CLAT – Common Law Admission Test

CLAT is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) for admission to undergraduate (BA LLB) and postgraduate (LLM) law programs offered by 22 National Law Universities in India. It is one of the most prestigious exams for students aspiring to pursue a career in law.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Undergraduate Program (BA LLB):

   • Must have passed or be appearing for Class 12 or equivalent with at least 45% marks (40% for SC/ST candidates) in the qualifying exam.
   • Candidates must be under the age of 20 years (22 years for SC/ST candidates) at the time of admission.

2. Postgraduate Program (LLM):

   • Must have a 3-year LLB degree or a 5-year integrated LLB degree from a recognized university.
   • Minimum aggregate of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST candidates) in the qualifying exam.

Application Process

1. Registration: Visit the official CLAT website (https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in) and create an account for registration.
2. Form Submission: Fill out the application form with personal, academic, and contact information.
3. Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of photographs, signatures, and other required documents.
4. Fee Payment: Pay the application fee online using debit/credit cards, UPI, or net banking.
5. Admit Card: Download the admit card once it is released.

Exam Pattern

• Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT).
• Sections:
  • English Language (28-32 questions).
  • Current Affairs, General Knowledge (35-39 questions).
  • Legal Reasoning (35-39 questions).
  • Logical Reasoning (28-32 questions).
  • Quantitative Techniques (13-17 questions).
• Total Questions: 150.
• Marking Scheme: +1 for correct answers, -0.25 for incorrect answers.
• Duration: 2 hours.

Syllabus

The CLAT syllabus is designed to test candidates' knowledge and skills in various areas:

1. English Language: Reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and verbal ability.
2. Current Affairs & General Knowledge: National and international news, awards, sports, and events.
3. Legal Reasoning: Legal propositions, principles, and reasoning through them.
4. Logical Reasoning: Verbal reasoning, puzzles, logical deductions.
5. Quantitative Techniques: Basic mathematical skills, number series, and data interpretation.

A detailed syllabus is available on the official CLAT website.

Admission Process

1. Appear for the CLAT exam and obtain a valid score.
2. Participate in the centralized counseling process organized by the Consortium.
3. Seat allocation is based on CLAT rank, preferences, and availability of seats.
4. Complete the admission procedure by submitting documents and paying the fee.

Colleges Accepting CLAT

• National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore.
• National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad.
• National Law University (NLU), Delhi.
• National Law University, Jodhpur.
• National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal.
• National Law University, Odisha.
• Other National Law Universities (NLUs) participating in CLAT.

Important Dates

• Application Start: January.
• Application Deadline: March.
• Admit Card Release: April.
• Exam Date: May.
• Result Announcement: May-June.
• Counseling Start: June-July.