Your journey to becoming a lawyer begins here! The Consortium of NLUs released the CLAT 2026 notification on 20 July 2025, and applications went live on 1 August 2025 at 8 PM. The CLAT 2026 exam date is fixed for 7 December 2025 (2 – 4 PM). Read on for everything you need to know: important dates, eligibility, application steps, exam pattern, syllabus, and smart preparation tips from GICE Academy.
CLAT 2026 Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Consortium of National Law Universities |
| Notification Release | 20 July 2025 |
| Registration Start | 1 August 2025, 8 PM |
| Last Date to Apply | 31 October 2025 |
| Application Mode | Online at consortiumofnlus.ac.in |
| Exam Date | 7 December 2025 (2 – 4 PM) |
| Mode & Duration | Offline, 120 minutes |
| Total Questions | 120 |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for correct, –0.25 for wrong |
| Sections | English, GK/Current Affairs, Logical & Legal Reasoning, Quantitative Techniques |
| Official Website | consortiumofnlus.ac.in |
CLAT 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date / Window |
|---|---|
| Notification Published | 20 July 2025 |
| Online Registration Opens | 1 August 2025 (8 PM) |
| Last Date to Submit Application & Fees | 31 October 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | Mid-November 2025 (T) |
| CLAT 2026 Exam | 7 December 2025 |
| Provisional Answer Key | 8–9 December 2025 (T) |
| Final Answer Key & Results | Second week Dec 2025 (T) |
| Counselling Begins | 15 December 2025 (T) |
Note: (T) Tentative. Always verify on the official website.
CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
For UG Program
- Educational: Passed Class XII (or equivalent) by April 2025.
- Minimum Marks: 45% for Gen/OBC/PwD; 40% for SC/ST.
- Age Limit: None.
For PG Program
- Educational: LLB degree with ≥ 50% (Gen/OBC/PwD) or ≥ 45% (SC/ST).
- Final-year LLB students: May apply provisionally; must submit passing proof by counselling.
How to Apply: CLAT 2026 Application Form
- Register at consortiumofnlus.ac.in → “CLAT 2026” → “New Registration.”
- Verify mobile & email via OTP.
- Fill personal, academic, category, and preference details.
- Upload scanned photo (≤ 500 KB) and signature (≤ 100 KB).
- Choose three exam cities in order of preference.
- Pay the exam fee online (see fee chart below).
- Submit and download confirmation for future reference.
CLAT 2026 Fee Structure
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / PIO / NRI / OCI | ₹4,000 |
| SC / ST / BPL / PwD | ₹3,500 |
Fees are non-refundable.
CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern & Sectional Weightage
| Section | No. of Qs | Weightage | Time (min) |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 24 | 20% | 120 total |
| General Knowledge & Current Affairs | 28 | 25% | (split) |
| Legal Reasoning | 32 | 25% | across |
| Logical Reasoning | 24 | 20% | sections |
| Quantitative Techniques | 12 | 10% | |
| Total | 120 | 100% | 120 |
- All MCQs | +1 for correct | – 0.25 for wrong
- Sectional timing (check admit card for exact split).
CLAT 2026 Syllabus Overview
| Section | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| English Language | RC passages, inference, grammar, vocabulary |
| GK & Current Affairs | National/international events, law news, arts & culture, static GK |
| Legal Reasoning | Facts & scenarios, legal propositions, moral philosophy |
| Logical Reasoning | Puzzles, sequences, syllogisms, logical puzzles |
| Quantitative Techniques | Arithmetic, data interpretation, elementary algebra & geometry |
CLAT 2026 Preparation Tips by GICE Academy
- Structured Study Plan:
- Dedicate daily slots: 1 hr English, 1 hr Current Affairs, 1 hr Logic & Legal, 30 min Maths.
- Reading Habit:
- Read editorials, law journals, and 450-word passages to boost speed & comprehension.
- Mock Tests & Analysis:
- Weekly full-length mocks under exam conditions; review errors immediately.
- Flashcards & Notes:
- Create one-page notes for legal definitions, current-affairs facts, and formulae.
- Revision Cycles:
- In final 2 months, revise each section twice weekly; focus on weak areas.
- Time Management Drills:
- Solve 10–15 questions in timed mini-quizzes to build pacing skills.
CLAT 2026 Expected Cutoffs
| NLU | Anticipated Cutoff Percentile |
|---|---|
| NLSIU Bengaluru | 90+ |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 88+ |
| NLUJ Jodhpur | 85+ |
| NLU Odisha | 83+ |
| HNLU Raipur | 80+ |
Cutoffs vary by category & seat availability. Confirm on NLU websites after results.
CLAT 2026 Counselling & Seat Allotment
- Merit List: Released soon after results; rank-based.
- Online Counselling: Register, pay counselling fee (Gen ₹30,000; others ₹20,000), and choose from:
- Freeze – Accept seat.
- Float – Upgrade option.
- Exit – Withdraw from further rounds.
- Document Verification: Carry original and photocopies of admit card, scorecard, class X/XII mark-sheets, category certificates, ID proof.
CLAT 2026 Exam Centers
Choose any three from 139 cities nationwide, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, Patna, Guwahati, and more. Full list on the official website.
Conclusion & Next Steps
The CLAT 2026 exam date is set—now is the time to plan and prepare. With GICE Academy’s proven strategies, live classes, and mock-test series, you’ll enter exam day confident and ready.
Action Points:
- Complete your application by 31 October 2025.
- Download admit card in mid-November.
- Follow the study plan above and take regular mocks.
- Keep updated on answer keys, results, and counselling dates.
Good luck, and may your CLAT 2026 journey lead you to one of India’s top NLUs!
CLAT 2026 – FAQs
- When is the CLAT 2026 exam?
– 7 December 2025, 2–4 PM (offline pen-paper test). - How do I apply?
– Register and submit your form online at consortiumofnlus.ac.in by 31 October 2025. - What’s the eligibility for UG?
– Class XII pass with ≥ 45% (Gen/OBC/PwD) or ≥ 40% (SC/ST); no upper age limit. - What’s the marking scheme?
– +1 for each correct answer; –0.25 for each wrong answer; 120 MCQs total. - When will results be out?
– Expected in the second week of December 2025, on the official CLAT portal.
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