What is CLAT Full Form? Exam Details, Syllabus, Pattern, Eligibility & Preparation Tips

Are you also looking forward to making the country’s judicial system a better place but confused how to contribute? Studying at a law university is a perfect place for you. Not only do you participate in making the world a better place but also learn about the laws of your own nation.

This is an advantageous opportunity for you with CLAT 2026 examination happening at the end of the year. The application process begins from August 1st, 2025, for undergraduate and postgraduate programs to enroll in different National Law Universities (NLUs). You can stay updated through their official website: https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/.

Today’s articles focus on CLAT exam’s details including syllabus, pattern, eligibility, and preparation tips. Along with that, we will provide you with an overview of the degree one can pursue, and the job opportunities available. Stay tuned until the end of the article for the most asked questions.

Table of Content

What is CLAT?

The full form of CLAT is Common Law Admission Test. It is only conducted once a year. It is a national-level examination conducted throughout India for admissions to undergraduate and postgraduate courses at different NLUs. It guarantees admission to 5-year integrated LLB and 1-year postgraduate LLM course. There are about 26 National Law Universities (NLUs) throughout India which consents to admission through CLAT exam.

The CLAT entrance exam, unlike other exams, is pen and paper and not through computer-based exams. 61 universities enroll individuals through CLAT exams. And some universities accept the scores of CUET PG entrance exams.

Common Law Admission Test Eligibility

Individuals planning to appear in clat entrance exam should make sure to fill in the form before the deadline. Along with that, they must ensure that they can match the eligibility criteria for both Integrated LLB for undergraduate and LLM for postgraduate courses. Below is a guide to the eligibility criteria for the same:

For 5-years Integrated LLB

1. There is no upper age limit for appearing in CLAT for Integrated LLB
2. Candidates should have passed 10+2 from a recognized board scoring at least 45% of marks for UR and 40% marks in case the individual belongs to SC/ST/PwD categories.
3. Candidates appearing for March/ April examination 2025 are also eligible to apply. They need to present evidence of passing the examination at the time of admission. If they fail to provide one, they will lose their seat and admission.
4. There is no limit to attempts. If a candidate has appeared for CLAT 2025, they are also eligible to appear for CLAT 2026 and so on.

For 1-year LLM

1. There is no upper age limit for appearing in CLAT for LLM.
2. Candidates should have an LLB Degree or equivalent from a recognized university scoring 50% and above while belonging to General/ OBC/ NRI. Whereas a candidate from SC/ST/PwD should score 45% marks and above.
3. Candidates appearing for April/May examination 2025 are also eligible to apply.

Admission Procedure for CLAT

The admission procedure to the CLAT entrance exam is quite similar to other exams. Below is an easy explanation for you to be prepared in near future:

1. Registration and Form Filling: Candidates are required to register themselves through the website: https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/. Make sure to enter the correct details with respect to your mobile number, email, academic history, and other important details. Candidates are also requested to submit their preferences for different NLUs. Make sure to fill in the correct information.

The registration fee for General/PwD/NRI is INR 4,000.

The registration fee for SC/ST/BPL is INR 3,500.

2. CLAT Exam: Once the registration form is filled in and approved, candidates will receive an admit card and will appear for the CLAT Entrance Exam. Preparation for the same beforehand is appreciated as studying for a law degree is vast and the history is big enough to cover in less time.

3. Result and Merit List: Once CLAT Exam is done and dusted, the results will be announced in a while. The merit list will be released which is the most important for saving a seat in the top NLUs.

4. Counselling and Seat Allotment: Counselling is done on various factors including CLAT score, rank and preference. Counselling is also an important step of the admission process where depending on the university, one shows up to their counselling.

5. Document Verification and Seat Allotment: Documents are verified once you have decided which university you want to go to. After the documents are verified, seats are allocated to the candidates fulfilling all criteria.

CLAT Entrance Exam Pattern

Following below is a brief exam pattern which is common for both Integrated LLB and LLM:

CLAT Entrance Exam Syllabus

Preparing for CLAT entrance exam is of utmost importance. Depending on whether you want to get admission in 5-year Integrated LLB or 1-year postgraduate LLM degree, the syllabus is a little different. Below is a guide to the syllabus of the entrance exam:

5-years Integrated LLB

The questions focus on the comprehension and logical reasoning of the individual and are divided into five subjects:

1. English Language
2. Current Affairs (or General Knowledge)
3. Legal Reasoning
4. Logical Reasoning
5. Quantitative Techniques

1-year LLM

The exam is based on the undergraduate studies and gives a larger preference to its course subject including

1. Constitutional Law
2. Jurisprudence
3. Administrative Law
4. Law of Contract
5. Torts
6. Family Law
7. Criminal Law
8. Property Law
9. Company Law
10. Public International Law
11. Tax Law
12. Environmental Law
13. Labor & Industrial Law

CLAT Exam: Preparation Tips

Below are some preparation tips to help you out for your exam study:

1. Knowing the syllabus: It is crucial to know your syllabus in detail. Take time to understand your syllabus and exam pattern. Start preparing for the subject you find the most difficult.

2. Study Timetable: For an exam like CLAT, it is important to have a timetable to manage your studies as the subjects are mostly based on rote learning that takes a routine to get used to it.

3. Mock Test and Previous Year Paper: For any exam, referring to PYQs is always helpful as it helps you in the better understanding of exam pattern. Along with that, your areas of weakness can be highlighted with the help of these mock tests and PYQs.

4. General Knowledge: As the CLAT Exam also gives questions based on your general knowledge, reading newspapers and watching news to stay updated is crucial. Along with that, mock questions of everyday happening are also available on different platforms for free.

CLAT Exam: Job Opportunities

With the completion of CLAT Exam, one can be admitted into various law universities into different programs for UG and PG. Below mentioned are some of the possible job opportunities that are possible with Common Law Admission Test (CLAT):

Conclusion

Admissions to NLUs are about to open, changing the lives of so many students. Almost 60,000 students are expected to fill out the forms this year for UG courses. CLAT Exam is a heart-throbbing exam which requires a lot of hard work for individuals who want to stand out.

This article works as a guide for the students who are confused about how the admissions in clat exam take place. With a structured plan, you can be the future of the judicial system!

Frequently Asked Questions