1. CLAT 2026 Important Dates
The Consortium of NLUs typically releases the CLAT notification 6â8 months before the exam. Based on previous years' patterns, here are the expected CLAT 2026 dates:
| Event | Expected Date (2026) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| CLAT 2026 Notification | July 2026 | Upcoming |
| Registration Opens | July 2026 | Upcoming |
| Registration Closes | October 2026 | Upcoming |
| Admit Card Release | November 2026 | Upcoming |
| CLAT 2026 Exam | December 2026 | Upcoming |
| Answer Key Release | December 2026 | Upcoming |
| Result Declaration | January 2027 | Upcoming |
| Counselling Starts | January 2027 | Upcoming |
These are expected dates based on CLAT 2026-27 schedule. Official dates will be announced by the Consortium of NLUs on their official website: consortiumofnlus.ac.in. Bookmark this page | we update it the moment official dates are released.
CLAT 2026-27 Dates (Reference)
| Event | Date (2026-27) |
|---|---|
| CLAT 2027 Exam | December 1, 2026 |
| CLAT 2027 Result | March 2027 |
| CLAT 2026 Revised Result | March 26, 2026 |
| CLAT 2027 Counselling Round 1 | April 2027 |
2. CLAT 2027 Eligibility Criteria
Understanding the eligibility criteria is the first step before applying for CLAT 2027. Here are the complete requirements for both UG and PG programmes:
For CLAT UG (BA LLB | 5 Year Integrated)
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Must have passed 10+2 (Class 12) or equivalent from a recognised board |
| Minimum Marks | General/OBC/PWD | 45% aggregate marks in Class 12 |
| Minimum Marks | SC/ST | 40% aggregate marks in Class 12 |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit |
| Appearing Candidates | Students appearing in Class 12 exam in 2026 can also apply |
For CLAT PG (LLM | 1 Year)
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | LLB / BA LLB degree from a recognised university |
| Minimum Marks | General/OBC/PWD | 55% aggregate in LLB |
| Minimum Marks | SC/ST | 50% aggregate in LLB |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit |
3. CLAT 2026-27 Registration Process
The CLAT 2026 application is entirely online. Here is the step-by-step process to register:
- Step 1 - Visit Official Website: Go to consortiumofnlus.ac.in and click on "CLAT 2026 Registration".
- Step 2 - Create Account: Register with your email ID and mobile number. You will receive an OTP for verification.
- Step 3 - Fill Application Form: Enter personal details, educational qualifications, category, preferred NLUs, and exam centre preferences.
- Step 4 - Upload Documents: Upload recent passport-size photograph, signature, Class 10 mark sheet, and Class 12 mark sheet (if available).
- Step 5 - Pay Application Fee: âš4,000 for General/OBC/PWD, âš3,500 for SC/ST. Payment via Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI.
- Step 6 - Submit & Save: Submit the form and download the confirmation page for future reference.
4. CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper based) |
| Duration | 2 Hours (120 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 120 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Total Marks | 120 marks |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for correct, â0.25 for incorrect answer |
| Language | English only |
| Question Format | Passage-based comprehension questions |
Section-wise Distribution
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 28â32 | 28â32 |
| Current Affairs & General Knowledge | 35â39 | 35â39 |
| Legal Reasoning | 35â39 | 35â39 |
| Logical Reasoning | 28â32 | 28â32 |
| Quantitative Techniques | 13â17 | 13â17 |
| Total | 120 | 120 |
5. CLAT 2026 Detailed Syllabus
English Language
This section tests reading comprehension through unseen passages. Each passage (450â500 words) is followed by questions on:
- Identifying the central theme and key arguments of the passage
- Drawing inferences from the passage
- Understanding the meaning of unfamiliar words in context
- Summarising the passage accurately
- Applying analogical reasoning from the passage
Current Affairs & General Knowledge
Passages are based on contemporary events across India and the world. Topics include:
- Current national and international affairs (political, economic, social)
- Historical developments of contemporary relevance
- Art, culture, sports, and significant personalities
- Science and technology developments
- Constitutional and legal developments in India
Legal Reasoning
Questions test analytical ability on legal propositions through 4â6 passage sets. Topics include:
- Application of legal principles to given factual situations
- Identifying the correct legal rule from passages
- Understanding relationships between facts and legal outcomes
- Comprehension of the rule of law and its consequences
Logical Reasoning
Short passages of 300 words test reasoning ability. Topics include:
- Identifying arguments, premises, and conclusions
- Identifying assumptions and inferences
- Strengthening and weakening arguments
- Logical sequences and patterns
Quantitative Techniques
Mathematical passages (Class 10 level) covering:
- Ratios and proportions, basic algebra
- Mensuration, statistics and data interpretation
- Graphs, charts, and tables
- Number systems and arithmetic
6. CLAT 2026 Exam Centres
CLAT is conducted at over 100 exam centres across India. Candidates can select up to 4 preferred cities. Major CLAT exam centres include:
| State | CLAT Centres |
|---|---|
| Delhi/NCR | Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad |
| Maharashtra | Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Nashik |
| Karnataka | Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli, Mangalore |
| Telangana | Hyderabad, Warangal |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai |
| Gujarat | Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Gandhinagar, Rajkot |
| West Bengal | Kolkata, Siliguri |
| Rajasthan | Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Kota |
| UP / Uttarakhand | Lucknow, Allahabad, Varanasi, Agra, Dehradun |
For the complete list of CLAT 2026 exam centres, visit our dedicated CLAT Exam Centres page.
