CLAT PG 2026: Check Exam Dates, Registration, Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus, Cutoffs, and Preparation

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Sahaj Anand

Content Writer | Journalism Graduate | Updated on - Sep 30, 2025

The CLAT PG 2026 will be administered by the NLUs (Consortium of National Law Universities) for admission to postgraduate LL.M. programs. The registration process started on August 1, 2025, and ends on October 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM; you can check the official website.

  • The CLAT PG 2026 offline (pen-and-paper) mode exam is scheduled for December 7, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
  • The CLAT PG 2026 admit card will be available for download on the official CLAT website and is anticipated to be delivered in November 2025.
  • SC/ST applicants must pay INR 3500, while General/OBC candidates must pay INR 4000.
  • Constitutional law, jurisprudence, administrative law, contract law, family law, criminal law, and other significant fields of law are the main subjects covered in the syllabus.

To qualify for CLAT PG, you need to have completed at least 50% of your credits toward an integrated three- or five-year LL.B. degree (or its equivalent) from an approved university

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CLAT PG

Key Summary:

In this article, we discussed the CLAT PG 2026 exam, including important dates, registration, fees, pattern, syllabus, eligibility, cutoffs, and preparation strategies.

  1. The registration process started on August 1, 2025, and ends on October 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM; you can check the official website.
  2. The CLAT PG 2026 offline (pen-and-paper) mode exam is scheduled for December 7, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
  3. SC/ST applicants must pay INR 3500, while General/OBC candidates must pay INR 4000.
  4. To qualify for CLAT PG, you need to have completed at least 50% of your credits toward an integrated three- or five-year LL.B. degree (or its equivalent) from an approved university.
  5. Constitutional law, jurisprudence, administrative law, contract law, family law, criminal law, and other significant fields of law are the main subjects covered in the syllabus

What is the CLAT PG 2026?

For admission to postgraduate legal programs offered by 25 NLUs throughout India, a national entrance exam known as the CLAT PG 2026 is administered.

  • Admission to the LL.M. programs will begin in the 2026–2027 academic year using CLAT 2026.

CLAT PG 2026 Exam Overview

Aspect Details
Exam Name Common Law Admission Test for Postgraduate
Conducting Body Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs)
Purpose Admission to LL.M. programs offered by participating NLUs
Eligibility LL.B. (5-year or 3-year) or equivalent with min. 50% (Gen/OBC) and 45% (SC/ST)
Age Limit No upper age limit
Mode of Exam Offline (Pen & Paper)
Exam Date December 7, 2025 (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Registration Start Date August 1, 2025 (12:00 PM)
Registration End Date October 31, 2025 (11:59 PM)
Application Fee INR 4,000 (General/OBC/PWD/PIO/OCI)INR 3,500 (SC/ST/BPL)
Exam Duration 2 hours (120 minutes)
Question Type Objective type (MCQs based on law subjects and comprehension)
Participating Institutes 24+ National Law Universities (NLUs) and other affiliated institutions

CLAT PG 2026 Important Dates

The following table outlines the important dates and timelines for the upcoming examination, from notification release to counselling and seat allotment.

Important Date(s)/Time Event
July 20, 2025 Notification Release
August 1, 2025 (12:00 PM) Registration Start Date
October 31, 2025 (11:59 PM) Registration End Date
November 2025 (tentative) Admit Card Release
December 7, 2025 (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM) Exam Date
December 2025 (tentative) Result Declaration
After result declaration (dates TBA) Counselling/Seat Allotment

CLAT PG 2026 Registration

The table below provides the key dates and timelines for the CLAT PG 2026 registration start date and end date.

Date/Time Event
July 20, 2025 Notification Release
August 1, 2025 (12:00 PM) Registration Start Date
October 31, 2025 (11:59 PM) Registration End Date

CLAT PG Application Fee

Candidates must pay the application fee to complete the CLAT PG 2026 registration. The fee varies depending on the category and mode of payment. The application fee for General/OBC is INR 4000 and 3500 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.

CLAT PG Fees

Ques. Can I edit my CLAT PG 2026 application form after submission?

