CLAT 2026 Guide: Exam Dates, Eligibility, and New Pattern Details

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is the most prestigious entrance gate for law aspirants in India. As we enter 2026, the focus has shifted toward the upcoming academic cycle. Managed by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs), this exam determines who gets a seat in the country’s top 25 law schools. For students dreaming of a career in the judiciary, corporate law, or civil services, understanding the latest updates for CLAT 2026 is the first step toward success.

CLAT 2026: The Roadmap and Important Dates

While the previous cycle for 2025 concluded with the exam in December 2024, the cycle for CLAT 2026 is expected to follow a similar high-speed timeline. Official notifications usually arrive by July, with the registration window opening in August. If the Consortium maintains its current pattern, the CLAT 2026 exam will likely be held in the first week of December 2025.

This “early exam” trend, which started a couple of years ago, gives students more time to focus on their Board exams in March and April without the stress of an entrance test hanging over their heads. Candidates should aim to complete their applications by late October to avoid the last-minute rush on the official website.

Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria for 2026

The eligibility rules for CLAT remain student-friendly but strict on academic percentages. For the Undergraduate (UG) 5-year law program, candidates must have passed their Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent exam. General, OBC, and PWD category students need a minimum of 45% marks, while SC/ST students require at least 40%. A major relief for many is that there is no upper age limit for the UG exam, allowing individuals to pivot to a law career at any stage of life.

For the Postgraduate (PG) or LLM program, a candidate must hold an LLB degree. The minimum mark requirement is 50% for the general category and 45% for reserved categories. Similar to the UG program, the PG entrance has no age bar.

Decoding the 2026 Exam Pattern

The CLAT 2026 exam will be a 2-hour offline (pen-and-paper) test. It consists of 120 multiple-choice questions, where each correct answer earns one mark, and a wrong answer results in a 0.25-mark deduction. The paper is famous for being “passage-based,” meaning it tests your reading speed and analytical thinking rather than your ability to memorize facts.

The UG paper is divided into five key sections: English Language, Current Affairs (including GK), Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. Legal Reasoning and Current Affairs usually carry the highest weightage. Experts suggest that for the 2026 attempt, students should focus heavily on reading editorials and staying updated with Supreme Court judgments, as the paper has become increasingly focused on contemporary legal issues.

Preparation Strategy and Impact

In the Indian context, the competition for the 3,000+ seats in NLUs is fierce. Every year, over 60,000 to 75,000 students compete for these spots. Success in CLAT 2026 requires more than just subject knowledge; it requires “stamina” for reading long passages under pressure.

Since the exam is held in December, the next few months are critical for building a foundation. Students currently in Class 12 should balance their preparation by dedicating at least two hours daily to reading newspapers and solving mock tests. The results are typically declared by the end of December, followed by a counseling process in January, setting the stage for a new academic life in July 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)