Law
Jun 16, 2026
CLAT 2027: Consortium of NLUs to Open Applications in July; New Exam Pattern Announced
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Priya Sharma
Jun 16, 2026
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The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) has officially announced the timeline for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2027, which is scheduled to be held in December 2026. Prospective law students can begin their online applications starting July 1, 2026. Along with the dates, the Consortium has also released a revised exam pattern for the Undergraduate (UG) program, which aims to further reduce the emphasis on rote learning and increase the focus on critical thinking, logical reasoning, and legal aptitude. The exam will continue to be a two-hour offline test consisting of 120 multiple-choice questions.
In a significant change, the Legal Reasoning section will now feature more contemporary case studies and hypothetical scenarios based on recent legislative changes in India, such as the new criminal laws (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita). The English language section will also see an increase in the complexity of reading passages, drawing from international journals and legal essays. 'The objective is to identify students who possess the analytical depth required for a rigorous five-year law program,' said the President of the Consortium. The post-graduate (PG) CLAT pattern remains largely unchanged, focusing on various branches of law including Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, and International Law.
For the 2027 session, the number of participating NLUs has grown to 24, with the inclusion of the newly established NLU in Tripura. This addition provides more opportunities for aspirants, although the competition for the 'top five' NLUs—NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata, NLU Jodhpur, and NLU Delhi (which conducts its own AILET)—remains exceptionally high. The application fee has been maintained at INR 4,000 for general category candidates and INR 3,500 for SC/ST/BPL candidates. The deadline for submission of applications is tentatively set for October 15, 2026.
Legal education experts suggest that students should start their preparation by reading diverse opinion pieces in national dailies to improve their reading speed and comprehension. 'CLAT is no longer about how much law you know; it is about how you apply logic to a set of facts,' says Adv. Rohan Gupta, a mentor for law aspirants. He also highlighted the importance of the 'Current Affairs including General Knowledge' section, which will cover events from January 2026 to November 2026. Mock tests will be conducted by the Consortium in September and October to help students familiarize themselves with the new nuances of the paper.
The Consortium has also updated its helpdesk facilities, providing a multi-lingual support system to assist students from diverse linguistic backgrounds during the registration process. Candidates are reminded to ensure that their photographs and signatures meet the specified digital requirements to avoid application rejection. As the legal profession in India continues to evolve with specializations in Tech-Law, IP Rights, and Environmental Law, CLAT remains the most crucial gateway for those looking to make a mark in the judiciary, corporate law, or social justice sectors.
In a significant change, the Legal Reasoning section will now feature more contemporary case studies and hypothetical scenarios based on recent legislative changes in India, such as the new criminal laws (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita). The English language section will also see an increase in the complexity of reading passages, drawing from international journals and legal essays. 'The objective is to identify students who possess the analytical depth required for a rigorous five-year law program,' said the President of the Consortium. The post-graduate (PG) CLAT pattern remains largely unchanged, focusing on various branches of law including Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, and International Law.
For the 2027 session, the number of participating NLUs has grown to 24, with the inclusion of the newly established NLU in Tripura. This addition provides more opportunities for aspirants, although the competition for the 'top five' NLUs—NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata, NLU Jodhpur, and NLU Delhi (which conducts its own AILET)—remains exceptionally high. The application fee has been maintained at INR 4,000 for general category candidates and INR 3,500 for SC/ST/BPL candidates. The deadline for submission of applications is tentatively set for October 15, 2026.
Legal education experts suggest that students should start their preparation by reading diverse opinion pieces in national dailies to improve their reading speed and comprehension. 'CLAT is no longer about how much law you know; it is about how you apply logic to a set of facts,' says Adv. Rohan Gupta, a mentor for law aspirants. He also highlighted the importance of the 'Current Affairs including General Knowledge' section, which will cover events from January 2026 to November 2026. Mock tests will be conducted by the Consortium in September and October to help students familiarize themselves with the new nuances of the paper.
The Consortium has also updated its helpdesk facilities, providing a multi-lingual support system to assist students from diverse linguistic backgrounds during the registration process. Candidates are reminded to ensure that their photographs and signatures meet the specified digital requirements to avoid application rejection. As the legal profession in India continues to evolve with specializations in Tech-Law, IP Rights, and Environmental Law, CLAT remains the most crucial gateway for those looking to make a mark in the judiciary, corporate law, or social justice sectors.