Get complete details on CLAT 2026 including eligibility, registration process, important dates, exam pattern, syllabus, and the list of NLUs accepting CLAT scores. Prepare for India’s premier law entrance exam for UG and LLM programs.
Table of Contents
- CLAT Exam 2026 Highlights
- What Are the CLAT 2026 Exam Dates and Important Events?
- Who Will Conduct CLAT 2026?
- Which Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programs Are Offered via CLAT 2026?
- How to Register for CLAT Exam 2026?
- What Are the Eligibility Criteria for CLAT 2026?
- CLAT Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme 2026
- CLAT Syllabus 2026
- Which NLUs Will Accept CLAT 2026 Scores?
CLAT 2026 is an all-India centralised law entrance exam in India, conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs). The Consortium has released that the CLAT 2026 first merit list on January 7, 2026 and students who have enrolled for CLAT 2026 counselling process can check the seat allotment list. The payment of confirmation fee for freeze and float options and admission by NLUs for first allotment list can be done untill January 7 to 15, 2026.
It opens doors to undergraduate (BA LLB) and postgraduate (LLM) programs at top law institutions across the country. CLAT 2026 counselling registration for CLAT 2026 got over on December 27, 2025.
CLAT 2026 result was declared on December 16, 2025 along with CLAT 2026 final answer key and candidates can now download their scorecards on consortiumofnlus.ac.in. The National Law University conducts the CLAT exam annually via offline mode. CLAT 2026 was conducted by the National Law University Odisha (NLUO), Cuttack.
Candidates can use CLAT to apply for admission to any of the NLU's campuses. CLAT scores are taken into consideration for admission by a number of additional law schools and universities outside of the NLUs. However, the candidates need to make sure they meet the requirements set forth by such institutions.
16 National Law Universities in India provide admission to those who pass the CLAT. It has been regarded as one of India's most difficult admission tests.
CLAT Exam 2026 Highlights
The important highlights of the CLAT exam are tabulated below for candidates' reference:
| Parameter | Details |
| Full Form | Common Law Admission Test |
| Conducting Body | Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) |
| Organizing University | National Law University Odisha (NLUO), Cuttack |
| Courses Offered | BA LLB, LLM |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Language | English |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Total Questions | UG – 150 PG – 120 |
| Negative Marking | Yes, 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer |
| Official Website | www.consortiumofnlus.ac.in |
| Helpdesk Contact Numbers | +91 97415 21069 +91 94825 67257 (Bengaluru) +91 84807 18979 (Odisha) |
Also Check: 110+ Important Vocabulary Words for CLAT Exam 2026
What Are the CLAT 2026 Exam Dates and Important Events?
The Consortium of National Law Universities has announced the date of the CLAT 2026 exam via an official notice, and the CLAT exam 2026 was scheduled on Dec 7, 2025.
Candidates must check the CLAT expected exam date 2026 shared in the table below.
| Important Event | Date |
| Official Notification | Jul 20, 2025 |
| Online Application Starts | Aug 1, 2025 |
| Sample Paper Release | Second week of Sep 2025 |
| Online Application Ends | Oct 31, 2025 |
| Application Form Correction Window | Oct 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | Nov 22, 2025 |
| CLAT Exam Date | Dec 7, 2025 |
| Provisional Answer Key Date | Dec 10, 2025 |
| Answer Key Objection Window | Dec 10 to Dec 12, 2025 |
| Final Answer Key Release Date | Dec 16, 2025 |
| CLAT Results Date | Dec 27, 2025 |
Who Will Conduct CLAT 2026?
The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) is responsible for organizing the CLAT exam every year. CLAT 2026 will be conducted by the National Law University Odisha (NLUO), Cuttack.
Also Check: Top 15 Landmark Supreme Court Cases Relevant for CLAT Preparation
Which Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programs Are Offered via CLAT 2026?
CLAT 2026 offers both UG and PG law courses. The postgraduate course available is Master of Law (LLM) and for undergraduate courses BA LLB, BBA LLB, BCom LLB, BSc LLB, and BTech LLB.
These courses combine law with arts, business administration, commerce, science, or technology, providing diverse options for students aspiring to pursue a career in law.
| Name of the Course | Exam | Course Level | Duration |
| Master of Law | CLAT PG | PG | 3 Years |
| Bachelor of Arts + Bachelor of Law (BA LLB) | CLAT UG | UG | 5 Years |
| Bachelor of Business Administration + Bachelor of Law (BBA LLB) | CLAT UG | UG | 5 Years |
| Bachelor of Commerce + Bachelor of Law (BCom LLB) | CLAT UG | UG | 5 Years |
| Bachelor of Science + Bachelor of Law (BSc LLB) | CLAT UG | UG | 5 Years |
| Bachelor of Technology + Bachelor of Law (BTech LLB) | CLAT UG | UG | 5 Years |
Also Check: CLAT Mock Test: Practice Papers, Free Tests & Preparation Strategy
How to Register for CLAT Exam 2026?
Candidates can register for CLAT 2026 by following the instructions listed below.
Step 1: Applicants must go to consortiumofnlus.ac.in, the NLUs consortium's official website.
Step 2: Locate and click the 'CLAT 2026' link.
Step 3: The screen will display a login panel.
Step 4: Go ahead and sign up.
Step 5: Create a password and submit your name and mobile number in the CLAT registration form.
Step 6: Following submission, the candidate's registered mobile number will receive an OTP. Candidates are required to maintain the confidentiality of this OTP.
Step 7: To finish the CLAT registration procedure, confirm the mobile number.
