Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) are as follows:
- Age Limit: There is no maximum age for taking the CLAT exam.
- Educational Qualification for UG Programs: Candidates must have passed the 10+2 or equivalent exam from a recognized board with a minimum percentage of marks as stipulated by the participating universities to be eligible for undergraduate law programs (BA LLB, BBA LLB, BSc LLB, and BCom LLB). For General/OBC/Specially Abled Persons (SAP) categories, the minimum need is often 45% to 50% marks; SC/ST candidates frequently receive a 5% relaxation.
- Educational Qualification for PG Programs: Candidates for postgraduate law programs (LLM) must hold a three- or five-year integrated LLB degree from an accredited university or institution. For various participating universities, different minimum requirements may apply.
- Nationality: All n...
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Syllabus
- CLAT EXAM SYLLABUS
- English Language
- General Knowledge and Current Affairs
- Legal Reasoning
- Logical Reasoning
- Mathematics
- English Language: Comprehension passages, grammar, vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms, sentence correction, etc.
- General Knowledge and Current Affairs: Static GK, current affairs, awards, sports, politics, history, geography, etc.
- Legal Reasoning: Legal principles, legal propositions, reasoning based on legal rules, legal terms, etc.
- Logical Reasoning: Analytical reasoning, logical sequences, syllogisms, analogies, coding-decoding, puzzles, etc.
- Mathematics: Elementary mathematics, numerical ability, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, statistics, etc.
Cut Off
Here's a general outline of the Cut-offs:
| NLUS | General (Opening Rank - Closing Rank) | OBC (Opening Rank - Closing Rank) | SC (Opening Rank - Closing Rank) | ST (Opening Rank - Closing Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | 1-114 | 171-923 | 181-2674 | 1781-4059 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 25-177 | 931-1116 | 702-3388 | 4600-6174 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | 136-256 | - | 588- 4217 | 6121- 7792 |
| NLIU Bhopal | 186-449 | 591-1268 | 4505- 5311 | 8143- 10960 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 70-378 | - | 2360- 4457 | 6615- 8076 |
| HNLU Raipur | 425 -805 | 1877 - 2061 | 6710 - 7137 | 10117 -11277 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | 147 - 441 | 1150 - 1878 | 3680 - 5683 | 7852 -10837 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | 432- 749 | - | - | - |
| RGNLU Punjab | 537 -1281 | - | 5693-8811 | 10300 - 15585 |
| CNLU Patna | 628 -1497 | - | - | - |
| NUALS Kochi | 552 -1441 | - | - | - |
| NLU Odisha | 504 -1163 | - | 5789 -7950 | 12030 -16910 |
| NUSRL Ranchi | 939 -1821 | 1888- 2748 | 7695 -9503 | 16626 -18477 |
| TNNLS Tiruchirappalli | 577- 1918 | 2509 -3862 | 5122- 10032 | 14452 |
| DSNLU Vishakhapatnam | 538- 1914 | - | - | - |
| MNLU Mumbai | 325- 574 | - | - | - |
| MNLU Nagpur | 606 -2019 | - | - | - |
| MNLU Aurangabad | 1578 -2447 | - | - | - |
| NLUJAA Assam | 1102- 2271 | - | - | - |
| HPNLU Shimla | 822- 2558 | - | 8337 -11639 | 13021 -20514 |
| DNLU Jabalpur | 1521 - 2558 | 3021 -3181 | 10030 - 11639 | 17883 - 20514 |
| NLU Sonipat | 767- 2519 | 2931 -4373 | 8628 -10841 | 10923- 21673 |
| GNLU, Silvassa | 810- 1591 | 2435-3669 | 8339 - 9581 | 13276- 14846 |
Exam Pattern
The exam pattern for CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is as follows:
- Mode of Examination: Online variant of the CLAT is a computer-based test.
- Duration: The exam lasts 2 hours (120 minutes) in total.
- Type of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) are used in the CLAT.
- Number of Questions: Although the total number of CLAT questions can change, it typically ranges between 120 and 150.
- Subjects and Sections: CLAT generally consists of the following sections:
-English Language
-General Knowledge and Current Affairs
-Elementary Mathematics (Numerical Ability)
-Legal Aptitude
-Logical Reasoning
- Marking Scheme: CLAT has a standardized grading system. Each accurate response receives 1 point, whereas each erroneous response receives a deduction of 0.25 points (negative marking).
