CLAT Pattern & Syllabus
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national-level entrance exam for admissions to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programmes offered by 22 National Law Universities (NLUs) across India. NLUs are considered among the best law schools in the country, offering integrated 5-year law courses (BA-LLB, BBA-LLB, B.Com-LLB, etc.) for students who have completed their class 12. CLAT is conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities, which includes all the NLUs.
The primary objective of CLAT is to evaluate the comprehension and reasoning abilities of law aspirants. The exam assesses students’ aptitude and skills necessary for a legal career. It does not require prior knowledge, although it may benefit candidates in the Current Affairs section.
Pattern of Exam
- Total Questions: 120 MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Scoring: One mark for each correct answer
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer
- Format: Offline exam (OMR sheet)
- Medium: English
- Sections:
- English Language
- Current Affairs including General Knowledge
- Legal Reasoning
- Logical Reasoning
- Quantitative Techniques
Subjects/Sections & Weightage
| Subjects / Sections | Weightage |
|---|---|
| English Language | 22-26 questions (approximately 20% of the paper) |
| Current Affairs including General Knowledge | 28-32 questions (approximately 25% of the paper) |
| Legal Reasoning | 28-32 questions (approximately 25% of the paper) |
| Logical Reasoning | 22-26 questions (approximately 20% of the paper) |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10-14 questions (approximately 10% of the paper) |
Syllabus
English Language
This section includes passages of about 450 words on various topics, such as historical fiction, non-fiction, science, and business. The difficulty level is appropriate for a 12th standard student and aims to test reading comprehension and language skills. Questions may require drawing inferences, summarizing, and identifying meanings of words and phrases.
Current Affairs Including General Knowledge
This section features passages of about 450 words from news articles and journals. Questions test knowledge related to contemporary events, arts and culture, international affairs, and significant historical events.
Legal Reasoning
This section includes passages that relate to legal scenarios or public policy questions. No prior legal knowledge is necessary; however, a general awareness of contemporary legal and moral issues will help candidates apply principles to factual situations.
Logical Reasoning
This section consists of short passages (about 300 words) followed by questions that assess the ability to identify arguments, analyze reasoning, and draw inferences. It tests the effectiveness and validity of arguments based on premises.
Quantitative Techniques
This section includes numerical representations, such as graphs and diagrams, followed by questions that require interpreting data and applying basic mathematical operations, such as ratios, proportions, and algebra.
CLAT Eligibility
- Age Limit: No upper age limit for UG Programme.
- Minimum Percentage:
- Unreserved/OBC/Specially Abled Persons (SAP): 45%
- Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST): 40%
Candidates appearing in the qualifying examination in March/April are also eligible but must provide proof of passing at the time of admission.
CLAT Application Process
To register for the CLAT Exam, follow these steps:
- Online registration
- Filling of the application form
- Uploading of documents
- Application fee payment
Candidates can fill the application form for CLAT starting in July on the official CLAT website (consortiumofnlus.ac.in). The last date for submission is usually in mid-November.
Participating National Law Universities in CLAT
| S.No. | National Law University | Location | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Law School of India University (NLSIU) | Bangalore | nls.ac.in |
| 2 | National Academy of Legal Study and Research University of Law (NALSAR) | Hyderabad | nalsar.ac.in |
| 3 | The National Law Institute University (NLIU) | Bhopal | nliu.ac.in |
| 4 | The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS) | Kolkata | wbnujs.ac.in |
| 5 | National Law University (NLUJ) | Jodhpur | nlujodhpur.ac.in |
| 6 | Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) | Raipur | hnlu.ac.in |
| 7 | Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) | Gandhinagar | gnlu.ac.in |
| 8 | Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU) | Lucknow | rmlnlu.ac.in |
| 9 | Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) | Patiala | rgnul.ac.in |
| 10 | Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) | Patna | cnlu.ac.in |
| 11 | The National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) | Kochi | nuals.ac.in |
| 12 | National Law University Odisha (NLUO) | Cuttack | nluo.ac.in |
| 13 | National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL) | Ranchi | nusrlranchi.com |
| 14 | National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam (NLUJAA) | Guwahati | nlujaa.ac.in |
| 15 | Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU) | Vishakhapatnam | dsnlu.ac.in |
| 16 | Tamil Nadu National Law School (TNNLS) | Tiruchirappalli | tnnls.in |
| 17 | Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) | Mumbai | mnlumumbai.edu.in |
| 18 | Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) | Nagpur | mnlunagpur.edu.in |
| 19 | Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) | Aurangabad | mnluaurangabad.edu.in |
| 20 | H.P. National Law University | Shimla | hpnlu.ac.in |
| 21 | Dharmashastra National Law University | Jabalpur | dnlu.ac.in |
| 22 | Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University | Rai, Sonipat | dbrau.ac.in |
| 23 | National Law University Tripura (NLU Tripura) | Tripura | nlu.tripura.edu.in |
| 24 | National Law University Meghalaya (NLU Meghalaya) | Meghalaya | nlumeghalaya.in |
| 25 | RP National University of Law, Punjab (RPNLU) | Prayagraj | rgnul.ac.in |
Additional Resources
- Download the latest NLU information brochures from here: Participating Universities.
- For application fee and general instructions, visit: Application Fee & Instructions.