Ans. Yes, you can make changes to the form; NLUs offers a window for form correction following the registration form's closure. The following information is usually editable:

  • Personal data
  • Academic qualifications
  • Exam center preference

Certain information, like a mobile number, email address, and category changes, are usually prohibited once submitted.

Ques. How many CLAT PG 2026 exam centers are available?

Ans. The CLAT PG exam will be conducted by NLUs across 130+ test cities in India. Candidates can select their preferred exam centers at the time of filing the application form. Some commonly available centers include major cities like

  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Kolkata
  • Chennai
  • Bengaluru
  • Hyderabad
  • Lucknow
  • Bhopal, among others

CLAT PG 2026 Eligibility

To apply for the CLAT PG 2024 exam, aspirants need to meet the eligibility criteria, which are discussed below:

CLAT PG Eligibility
Eligibility Aspect Details
Nationality Indian Nationals, NRIs, PIOs, OCIs, and Foreign Nationals. NRI and foreign candidates must apply through the NRI quota.
Age Limit No upper age limit. Preference is given to higher age in case of the same marks and rank.
Educational Qualification Must have completed LLB (3-year or 5-year) from a recognized university by the Bar Council of India. Final-year LLB students are eligible but must submit a certificate at admission.
Minimum Qualifying Marks General/OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI: 50% in LLB graduation. SC/ST: 45% in LLB graduation.
Number of Attempts There is no limit on the number of attempts, provided basic eligibility criteria are met.
Tie-Breaking Criteria 1. Older candidates get preference.2. Computerized lottery (if age is also the same).

CLAT PG 2026 Eligibility for NRI

The CLAT PG 2026 eligibility criteria for the NRI candidates are given below in the table:

Eligibility Aspect Details
Applicable Candidates NRI, NRI Sponsored, and Foreign Nationals.
Admission Basis Merit score in the CLAT PG 2024 exam.
Seat Allotment Seats are allocated under the NRI quota by the concerned university.
Seat Conversion If foreign candidates’ seats are not available, they will be converted into NRI/NRI-sponsored seats.
Authority for Eligibility List The CLAT authority issues the list of eligible candidates for admission.

Check: CLAT PG Eligibility

Ques. Are there any age restrictions for CLAT PG 2026?

Ans. No, there is no upper age limit for appearing in the CLAT PG exam.

  • Candidates of any age who meet the educational requirements can apply.
  • In case of a tie, older candidates are given preference.

Ques. How many seats are allotted to NRI candidates?

Ans. The seat allotment for NRIs is done under the NRI quota directly from the concerned university, based on the CLAT PG 2026 scores.

  • If seats for foreign nationals remain vacant, they are converted into NRI/NRI-sponsored seats.

CLAT PG 2026 Exam Pattern

The table below outlines the CLAT PG exam pattern for the session 2026:

  • The exam primarily focuses on reading comprehension based on legal texts. Passages are usually taken from landmark court decisions, important statutes, and key regulations.
  • Questions are mostly MCQs, requiring analysis and application of legal knowledge.
  • On the exam, candidates may be asked to analyze a Supreme Court ruling on constitutional law and answer related questions.
Feature Details
Mode Offline (Pen and Paper)
Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
Total Questions 120
Question Type Objective-type (Multiple Choice Questions)
Language English
Marking Scheme +1 mark for each correct answer−0.25 marks for each incorrect answerNo deduction for unattempted questions
Total Marks 120

Check: CLAT PG Exam Pattern

Ques. What is the duration of the CLAT PG 2026 exam?

Ans. The CLAT PG 2026 exam will be held for a total of 120 minutes (2 hours).

  • Candidates are required to complete all 120 questions within the time frame.
  • No extra time will be provided, so effective time management is crucial.

Ques. In which language will the CLAT PG 2026 be conducted?

Ans. The exam will be conducted only in the English language. The language applies to both passages and the MCQs (multiple-choice questions).

  • You must be comfortable with legal reading comprehension in English to attempt the exam successfully.

