CLAT 2027 Notification, Exam Date & Registration: Everything Confirmed So Far
The wait for the CLAT 2027 notification is almost over, and lakhs of law aspirants across India are watching the Consortium of NLUs website for the official announcement. If you are targeting NLSIU Bangalore, NLU Delhi or any of the 24 participating National Law Universities, this is the moment to get your calendar, documents and preparation plan in order.
This guide brings together everything confirmed so far about the CLAT 2027 exam date, registration window, eligibility criteria, application fee and exam pattern. Wherever the Consortium has not yet published a date, we have flagged the expected timeline based on the pattern followed over the last five CLAT cycles — this page will be updated the moment the official CLAT 2027 notification is released.
Quick note: Always cross-check every date with the official Consortium website, consortiumofnlus.ac.in. This page is updated as soon as the Consortium releases new information.
CLAT 2027 Notification: What Has Been Announced
The CLAT 2027 notification is the official document released by the Consortium of National Law Universities. It carries the exam date, registration schedule, eligibility rules, fee structure, seat matrix and the detailed information brochure for both UG and PG programmes.
Historically, the Consortium releases this notification in the last week of July or the first week of August, and opens the online application form on the same day. That makes the current window the most likely period for the CLAT 2027 notification to go live.
Once the CLAT 2027 notification goes live, the registration link appears directly on the Consortium homepage. Candidates should download the information brochure in full rather than relying only on news reports, because reservation policies and NLU-specific seat details are often revised year to year.
CLAT 2027 Exam Date and Important Dates
CLAT has been conducted on the first Sunday of December every year since the exam moved to an early-December schedule. Going by that pattern, the CLAT 2027 exam date is expected to be Sunday, 6 December 2026, in the 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM slot — though the CLAT 2027 notification will carry the final, binding date.
| Event | Expected Date (CLAT 2027) |
|---|---|
| CLAT 2027 notification release | Last week of July / first week of August 2026 |
| CLAT 2027 registration starts | Same day as the notification |
| Last date to submit the application form | Last week of October 2026 |
| Application correction window | November 2026 |
| CLAT 2027 admit card release | Third or fourth week of November 2026 |
| CLAT 2027 exam date | Sunday, 6 December 2026 (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM) |
| Provisional answer key | Within 48 hours of the exam |
| CLAT 2027 result declaration | Second or third week of December 2026 |
| First allotment list | Late December 2026 / January 2027 |
Treat these as planning dates, not final ones. The confirmed CLAT 2027 exam date will be printed on the notification PDF and on your admit card, and that version overrides everything else.
CLAT 2027 Registration: Step-by-Step Process
The CLAT 2027 registration process is entirely online. There is no offline form, and no application is accepted by post or in person at any NLU.
- Visit the official Consortium website and click on the CLAT 2027 registration link.
- Sign up using a valid mobile number and email ID — both will be used for all official communication until admission is complete.
- Log in with the generated credentials and fill in your personal, academic and category details exactly as they appear on your Class 10 certificate.
- Upload the scanned photograph, signature and category or disability certificates in the prescribed size and format.
- Fill in your NLU preference order carefully — this list determines your seat allotment during counselling.
- Pay the application fee online and download the confirmation page for your records.
A common mistake is rushing the NLU preference list. Once counselling begins, your preference order cannot be changed, so research the universities properly before you lock it. Our detailed breakdown of the top law colleges in India covers placements, faculty and fee structures NLU by NLU.
CLAT 2027 Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee (Expected) |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / PWD / NRI / PIO / OCI | ₹4,000 |
| SC / ST / BPL | ₹3,500 |
| Previous years’ question papers (optional add-on) | ₹500 |
| Note | Fee is non-refundable |
The fee is non-refundable, so review every field before you submit. Candidates from BPL families should keep a valid certificate ready at the time of registration itself, since it cannot be added later.
CLAT 2027 Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for CLAT is straightforward, and the rules have stayed stable across recent cycles, though the CLAT 2027 notification remains the final authority on any changes.
For the UG Programme (5-Year Integrated LLB)
- Minimum 45% marks in Class 12 or an equivalent qualifying exam.
- Minimum 40% marks for candidates from SC and ST categories.
- Students appearing for their board exams in March or April 2027 are eligible to apply.
- There is no upper age limit for CLAT.
For the PG Programme (LLM)
- An LLB degree or equivalent with a minimum of 50% marks.
- A minimum of 45% marks for SC and ST candidates.
- Final-year LLB students may apply, subject to submitting proof of qualification at admission.