- Language Medium: Only the English language is used for the CLAT.
- Syllabus: The topics covered by the CLAT syllabus fall under the previously listed areas. Candidates are recommended to consult the information pamphlet or the official CLAT website for a detailed syllabus.
To properly prepare for the CLAT exam, students should become familiar with the exam format and syllabus, practice with old test questions, and take practice exams. They will be better able to manage their time effectively, comprehend the exam's format, and score better all around.
How to Prepare
For individuals preparing for the CLAT (Common Law Admission Test), a number of preparatory books are available that are highly recommended. These books offer thorough study material and cover the numerous themes and topics tested in the exam. Here are a few well-liked CLAT preparation books:
- "Legal Aptitude for the CLAT and other Law Entrance Examinations" by A.P. Bhardwaj
- "Analytical Reasoning" by M.K. Pandey
- "Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis
- "General Knowledge" by Lucent's
- "Quantitative Aptitude" by R.S. Aggarwal
- "Universal's Guide to CLAT & LL.B. Entrance Examination" by Manish Arora
- "The Pearson Guide to CLAT" by Harsh Gagrani
While these books come highly recommended, it is vital to remember that applicants should also consult the official CLAT study guide and previous year's test questions to gain a deeper grasp of the exam format and content. Additionally, completing practice exams and solving sample papers can greatly improve study habits and time management abilities.
Admit Card
Here are the key details mentioned on the CLAT admit card:
- Candidate's Name: The candidate's entire name, as it appears on their registration form, is listed on their admit card.
- Roll Number: Each candidate receives a distinct roll number, which is noted on the admission card.
- Application Number: The application number that was given to the candidate during registration is displayed on the admit card.
- Exam Date and Time: The CLAT exam date and time are prominently displayed on the admit card. Candidates must arrive at the testing location by the designated time.
- Exam Center Details: The admit card includes details regarding the designated exam center, such as the full address and phone number.
- Exam Instructions: On the admit card, there are key instructions and directions for the CLAT exam.
- Photograph and Signature: In case there are any concerns or discrepancies, the admittance card contains contact information for the CLAT authorities (helpline numbers, email addresses).
- Identification Documents: A valid photo ID proof, such as an Aadhaar card, PAN card, or driver's license, is typically required of applicants in addition to the admit card.
- Contact Information: The admission card contains contact information for the CLAT authorities (helpline number, email address), in case there are any questions or discrepancies.
Seat Allotment
The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) conducts the CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) seat allocation process based on the CLAT rank and the candidate's choices. Here is a summary of the seat allocation procedure:
- Online Counseling: Through an online counseling process, the seat allocation process is carried out. Candidates who pass the CLAT exam and satisfy the qualifying requirements are qualified to take part in the counseling procedure.
- Registration and Choice Filling: Candidates must enroll in NLUs and law programs in the order of their preference and register themselves. On the official counseling portal, the choice-filling process is done online.
- Seat Allotment: The seat allocation procedure is carried out based on the candidates' choices and CLAT rank. Candidates are given seats according to their rank and the number of open seats in their preferred NLUs.
- Provisional Allotment Letter: Following the seat allotment, candidates are sent a preliminary allotment letter outlining their NLU and available courses.
- Confirmation of Allotment: Candidates must confirm their assigned seat within the allocated time frame by paying the necessary seat acceptance fee. The assigned seat can be canceled if this is not done.
- Reporting and Document Verification: Candidates who have accepted the seat offer must physically report to the designated NLU to complete the admissions process, which includes document verification. They must have the necessary identification and certifications on them for verification.
- Upgradation and Withdrawal: For candidates who choose to upgrade or for those who withdraw from the counseling process, there may be additional rounds of seat allocation beyond the initial round.
FAQ's
The CLAT exam is open to students with any academic background. Candidates from a variety of fields, including the arts, commerce, sciences, humanities, and others, may apply to take the CLAT.
Yes, there is a negative marking scheme in CLAT. For each incorrect answer, 0.25 marks are deducted in the undergraduate exam, and 0.25 or 0.5 marks (depending on the question) are deducted in the postgraduate exam.
As of my last update in September 2021, there are 22 NLUs that participate in CLAT. Some of the prominent ones include NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, NLIU Bhopal, NUJS Kolkata, and NLU Delhi.
