CLAT 2027: Last Date 31 Oct, Exam Pattern and Prep Plan

If you want to study law at a National Law University (NLU), you have until 31 October 2026 to register for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2027. The exam itself is on Sunday, 6 December 2026, from 2 PM to 4 PM, as per the schedule announced by the Consortium of NLUs. That gives you about seven weeks to prepare once your form is in.

This guide covers the key dates, fees, eligibility and exam pattern, a short study plan, and what a law degree can lead to.

CLAT 2027 key dates

Apply only on the official website, consortiumofnlus.ac.in. The Consortium can revise dates, so check it regularly.

Application fee

Previous years’ question papers can be bought with the form for an extra Rs 500. The fee is non-refundable, so check your details before paying.

Who can apply (UG programme)

• You must have passed Class 12 or equivalent with at least 45% marks (40% for SC, ST and PwD candidates).
• Students appearing for Class 12 in March or April 2027 can apply, but must show their pass certificate at admission.
• There is no upper age limit for the UG programme.

CLAT scores are used for admission to the five-year integrated law programmes (BA LLB, BBA LLB and similar) at 27 participating NLUs, and many private law schools and public sector units also use CLAT scores.

CLAT 2027 exam pattern (UG)

CLAT is a pen-and-paper exam with 120 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours.

• +1 for each correct answer.
• −0.25 for each wrong answer.
• No marks are lost for unanswered questions.

The paper is passage-based: almost every question comes from a reading passage. That means reading speed and comprehension decide most of your score, even in the legal and logical sections.

How to fill the CLAT 2027 form

1. Go to consortiumofnlus.ac.in and click the CLAT 2027 registration link.
2. Register with your mobile number and email, and verify with OTPs.
3. Log in and fill personal, academic and category details.
4. Choose the UG programme and give your order of NLU preferences. You can usually change preferences later, before counselling begins, but choose thoughtfully.
5. Pick your test centre preferences.
6. Upload your photograph, signature and category certificate if applicable.
7. Pay the fee online and download the confirmation.

How to order your NLU preferences

Your preference list decides where you are allotted a seat during counselling, so give it real thought.

• Look beyond the name. Compare each NLU’s fees, hostel facilities, placement record and city. Fees differ a lot between NLUs.
• Check domicile reservation. Many NLUs reserve seats for students from their own state. If you qualify, it can raise your chances at your home-state NLU.
• Be realistic. Look at the previous year’s closing ranks on the Consortium website for your category, and place a few NLUs you can comfortably reach.
• Talk to current students. Alumni groups and college fests are a good way to hear about campus life honestly.

A 7-week plan to 6 December

Weeks 1 and 2: build the base

• Read one quality newspaper editorial page every day, and note down three current affairs points.
• Take one full mock to find your weak sections.
• Revise basic maths for Quantitative Techniques: percentages, ratios, averages and data tables (Class 10 level).

Weeks 3 and 4: section practice

• Do two passages each of Legal Reasoning and Logical Reasoning daily, timed.
• Revise current affairs from the last 12 months, focusing on national and international events, awards, reports and major court judgments.
• Take two full mocks a week and analyse every wrong answer.

Weeks 5 and 6: mock phase

• Move to three mocks a week, taken at 2 PM to match the real exam.
• Decide your order of sections. Many students start with English or Legal Reasoning to warm up.
• Keep an error log; revise it every Sunday.

Week 7: taper

• One last mock no later than 3 December.
• Light revision of current affairs notes and legal principles.
• Check your admit card, test centre and travel plan.

Exam day tips

• Carry your printed admit card and a valid photo ID.
• Use a blue or black ballpoint pen; it is an OMR sheet.
• Do not spend more than 1.5 minutes on any question. Skip and return.
• With −0.25 per wrong answer, an educated guess after removing two options is usually worth taking. Blind guessing is not.

What a law degree can lead to

A five-year law degree opens more paths than courtroom practice. Common options include:

• Litigation: practising in trial courts, high courts or the Supreme Court.
• Corporate law firms: mergers, contracts, compliance and capital markets work.
• In-house legal teams at companies, banks and startups.
• Judicial services: state judicial service exams to become a civil judge.
• Public policy, research and think tanks.
• Higher studies: LLM in India or abroad, and academics.
• Legal technology and compliance roles, a growing area.

If you are torn between law and management, remember that many law graduates later take an MBA, and some NLUs offer BBA LLB programmes that combine both.

Frequently asked questions

What is the last date to apply for CLAT 2027?
The registration window closes on 31 October 2026, on consortiumofnlus.ac.in.

When is the CLAT 2027 exam?
CLAT 2027 is on Sunday, 6 December 2026, from 2 PM to 4 PM.

Can Class 12 students appearing in 2027 apply for CLAT 2027?
Yes. They must pass Class 12 with the required marks and show the certificate at admission.

What is the CLAT 2027 application fee?
Rs 4,000 for General, OBC and NRI candidates, and Rs 3,500 for SC, ST, BPL and PwD candidates.

Is there negative marking in CLAT 2027?
Yes. Each wrong answer costs 0.25 marks; each correct answer earns 1 mark.

How many NLUs accept CLAT scores?
27 National Law Universities participate in CLAT, along with many private universities.

Sources

• Consortium of NLUs, official CLAT website (confirm all dates here)
• LawEntrance: CLAT 2027 exam date, fees and pattern
• EduProspect: CLAT 2027 application closing on 31 October