CLAT 2027 Reform Committee: The Consortium of NLUs has formed an Expert Committee chaired by Justice Indu Malhotra (Retd.) to review and recommend reforms for CLAT starting from 2027. The panel includes professors from Oxford, LSE, Columbia, Cambridge, and BML Munjal University. Expected changes include enhanced reading comprehension depth, improved legal reasoning question quality, and greater transparency in evaluation. Aspirants should monitor the official website for any syllabus or pattern updates once the committee's recommendations are published.
📋 Table of Contents | Everything About CLAT 2027
1. What is CLAT? | Purpose, History & Importance
2. CLAT 2027 Key Dates & Complete Schedule
3. CLAT Eligibility Criteria 2027 | UG & PG
4. CLAT Exam Pattern 2027 | Sections, Questions & Marking Scheme
5. CLAT Syllabus 2027 | Section-Wise Topics & Weightage
6. CLAT Registration 2027 | Step-by-Step Process
7. 26 NLUs in CLAT 2027 | Tier-Wise List & Seats
8. CLAT Cutoff 2027 | Expected Scores & NLU-Wise Ranks
9. CLAT PG 2027 | LLM Admission, Syllabus & Cutoff
10. How to Prepare for CLAT 2027 | Month-by-Month Strategy
11. Best Books & Study Material for CLAT 2027
12. After CLAT | Counselling, Seat Allotment & NLU Admission
13. Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is CLAT? | Purpose, History & Importance
CLAT | the Common Law Admission Test | is India's centralised national-level law entrance examination. Conducted annually by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs), CLAT provides a single gateway for admission to both undergraduate (BA LLB) and postgraduate (LLM) law programmes across India's premier National Law Universities.
CLAT was first introduced in 2008, replacing the separate entrance exams conducted by individual NLUs. Today, it has grown into one of India's most competitive entrance tests, attracting over 92,000 aspirants in 2026 for approximately 3,700 UG seats across 26 participating NLUs | an acceptance rate of roughly 4%. The exam has evolved from a knowledge-heavy test to a comprehension and reasoning-intensive assessment, making regular reading and analytical thinking the central preparation activities.
1.1 Why CLAT Matters | What a CLAT Score Unlocks
🏛
Top NLU Admission
26 NLUs including NLSIU, NALSAR, NUJS | India's finest law schools
💼
Elite Career Access
Tier-1 law firms, Big 4, MNCs, investment banks, judiciary
📜
60+ Affiliated Colleges
Non-NLU law colleges also accept CLAT scores for admission
⚖️
Judicial Services Path
NLU degree is strong foundation for State PCS (J) & HJS exams
🌍
Global Opportunities
NLU alumni pursue LLMs at Oxford, Harvard, LSE, NYU
🎓
LLM Admissions (PG)
CLAT PG for LLM at all 26 NLUs | separate paper, same exam cycle
2. CLAT 2027 Key Dates & Complete Schedule
The CLAT 2027 exam cycle follows a predictable annual pattern established by the Consortium of NLUs. The official notification for CLAT 2027 is expected in July 2026, with registration opening on 1 August 2026. The exam itself is expected on 6 December 2026 (Sunday), consistent with the CLAT 2026 date of 7 December 2025.
| Event | Expected Date / Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Official Notification Release | July 2026 | Published at consortiumofnlus.ac.in |
| Registration Opens | 1 August 2026 | Online only; apply at consortiumofnlus.ac.in |
| Last Date to Apply | Last week of October 2026 | Late fee may apply beyond regular deadline |
| Application Correction Window | To be announced (typically 3–5 days after deadline) | One-time correction of specified fields |
| Admit Card Download | November 2026 (15 days before exam) | Download from CLAT portal; mandatory at exam hall |
| 🗓 CLAT 2027 Exam Date | 6 December 2026 (Sunday) | Offline mode | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (expected) |
| Answer Key Release | Within 48–72 hours of exam | Provisional key; objection window follows |
| CLAT 2027 Result Declaration | 3rd week of December 2026 | Score + All India Rank released together |
| Counselling & Seat Allotment | December 2026 – March 2027 | 3–5 rounds; via CLAT portal |
| Classes Begin at NLUs | July–August 2027 | Varies by NLU; confirmed post-document verification |
Don't miss the registration window: CLAT registration is typically open for approximately 90 days. Missing the deadline means waiting an entire year for the next cycle. Set calendar reminders for 1 August 2026 (registration opens) and 15 October 2026 (target date to apply, well before the last date). The correction window after the deadline allows you to fix only specific fields | not your entire application | so submit carefully the first time.
