CLAT
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national-level entrance examination in India conducted for admissions to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs offered by 22 National Law Universities (NLUs) and several other private and public institutions.
About CLAT
The CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is a national-level entrance exam in India for admissions to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs offered by the National Law Universities (NLUs) and other participating institutions. The CLAT is highly competitive, and clearing it allows candidates access to premier law schools in India. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the CLAT exam.
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality: Indian citizens or NRIs can apply. Foreign nationals can apply for CLAT UG programs in some participating NLUs directly without taking the CLAT exam.
Educational Qualification:
- UG Program: Must have completed 10+2 (Class 12) or equivalent with a minimum of 45% marks for general category candidates and 40% for SC/ST candidates.
- PG Program: LL.B or equivalent law degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST candidates).
Age Limit: There is no upper age limit for CLAT UG or PG exams.
Syllabus Overview
English Language: Comprehension passages, vocabulary, grammar, sentence correction, and inference-based questions.
- Current Affairs & General Knowledge: Current events, history, geography, economics, general science, and contemporary events of national and international importance.
- Legal Reasoning: Legal principles, judgments, legal and factual scenarios, and application-based questions.
- Quantitative Techniques (Maths): Basic mathematics (up to Class 10 level), including ratios, algebra, percentages, and interpretation of graphical information.
Exam Structure
The CLAT exam pattern differs for undergraduate and postgraduate programs, focusing on legal reasoning, comprehension, and analytical skills.
Undergraduate Program (UG)
- Type: Offline (Pen and Paper)
- Mode: Objective (MCQ-based)
- Sections:
- English Language
- Current Affairs, including General Knowledge
- Legal Reasoning
- Logical Reasoning
- Quantitative Techniques
- Total Questions: 120 questions
- Duration: 2 hours
- Marking Scheme: +1 mark for each correct answer, -0.25 for each incorrect answer.
Postgraduate Program (PG)
- Type: Offline (Pen and Paper)
- Mode: Objective (MCQ) and Descriptive (for essay writing)
- Sections:
- Constitutional Law
- Jurisprudence
- Other areas of law (such as Contract, Torts, Criminal Law, International Law, etc.)
- Total Questions: 120 MCQs + 2 descriptive questions (essay type)
- Duration: 2 hours
Application Process Important Dates
- Mode of Application: Online
- Application Fee:
- General/OBC/PwD/NRI: INR 4,000
- SC/ST/BPL: INR 3,500
- Payment Mode: Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI
- Notification Release: Usually in December
- Application Window: January to March
- CLAT Exam Date: May (for the academic year starting in July/August)
- Result Declaration: June
- Counseling & Admission Process: June – July
Selection Process & Counseling
- UG Admission: Based on the candidate’s rank in the CLAT UG exam.
- PG Admission: Based on the CLAT PG exam score, followed by an interview (if required by specific institutions).
- Counseling: Conducted by the CLAT Consortium, with seats allotted based on rank, preferences, and availability. Candidates are required to pay a counseling fee to confirm their seats.