CLAT EXAM 2024
CLAT stands for Common Law Admission Test, it is a nationwide entrance exam for top law schools in India. This exam acts as a single gateway for undergraduate and postgraduate law programs at 22 National Law Universities (NLUs) nationwide. The CLAT entrance exam is conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities. These prestigious NLUs are known for their academic excellence so if you aspire for a career in law, cracking CLAT is the first crucial step.
It is important to note that some private law schools and institutions also consider CLAT scores during the admission process. By clearing CLAT UG you can enroll yourself into undergraduate programs, integrated degrees like BA/BBA/B.Com/B.Sc/BSW LLB. Enrolling into postgraduate programs i.e. Master of Laws (LL.M) programs will require an individual to clear CLAT PG. The exam is annually held in December and the application process starts in July. This article will equip you with all the necessary details about the CLAT exam!
CLAT Eligibility Criteria
In order to be eligible for the exam, there are a few key requirements to ensure a fair and successful program. We’ve outlined some eligibility criteria below to help you determine if this opportunity is the right fit for you. Please review these details carefully to see if you qualify.
Eligibility criteria for CLAT UG:
Educational Qualification:
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- Any individual applying for CLAT UG must have completed a 10+2 or equivalent examination from a recognized board or university.
- Students who are applying for the exam in the same year as their Class 12 exam need to produce proof of passing the exam at the time of admission.
- Depending on your category the minimum marks required for the CLAT vary:
- General / OBC / PWD / NRI candidates: 45% marks in Class 12.
- SC / ST candidates: 40% marks in Class 12.
Educational Qualification:
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- When it comes to the upper age limit when applying for the CLAT exam there isn’t any.
Eligibility criteria for CLAT UG:
Educational Qualification:
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- Interested candidates from these categories General/ OBC/ PWD/ NRI/ PIO/ OCI are required to have an LLB or equivalent degree with a minimum 50% grade.
- Interested candidates from the SC/ ST category are required to have an LLB or equivalent degree with a minimum of 45% minimum grade.
- Candidates of Final Year LLB are also eligible to apply for CLAT PG.
Educational Qualification:
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- No upper age limit is marked for applying to CLAT PG.
CLAT Application process
To take the entrance exam, interested candidates need to first apply online for the exam. The application process for. CLAT 2025 is not open yet, but the following is the process for applying to appear in the examination as followed last year.-
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- Online Registration: Create an account using your mobile number and email ID on the website of the Consortium of National Law Universities.
- Application Form Filling: Fill out the application form with details like education, program preference etc.
- Uploading Documents: Upload scanned copies of the required documents as mentioned below.
- Fee Payment: For the final step you need to pay the application fee online.
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Documents Required:
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- Scanned copies of your Class 10 and 12 mark sheets
- ID and address proof (Aadhaar Card/Driving License/PAN Card, etc.)
- Photograph and Signature (as per specified format)
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- PwD or BPL certificate (if applicable)
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CLAT Application Fee
Interested candidates are also advised to check the list of documents required from the official website before applying.| Category | Application Fee (in INR) |
| General/OBC/PwD/NRI/PIO/OCI | Rs. 4,000 |
| SC/ST/BPL | Rs. 3500 |
CLAT Exam pattern
The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) conducts the CLAT exam for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programs in 22 National Law Universities (NLUs) spread across India. This exam has a fixed pattern that is followed every year. Students preparing for this exam need to be familiar with the pattern and syllabus to achieve their desired ranks and marks. The CLAT UG exam pattern is as follows:-
- Total Number of Questions: 120
- Total Marks: 120
- Marking Scheme:
- Each correct question carries 1 mark.
- 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong attempt.
- English Language (Including Comprehension): This section tests the candidate’s proficiency in the English language, including reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and usage.
- Current Affairs including General Knowledge: This section tests the candidate’s knowledge of current events, national and international affairs, science, and technology.
- Legal Reasoning:This section tests the candidate’s ability to identify legal issues, analyze legal principles, and apply legal reasoning to solve problems.
- Logical Reasoning:This section tests the candidate’s ability to identify patterns, analyze arguments, and draw conclusions.
- Quantitative Techniques: This section tests the candidate’s elementary mathematical abilities, including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data interpretation.
The CLAT PG exam pattern is as follows:
- It shall be 120 minutes in duration,
- The question paper will have 1 section
- The total number of questions would be 120 with an objective-type pattern
- Each question will carry 1 mark
- For every wrong answer, there will be a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer.
CLAT Syllabus
CLAT UG Syllabus
The Comprehension and reasoning skills and abilities of a candidate will be evaluated in the UG-CLAT. This exam acts as a single gateway for undergraduate and postgraduate law programs at 22 National Law Universities (NLUs) nationwide. These questions will be divided into the following 5 subjects:
- English Language
- Current Affairs, including General Knowledge
- Legal Reasoning
- Logical Reasoning
- Quantitative Techniques
English Language
Several passages of 450 words each will be provided in this section. It will require you to showcase your language skills in the questions that will be followed after each passage. It will also evaluate your abilities to:
- Read and comprehend
- Draw inferences and conclusions based on the passage;
- Summarise the passage;
- Compare and contrast
Current Affairs Including General Knowledge
Several passages of 450 words each will be provided in this section. It will require you to showcase your general knowledge and current affairs skills in the questions that will be followed after each passage. It will also evaluate your abilities to:
- Contemporary events of significance from India and the world;
- Arts and culture;
- International affairs; and
- Historical events of continuing significance.
