Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is one of the leading entrance tests for aspiring lawyers in India. It’s the gateway to enter National Law Universities (NLUs) and some other ranked institutes. CLAT 2026 is expected to be conducted in December. As we prepare for CLAT 2026, let’s take an account of every bit of exam essentials, such as the syllabus, pattern, eligibility, and effective preparation methods. This detailed guide will enable you to cover all aspects that will help you navigate through your journey with CLAT 2026.
Understanding CLAT 2026
What is CLAT ?
CLAT – Common Law Admission Test is an exam conducted in a centralized manner, which serves as an entrance test to qualify undergraduate (UG) as well as postgraduate (PG) law programs offered by all the National Law Universities (NLUs) in India. The exam measures the various capabilities of the applicant in Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Legal Aptitude, and Quantitative Techniques, among many others.
CLAT 2026 Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper-based) |
| Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 120 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for correct answer, -0.25 for incorrect answer |
| Medium of Examination | English |
| Participating Institutes | 24 National Law Universities (NLUs) and various other law colleges |
CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
So, make sure you check whether you are eligible to apply before preparing for CLAT 2026.
CLAT UG Eligibility
Educational Qualification:
- General/OBC/PwD/NRI/PIO/OCI Candidates: Must have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination with a minimum of 45% marks.
- SC/ST Candidates: Must have secured at least 40% marks in 10+2 or equivalent examination.
- Age Limit: There is no upper age limit for appearing in CLAT 2026.
CLAT PG Eligibility
Educational Qualification:
- General/OBC/PwD/NRI/PIO/OCI Candidates: LL.B. Degree or an equivalent examination with a minimum of 50% marks.
- SC/ST Candidates: Must have secured at least 45% marks in LL.B. Degree or equivalent examination.
- Age Limit: No upper age limit for PG programs as per CLAT eligibility.
Note: Candidates appearing in the qualifying examination in March/April 2026 are also eligible to appear for CLAT 2026. However, they must provide evidence of their passing the qualifying examination at the time of admission.
CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern
A thorough understanding of the exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation.
CLAT UG Exam Pattern
| Section | Approximate Number Of Questions | Weightage(%) |
| English Language | 22-26 | 20% |
| Current Affairs, including General Knowledge | 28-32 | 25% |
| Legal Reasoning | 28-32 | 25% |
| Logical Reasoning | 22-26 | 20% |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10-14 | 10% |
| Total | 120 | 100% |
Each section comprises comprehension passages followed by multiple-choice questions, assessing the candidate’s ability to interpret, analyse, and infer information.
CLAT UG Syllabus
| Subjects | Syllabus |
| English Language | 450 words passage based on contemporary or historically significant fiction and non-fiction writing |
| 5-6 questions testing comprehension and language skills | |
| Read and comprehend the main points, arguments, and viewpoints in the passage | |
| Draw inferences and conclusions, summarize, compare and contrast arguments or viewpoints | |
| Understand the meaning of words and phrases used in the passage | |
| Current Affairs & GK | 450 words passage based on news, journalistic sources, current affairs, and general knowledge, covering: |
| Contemporary events of significance from India and the world | |
| Arts and Culture | |
| International affairs | |
| Historical events of continuing significance | |
| Legal Reasoning | 450 words passage involving legal matters, public policy questions, or moral philosophical enquiry |
| Identify and infer rules and principles in the passage | |
| Apply rules and principles to various fact situations | |
| Understand how changes to laws or principles may alter their application to different fact situations | |
| Logical Reasoning | Series of short passages (about 300 words each) |
| Recognize arguments, premises, and conclusions | |
| Read and identify arguments in the passage | |
| Critically analyze patterns of reasoning and assess the effectiveness of arguments | |
| Infer from the passage, apply inferences to new situations, draw relationships, and identify contradictions or equivalences. | |
| Quantitative Techniques | Short sets of facts or propositions, graphs, or other textual, pictorial, or diagrammatic representations |
| Derive, infer, and manipulate numerical information from passages, graphs, or other representations. | |
| Apply 10th-standard mathematical operations, such as ratios and proportions, introductory algebra, measurement, and statistical estimation. |
How to Apply for CLAT 2026?
The CLAT 2026 application process is conducted entirely online, with four key stages: registration, filling out the application form, uploading required documents, and payment of the application fee. Below is a step-by-step guide to complete the CLAT application process 2026 efficiently:
CLAT 2026 Application Process
Step 1: Visit the official website of the Consortium of NLUs at https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/.
