Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted for admission to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs in various participating law schools in India. The exam is typically organized by a consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) on a rotating basis. It is one of the most prestigious and competitive exams for students aspiring to pursue a career in law in India.
Key Points About CLAT
- Courses Offered:
- Undergraduate (UG): This is for admission to the 5-year integrated LLB programs.
- Postgraduate (PG): This is for admission to LLM programs, typically after completing a 5-year LLB or 3-year LLB program.
- Participating Institutions:
- CLAT is used for admission to National Law Universities (NLUs), of which there are 22 across India (as of 2024).
- Apart from NLUs, several other law schools and private institutions may also consider CLAT scores for admissions.
- Exam Mode and Duration:
- The exam is conducted online (computer-based test).
- Duration: 2 hours.
- The CLAT exam typically takes place once a year, generally in May or June.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- For UG (5-year Integrated LLB Program):
- Age Limit: Candidates must be below 20 years of age (22 for SC/ST/PwD candidates) on July 1 of the exam year.
- Educational Qualifications: Candidates must have passed or appeared for their 12th class examination or equivalent in any stream (arts, science, or commerce) from a recognized board with at least 45% marks (40% for SC/ST).
- For PG (LLM Program):
- Candidates must have completed a 3-year or 5-year LLB degree from a recognized university with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST).
- For UG (5-year Integrated LLB Program):
- Exam Pattern (for UG – CLAT 2024):
- Mode: Computer-based (online test).
- Duration: 2 hours.
- Total Questions: 150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
- Marking Scheme: Each correct answer carries 1 mark, and each wrong answer results in a -0.25 mark deduction (negative marking).
- Sections:
- English Language (28-32 questions)
- Current Affairs, including General Knowledge (35-39 questions)
- Legal Reasoning (35-39 questions)
- Logical Reasoning (28-32 questions)
- Quantitative Techniques (13-17 questions)
- Syllabus Overview:
- English Language: Focuses on comprehension and grammar, vocabulary, and the ability to analyze written material.
- Current Affairs: Covers topics from national and international news, economics, legal developments, social issues, and more.
- Legal Reasoning: Tests your understanding of legal principles, concepts, and reasoning based on legal propositions.
- Logical Reasoning: Includes questions that evaluate your reasoning and problem-solving skills.
- Quantitative Techniques: Deals with basic mathematics, data interpretation, and logical numerical reasoning (arithmetic, algebra, etc.).
- Application Process:
- Candidates must apply online through the official CLAT website (www.clat.ac.in).
- The application usually opens in January and closes by March or early April.
- The application fee is typically around ₹4000 for general candidates, and ₹3500 for SC/ST candidates (subject to change).
- Admit Card and Exam Centers:
- Admit cards are released online about two weeks before the exam date.
- CLAT is held in multiple cities across India, with exam centers spread nationwide.
- Result and Counselling:
- The results are usually declared within a week after the exam.
- The CLAT score is used for the counseling process, which involves seat allocation to different NLUs. The process typically includes multiple rounds and may involve online counseling.
- Cut-off:
- Each participating NLU releases its own cut-off for admissions, which is based on factors like the difficulty of the exam, the number of candidates, and available seats.
- The CLAT cut-off varies every year and differs from one institution to another.
Preparation Tips for CLAT
- Understand the Syllabus: Be sure to thoroughly understand the syllabus and exam pattern before you begin preparing.
- Time Management: CLAT is a time-bound test, so practice solving questions under time constraints to improve speed and accuracy.
- Current Affairs: Regularly read newspapers (especially legal and political sections), and follow credible sources of current affairs (like government reports and reputed journals).
- Practice Mock Tests: Mock tests are essential for identifying weak areas, improving speed, and becoming familiar with the exam interface.
- Improve Legal Aptitude: Work on understanding basic legal principles and practice reasoning with real-life examples, case laws, and hypothetical situations.
- Strengthen English Skills: Improve vocabulary, reading comprehension, and grammatical skills through regular reading and solving practice papers.
- Quantitative Techniques: Revise basic mathematical concepts such as percentages, ratios, probability, and data interpretation. Regular practice will make you more comfortable with this section.
Top NLUs in India (Participating in CLAT)
- National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore
- National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad
- National Law University, Jodhpur
- The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata
- National Law University, Delhi
- National Law University, Odisha
- National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam
- Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar
- National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal
CLAT for PG (LLM)
For students wishing to pursue a Master’s degree in Law (LLM), CLAT PG serves as the gateway. The pattern is slightly different compared to the UG exam:
- Duration: 2 hours.
- Number of Questions: 120 multiple-choice questions.
- Subjects:
- Constitutional Law (50% of the exam).
- Other Law Subjects (Torts, Contract Law, Criminal Law, etc.).
- Legal Aptitude, Reasoning, and General Knowledge.
- Marking Scheme: Each correct answer earns 1 mark, while each incorrect answer gets a negative mark of 0.25.