3. CLAT Eligibility Criteria 2027 | UG & PG
CLAT has separate eligibility criteria for the UG (undergraduate BA LLB) and PG (postgraduate LLM) programmes. There is no upper age limit for CLAT | a frequently misunderstood point. Below is the complete eligibility framework:
3.1 CLAT UG 2027 Eligibility
| Eligibility Factor | General / OBC / PWD / NRI / PIO / OCI | SC / ST |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying Exam | 10+2 (Class 12) or equivalent from a recognised board | |
| Minimum Marks | 45% aggregate | 40% aggregate |
| Appearing Candidates | Students appearing in Class 12 boards in 2027 are eligible to apply | |
| Upper Age Limit | No upper age limit | any age can appear | |
| Stream Restriction | Any stream (Science, Commerce, Arts) | no restriction | |
| Nationality | Indian nationals + NRI/PIO/OCI (separate fees); foreign nationals permitted | |
3.2 CLAT PG 2027 Eligibility (LLM)
| Eligibility Factor | General / OBC / NRI | SC / ST |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying Degree | LLB degree (3-year or 5-year integrated) from a BCI-recognised university | |
| Minimum Marks in LLB | 50% aggregate | 45% aggregate |
| Final-Year LLB Students | Eligible to apply | admission conditional on final results meeting the minimum % | |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit | |
Key eligibility facts often misunderstood: (1) A student from a Science or Commerce background in Class 12 is fully eligible | CLAT has no stream restriction. (2) There is truly no upper age limit | even a 30-year-old professional can sit the CLAT UG exam. (3) A student who has appeared in Class 12 boards but not yet received results can apply using anticipated marks. (4) Candidates with PWD (Persons with Disability) certificates qualify at 45% (General) and 40% (SC/ST).
4. CLAT Exam Pattern 2027 | Sections, Questions & Marking Scheme
The CLAT 2027 UG exam is conducted in offline (pen-and-paper) mode with a single question booklet of 120 MCQs to be attempted in 120 minutes. This means exactly one minute per question | making time management a critical skill. Every question carries +1 mark for a correct answer and −0.25 marks (negative marking) for a wrong answer. Unattempted questions carry zero marks.
| Parameter | CLAT UG 2027 | CLAT PG 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Mode | Offline (pen-and-paper) | Offline (pen-and-paper) |
| Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Total Questions | 120 MCQs | 120 MCQs |
| Total Marks | 120 marks | 120 marks |
| Marking Scheme | +1 correct | −0.25 wrong | 0 unattempted | +1 correct | −0.25 wrong | 0 unattempted |
| No. of Sections | 5 sections | Not divided into fixed sections |
| Question Type | Passage-based MCQs (all sections) | Passage-based MCQs (law-focused) |
| Language | English only | English only |
| Frequency | Once a year (December) | Once a year (same day as UG) |
4.1 Section-Wise Breakdown | Questions, Weightage & Time Allocation
Exam strategy from the weightage data: Current Affairs + Legal Reasoning together account for 50% of the paper. Any aspirant who masters these two sections and performs decently in the remaining three has a very strong shot at a top-100 rank. Conversely, ignoring Quantitative Techniques (10%) is a common mistake | these 10–14 questions are among the easiest to score in the paper if you have solid Class 10 maths basics. Never skip any section during preparation.