7. CLAT 2026 Expected Cutoff (NLU-Wise)
CLAT cutoff varies significantly by NLU, category, and year-wise difficulty. Based on historical data and CLAT 2026 results, here are the expected cutoffs for top NLUs:
| NLU | General (Expected) | OBC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | 95â100 | 88â93 | 75â80 | 65â70 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 88â93 | 82â87 | 70â75 | 60â65 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | 85â90 | 78â83 | 68â73 | 58â63 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 80â85 | 73â78 | 63â68 | 55â60 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | 78â83 | 71â76 | 60â65 | 52â57 |
| HNLU Raipur | 72â77 | 65â70 | 55â60 | 47â52 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | 70â75 | 63â68 | 53â58 | 45â50 |
CLAT cutoff is expressed as total marks (out of 120), not percentile. Cutoffs change each year based on difficulty level, number of applicants, and NLU seat availability. For a score of 70â75, you can expect admission to lower-ranked NLUs. A score above 90 gives access to top NLUs like NLSIU and NALSAR.
8. CLAT 2026 Result & Merit List
The CLAT 2026 result will be declared on the official Consortium website. Key points about the CLAT result:
- Results are announced within 4â6 weeks after the exam
- A provisional merit list is released first, followed by the revised merit list after challenge resolution
- Candidates can challenge the answer key during the objection window (typically 2â3 days after answer key release)
- The final merit list determines NLU counselling round eligibility
- CLAT scores are valid for one academic year only
Check the CLAT Result 2026 page for the latest updates on result declaration.
9. CLAT 2026 Preparation Strategy
Cracking CLAT requires disciplined preparation over 6â12 months. Here's an expert-recommended strategy:
12-Month Preparation Plan
| Phase | Duration | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Months 1â3 | Understand syllabus, build reading habit, Class 10 maths revision |
| Subject Mastery | Months 4â6 | Legal reasoning basics, logical reasoning, current affairs daily |
| Practice | Months 7â9 | Full-length mock tests, section-wise practice, analysis of weak areas |
| Revision | Months 10â12 | Intensive mocks, speed improvement, final revision |
Recommended Books for CLAT 2026
- Legal Reasoning: Legal Aptitude for CLAT by AP Bhardwaj
- Logical Reasoning: A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by RS Aggarwal
- English: Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- GK/Current Affairs: Manorama Yearbook 2026 + daily newspaper reading
- Previous Papers: 10 Years CLAT Solved Papers (any publisher)
Read one quality English newspaper (The Hindu or The Indian Express) daily for at least 45 minutes. This simultaneously improves your English comprehension, current affairs knowledge, and legal awareness covering 3 CLAT sections in one activity. Start at least 12 months before the exam.
10. CLAT 2026 Participating NLUs
CLAT 2026 scores are accepted by all 25 National Law Universities across India. The NLUs are categorised into tiers based on CLAT rank requirements:
Tier 1 NLUs (CLAT Rank 1â300)
| NLU | Location | NIRF Rank | Expected CLAT Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | Bangalore, Karnataka | #1 | 95â100 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | Hyderabad, Telangana | #2 | 88â93 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | Kolkata, West Bengal | #4 | 85â90 |
Tier 2 NLUs (CLAT Rank 300â1500)
| NLU | Location | Expected CLAT Cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| NLU Jodhpur | Jodhpur, Rajasthan | 80â85 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | Gandhinagar, Gujarat | 78â83 |
| HNLU Raipur | Raipur, Chhattisgarh | 72â77 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | 70â75 |
| CNLU Patna | Patna, Bihar | 65â70 |
11. CLAT 2026 FAQs
A score of 70 in CLAT is considered moderate. With 70 marks, you may get admission to Tier 3 NLUs like CNLU Patna, NUSRL Ranchi, or NLUO Cuttack, especially in reserved categories. For top NLUs (NLSIU, NALSAR), you typically need 88+ marks. However, cutoffs vary by year, so it's advisable to aim for 80+ for better NLU options.
There is no restriction on the number of attempts for CLAT. Candidates can appear any number of times as long as they meet the eligibility criteria (12th pass with 45% marks for general category). However, many NLUs have age restrictions for admission, so candidates should check individual NLU admission policies.
Yes. Students currently appearing in Class 12 board examinations in 2026 can apply for CLAT 2026. However, their admission will be provisional and subject to fulfilling the minimum 45% marks requirement in Class 12 at the time of final admission. Students who do not meet the marks criterion after results will be ineligible.
CLAT 2027 revised result will be declared on March 26, 2027. The Consortium of NLUs released the revised merit list after reviewing challenges to the answer key. Candidates can check their rank and score on consortiumofnlus.ac.in. The provisional merit list will be released in late March 2027, and counselling began in April 2027.