CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) – Complete Overview
🔹 1. What is CLAT?
- CLAT is a national-level entrance exam for admission to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs.
- Conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs).
- It is the gateway to 22 NLUs in India (except NLU Delhi, which conducts AILET).
🔹 2. Courses Offered Through CLAT
- UG Program: 5-year Integrated LLB (BA LLB, BBA LLB, etc.).
- PG Program: LLM (Master of Laws).
🔹 3. Eligibility Criteria
a) For UG CLAT:
- Qualification: 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized board.
- Minimum Marks:
- General/OBC: 45%
- SC/ST: 40%
- Age Limit: No upper age limit.
b) For PG CLAT:
- Qualification: LLB or 5-year Integrated LLB from a recognized university.
- Minimum Marks:
- General/OBC: 50%
- SC/ST: 45%
🔹 4. CLAT Exam Pattern (UG)
| Section | Number of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | ~28-32 | ~28-32 |
| Current Affairs (incl. GK) | ~35-39 | ~35-39 |
| Legal Reasoning | ~35-39 | ~35-39 |
| Logical Reasoning | ~28-32 | ~28-32 |
| Quantitative Techniques | ~13-17 | ~13-17 |
| Total | 150 Questions | 150 Marks |
- Time Duration: 2 hours
- Marking:
- +1 for correct answer
- -0.25 for incorrect answer
🔹 5. CLAT Exam Pattern (PG)
- Question Type: Comprehension-based questions on law subjects.
- Total Questions: 120
- Duration: 2 hours
- Subjects: Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, Torts, Criminal Law, etc.
- Marking: Same as UG (1 mark per correct, -0.25 negative marking)
🔹 6. CLAT Application Process
- Mode: Online via official website – https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in
- Documents Required: Photo, Signature, Caste Certificate (if applicable), Domicile, etc.
- Application Fee:
- General/OBC: ₹4,000
- SC/ST/BPL: ₹3,500
🔹 7. List of Participating NLUs (Some Top Ones)
- NLSIU – Bangalore
- NALSAR – Hyderabad
- WBNUJS – Kolkata
- NLU – Jodhpur
- GNLU – Gandhinagar
- NLIU – Bhopal
- RGNUL – Patiala
- MNLU – Mumbai
- And others (total 22 except NLU Delhi)
🔹 8. CLAT Preparation Tips
- Start early (ideally from Class 11 or 12).
- Focus on reading comprehension, current affairs, legal reasoning.
- Read newspapers (like The Hindu, Indian Express) daily.
- Use mock tests and previous year papers regularly.
- Practice speed and accuracy.
🔹 9. CLAT Seat Intake (Approx.)
- UG: ~3,000 seats across all NLUs.
- PG: ~1,000 seats.
🔹 10. CLAT Counselling Process
- Based on merit-cum-preference system.
- After results, candidates are invited for online counselling.
- Seat allotment is based on:
- Rank
- NLU preference
- Category (Gen/OBC/SC/ST)
🔹 11. Career After CLAT
- Law firms (corporate law)
- Litigation (courts)
- Civil Services
- Judiciary (after further exams)
- Academics, NGOs, International Organizations, Legal Startups