5. CLAT Syllabus 2027 | Section-Wise Topics & Weightage
The CLAT 2027 syllabus is comprehension-first and passage-based across all five sections. Unlike most competitive exams, CLAT does not test rote memory in isolation | every question is anchored to a passage of 400–450 words. Your reading speed, comprehension depth, and ability to extract inferences are what determine your score. Here is the detailed section-wise syllabus:
6. CLAT Registration 2027 | Step-by-Step Process
CLAT 2027 registration is conducted entirely online at consortiumofnlus.ac.in. There is no offline registration mode. Candidates should keep their documents, payment method, and passport-size photograph ready before beginning the application. Here is the complete step-by-step registration process:
Visit consortiumofnlus.ac.in & Click Registration
Navigate to the official CLAT 2027 portal. Click "New Registration" or "Apply Now". Available from 1 August 2026.
Create Login Credentials
Enter your full name, email ID, and mobile number. An OTP is sent to your mobile for verification. Store your login credentials securely.
Fill Personal & Category Information
Enter date of birth, gender, nationality, category (General/SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PWD), state of domicile, and contact details including address with PIN code.
Enter Qualifying Examination Details
Enter board name (CBSE, State Board, ICSE etc.), passing year, Class 12 marks (or expected marks if appearing). Select UG, PG, or both.
Select 3 Exam Centre Preferences
Choose three cities as exam centre preferences in order of priority. CLAT has exam centres in 50+ cities across India. Allocation is based on availability.
Upload Documents
Upload: (a) Passport-size photograph (JPEG, max 80 KB), (b) Signature (JPEG, max 30 KB), (c) Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PWD) in PDF | upload even if provisional at this stage.
Pay Application Fee
General / OBC / EWS: ₹4,000. SC / ST / PWD: ₹3,500. Foreign nationals/NRI/PIO/OCI: ₹4,000. Payment via Debit/Credit card, UPI, Net Banking. Save payment receipt.
Submit & Download Confirmation
Review all details before final submission. Download and save the Application Confirmation PDF. This is your reference for all future correspondence.
Application fee (estimated for CLAT 2027): Based on CLAT 2026 fees | General/OBC/PWD: ₹4,000; SC/ST: ₹3,500. These figures are subject to revision for 2027; check the official notification. The application fee is non-refundable. Once you receive your confirmation number, your registration is complete | keep it safe for admit card download and counselling registration.
7. 26 NLUs in CLAT 2027 | Tier-Wise List & Seats
As of 2026, 26 National Law Universities participate in CLAT counselling through the Consortium. Note that NLU Delhi does NOT accept CLAT | it conducts its own exam, AILET (All India Law Entrance Test). Here is the NLU list organised by tier, based on academic reputation, placement outcomes, and CLAT cutoff competitiveness:
🏆 Tier 1 | Elite NLUs (AIR 1–500)
NLSIU Bangalore | #1 | Est. 1987 | 310 seats
NALSAR Hyderabad | #2 | Est. 1998 | 160 seats
NUJS Kolkata | #3 | Est. 1999 | 120 seats
NLU Jodhpur | #4 | Est. 1999 | 120 seats
GNLU Gandhinagar | #5 | Est. 2003 | 180 seats
CLAT 2026 Gen. Cutoff: AIR 101–500
NALSAR Hyderabad | #2 | Est. 1998 | 160 seats
NUJS Kolkata | #3 | Est. 1999 | 120 seats
NLU Jodhpur | #4 | Est. 1999 | 120 seats
GNLU Gandhinagar | #5 | Est. 2003 | 180 seats
⭐ Tier 2 | Strong NLUs (AIR 500–2,000)
RMLNLU Lucknow | Est. 2006 | 120 seats
HNLU Raipur | Est. 2003 | 120 seats
NLIU Bhopal | Est. 1997 | 120 seats
RGNUL Punjab | Est. 2006 | 120 seats
CNLU Patna | Est. 2006 | 120 seats
NLUO Cuttack | Est. 2008 | 120 seats
