A crucial test for admission to India’s esteemed National Law Universities (NLUs) is the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). CLAT eligibility 2026 includes academic qualifications, reservation procedures, age constraints for admission to various law colleges through CLAT. In order to prepare their plans to be eligible for this exam, candidates must have a thorough understanding of the eligibility requirement of CLAT. All of the CLAT 2026 qualifying requirements for UG and PG programs has been discussed here.
CLAT UG Eligibility Criteria 2026
CLAT Eligibility – Required Qualification:
Candidates must have earned their 10+2 diploma or an equivalent credential from a recognised board whether central or state board in order to be eligible for CLAT UG. The guidelines established by the relevant state or central education boards must be followed for recognising equivalence.
Minimum Marks in Class 12 for CLAT:
General/OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI Categories: A minimum aggregate score of 45% in the qualifying examination is mandatory.
SC/ST Categories: A relaxation is provided, requiring a minimum aggregate of 40%.
Candidates should note that aggregate marks are calculated based on the subjects specified by their respective educational boards. Any discrepancy in the calculation could lead to disqualification.
Age Limit for CLAT
No Age Restrictions for CLAT UG: Since CLAT UG has no upper age limit, anyone who meets the educational requirements can apply, regardless of age.
Candidates Appearing in Final Year Are Also Eligible for CLAT
Students appearing for their 10+2 examinations in March/April 2026 are eligible to apply. However, they must submit the necessary documents of passing the qualifying examination at the time of admission. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of their candidature.
CLAT PG Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualifications for CLAT PG
Candidates must be graduates of an institution approved by the Bar Council of India (BCI) with an LL.B. degree (5-year integrated or 3-year degree) or an equivalent degree. The BCI’s equivalency guidelines must also be followed by degrees earned at overseas universities.
Minimum Marks for CLAT PG Eligibility
General/OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI Categories: A minimum aggregate of 50% is required.
SC/ST Categories: A minimum aggregate of 45% marks is required.
Candidates must ensure that they meet all additional eligibility requirements for LL.M. admission as specified by individual NLUs, particularly regarding specialized courses.
Age Limit for CLAT PG
No Age Restrictions to CLAT PG: CLAT PG has no upper age limit, just like UG. Therefore graduates and legal professionals of various ages can pursue their legal education and career goals.
CLAT Eligibility for Final Year Candidates
Students in the final year of their LL.B. degree program are also eligible to apply, provided they can furnish proof of passing the degree by the time of admission. Those unable to do so will be disqualified.
CLAT Eligibility 2026 – Nationality and Reservation Policies
- Indian Nationals: Any candidate holding Indian citizenship is eligible to apply under the General, Reserved, or NRI categories, as per their qualifications.
- Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) are also eligible to apply.
- Foreign Nationals: Eligible candidates may apply under specific quotas directly to NLUs, bypassing the CLAT examination.
Reservation Policy of CLAT 2026
NLUs implement reservation policies as per central and state government norms. The category-wise seat distribution includes:
- Scheduled Castes (SC)
- Scheduled Tribes (ST)
- Other Backward Classes (OBC)
- Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD)
Candidates seeking reservation must provide valid and verified documentation at the time of counselling.
Tie Breaking rule for CLAT Result 2026
The Consortium will use the Tie-Breaking rule to determine the merit rank if two or more candidates receive identical scores on the CLAT 2025 exam. Both the PG and UG tests are subject to the tie-breaking rule.
Tie-Breaking Rule for CLAT UG
- Candidates scoring higher marks in the legal aptitude section of CLAT 2025 will be given preference.
- If the tie still continues, the elder candidate will be made priority.
- If the above methods fail to determine the merit rank, then the computerized draw of lots will be done.
Tie-Breaking Rule for CLAT PG
- If two or more candidates have the same CLAT merit scores, then priority will be given to the elder candidate.
- If the tie still persists, then computerized draw of lots will be used to determine the merit scores.
| Criteria | General/OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI | SC/ST |
| Educational Qualification | 10+2 or equivalent | 10+2 or equivalent |
| Minimum Marks Requirement | 45% | 40% |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit | No upper age limit |
| Appearing Candidates | Eligible | Eligible |
CLAT 2026 UG Eligibility Overview
| Criteria | General/OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI | SC/ST |
| Educational Qualification | LL.B. Degree or equivalent | LL.B. Degree or equivalent |
| Minimum Marks Requirement | 50% | 45% |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit | No upper age limit |
| Final Year Candidates | Eligible | Eligible |
Key Recommendations for CLAT Aspirants
• Stay Updated: For the most recent details and policy updates, frequently visit the official CLAT Consortium website and subscribe to your own NLU notifications.
• Document Preparation: It is recommended that candidates prepare and verify all pertinent documents well in advance, such as category certificates, mark sheets, and identification proof.
• Recognise Category Requirements: To prevent rejection for lacking or inaccurate documentation, make sure you have a thorough understanding of category-specific requirements.
• Be Prepared: Direct applications to NLUs may have distinct requirements and deadlines for foreign nationals and NRI candidates.
