The Consortium of NLUs sets the CLAT exam eligibility for students for admission into law courses. To be eligible for the CLAT 2026 exam, you must meet the CLAT Eligibility 2026:
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed the 10+2 or equivalent examination.
- Minimum Marks: The CLAT exam eligibility marks are: General/OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI: 45% or equivalent. SC/ST: 40% or equivalent.
- CLAT age eligibility: There is no upper age limit for the CLAT exam.
- Nationality: Indian Nationals, NRIs, OCIs, and PIOs are eligible to apply. Foreign nationals are also eligible for CLAT 2026, but through the NRI quota.
- Qualifying Exam: Candidates appearing for their qualifying exams in March/April 2026 are also eligible. They must, however, provide proof of passing the exam at the time of admission.
The Consortium of NLUs organizes the CLAT 2026, and the participating NLUs and other colleges accept CLAT scores for admission to their UG and PG programs. But they must meet the eligibility criteria as set by the respective NLUs. Meeting the CLAT Eligibility criteria, you can fill CLAT 2026 application form.
| Key Summary: In the CLAT Eligibility criteria, we have provided the CLAT exam eligibiltty for UG and PG Law courses. The key points for CLAT Eligibilty are:
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CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for UG Law Courses
Parameters that candidates need to meet to fulfill CLAT eligibility criteria for undergraduate (UG ) level law courses are mentioned below. We have provided a video by “Siddhant Singh” which explains the CLAT Eligibility 2026.
CLAT Eligibility 2026
The CLAT Eligibility 2026 is simple and flexible. The candidates who have cleared class 12 or are appearing for class 12 can apply for the CLAT exam 2026, but Gen/OBC/PwD/NRI/PIO/OCI candidates must have 45% and SC/ST candidates must have 40%
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Passed or appearing in Class 12 / equivalent exam |
| Minimum Marks (Gen/OBC/PwD/NRI/PIO/OCI) | 45% aggregate |
| Minimum Marks (SC/ST) | 40% aggregate |
| Appearing Candidates | Allowed—must submit passing proof at admission |
| Age Limit | No upper or lower age limit |
| Nationality | Indian, NRI, OCI, PIO; Foreign nationals with NLU protocols |
| Number of Attempts | Unlimited, as long as eligibility is met each time |
| Tie-Breaker Sequence | 1. Legal Aptitude marks → 2. Age → 3. Draw of lots |
| Registration Start | 1 August 2025 |
CLAT Eligibility for Educational Qualification & Marks 2026
Candidates appearing for CLAT UG 2026 must meet the following qualifications to be eligible for the exam:
- The CLAT Eligibility after 12th requires candidates to clear Class 12 from a recognized board.
- With a 45% CLAT eligibility percentage for the General/OBC/PwD/NRI/PIO/OCI.
- Students who come under the SC/ST categories are required to score at least 40% from any recognized board.
| Category | Minimum Marks Required in Class 12 (10+2) |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / PwD / NRI / PIO / OCI | 45% aggregate |
| SC / ST | 40% aggregate |
| Appearing Candidates | Allowed – must submit passing proof at admission |
CLAT Eligibility Age 2026
According to the official notification by the Consortium of National Law Universities
- The CLAT Eligibility Age 2026 has no upper or lower age limit, allowing anyone who has cleared or is appearing for Class 12 to apply for CLAT 2026.
- This means that candidates belonging to any age group can apply for the law entrance exam.
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | Not specified (Class 12 passed/appearing) |
| Maximum Age Limit | No upper age limit |
CLAT Nationality Eligibility 2026
For the CLAT eligibility 2026, as per the nationality allows Indian students as well as NRIs, OCIs, and PIOs can apply for the CLAT exam 2026.
But if you are a foreign national, then you will need to apply directly to the NLUs under the special quota
| Eligible Candidates | Notes |
|---|---|
| Indian Nationals | Eligible |
| NRIs / OCIs / PIOs | Eligible |
| Foreign Nationals | Must apply directly to NLUs under special quotas, not via CLAT |
CLAT Eligibility for International Students
- Foreign National students or NRI/NRI sponsored students are also eligible to sit for the CLAT exam on condition that they must qualify the required criteria.
- The CLAT eligibility for international students might differ in some NLUs; therefore, such students are advised to check the official website of the respective NLUs.
| Factor | Insight |
|---|---|
| Application Route | NRIs/PIOs/OCIs → CLAT; Foreign Nationals → Direct NLU application |
| Seat Availability | Limited (2–15 per NLU) under Foreign National Quota |
| Admission Criteria | Based on board marks and English proficiency, not CLAT score |
| Competitiveness | High due to limited seats and lack of exam-based advantage |
| Strategy for NRIs/PIOs/OCIs | Can consider both CLAT and direct application if eligible |
CLAT Attempts & Flexibility 2026
As per CLAT Attempts and Flexibility 2026, there is no limit on the number of times you can take the CLAT exam as long as you meet the basic academic eligibility, i.e like passing Class 12.
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Attempts | Unlimited – no restriction on attempts |
| Frequency | As long as academic eligibility criteria are fulfilled |
CLAT Eligibility Tie-Breaking Rules 2026
The CLAT tie-breaking rules 2026 are the criteria used when two or more candidates score the same marks in the CLAT exam.