Step 2: On the homepage, locate and click on the “REGISTER” option. Provide the required details such as your full name, mobile number, and create a secure password to initiate the registration process.
Step 3: Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number to verify your identity and successfully complete the registration.
Step 4: Use your registered mobile number and password to log in to the applicant portal.
Step 5: Fill out the application form meticulously by entering accurate personal, academic, and contact information as required. Ensure that all details are reviewed for correctness before proceeding.
Step 6: Upload the necessary documents, including scanned copies of your recent photograph, signature, and other required certificates in the prescribed size and format specified by the Consortium.
Step 7: Proceed to pay the application fee using the available online payment options (credit card, debit card, or net banking). Confirm the transaction to finalize and submit your application.
By following these steps carefully, candidates can successfully complete their CLAT 2026 application process without any hurdles. It is crucial to adhere to the official guidelines and ensure all details are accurate to avoid any last-minute discrepancies.
Photo & Signature Dimensions for CLAT 2026 Registration
| Dimensions | Image Size (Maximum) | Format |
| Photograph | 500 KB | .jpg/.jpeg |
| Signature | 100 KB | .jpg/.jpeg |
Preparation Strategy for CLAT 2026 – Section Wise
The Common Law Admission Test or CLAT assesses the candidates’ abilities in five sections, namely the English Language, Current Affairs (including General Knowledge), Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. As it requires preparing strategy for each section including daily practice and management of time, candidates go ahead and formulate a structure and section-by-section CLAT preparation strategy that guarantees a top rank. Here is a highly detailed preparation guide for CLAT:
1. CLAT English Language Preparation Strategy
The English section assesses a candidate’s capacity to read, comprehend, acquire a good vocabulary, and grammar. The questions are based on a passage and demand some analytical work for their answers.
CLAT Preparation Strategy for English Language
Focus on Reading Comprehension:
- Types of Passages- Practise reading passages newspaper cuttings, journals and magazines (including The Hindu, Indian Express, The Economist, etc) as they boost up reading speed and understanding of the complex formed sentences.
- Speed and Accuracy: Try to read under time pressure. Attempt to read faster without undermining the comprehension.
- Key Skills: Formulate skills to identify the key idea, inference, tone by the author, and contextual meanings of words.
Increase your Vocabulary:
Read editorials every day and underline words that you don’t know. Refer to a dictionary or apps like Merriam-Webster to understand meanings.
Books for Vocabulary:
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- Six Weeks to Words of Power by Wilfred Funk
Keep a vocabulary notebook for daily review and practice using the new words in sentences.
Grammar & Sentence Correction:
- Brush up your grammar rules for tenses, prepositions, subject-verb agreement, modifiers, etc.
- Work out exercises on error detection and sentence improvement.
- Practice from High School English Grammar & Composition by Wren and Martin.
Practice Mock Tests:
- Attempt sectional tests to improve time management.
- Analyse mistakes to identify weak areas, such as comprehension or vocabulary gaps.
2. CLAT Preparation Strategy for Current Affairs, Including General Knowledge
The GK and current affairs section of CLAT is one of the most crucial and challenging parts of CLAT. It evaluates candidates’ awareness of events happening nationally and internationally.
Preparation Strategy:
Focus on Daily Current Affairs:
Sources: Follow reliable newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express, Mint) and magazines (Pratiyogita Darpan, Frontline, or Yojana).
Online Resources: Use iQuanta monthly current affairs compendiums.
- Make concise notes of key events, keeping the following categories in focus:
- Government policies and schemes
- International relations and summits
- Supreme Court and High Court judgments
- Awards, sports, science & tech updates
- Environmental issues
Static GK:
- Prepare topics such as history, geography, economics, polity, and significant international organizations.
- Focus on topics such as constitutional developments, Indian independence movements, and important articles of the Indian Constitution.
Revision Strategy for CLAT GK Section:
- Regularly revise monthly current affairs notes to retain information.
- Solve weekly quizzes and practice mock papers for GK.
Practice Passage-Based Questions:
- The CLAT GK section now includes comprehension-based current affairs questions.
- Practice reading long passages and answering analytical questions related to recent events.