CLAT 2026 Gen. Cutoff: AIR ~500–2,000
HNLU Raipur | Est. 2003 | 120 seats
NLIU Bhopal | Est. 1997 | 120 seats
RGNUL Punjab | Est. 2006 | 120 seats
CNLU Patna | Est. 2006 | 120 seats
NLUO Cuttack | Est. 2008 | 120 seats
📚 Tier 3 | Growing NLUs (AIR 2,000–5,000)
NUSRL Ranchi | NLUJAA Guwahati
DSNLU Visakhapatnam | TNNLS Tiruchirappalli
MNLU Mumbai | MNLU Nagpur
MNLU Aurangabad | HPNLU Shimla
DBRANLU Sonepat | MNLU Pune
CLAT 2026 Gen. Cutoff: AIR ~2,000–5,000
DSNLU Visakhapatnam | TNNLS Tiruchirappalli
MNLU Mumbai | MNLU Nagpur
MNLU Aurangabad | HPNLU Shimla
DBRANLU Sonepat | MNLU Pune
🆕 Tier 4 | Newer NLUs (AIR 5,000+)
Newer NLUs established after 2013, many still developing placement infrastructure. Still offer quality legal education under BCI and UGC framework.
NLCBF Bhopal | MNLU Nagpur
Plus other recently added participating institutions
Total: 26 NLUs participate in CLAT counselling (2026)
CLAT 2026 Gen. Cutoff: AIR 5,000+
NLCBF Bhopal | MNLU Nagpur
Plus other recently added participating institutions
Total: 26 NLUs participate in CLAT counselling (2026)
NLU Delhi NOT in CLAT: NLU Delhi (National Law University Delhi, also called GNLU-D or NLU-D) is one of India's top law schools but does not participate in CLAT. It conducts AILET (All India Law Entrance Test) independently. If NLU Delhi is your target, prepare for both CLAT and AILET | they test similar skills with some differences in pattern. AILET has 150 questions in 90 minutes and does not have negative marking.
8. CLAT Cutoff 2027 | Expected Scores & NLU-Wise Ranks
CLAT cutoff refers to the closing All India Rank (AIR) at which a candidate gets admitted to a particular NLU in a given category, after all rounds of counselling. Understanding cutoff trends is essential for setting realistic targets and planning your preparation intensity.
8.1 Top NLU CLAT 2026 Actual Cutoff (General Category)
| NLU | CLAT 2026 Closing Rank (Gen.) | CLAT 2025 Closing | 2027 Safe Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore (#1) | AIR 101 (R1) → ~115 (Final) | AIR 112 (Final) | AIR ≤ 80 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad (#2) | AIR 148 (R1) → ~180 | AIR ~200 | AIR ≤ 130 |
| NUJS Kolkata (#3) | AIR ~280–350 | AIR ~320 | AIR ≤ 250 |
| NLU Jodhpur (#4) | AIR ~350–450 | AIR ~380 | AIR ≤ 350 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar (#5) | AIR ~450–600 | AIR ~500 | AIR ≤ 450 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | AIR ~600–900 | AIR ~700 | AIR ≤ 700 |
| HNLU Raipur / NLIU Bhopal | AIR ~800–1,400 | AIR ~900–1,200 | AIR ≤ 1,200 |
| Tier 3 NLUs (NUSRL, CNLU, etc.) | AIR ~2,000–5,000 | AIR ~2,500–5,500 | AIR ≤ 4,000 |
8.2 Target Scores by Category | CLAT 2027
9. CLAT PG 2027 | LLM Admission, Syllabus & Cutoff
CLAT PG (Postgraduate) is conducted on the same day as CLAT UG | 6 December 2026 (expected) | but at a different time. It is the gateway to LLM programmes at all 26 participating NLUs. CLAT PG is a separate paper and requires a separate registration fee payment. Here are the key differences from CLAT UG:
| Parameter | CLAT PG 2027 (LLM) | CLAT UG 2027 (BA LLB) |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | LLB (3-yr or 5-yr) with 50% marks (45% SC/ST) | Class 12 with 45% marks (40% SC/ST) |
| Total Questions | 120 MCQs | 120 MCQs |
| Duration | 120 minutes | 120 minutes |
| Syllabus Focus | Constitutional Law, Contract, Tort, Criminal Law, IPC, CrPC, CPC, IEA, Public Int. Law, Jurisprudence | English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Quant |
| Section Divisions | Not divided into fixed sections | 5 distinct sections |
| 2026 Cutoff (Gen., NLSIU) | AIR 87 (Round 1) | AIR 101 (Round 1) |
| Safe 2027 Target (NLSIU) | AIR ≤ 100 (PG) | AIR ≤ 80 (UG) |
