- 1. What Is CLAT UG
- 2. Who Should Consider This Exam
- 3. Courses Accessible Through CLAT UG
- 4. Colleges and Universities Accepting CLAT UG
- 5. Exam Pattern and Structure
- 6. Syllabus Explained for Beginners
- 7. Eligibility Criteria
- 8. Application Process (Step-by-Step)
- 9. Official Exam Portal and Important Links
- 10. Preparation Timeline and Strategy
- 11. Cut-Offs, Ranks, and Admission Reality
- 12. Cost vs Outcome Analysis (For Parents)
- 13. Common Myths and Misconceptions
- 14. Final Evaluation: Is CLAT UG Worth It
1. What Is CLAT UG
CLAT UG stands for Common Law Admission Test – Undergraduate. It is a national-level entrance examination used primarily for admission to 5-year integrated law programmes in India.
Key facts at a glance
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Full form | Common Law Admission Test – Undergraduate |
| Conducting authority | Consortium of National Law Universities |
| Purpose | Centralised admission to undergraduate law programmes |
| Year introduced | 2008 |
| Level | National |
| Frequency | Once a year |
| Mode | Offline (pen-and-paper) |
What CLAT UG is not:
It is not a general aptitude test. It is not a judiciary exam. It is not a qualification test to practice law. It is only an admission gateway.
2. Who Should Consider This Exam
CLAT UG is not meant for everyone who is “interested in law.” It serves a specific academic entry purpose.
Suitable candidates
5-year law aspirants (after Class 12)
This exam is designed primarily for students who want to pursue a 5-year integrated LL.B. (BA LL.B., BBA LL.B., etc.) immediately after school.
Career orientations that benefit most
- Corporate law and law firm careers
- Litigation (especially in metropolitan jurisdictions)
- Policy, research, and academic law tracks
- Early entry into legal education with structured exposure
Limited relevance / not suitable
| Category | Reason |
|---|---|
| 3-year LL.B. aspirants | CLAT UG is not required for most 3-year LL.B. programmes |
| Judiciary-only focused students | Judiciary exams are taken after LL.B.; CLAT offers no direct advantage |
| Students unsure about law | The opportunity cost is high; CLAT requires focused preparation |
| Students targeting only local/state colleges | Many do not accept CLAT scores |
Explore- Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Silvassa Campus
3. Courses Accessible Through CLAT UG
CLAT UG primarily provides access to 5-year integrated law degrees. Other uses exist but are limited.
| Course | Eligibility | Is CLAT UG Mandatory |
|---|---|---|
| BA LL.B. (Hons.) | Class 12 pass | Yes (for NLUs) |
| BBA LL.B. (Hons.) | Class 12 pass | Yes (for NLUs) |
| BCom LL.B. (Hons.) | Class 12 pass | Yes (selected NLUs) |
| BSc LL.B. (Hons.) | Class 12 pass | Yes (limited NLUs) |
| 3-year LL.B. | Graduation | No |
| LL.M. | LL.B. | No (separate CLAT PG earlier; many universities now independent) |
4. Colleges and Universities Accepting CLAT UG
A. National Law Universities (NLUs)
NLUs are the primary stakeholders of CLAT UG.
| Institution | Type | Programme |
|---|---|---|
| National Law School of India University | NLU | BA LL.B. (Hons.) |
| NALSAR University of Law | NLU | BA LL.B. (Hons.) |
| National Law Institute University | NLU | BA LL.B. (Hons.) |
| West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences | NLU | BA LL.B. (Hons.) |
| Other NLUs (total ~22) | NLU | Integrated LL.B. |
Seat numbers vary annually; official brochure must be checked each year.
B. Other Universities Using CLAT Scores
Some private and state universities use CLAT UG scores as one of multiple criteria. Acceptance policies vary and are not uniform.