CLAT PG 2026 Syllabus

The syllabus is designed to test the candidate’s knowledge of the law at an undergraduate level in both practical and theoretical knowledge. The different objective-type questions will be based on passages that will be provided.

Candidates appearing for the CLAT PG 2025 Exam need to have in-depth knowledge about the following topics:

S.No. Subject Approx. Weightage
1 Constitutional Law 50–60%
2 Jurisprudence 10–15%
3 Administrative Law 5–10%
4 Law of Contract 5–10%
5 Torts 5–10%
6 Family Law 5–10%
7 Criminal Law 5–10%
8 Property Law 5–10%
9 Company Law 5–10%
10 Public International Law 5–10%
11 Tax Law 5–10%
12 Environmental Law 5–10%
13 Labour & Industrial Law 5–10%

Check: CLAT PG Syllabus

CLAT PG 2026 Section-Wise Mark Distribution

The questions for CLAT PG 2025 cover various topics at the undergraduate level. Topics asked during the exam include several different legal topics like Contract Law, Property Law, Family Law, etc.

The table below outlines the section-wise mark distribution for CLAT PG 2026:

Section Topics Covered Number of Questions Marks Allotted
Section A Constitutional Law 120 120
Section B Contract, Torts, Criminal Law, International Law, IPR, Jurisprudence
Section C Law Topics and Contemporary Issues

Check: Download CLAT PG Syllabus PDF

Ques. Is the syllabus for CLAT PG set annually?

Ans. According to the consortium's guidelines, the weighting of topics and inclusion of current legal issues may change annually, even though the fundamental subjects like constitutional law, jurisprudence, and contracts stay the same.

Ques. Does CLAT PG 2026 include essay-style questions?

Ans. No, only passage-based multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are now included in the exam due to the updated format. Earlier essay-type questions have been removed.

CLAT PG Expected Cutoff

The table below shows the expected CLAT PG cutoff for 2026 and shows that for the top-tier colleges like NLSIU Bengaluru and NLSAR Hyderabad, the candidate will require the highest cutoff of more than 95.

  • The CLAT PG cutoff of 90+ will secure a seat in WBNUJS Kolkata, followed by NLU Jodhpur, NLIU Bhopal, and GNLU Gandhinagar at 85+.
  • MNLU Mumbai and RMLNLU Lucknow will require a cutoff of more than 82 and 78, respectively.
  • At the mid-lower tier, NLU Odisha is expected to be around 75.
NLU Expected Cutoff (Marks) Approx. Position
NLSIU Bengaluru 95+ Top tier
NALSAR Hyderabad 95+ Top tier
WBNUJS Kolkata 90+ High tier
NLU Jodhpur 85+ Upper-mid tier
NLU Bhopal (NLIU) 85+ Upper-mid tier
GNLU Gandhinagar 85+ Upper-mid tier
MNLU Mumbai 82+ Mid-tier
RMLNLU Lucknow 78+ Mid-tier
NLU Odisha (Cuttack) 75+ Mid-lower tier

Check: CLAT PG Cutoffs

Ques. Is scoring the cutoff enough to secure admission?

Ans. Scoring the cutoff only makes candidates eligible for the counseling process but does not guarantee admission. Final seat allotment depends on several factors:

Factor Details
All India Rank (AIR) Higher ranks are prioritized during seat allocation.
Preference Order of NLUs Seats are allotted based on the candidate’s preferred list of universities submitted during counselling.
Seat Availability If seats in a preferred NLU are filled by higher-ranked candidates, the next available choice is allotted.

Ques. Do the CLAT PG cutoffs remain the same every year?