Also Check: How to Plan for CLAT Reattempt: Tips for Better Preparation
What Are the Eligibility Criteria for CLAT 2026?
CLAT 2026 UG Eligibility Criteria: Candidates who passed the 10+2 exam or an equivalent one with at least: 45 percent (45%) of the possible points or their grade equivalent, or 40 percent (40%) of the possible points or equivalent for candidates who fall into the SC, ST, or PwD categories.
- There is no upper age limit for applicants to the CLAT 2026 UG Program.
CLAT 2026 PG Eligibility Criteria: Applicants who have scored at least fifty percent (50%) of the possible points on an LL.B. degree or an equivalent test;
- For applicants who are considered under SC, ST, or PwD categories, forty-five percent (45%) of the possible points or their equivalent grade
- There is no upper age limit for applicants to the CLAT 2026 PG Program.
Also Check: CLAT Exam Pattern 2026: Section-wise weightage, Marking Scheme
CLAT Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme 2026
The CLAT exam pattern and marking scheme of CLAT UG and PG courses are tabulated below for candidates reference:
| Paper | UG | PG |
| Duration | 2 hours | 2 hours |
| Questions | 150 | 120 |
| Mode | Offline/Online | Offline/Online |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 per wrong answer | 0.25 per wrong answer |
| Subjects | English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Techniques | Legal subjects and research aptitude |
Also Check: 10 Tips to Manage Anxiety & Stress While Giving CLAT 2026
CLAT Syllabus 2026
The CLAT syllabus for both UG and PG courses are listed below:
CLAT UG Syllabus:
- English Language Comprehension
- General Knowledge & Current Affairs
- Legal Reasoning
- Logical Reasoning
- Basic Quantitative Techniques
CLAT PG Syllabus:
- Constitutional Law
- Administrative Law
- Criminal Law
- Research Aptitude
Also Check: Top Tips to Crack CLAT 2026 in First Attempt
Which NLUs Will Accept CLAT 2026 Scores?
CLAT Colleges 2026 offers admission to undergraduate and graduate programs at 26 National Law Universities (NLUs), CLAT-affiliated colleges, and private universities that accept CLAT scores.
The registration, merit list publication, and seat distribution steps of the counseling process for CLAT Participating Colleges 2026 are all completed online.
| University Name | Location | Courses Offered |
| Bengaluru, Karnataka | 5-year BA LLB (Hons.), 3-year LLB (Hons.), LLM, Master's in Public Policy, PhD in Law | |
| National Academy of Legal Study & Research (NALSAR) University of Law, Hyderabad | Hyderabad, Telangana | 5-year BA LLB (Hons.), 3-year LLB (Hons.), LLM, MBA in Business Laws, PhD in Law |
| National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal | Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh | 5-year BA LLB (Hons.), LLM (Constitutional & Administrative Law, Human Rights & Criminal Law, Intellectual Property & Business Law), PhD in Law |
| The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata | Kolkata, West Bengal | 5-year BA LLB (Hons.), 3-year LLB (Hons.), LLM, MSc in Forensic Science, M.Phil, PhD in Law |
| National Law University, Jodhpur | Jodhpur, Rajasthan | 5-year BA LLB (Hons.), BBA LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD in Law |
| Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur | Raipur, Chhattisgarh | 5-year BA LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD in Law |
| Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar | Gandhinagar, Gujarat | 5-year BA/BCom/BBA/BSc/BSW LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD in Law |
| GNLU Silvassa Campus | Silvassa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli | 5-year BA LLB (Hons.), LLM |
| Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU), Lucknow | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | 5-year BA LLB (Hons.), LLM |
| Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNLU), Patiala | Patiala, Punjab | 5-year BA LLB (Hons.), 3-year LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD in Law |
| Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna | Patna, Bihar | 5-year BA LLB (Hons.), 3-year LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD in Law |
| National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), Kochi | Kochi, Kerala | 5-year BA LLB (Hons.), LLM |
| National Law University Odisha (NLUO), Cuttack | Cuttack, Odisha | 5-year BA LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD in Law |
| National University of Study & Research in Law (NUSRL), Ranchi | Ranchi, Jharkhand | 5-year BA LLB (Hons.), LLM, PhD in Law |
| National Law University & Judicial Academy (NLUJA), Assam | Guwahati, Assam | 5-year BA LLB (Hons.), LLM |
| Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU), Visakhapatnam | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh | 5-year BA LLB (Hons.), LLM |
| The Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU), Tiruchirapalli | Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu | 5-year BA LLB (Hons.), LLM |
| Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Mumbai | Mumbai, Maharashtra | 5-year BA LLB (Hons.), LLM |
| Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur | Nagpur, Maharashtra | 5-year BA LLB (Hons.), LLM |
| Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad | Aurangabad, Maharashtra | 5-year BA LLB (Hons.), LLM |
| Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU), Shimla | Shimla, Himachal Pradesh | 5-year BA LLB (Hons.), LLM |
| Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU) | Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh | 5-year BA LLB (Hons.), LLM |
| Dr. B R Ambedkar National Law University (DBRANLU) | Sonipat, Haryana | 5-year BA LLB (Hons.), LLM |
| National Law University (NLU) | Tripura, Tripura | 5-year BA LLB (Hons.), LLM |
CLAT 2026 serves as a gateway for aspiring law students to pursue a rewarding career in the field of law. Candidates aiming for an undergraduate integrated program or a postgraduate LLM course can appear for the CLAT examination and can get admission into India’s most prestigious National Law Universities.
Also Check: How to Balance CLAT Preparation with Class 11 & 12 School Studies: Check Study Techniques
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