3. CLAT Preparation Strategy for Logical Reasoning
The Logical Reasoning section assesses candidates’ critical thinking, analytical ability, and logical deductions. This section is often challenging due to tricky question patterns and time constraints.
Preparation Tips for GK
- Master Critical Reasoning
- Practice identifying arguments, assumptions, conclusions, and logical flaws in given passages.
- Study topics like:
- Strengthening/weakening arguments
- Cause and effect reasoning
- Analogies and logical inferences
- Focus on Analytical Reasoning:
- Develop proficiency in puzzles, blood relations, seating arrangements, and syllogisms.
- Practice statement-assumption, statement-conclusion, and logical connections regularly.
Speed & Accuracy:
- Solve sectional tests daily to improve accuracy.
- Focus on eliminating options using logical reasoning rather than assumptions.
CLAT Books to Follow:
- A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
- Critical Reasoning by MK Pandey
- Practice Timed Sectional Mocks:
- Logical Reasoning is time-sensitive, so practice under exam-like conditions to enhance speed.
4. CLAT Quantitative Techniques
The Quantitative Techniques section deals with very basic mathematics and measures the abilities of a candidate to comprehend and work on data. Most of the questions are passage-based and may include data interpretation through tables, charts, or graphs.
Important Topics
- Arithmetic
- Percentage, ratio, and proportion
- Profit and loss, simple and compound interest
- Time, speed, and distance
- Data Interpretation
- Reading and analyzing tables, bar graphs, pie charts.
- Number Systems and Algebra
- Simplifications and simple equations
Preparation Strategy:
- Work on Arithmetic Fundamentals
- Consider the concepts involved in percentages, ratios, and averages.
- Keep working on simple and compound interest problems.
- Do Data Interpretation (DI) Exercises
- Learn how to read and analyze data in graphs or tables.
- Try to practice DI under the timer on a daily basis.
- Shift Speed and Accuracy Focus
- Memorize tables, square roots, cubes, and percentage to fraction conversions.
- Enhance mental calculations to save time during an exam.
- Take Sectional Tests
- Solve sectional mocks and analyze time spent on each question.
- Resource Recommendations
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by RS Aggarwal
- Class 6-10 NCERT Mathematics
- Online DI practice sets.
Legal Reasoning Preparation Strategy for CLAT 2026
The Legal Reasoning section is pivotal in the CLAT examination and carries a significant weightage. This section tests a candidate’s ability to comprehend and apply legal principles to given situations. While prior legal knowledge is not mandatory, a basic understanding of legal concepts and principles helps immensely. To ace this section, candidates must focus on both conceptual clarity and analytical skills.
Format: Passage-based questions
Focus Areas:
- Identifying and understanding legal principles
- Extracting relevant facts from the passage
- Applying principles logically to facts
- Drawing appropriate conclusions
Key Skills Tested:
- Reading Comprehension of legal passages
- Application of Legal Principles
- Logical Reasoning based on the given data
- Inference-Based Questions
Core Topics to Focus On – To strengthen your preparation, focus on the following key legal concepts:
A. Law of Contracts
The Law of Contracts is one of the most common subjects in legal reasoning passages. It deals with agreements enforceable by law.
Important Concepts to Focus On:
- Essential Elements of a Valid Contract: Offer, acceptance, consideration, capacity to contract, free consent, and legality of the object.
- Types of Contracts: Void, voidable, contingent, quasi-contracts, etc.
- Breach of Contract: Remedies such as damages, specific performance, and injunctions.
- Free Consent: Coercion, undue influence, misrepresentation, fraud, and mistake.
- Discharge of Contract: Performance, impossibility (doctrine of frustration), breach, and agreement.
CLAT Preparation Strategy:
- Focus on applying contract law principles to hypothetical situations.
- Practice passages where you need to decide whether a contract is valid, void, or voidable based on the given facts.
- Pay attention to keywords like offer, acceptance, breach, and consent to extract the principle quickly.
B. Law of Torts
The Law of Torts is another prominent area tested in CLAT. It deals with civil wrongs and remedies provided to the injured party.
Important Concepts to Focus On:
- Basic Definitions: Tort, wrong, injury, and remedy.
- Negligence: Essentials of negligence, duty of care, breach of duty, and damages.
- Strict and Absolute Liability: The principle of Rylands v. Fletcher and its exceptions.
- Vicarious Liability: Liability of employers, partners, and principals for the acts of others.
- Defamation: Libel, slander, and defenses available.