Legal Reasoning
Several passages of 450 words each will be provided in this section. It will require you to showcase your comprehension skills in the questions that will be followed after each passage. Legal matters, public policy or moral philosophical enquiries would be mentioned in the passages. It will also evaluate your abilities to:
- Recognizing and understanding the rules, laws and principles mentioned in the passage;
- Further applying such rules to different situations and scenarios; and
- Moreover, understanding the effect on the situations if the rules are changed.
Logical Reasoning
Several passages of 450 words each will be provided in this section. It will require you to showcase your reasoning skills in the questions that will be followed after each passage. Scenarios, arguments or moral philosophical enquiries will be mentioned in the passages. It will also evaluate your abilities to:
- Recognise an argument, its premises and conclusions;
- Read and identify the arguments set out in the passage;
- MCritically analyse patterns of reasoning,
- Infer what follows from the passage,
- Draw relationships and analogies
Quantitative Techniques
Several passages of 450 words each will be provided in this section. It will require you to showcase your mathematical skills in the questions that will be followed after each passage. Applying mathematical operations to questions from this passage will be required. It will also evaluate your abilities to:
- Derive, infer, and manipulate numerical information set out in such passages; and
- Apply various mathematical operations on such information, including from areas such as ratios and proportions, basic algebra, mensuration and statistical estimation.
CLAT- PG Syllabus
The question paper of CLAT- PG will be based on the compulsory subjects of the undergraduate program that are required to be eligible for the exam. This will include Administrative Law, Constitutional Law, Company Law, Jurisprudence, Law of Contract, Environmental Law, Torts, Family Law, Criminal Law, Tax Law, Property Law, Public International Law, and Labour & Industrial Law.
You will be provided extracts from primary legal materials in the first section and each extract will be followed by several questions that will require you to showcase the:
- Ability to read and comprehend the issues discussed in the passage;
- Awareness of the issues discussed in the passage,
- Summarise the passage; and
- Ability to apply your knowledge of the fields of law discussed in the passage.
CLAT- PG Syllabus
CLAT Preparation tips
Planning and Scheduling:
- Start Early: The earlier you begin your preparation, the more time you’ll have to make your understanding of the material strong.
- Make a Schedule: Create a realistic study schedule that divides time for each section of the CLAT and follow it as much as possible..
- Identify Strengths and Weaknesses: Take a practice test or mock test to identify your strengths and weaknesses in each section. Focus on improving your weaker areas.
Section-Specific Strategies:
- Logical Reasoning & Legal Reasoning: Practice identifying patterns, arguments, and materials.
- Quantitative Techniques: Sharpen your math skills with a focus on areas like percentages, averages, and ratios.
- Current Affairs & General Knowledge: Stay updated on current events by following reliable news sources and reading newspapers. Develop a strong understanding of Indian polity, history, and geography.
- English Language: Improve your reading comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar skills through regular reading and practice exercises.
Additional Tips:
- Develop Good Reading Habits: Extensive reading of newspapers, magazines, and quality literature will improve your reading comprehension, vocabulary, and overall understanding of the English language.
- Stay Focused and Motivated: Preparing for the CLAT can be demanding. Stay focused on your goals and find ways to stay motivated throughout your preparation journey.
- Take Care of Yourself: Ensure you get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and take breaks to avoid burnout.
CLAT Resources to study
There are many resources available to help you study for the CLAT exam. Here are a few of the most popular options:
- Books: There are several books available that cover the different sections of the CLAT exam.
- Online courses: There are several online courses available that can help you prepare for the CLAT exam. These courses can provide you with structured learning, practice questions, and feedback from instructors.
- Mock tests: Taking mock tests is a great way to get used to the format of the CLAT exam and to identify your areas of strength and weakness. There are several websites and coaching institutes that offer mock tests for the CLAT exam.
- Current affairs- It is important to be up-to-date on current affairs for the CLAT exam. You can stay up-to-date by reading newspapers, magazines, and online news websites.
CLAT Cutoff
The CLAT cut-off marks are not released as a single, fixed number. Instead, they are released in the form of opening and closing ranks by each National Law University (NLU) after the conclusion of the counselling rounds.
There are a few factors that can affect the CLAT cut-off marks for a particular year:
- The difficulty level of the CLAT exam The number of students who take the exam
- The number of seats available at each NLU
What is CLAT?
CLAT stands for the Common Law Admission Test. It’s an entrance exam for undergraduate and postgraduate law programs in 22 National Law Universities (NLUs) and other participating institutions in India.
When is CLAT held?
The exam is typically held in December each year. Information on the date for CLAT 2025 is likely to be available later this year.
What is the format of the CLAT exam?
CLAT is a pen and paper-based exam consisting of 120 objective-type questions.
What are the sections tested in CLAT-UG?
The exam covers five sections: Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Techniques, English Language Comprehension, and Current Affairs including General Knowledge.
Is there a minimum cut-off score for CLAT?
No, there is no specific minimum cut-off score to qualify for CLAT. Admission to NLUs is based on your rank in the exam, relative to other test-takers.
What are some resources to prepare for CLAT?
Numerous resources are available, including guidebooks, online coaching platforms, and mock tests. Legal news websites and current affairs publications can also be helpful for the General Knowledge section.
What are the top NLUs in India?
The rankings can vary slightly from year to year, but some of the consistently top-ranked NLUs include the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bangalore, Rajiv Gandhi School of Law Punjab University Chandigarh, and Hidayatullah National Law University Raipur.
When will the counselling process for CLAT begin?
The counselling process typically takes place after the exam results are announced. Specific dates will depend on the CLAT conducting authority.
