CLAT 2027: Exam Date, Last Date, Eligibility, Pattern, Fee
by Consortium of National Law Universities
- Register by
- 31 Oct 2026
- exam date
- 6 Dec 2026
- Where
- Across India (incl. Maharashtra test centres)
- Who can join
- Class 12 with 45% (40% SC/ST/PwD), or appearing in 2027; no age limit
CLAT 2027 (Common Law Admission Test) is the entrance exam for five-year integrated law (UG) and LL.M. (PG) programmes at the National Law Universities, conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities. The exam is on Sunday, 6 December 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, in offline mode. As of 24 October 2026, online applications are open until 31 October 2026 (11:59 pm); there is no announced extension.
Key dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Press release with exam date | 22 July 2026 | Announced |
| Online application opens | 3 August 2026 | Announced |
| Last date to apply and pay | 31 October 2026, 11:59 pm | Announced |
| Admit card | To be announced on the CLAT website | Not announced |
| CLAT 2027 exam | 6 December 2026, 2:00–4:00 pm (2:00–4:40 pm for eligible PwD candidates) | Announced |
| Result and counselling | To be announced | Not announced |
The date is "subject to revision in case of necessity", according to the Consortium. Watch the CLAT website for the admit card date.
Eligibility (UG)
- Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent with at least 45% marks (40% for SC/ST/PwD candidates).
- Students appearing for the Class 12 exam in March/April 2027 can apply, but must show proof of passing at the time of admission.
- No upper age limit.
- Indian nationals, NRIs, PIO and OCI card holders can take CLAT. Foreign nationals cannot; they apply to NLUs directly.
For the LL.M. (PG) programme, see the PG instructions on the Consortium website.
Exam pattern (UG)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Questions | 120 multiple-choice questions |
| Marks | 1 mark each, 120 in total |
| Negative marking | −0.25 for every wrong answer |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Mode | Offline |
| Sections | English Language; Current Affairs including General Knowledge; Legal Reasoning; Logical Reasoning; Quantitative Techniques |
Syllabus
CLAT tests comprehension and reasoning, not prior knowledge of law. Most sections are passage-based, with passages of about 450 words.
- English Language: passages from fiction and non-fiction; main idea, inference, summary, word meaning.
- Current Affairs including General Knowledge: passages from news and non-fiction; Indian and world events, arts and culture, international affairs, historical events.
- Legal Reasoning: apply rules and principles given in the passage to fact situations. No prior legal knowledge is needed.
- Logical Reasoning: arguments, premises and conclusions, assumptions, analogies, contradictions.
- Quantitative Techniques: Class 10 level maths on given data: ratios and proportions, basic algebra, mensuration and statistical estimation.
If two candidates have equal marks, the tie is broken by higher marks in Legal Aptitude, then higher age, then a computerised draw of lots.
Application fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC (and NRI for PG) | ₹4,000 |
| SC / ST / BPL / PwD | ₹3,500 |
| Previous years' question papers (optional) | ₹500 extra |
The fee is paid online only and is non-refundable. Bank charges are extra. Once submitted and paid, you cannot change the programme, category or BPL field.
Documents to upload
- Recent passport-size photograph (plain background) and signature.
- Category certificate for SC/ST/OBC, PwD certificate or BPL certificate, if applicable.
- All documents in PDF format.
What the score is used for
CLAT scores are used for admission to the 26 member National Law Universities through the Consortium's counselling. Each NLU publishes its own intake, reservation and fee details in the information brochure on the Consortium website. NRI and NRI-sponsored seats are handled by the NLUs directly.
Tips for Maharashtra students
- Maharashtra has three member NLUs: Maharashtra National Law University Mumbai, Maharashtra National Law University Nagpur and Maharashtra National Law University Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Read their brochures on the Consortium site for any state domicile seats.
- If you have not yet applied, finish the form and payment before 31 October 2026, 11:59 pm. Incomplete forms are not considered.
Frequently asked questions
What is the CLAT 2027 exam date?
CLAT 2027 is on Sunday, 6 December 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, as announced by the Consortium of NLUs.
What is the last date to apply for CLAT 2027?
The last date to submit and pay is 31 October 2026, 11:59 pm. As of 24 October 2026, no extension has been announced.
Is there negative marking in CLAT?
Yes. Each correct answer gets 1 mark and 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer.
Is there an age limit for CLAT UG?
No. There is no upper age limit for the CLAT 2027 UG programme.
Can Class 12 students apply for CLAT 2027?
Yes. Students taking the Class 12 exam in March/April 2027 can apply and must show proof of passing at admission.
What is the CLAT 2027 application fee?
₹4,000 for General/OBC candidates and ₹3,500 for SC/ST/BPL/PwD candidates, paid online and non-refundable.
Official sources
- Consortium of National Law Universities
- CLAT 2027 press release, 22 July 2026
- CLAT 2027 UG instructions
- CLAT 2027 UG eligibility
- CLAT 2027 UG syllabus
Last checked 24 October 2026. Dates can change; always confirm on the official website.