- Nuisance: Public and private nuisance with defenses.
- General Defenses in Torts: Volenti non fit injuria, act of God, private defense, and necessity.
Strategy:
- Solve case-based questions requiring the application of tort principles to fact patterns.
- Pay attention to questions involving negligence and strict liability since they are common.
- Practice questions involving exceptions to general principles, such as defenses in torts.
C. Criminal Law
The criminal law principles are usually drawn from concepts of criminal liability, including culpability for specific offenses.
Important Concepts to Focus On:
- Essentials of a Crime: Actus reus (physical act) and mens rea (guilty mind).
- General Defences: Insanity, Self-Defence, mistake of fact, necessity, etc.
- Offenses: Theft, assault, battery, murder, culpable homicide, and criminal misappropriation.
- Distinction Between Similar Offenses:
- Murder vs. culpable homicide
- Theft vs. extortion
- Concept of Liability: Joint liability, abetment, and conspiracy.
Strategy:
- Focus on identifying actus reus and mens rea from the passage.
- Solve questions where two crimes or defenses are compared, as CLAT often tests the ability to differentiate between similar concepts.
D. Constitutional Law
The Constitution forms the backbone of the Indian legal system, and its principles are frequently tested in CLAT.
Important Concepts to Focus On:
- Fundamental Rights: Articles 12-35, their scope, and related case-based applications.
- Directive Principles of State Policy: Their significance and relationship with Fundamental Rights.
- Separation of Powers: Role of the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.
- Judicial Review: Basic structure doctrine and its importance.
- Important Constitutional Doctrines:
- Doctrine of Eclipse
- Doctrine of Severability
- Doctrine of Waiver
- Landmark Judgments: Basic understanding of notable cases like Kesavananda Bharati, A.K. Gopalan, and Maneka Gandhi.
Strategy:
Focus on passages testing the understanding and application of constitutional principles.
Read current developments related to constitutional law (e.g., recent amendments and landmark judgments).
E. Miscellaneous Laws and Legal Principles
While contract, tort, and criminal law dominate this section, questions on other areas are sometimes asked to test overall legal aptitude.
Key Concepts to Cover:
- Family Law: Basic understanding of marriage, divorce, maintenance, and inheritance laws.
- Consumer Protection Act: Rights of consumers and remedies for unfair trade practices.
- Environmental Laws: Principles like sustainable development, the polluter-pays principle, and precautionary principle.
- Intellectual Property Laws: Basics of copyrights, trademarks, and patents.
Strategy:
Gain a conceptual understanding of miscellaneous laws to handle diverse legal reasoning questions.
Focus on current legal developments in areas like consumer law and environmental law.
CLAT 2026 Preparation Books
The selection of proper study materials can potentially increase one’s preparation for CLAT 2026. It becomes effectively comprehensive and complete as to the syllabus with recommended books from expert authors. Hence, it is made as in understanding the concepts and mastering it better.
CLAT 2026 Books
| Author | Book Name |
|---|---|
| A. P. Bhardwaj | “Study Package for CLAT” |
| Arihant Experts | “Self-Study Guide CLAT” |
| Universal’s | “Guide to CLAT & LLB” |
| Singh, R. K. and Singh, S. | “CLAT/ AILET 2026 (Guide)” |
| R.S. Aggarwal | “A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning” |
| Abhinav Misra | “Word Power Made Easy – The Complete Handbook for Building a Superior Vocabulary” |
| M Laxmikanth | “Indian Polity” |
| Manorama Year Book | “Manorama Yearbook 2025” |
| Pearson Education | “Legal Awareness and Legal Reasoning for CLAT and LL.B. Entrance Examinations” |
CLAT 2026 Exam Date & Schedule [Official]
| CLAT 2026 Important Events | CLAT 2026 Events Date |
| Starting Date to Apply | TBA |
| Last Date to Apply | TBA |
| Last Date for Online Fee Payment | TBA |
| Admit Card Release Date | TBA |
| Admit Card Last Date to Download | TBA |
| CLAT 2026 Exam Date | TBA |
| Release Date of Provisional Answer Key | TBA |
| Final Answer Key Release Date | TBA |
| Result Date 2026 | TBA |
| Registration for Counselling 2026 Starts | TBA |
| Registration for Counselling 2026 Ends | TBA |
Watch this Video for more details about CLAT 2026
