Law
CLAT
A complete guide to CLAT: eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, preparation strategy, and frequently asked questions.
About This Exam
CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is the gateway to India's 22 National Law Universities (NLUs), which are widely considered the most prestigious institutions for legal education in the country. Around 70,000 to 80,000 candidates take CLAT each year for approximately 3,000 seats across these NLUs, with NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, NUJS Kolkata, and NLU Delhi (which conducts AILET separately) being the most sought-after. The exam admits candidates to both the five-year integrated BA LLB programme after Class 12 and the one-year LLM programme after a bachelor's degree. CLAT is unusual among Indian entrance exams in that all questions are passage-based, which means strong reading comprehension and the ability to extract arguments from dense text matter more than memorisation. Graduates from top NLUs are heavily recruited by tier-1 corporate law firms like Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, AZB, Khaitan, and Trilegal, with starting salaries between 14 and 20 lakh rupees per year. Many also pursue litigation, judicial services, policy advocacy, or LLM programmes abroad after graduation.
Conducting Body
Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs)
Eligibility
10+2 with minimum 45% aggregate (40% for SC/ST); no age limit for UG-CLAT; maximum 3 attempts
Exam Pattern
CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is the gateway to India's 22 National Law Universities, and around 70,000 to 80,000 students take it each year for roughly 3,000 seats. It is a 2-hour offline exam with 150 MCQs testing English Language, Current Affairs and General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. All questions are passage-based, which means you need strong reading comprehension and the ability to extract arguments from dense text rather than just memorise facts. Negative marking of 0.25 applies for each wrong answer. The Legal Reasoning section does not require prior knowledge of law but tests your ability to apply legal principles presented in the passage. Preparation resources include Legal Aptitude by AP Bhardwaj, Pearson's CLAT guide, and daily reading of newspapers and legal affairs magazines. A rank under 500 typically gets you into top NLUs like NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, or NLU Delhi, where graduates are recruited by leading law firms with starting salaries of 15 to 25 LPA. Starting preparation in Class 11 gives you a solid edge.
Syllabus
English (Reading Comprehension, Grammar), Current Affairs (last 12 months), Legal Reasoning (Legal principles, passages), Logical Reasoning (Patterns, Arguments, Inferences), Quantitative Techniques (Basic mathematics, Data interpretation)
Preparation Tips
- Build a strong daily reading habit through The Hindu, Indian Express, and books on legal affairs
- Practice from CLAT-specific guides like Pearson's CLAT manual, AP Bhardwaj's Legal Aptitude, and CLAT Possible mocks
- Focus on Legal Reasoning by understanding how to apply principles given in passages rather than memorising laws
- Maintain a current affairs notebook covering the last 12 months, especially court judgments, government schemes, and political developments
- Take a structured CLAT mock test series in the final six months and analyse each test thoroughly
- Develop speed in Quantitative Techniques through targeted practice; this section is shorter but can affect overall percentile
Frequently Asked Questions
What rank do I need in CLAT to get into NLSIU Bangalore?
You need to be ranked within the top 75 to 100 in CLAT to secure admission to NLSIU Bangalore, which is considered the most prestigious law school in India. NALSAR Hyderabad, NUJS Kolkata, and NLU Jodhpur typically require ranks within the top 200 to 500.
How is CLAT different from AILET?
CLAT is the Common Law Admission Test used by 22 National Law Universities, while AILET is a separate entrance exam conducted by NLU Delhi for admission to its own programmes. Many law aspirants take both to maximise their options. AILET typically has slightly fewer applicants but is similarly competitive.
When should I start preparing for CLAT?
Serious preparation typically begins 1 to 2 years before the exam, ideally from Class 11. Building daily newspaper reading habits and working through CLAT-specific coaching material from institutes like CLAT Possible, LegalEdge, or IMS Law Prep is standard. Class 12 students often enrol in intensive 6-month programmes closer to the exam.
Is CLAT more difficult than JEE or NEET?
Different in nature. CLAT is passage-based with emphasis on comprehension, critical reasoning, and legal application of principles, while JEE and NEET are science-heavy. CLAT has fewer applicants than NEET but the top NLUs are extremely competitive. Arts students often find CLAT accessible given its focus on language and reasoning.
Can engineering or commerce students appear for CLAT?
Yes. CLAT accepts students from any Class 12 stream for the 5-year integrated BA LLB programme. Many engineers and commerce students have topped CLAT and gone on to successful legal careers. The exam does not require prior legal knowledge; it tests general reasoning, English, and ability to apply legal principles from passages.
Last updated: April 2026