5. Exam Pattern and Structure
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Offline |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Total questions | 120 (passage-based MCQs) |
| Total marks | 120 |
| Negative marking | –0.25 per wrong answer |
Section-wise breakup
| Section | Questions | Skill Tested |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 22–26 | Reading comprehension |
| Current Affairs & GK | 28–32 | Awareness + comprehension |
| Legal Reasoning | 28–32 | Legal aptitude |
| Logical Reasoning | 22–26 | Analytical thinking |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10–14 | Basic numeracy |
6. Syllabus Explained for Beginners
English Language
Tests reading comprehension, not grammar theory. Passages are followed by inference-based questions.
Why tested: Law requires constant reading and interpretation.
Current Affairs & GK
Focuses on recent events and static background knowledge, always passage-based.
Skill: Awareness + understanding context.
Legal Reasoning
No prior legal knowledge required. You are given a principle and asked to apply it.
Skill: Rule application, not memorisation.
Logical Reasoning
Arguments, assumptions, cause-effect.
Skill: Structured thinking.
Quantitative Techniques
Basic arithmetic (percentages, ratios) through short data passages.
Skill: Interpretation, not calculation speed.
7. Eligibility Criteria
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Class 12 pass |
| Minimum marks | General: 45%, SC/ST: 40% |
| Age limit | None |
| Attempt limit | None |
| Category relaxation | As per rules |
Explore- Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
8. Application Process (Step-by-Step)
- Visit the official CLAT portal
- Register with email and mobile number
- Fill personal and academic details
- Upload documents (photo, signature, certificates)
- Choose test city preferences
- Pay application fee
- Submit and download confirmation
Application fee (approx.)
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC | ₹4,000 |
| SC/ST/BPL | ₹3,500 |
Common mistakes
- Wrong category selection
- Blurred document uploads
- Ignoring preference order of NLUs
9. Official Exam Portal and Important Links
- Official website: https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in
- Information brochure: Available annually on the same portal
- Application link: Opens seasonally on the official website only
No third-party site controls admissions.
10. Preparation Timeline and Strategy
| Candidate Type | Ideal Duration |
|---|---|
| Beginner (Class 11/12) | 10–12 months |
| Drop year aspirant | 6–8 months |
| Repeater | 4–6 months |
Self-study vs coaching (objective view)
| Aspect | Self-Study | Coaching |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Low | High |
| Discipline | Self-driven | Structured |
| Material quality | Varies | Standardised |
| Results | Depends on consistency | Depends on usage |
No coaching guarantees rank.
11. Cut-Offs, Ranks, and Admission Reality
- Top NLUs: Ranks under 300–500
- Mid NLUs: Ranks up to 2,500–3,000
- Lower NLUs: Beyond that, subject to category and domicile
Seat limitation reality:
Total NLU UG seats are limited (≈3,000) nationally.
12. Cost vs Outcome Analysis (For Parents)
Cost side
| Component | Approximate Range |
|---|---|
| Exam + prep | ₹50,000–₹2,00,000 |
| NLU fees (5 years) | ₹10–₹18 lakh |
Outcome reality
- Not all graduates get high-paying jobs
- Average outcomes vary widely by NLU and individual performance
- Law is effort-intensive, not credential-driven alone
13. Common Myths and Misconceptions
- “CLAT guarantees success” – It does not.
- “Only toppers survive law” – False; consistency matters more.
- “NLU tag equals placement” – Not uniformly true.
- “Legal background needed” – Completely false.
- “One attempt decides everything” – Also false.
Explore- Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University (RPNLU), Prayagraj
14. Final Evaluation: Is CLAT UG Worth It
CLAT UG is worth preparing for if:
- You want early, structured legal education
- You aim for national-level law exposure
- You are prepared for academic intensity and competition
You should keep backup options if:
- You are unsure about law as a career
- You are financially constrained without scholarships
- You are targeting local/state colleges primarily
Strategic conclusion:
CLAT UG is central but not exclusive in India’s law admission ecosystem. It opens high-quality pathways. However, it is not the only route to becoming a lawyer. It is also not a guaranteed measure of success.
Clarity, not hype, should drive the decision.
Connect with us on Instagram – X – LinkedIn for daily updates, quizzes, and other materials