Ans. No, there is a change in the CLAT PG cutoffs. It varies annually as a result of several factors, including:

  • Exam difficulty level
  • Number of applicants
  • Total seat availability

CLAT PG 2026 Preparation Strategies

The important strategies for CLAT PG 2026 exam preparation for students of law are given below:

Strategy Details Suggested Hours per Week
Understand the Syllabus
  • Familiarize with sections
  • Question types
  • Marking scheme
2-3 hours
Focus on High-weightage topics
  • Focus on Constitutional Law
  • Jurisprudence
  • Contract
  • Torts
4-5 hours
Practice Reading Comprehension
  • Read legal articles, judgments, and case laws
  • Solve passages
2-3 hours
Daily Revision
  • Create short notes or flashcards
  • Revise key laws, sections, and cases
3-4 hours
Solve Mock Tests & Sample Papers
  • Solve past papers and take timed mock tests.
3-4 hours
Focus on Accuracy
  • Practice selective answering
  • Avoid guesswork due to negative marking
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CLAT PG Question Paper

Candidates willing to appear for CLAT PG 2024 must practice the previous year's question paper to enhance their preparation. Check the table below to download the previous year's question paper along with the answer key.

Year Question Paper PDF
CLAT PG 2024 Click Here
CLAT PG 2023 Click Here
CLAT PG 2022 Click Here
CLAT PG 2021 Click Here
CLAT PG 2020 Click Here
CLAT PG 2019 Cleck Here

CLAT PG 2026 Important Books

Candidates preparing for CLAT PG 2024 can refer to the books tabulated below for their preparation.

CLAT PG Books
Syllabus Section Name of Book
Constitutional Law Indian Constitutional Law
Other Areas of Law Introduction to Jurisprudence
Administrative Law I P Massey
Contract Law in India Akhileshwar Pathak
The Law of Torts Ratanlal and Dhirajlal
Modern Indian Family Law Werner Menski
The Code of Criminal Procedure Ratanlal and Dhirajlal
Property Law Poonam Pradhan Saxena
Company Law B K Goya
An Introduction to Public International Law S K Verma
Kanga and Palkhivala's The Law and Practice of Income Tax Jamshedji Behramji Kanga and Nanabhoy Palkhivala
Indian Environmental Law: Key Concepts and Principles Shibani Ghosh

Check: CLAT PG Mock test

FAQs

Ques. Who is eligible for CLAT PG 2026?

Ans. The eligibility criteria for CLAT PG 2026 are given below:

Criteria Details
Educational Qualification LL.B. (5-year or 3-year) or an equivalent law degree from a recognized institution
Minimum Marks 50% aggregate for General/OBC/PwD/PIO/OCI
45% aggregate for SC/ST
Age Limit No upper age limit for appearing in CLAT PG

Ques. When is the CLAT PG 2026 registration deadline?

Ans. The table below shows the registration dates for CLAT PG 2026:

Event Date
Start Date of Registration August 1, 2025
End Date of Registration October 31, 2025
Exam Date December 7, 2025

Ques. Does CLAT PG happen twice a year?

Ans. Every year CLAT 2026 will be conducted once in December 2025. There are no plans for a second examination in 2026.

Ques. Is 400 a good CLAT PG rank?

Ans. A CLAT PG score of 400 is typically regarded as being below the cutoff for prestigious National Law Universities (NLUs).

  • However, with this rank, candidates from reserved categories like SC, ST, PBC, and PwD might have a better chance of getting admitted.

Ques. Is it possible to pass CLAT PG in three months?

Ans. In three months, you can get ready for the CLAT PG if you have a foundation in law.

Use a few of the following exam preparation strategies:

  • Understand the complete CLAT PG syllabus.
  • Prioritize important topics that have high weightage.
  • Take mock tests and solve previous years’ papers to build confidence and improve time management.

Keep yourself updated with current affairs and recent judgments and legal news. A focused and well-prepared study plan can help you to cover the syllabus effectively.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

Latest CLAT PG News

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Fees Structure

Structure based on different categories

CategoriesState
General4000
sc3500
pwd4000

In case of any inaccuracy, Notify Us! 

Comments


Found 2 Comments

L
lija saikia
Oct 21, 2025 22:19
When would Iget question papers?
S
sweta kumari
Oct 24, 2025 14:26

The official CLAT PG (LL.M.) question papers are released by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) after each examination. These can be accessed through the official CLAT website or the Consortium's portal. You can check here for the CLAT PG Previous Year Question Papers

S
sakshi hadge
Sep 20, 2025 09:27
admission process for nlu banglore with pm vidya lakshmi scheme

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