. Prospective candidates are advised not to wait until the last minute to avoid technical glitches.
