CLAT, the Common Law Admission Test, is the national entrance test for law degrees at 26 National Law Universities. It is organised by the Consortium of National Law Universities, and CLAT 2027 is on Sunday, 6 December 2026.
Last checked on 1 November 2026. The facts below come from the Consortium's CLAT 2027 pages and press releases. The application window was still open when we checked. Details for later years will be announced separately.
What does CLAT lead to?
CLAT UG leads to five-year integrated law degrees, such as B.A. LL.B. (Hons) and, at some universities, B.B.A. LL.B. (Hons). Admissions that begin in the 2027-28 academic year go through CLAT 2027. There is also CLAT PG, for the one-year LL.M. The Consortium's home page adds that several affiliate universities and organisations also use the exam.
The 26 National Law Universities include Chanakya National Law University in Patna. Intake, reservation and fees differ for each one, and are set out in their brochures on the Consortium's site.
Who can apply?
| Rule for CLAT 2027 (UG) | What it says |
|---|---|
| Marks in Class 12 or equivalent | At least 45%, or equivalent grade |
| SC, ST and PwD candidates | At least 40% |
| Upper age limit | None |
| Students appearing in March or April 2027 | May apply, but must show proof of passing at admission |
| Stream | No stream is named in the eligibility rule |
What is the paper pattern?
CLAT 2027 is an offline paper of 120 multiple-choice questions, in two hours. Each right answer earns 1 mark and each wrong answer loses 0.25.
| Section | Approximate questions | Share of paper |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 22 to 26 | About 20% |
| Current Affairs, including General Knowledge | 28 to 32 | About 25% |
| Legal Reasoning | 28 to 32 | About 25% |
| Logical Reasoning | 22 to 26 | About 20% |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10 to 14 | About 10% |
The Consortium's July 2026 press release says there will be no change to the UG syllabus or sections for CLAT 2027. It also says an expert committee's 2026 report will be considered further ahead of CLAT 2028. So check the pattern each year.
What does each section ask?
- English Language. Passages of about 450 words from fiction and non-fiction, with questions on main ideas, arguments, inferences and word meanings.
- Current Affairs. Passages up to about 450 words from news and non-fiction, on Indian and world events, arts and culture and history. You are not asked to know law beyond what the passage gives you.
- Legal Reasoning. Passages of about 450 words on fact situations, legal matters, public policy or moral questions. No prior knowledge of law is needed, though awareness of current legal issues helps.
- Logical Reasoning. Short passages, with questions on arguments, premises, conclusions and analogies.
- Quantitative Techniques. Sets of facts or numbers, using Class 10 level mathematics: ratios, basic algebra, mensuration and statistics.
Reading is the heart of this paper. A student from any stream can do well, but a student who reads slowly will struggle for time.
How much does it cost, and when do you apply?
| Step | CLAT 2027 |
|---|---|
| Applications opened | 3 August 2026 |
| Last date, as extended | 7 November 2026 |
| Exam | 6 December 2026, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM |
| Fee: General and OBC | Rs. 4,000 |
| Fee: SC, ST, BPL and PwD | Rs. 3,500 |
Eligible PwD candidates get time up to 4:40 PM. The fee is not refunded or adjusted. Previous-year question papers cost Rs. 500 separately. Bank charges are the candidate's.
The press release and the instructions page give 31 October 2026 as the original last date. The Consortium's home page now shows 7 November 2026 and lists a notice on the extension. If you are applying now, check the portal yourself today.
What happens after the result?
You take part in the Consortium's admissions counselling, in which offers are provisional. If two candidates have the same marks, the Legal Reasoning section is the first tie-breaker. The participating National Law Universities run the final admission, and their seat numbers may change before allotment. NRI and NRI-sponsored seats are not allotted by the Consortium.
Frequently asked questions
Is CLAT needed for every law college?
No. It is for the National Law Universities and those that choose to use it. Jamia and AMU, for example, used their own tests for B.A. LL.B. in 2026-27.
Do I need Commerce or Arts for CLAT?
No stream is named in the eligibility rule. Science students can apply too, if they meet the marks rule.
Do I need to know law to take CLAT?
The syllabus says no prior knowledge of law is needed for Legal Reasoning.
Is the exam online?
No. CLAT 2027 is an offline paper at a test centre.
Official sources
- https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/
- https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/clat-2027/
- https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/clat-2027/ug-eligibility.html
- https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/clat-2027/ug-instructions.html
- https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/clat-2027/ug-question-format.html
- https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/clat-2027/ug-syllabus.html
- https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/clat-2027/notifications/Press_Release_CLAT_2027.pdf
- https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/documents/Expert_Committee_Report_2026_Press_Release.pdf
- https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/clat-2027/nlus/brochure/CNLU.pdf
- https://admission.jmi.ac.in/application/assets/pdfFile/prospectus/UniversityProspectus/University_Prospectus_2026_2027.pdf
- https://www.amucontrollerexams.com/uploads/files/c7cabd0dcdcb3d7793446b0ea7c88a49.pdf
Written from the official sources listed above, with no second reader yet. Notices change, so confirm every date on the official website. Nikaalle is not linked to any exam body.