- In the CLAT eligibility tie-breaking rules 2026, the priority goes first to higher Legal Aptitude marks.
- Then, to candidates with a higher age, if the legal aptitude marks are also equal.
- At last, the Computerized draw of lots comes into consideration; the system uses a lottery method to break the tie.
| Priority Order | Tie-Breaking Rule |
|---|---|
| 1st | Higher marks in the Legal Aptitude section |
| 2nd | Candidate with a higher age |
| 3rd | Computerized draw of lots |
Also Read
CLAT PG Eligibility 2026
The CLAT PG Eligibility 2026 is also simple and flexible for the candidates who wish to pursue a post-graduate law degree.
- To apply for CLAT PG, the candidates should have an LL.B. (3-year or 5-year) and 50% marks (45% for SC/ST).
- Even a final-year student can also apply if they show proof of clearing the LLB at admission.
- There is also no age limit for the candidates to apply, so anyone can apply for CLAT PG by meeting the educational qualifications.
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Must hold an LL.B. degree (3-year or 5-year) from a recognized university |
| Minimum Marks (Gen/OBC/NRI/PIO/OCI) | 50% aggregate |
| Minimum Marks (SC/ST) | 45% aggregate |
| Appearing Candidates | Final-year LLB students can apply, but must submit proof of passing at admission |
| Age Limit | No age restrictions |
| Tie-Breaking Rule | 1. Higher age 2. Computerized draw of lots |
| Registration Window | 1 August – 31 October 2025 |
CLAT 2026 LLM Academic Eligibility
- Candidates belonging to the General/ OBC/ PwD/ NRI/ PIO/ OCI category should possess an LLB or equivalent degree with minimum 50 per cent aggregate
- Candidates belonging to SC/ ST category should possess an LLB or equivalent degree with minimum of 45 per cent aggregate
- Candidates appearing for the final year examination of their qualifying degree are also eligible to apply for CLAT
CLAT LLM Eligibility: Age limit
Given that, there is no age limit for five-year and three-year LLB courses, BCI has relaxed age limit for LLM course admission as well. Therefore,
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There is no upper age limit to apply for the CLAT PG exam as well.
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However, candidates securing same rank and marks in CLAT LLM will be given preference, if they are higher in age than the others.
CLAT Exam Eligibility 2026: Nationality
You can check the CLAT PG Eligibility for NRI’s here.
- As per the previous year’s official notification, Indian Nationals, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and Foreign Nationals are eligible to apply for the CLAT PG Exam 2026.
- However, NRI and Foreign nationals must apply for the exam through the NRI quota offered by the CLAT participating colleges.
Also Read
CLAT 2026 Eligibility FAQs
Ques. Can I give CLAT after graduation?
Ans. Yes, you can give the CLAT exam after your graduation. The CLAT eligibility 2026 does not have any age limit or a restricted number of attempts for the applicants.
- While the CLAT exam is designed for Class 12 graduates, law aspirants who have already completed a different graduation can still apply, provided they have passed Class 12.
- But for CLAT PG, the candidate must hold an LL.B. degree; the postgraduate exam is specifically for law graduates
Ques. Is CLAT tougher than NEET?
Ans. The CLAT is not that tougher than NEET, but it is challenging in its own way. NEET focuses on memorization and scientific expertise under pressure, while CLAT demands sharp reading, reasoning, and quick thinking.
| Feature | CLAT | NEET |
|---|---|---|
| Subjects Tested | Legal Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, English, GK, Quantitative Techniques | Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Science). |
| Competition Scale | ~60,000 aspirants for batch of ~1,800 (≈3% selection) | Over 2.2 million test-takers vying for ~1 lakh seats; qualification rate ~56% |
Difficulty Level of CLAT and NEET
| CLAT | NEET |
| Tests comprehension, critical thinking, and analytical reasoning. | Requires deep conceptual understanding and speed in applying scientific knowledge. |
Ques. Is CLAT only for 5-year LLB?
Ans. No, while CLAT UG is for 5-year integrated law courses, the CLAT exam as a whole includes the CLAT PG.
So, CLAT UG is exclusively for a 5-year integrated Law course, whereas CLAT as a whole is not only limited to the integrated program, but it also caters to law graduates aiming to pursue an LLM.
Ques. What is the qualification for CLAT exam?
Ans. Students willing to appear for CLAT 2026 must qualify class 12th in any stream from a recognized board. 45% for General category students and 40%marks for reserved category students are minimum percentage required for CLAT exam.
Ques. Can a 12th pass apply for CLAT?
Ans. Yes, a 12th pass student is eligible to apply for CLAT 2026 but he/she must score qualifying percentage to be eligible for CLAT exam.
Ques. Who can fill CLAT form?
Ans. Students interested in pursuing law courses can apply for CLAT. 45% is the minimum criteria to apply for CLAT 2026 exam.
Ques. Is CLAT only for law students?
Ans. CLAT is a national-level entrance exam for admission to UG and PG law courses. CLAT scores are acceptable to only its participating colleges such as NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS West Bengal, etc.
Ques. Can a science students give CLAT exam?
Ans. Yes, students with science stream in class 12th standard can appear for CLAT exam. However, they must fulfill the eligibility criteria to sit for the exam
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
Comments
Found 1 Comment
There is no upper age limit in registering and take CLAT to get admission in LLB program. Since you have already completed a BA degree you are eligible to register for the same.