For admission to undergraduate (UG) and graduate (PG) legal programs provided by 25 National Law Universities in India, the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national level entrance exam.
The Consortium of National Law Universities, which consists of representative universities, organizes CLAT. The CLAT test is also used by a number of affiliated colleges and organizations for recruiting and admissions, respectively. The CLAT 2026 will be used for all admissions to the five-year integrated LL.B. and LL.M. programs that start in the Academic Year 2026–2027.
Key Updates –
- According to a press statement from the Consortium of National Law Universities, the CLAT 2026 exam will take place on Sunday, December 7, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
- Beginning on August 1, 2025, the application portal for CLAT 2026 will be operational until October 31, 2025, which is the deadline for applications.
CLAT Notification 2026
The CLAT 2026 test date was announced by the Consortium on July 20, 2025, along with the formal announcement. All of the information about the application's start and finish dates was contained in this notice.
This release initially caused a scheduling conflict with AILET 2026, however now that everything has been resolved; NLU Delhi is moving the dates to December 14, 2025.
There were no further surprises in the CLAT 2026 Notification, including no changes to the qualifying requirements or exam patterns.
|
Test Highlights |
Details |
|
Full Form |
CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) |
|
Test Conducting Body |
The Consortium of National Law Universities |
|
Test Level |
UG |
|
Test Frequency |
Once a year |
|
Test Mode |
Offline |
|
Test Duration |
120 Minutes |
|
Test Language |
English |
|
Test Purpose |
Admissions to BA LLB, BCom LLB, BSc LLB, BBA LLB, BSW LLB, and LLM courses |
CLAT 2026 Registration Date
According to the official announcement, registration for CLAT 2026 will open on August 1, 2025, and run until October 31, 2025. Only the Consortium of NLUs' official website (consortiumofnlus.ac.in) will include the application form.
Applicants must register, submit their personal information, upload the necessary files, and pay the application cost before the deadline. Candidates are urged not to wait until the last minute since no extensions have been issued as of yet. Additionally, early registration helps you maintain focus on your CLAT 2026 study and secure your preferred exam locations.
CLAT 2026 Notification Release Date
On July 20, 2025, the Consortium of National Law Universities issued the formal CLAT 2026 announcement. The exam date, time, and application timeline were all verified in the press release.
CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern
There are 120 multiple-choice questions in the CLAT test format, and each one is worth one mark.
The exam lasts for two hours in total. One mark is given for each right response, and 0.25 marks are subtracted as negative marking for each wrong response.
The exam is administered offline, using pen and paper.
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Particulars |
Details |
|
Mode of CLAT 2026 Exam |
Offline (Pen and paper) |
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CLAT 2026 Exam Duration |
2 hours (120 minutes) |
|
Language |
English |
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Type of Questions |
Multiple-choice Questions |
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Total Marks in CLAT |
120 for UG 120 for PG |
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CLAT Marking Scheme |
+1 marks for every correct answer -0.25 marks for every wrong answer |
CLAT 2026 Registration: How to Apply?
The CLAT 2026 application period will open on August 1, 2025. A detailed instruction on how to apply for the CLAT 2026 test can be found below:
- Visit the Consortium of NLUs' official website.
- After this, enter details such as your name, mobile number, email ID, and other details to register yourself.
- Generate user ID and password and start filling the application form details such as personal, academic, and contact details.
- Choose your preferred test centers.
- Upload the below documents –
- Candidate's signature
- Category certificate if applying under SC, ST, or OBC
- Relevant certificate issued by competent authority if applying under PwD category
- Relevant certificate issued by competent authority if applying under BPL category
- Front-facing passport-size recent photo with plain background
NOTE:
- At the time of admission, the designated university must receive the authentic certificates and papers issued by the appropriate authorities as listed in the brochure in the format and style prescribed by the individual university.
- All papers and certifications must be supplied in PDF format only; the candidate's signature and photo do not need to be authenticated when completing the online application form.
- Depending on where you choose to study, you will be prompted to choose your preferred NLU sequence.
- Use a debit/credit card, net banking, or UPI to make the online application fee payment.
Note:
- General and OBC applicants must pay an application fee of Rs. 4,000.
- SC, ST, BPL, and PwD candidates must pay an application fee of Rs. 3,500.
- Previous years' question papers cost Rs. 500 and are not covered by the Rs. 4,000 or Rs. 3,500 application fee for CLAT 2026, respectively.
- Check your application, make sure all the information is accurate, and then send it in.
- Download and store the confirmation page for your records after submitting successfully.
- Once the application window opens, you can successfully register for CLAT 2026 by following these procedures.
CLAT 2026 Important Dates
|
Event |
Timeline |
|
Release of CLAT admission notification |
July 20, 2025 |
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Start of online CLAT application form |
August 1, 2025 |
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Last date to submit the CLAT application form |
October 31, 2025 |
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Release of CLAT 2026 admit card |
Mid-November 2025 (Tentative) |
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CLAT exam date 2026 |
December 07, 2025; 2-4 PM |
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Release of provisional CLAT answer key |
December 8-9, 2025 (Tentative) |
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Release of the CLAT final answer key |
Second week of December 2025 (Tentative) |
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Declaration of CLAT results |
Second week of December 2025 (Tentative) |
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Commencement of CLAT counseling |
December 15, 2025 (Tentative) |
Conclusion
CLAT 2026 marks a crucial opportunity for aspiring law students aiming to secure admission to India's top National Law Universities. With the exam scheduled for December 7, 2025, and the registration window open from August 1 to October 31, 2025, candidates should begin their preparation early and stay updated with official notifications from the Consortium of NLUs.
As one of the most competitive law entrance exams in the country, success in CLAT requires consistent effort, conceptual clarity, and regular practice. Applicants are advised to complete their registration well before the deadline, keep their documents ready, and plan their study strategy in alignment with the latest exam pattern.
Staying informed and disciplined throughout the process will ensure a smooth application experience and increase the chances of securing admission to a prestigious NLU for the Academic Year 2026–2027.