CLAT 2026 – Exam Dates, Eligibility, & Syllabus

CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is a National-Level Law Entrance exam conducted through offline mode. The Consortium of National Law Universities administers this exam to admit qualified applicants. Candidates must submit the application form to be considered for admission to any of the participating universities for their undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) LLB programs. The CLAT 2026 Application form has been started from 1st July 2023.

IMPORTANT DATES ABOUT CLAT 2026

CLAT 2026: Eligibility Criteria

CLAT is held for both UG and PG Law Courses. Candidates must meet the eligibility requirements set forth by the Consortium of National Law Universities before they prepare for CLAT 2026.

UG CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates must have graduated from a recognized board or institution with a score of at least 45% (40% for SC and ST students).
• Candidates who will sit for the Class 12th board exams in April or May of 2026 are also qualified to give the test. However, will only be admitted if they meet the necessary eligibility requirements.

PG CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates must have graduated from a recognized university with a law degree (3-year LLB or 5-year LLB, and must have scored at least 50% (or 45% in the case of SC and ST candidates). 
• Candidates who are enrolled in the BA LLB course  & BBA LLB course final year are also eligible.

CLAT 2026: Age Limit

There is no upper age limit to appear for the CLAT 2026 Exam. Additionally, there are no limitations on how many times one can try.

CLAT 2026: Syllabus

CLAT 2026: Preparation Tips

• Candidates must be familiar with the syllabus and exam format.
• Take enough practice exams and sample papers to improve learning and problem-solving abilities.
• Candidates for the CLAT Exam are also urged to follow a structured preparation schedule.
• To prepare for the CLAT Exam, candidates should select books that are simple to follow, adhere to high standards, and have a tone of practice material.
• Consistent review is essential for getting high exam grades.
• To remain calm is essential for efficient planning.

FAQ

1. When is CLAT 2026 expected to be conducted

CLAT 2026 is expected to be held in December 2025, as the exam has been conducted in December for the last few years. The exact date will be announced officially a few months before the exam.

Students should start preparation early because the gap between notification and exam is usually short.

2. When will the CLAT 2026 application form be released

The application form for CLAT 2026 is likely to be released around July or August 2025.

Students should keep these things ready in advance
• Scanned photograph and signature
• Class 10 and 12 details
• Valid email ID and mobile number

3. What is the eligibility for CLAT 2026 UG course

For the undergraduate law program, students must meet the following criteria

• Passed or appearing in Class 12
• Minimum 45 percent marks for general category
• Minimum 40 percent marks for reserved category

There is no age limit, which makes CLAT open for all eligible students.

4. Can students appearing in Class 12 apply for CLAT 2026

Yes, students who are currently in Class 12 can apply for CLAT 2026.

However, they must submit proof of passing Class 12 at the time of admission, otherwise their seat may be cancelled.

5. What is the exam pattern for CLAT 2026

CLAT 2026 will be a computer based test with multiple choice questions.

Key points of the exam pattern
• Total questions around 120
• Exam duration 2 hours
• One mark for correct answer
• Negative marking of 0.25 marks

The focus is more on understanding and reading skills rather than rote learning.

6. What subjects are included in the CLAT 2026 syllabus

The syllabus is designed to test basic aptitude and reasoning skills.

Main sections include
• English language
• Current affairs including general knowledge
• Legal reasoning
• Logical reasoning
• Quantitative techniques

The questions are passage based and test how well a student understands information.

7. Is the CLAT 2026 syllabus difficult for beginners

The syllabus is not difficult, but it is lengthy and concept based.

Students who read newspapers daily and practice questions regularly find it manageable. Consistency matters more than studying for long hours.

8. How many months are enough to prepare for CLAT 2026

Preparation time depends on the student’s background, but on average

• 12 months is ideal for beginners
• 6 to 8 months works for focused students
• 3 to 4 months is risky unless basics are strong

Regular practice, mock tests, and revision are more important than duration.

9. Is current affairs important for CLAT 2026

Yes, current affairs play a very important role in CLAT.

Questions are asked from events of the last 10 to 12 months. Students should focus on
• National and international news
• Legal updates
• Government schemes
• Important judgments

10. What is the biggest mistake students make while preparing for CLAT

The most common mistake is ignoring reading practice.

Many students focus only on solving questions, but CLAT mainly tests
• Reading speed
• Understanding passages
• Logical thinking

Reading editorials, articles, and legal news daily helps improve overall performance.