CLAT PG syllabus strategy: Constitutional Law is the most heavily tested subject in CLAT PG. Focus on landmark Supreme Court judgements, fundamental rights jurisprudence, federalism, and constitutional amendments. Contract Law and IPC together typically form the next largest block. Jurisprudence (natural law, analytical positivism, Dworkin, Hart, Fuller) is tested in longer passages requiring interpretive analysis. Unlike UG CLAT, prior law knowledge is essential for PG | the principles are not always explained in the passage.
10. How to Prepare for CLAT 2027 | Month-by-Month Strategy
The ideal CLAT preparation window is 12–18 months | enough to cover all sections systematically, build reading speed, and take sufficient mock tests. Even with 6 months, structured preparation can yield excellent results. Here is the month-by-month approach for students beginning in June 2026 (6 months to CLAT 2027):
Foundation | Understand the Exam & Build Reading Habits
Read the official CLAT syllabus and previous years' papers (2022–2026). Start reading a quality national newspaper (The Hindu, Indian Express) daily | 45 mins minimum. Begin Class 10 maths revision for Quantitative Techniques. Understand passage-based question format. Take one diagnostic mock test to identify weaknesses.
Section Focus 1 | Legal Reasoning & Current Affairs Deep Dive
Practice Legal Reasoning passages daily (50% of combined CLAT weight). Build a current affairs notebook | record 5 key events per day with context. Focus on understanding legal reasoning approach: extract principle → map to facts → apply correctly. Take 1 sectional mock per week for Legal Reasoning.
Register + Section Focus 2 | English & Logical Reasoning
Registration opens 1 August 2026 | apply immediately. Begin systematic English comprehension practice (5 passages/day). Logical Reasoning | focus on argument analysis and inference questions. Continue daily newspaper reading. Attempt 2 full-length mock tests this month. Analyse mistakes in detail | map to specific question types.
Integration | Full Mock Tests & Weak Section Revision
Take 1 full-length mock test every 4 days (7–8 mocks this month). Analyse every mock in detail | section-wise accuracy, time per question, pattern of errors. Revise current affairs for the past 6 months using a compiled list. Quantitative Techniques | complete all topics with focus on DI (data interpretation).
Peak Preparation | Speed, Accuracy & Mock Marathon
Target: 1 full mock every 3 days. Build speed to attempt all 120 questions in 110 minutes (leave 10 min buffer for review). Focus on accuracy | no random guessing (−0.25 penalty). Revise static GK, landmark judgements for Legal Reasoning, and key current events of 2025–2026. Apply for admit card when released.
Final Revision | Consolidation & Exam Readiness
Download admit card. Revise weak areas only | do not start new topics. Take 2 full mocks per week under strict exam conditions. Revise current affairs for Aug–Nov 2026 intensively. One week before exam: only light revision, newspaper reading, mock test analysis. Night before exam: no new revision. Rest well.
11. Best Books & Study Material for CLAT 2027
CLAT preparation does not require an enormous library. The most successful CLAT toppers consistently point to three habits over dozens of books: daily newspaper reading, consistent mock test practice, and targeted revision of weak areas. That said, structured books help in the early months:
English & Current Affairs
The Hindu / Indian Express | read daily (non-negotiable for Current Affairs and English). For vocabulary and grammar, Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis. For comprehension practice: previous CLAT papers 2016–2026.
Legal Reasoning
Legal Awareness and Legal Reasoning by AP Bhardwaj (Pearson). Legal Aptitude and Legal Reasoning for CLAT by Bharat Lal. Practice using actual CLAT legal reasoning passage sets | no textbook substitutes passage practice. Focus on constitutional law basics for context.
Logical Reasoning
Logical Reasoning for the LSAT (useful for passage-based reasoning). A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by RS Aggarwal (for non-passage basics). Primarily practice through CLAT Previous Year Questions (PYQs) | the CLAT Consortium's own papers remain the best preparation tool.
Quantitative Techniques
Class 10 NCERT Mathematics textbooks | mandatory revision. Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal (focus on first 15 chapters only). Data Interpretation from any QA book. This section is Class 10 level | don't over-invest time here.
CLAT GK / Current Affairs
Lucent's General Knowledge for static GK foundation. Manorama Yearbook 2026 for comprehensive current affairs. Monthly current affairs compilations from LegalEdge. The best GK preparation is simply reading national news for 12+ months.
Mock Tests & Full-Length Practice
Target 25–35 full-length mocks before the exam. Sources: LegalEdge Test Series, ClatGyan Mock Series, LawPrep Tutorial Mocks, Career Launcher CLAT Series. Previous year official CLAT papers (2008–2026) from the Consortium website | free and the most accurate simulation.
The single most important CLAT preparation activity: Reading. Every CLAT topper says it. Not textbook reading | reading quality journalism, long-form essays, and legal commentary. This builds reading speed, comprehension accuracy, and Current Affairs knowledge simultaneously. A student who has read The Hindu daily for 12 months approaches CLAT passage questions with a meaningful contextual advantage. Start today | even if your exam is still 18 months away.
12. After CLAT | Counselling, Seat Allotment & NLU Admission
Once results are declared in the third week of December 2026, the CLAT counselling process begins. This is the multi-round seat allocation process through which candidates are assigned NLU seats based on their AIR and NLU preferences. Understanding the post-result process prevents costly mistakes.
| Post-Result Stage | Timeline | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Score & Rank Card | 3rd week Dec 2026 | Download score card from CLAT portal; note your AIR, category rank, and marks |
| Counselling Registration | Dec 2026 (after result) | Register for CLAT counselling separately (additional fee); fill NLU preferences in preferred order |
| Preference Locking | Dec 2026 | List all 26 NLUs in preference order | list even NLUs you may not prefer (can always reject later) |
| Round 1 Allotment | Jan 2027 | Check allotment; pay seat confirmation fee within 48–72 hrs if allotted. DO NOT miss deadline. |
| Rounds 2–3+ Allotment | Jan–Feb 2027 | If higher preference NLU is available, you may receive upgraded allotment. Continue until final round. |
| Document Verification | Feb–Mar 2027 | Visit allotted NLU with original documents: Class 12 marks, category certificate, transfer certificate, photos |
| Admission & Fee Payment | Mar 2027 | Pay university admission fee to NLU directly. Hostel registration (if applicable) done separately |
| Classes Begin | Jul–Aug 2027 | NLUs typically begin the academic year in July–August; orientation week precedes regular classes |
Most common post-CLAT mistakes to avoid: (1) Missing the seat confirmation fee deadline | results in permanent forfeiture of the allotted seat. (2) Listing only top 3 NLUs as preferences | always list all NLUs you would consider; you can reject an allotment but can't go back to a skipped round. (3) Submitting invalid or expired category certificates | verify all certificates are current and from competent authority before counselling opens. (4) Withdrawing prematurely from a borderline rank | at NLSIU, the cutoff moved from AIR 101 (Round 1) to AIR 112 (Final) in 2025. Candidates ranked 102–112 who stayed got a seat.