If you are also considering AILET for NLU Delhi, note that its eligibility and application timeline run separately from CLAT. Our AILET exam guide explains the differences in detail.
CLAT 2027 Exam Pattern
As confirmed in the CLAT 2027 notification, the CLAT UG paper is a two-hour, 120-question objective test with negative marking. Since the reduction from 150 to 120 questions, the paper rewards accuracy and comprehension speed far more than raw question volume.
Each correct answer carries 1 mark and each incorrect answer costs 0.25 marks. Every section is passage-based, which means reading stamina is as important as subject knowledge.
| Section | Approximate Questions | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 22–26 | ~20% |
| Current Affairs including General Knowledge | 28–32 | ~25% |
| Legal Reasoning | 28–32 | ~25% |
| Logical Reasoning | 22–26 | ~20% |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10–14 | ~10% |
Each correct answer carries 1 mark and each incorrect answer costs 0.25 marks. Every section is passage-based, which means reading stamina is as important as subject knowledge.
CLAT 2027 Syllabus: Where Aspirants Lose Marks
English Language: Passages of roughly 450 words drawn from journalism, fiction and non-fiction, followed by questions on inference, tone, vocabulary and central idea.
Current Affairs and GK: The highest-scoring section for well-prepared candidates and the biggest gap for everyone else. It demands consistent daily news reading across national and international affairs, arts, culture and legal developments. Our GK Booster programme is built specifically to close this gap.
Legal Reasoning: Principle-fact passages that test application, not memorised law. No prior legal knowledge is required, but precision in applying a given principle is non-negotiable.
Logical Reasoning: Short argument-based passages testing assumptions, conclusions, analogies and inference patterns.
Quantitative Techniques: Class 10 level mathematics presented through data sets — ratios, percentages, averages, mensuration and basic algebra.
Participating NLUs and Seat Availability
Per the CLAT 2027 notification, CLAT scores are used for admission to 24 participating National Law Universities, offering roughly 3,000 UG seats and over 1,000 PG seats. Beyond the NLUs, more than 60 private and affiliate institutions also accept CLAT scores.
The top-tier universities — NLSIU Bangalore, NLU Delhi (through AILET), NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata and NLU Jodhpur — typically close within the top 100 to 400 ranks for the general category. Understanding these cutoffs early helps you set a realistic target score rather than preparing without a benchmark.
How to Prepare for CLAT 2027 From Here
If the CLAT 2027 notification confirms a December 2026 exam, you have roughly 16 months. That is a comfortable runway for Class 11 students, and a strong one for droppers, provided the preparation is structured rather than scattered.
- Months 1–6: Build fundamentals. Read one national daily every day, cover static GK, and finish basic legal and logical reasoning concepts.
- Months 7–12: Move to sectional tests and timed passage practice. Begin full-length mocks once a fortnight.
- Months 13–16: Shift to weekly mocks with detailed analysis, revise current affairs compilations, and work exclusively on your two weakest sections.
The single biggest differentiator is mock analysis. Most aspirants attempt mocks and check scores; toppers spend twice as long dissecting why each answer was wrong. That habit is what separates a 90 percentile from an AIR under 50.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the CLAT 2027 notification be released?
The Consortium of NLUs usually releases the CLAT notification in the last week of July or the first week of August, alongside the opening of the registration window.
What is the expected CLAT 2027 exam date?
CLAT is traditionally held on the first Sunday of December, which points to 6 December 2026. The confirmed date is announced in the official notification.
Can Class 11 students apply for CLAT 2027?
No. Only candidates appearing for or having passed Class 12 are eligible. Class 11 students should use this year to build fundamentals and apply in the following cycle.
Is there any upper age limit for CLAT 2027?
No. The Consortium removed the upper age limit, so droppers and repeat aspirants can apply without restriction.
How many attempts are allowed in CLAT?
There is no cap on the number of attempts. Candidates may appear as many times as they meet the eligibility criteria.
Is one year enough to crack CLAT 2027?
Yes. With disciplined daily reading, sectional practice and structured mock analysis, a focused 12 to 16 month plan is enough for a top NLU rank.
Final Word
The CLAT 2027 notification sets the clock running for every serious law aspirant in the country. Bookmark the official Consortium page, keep your documents scanned and ready, and do not wait for the registration deadline to begin preparing — the candidates who convert top NLU seats are almost always the ones who started before the notification, not after it.
For structured guidance, mentorship and a preparation plan built around your specific weak areas, explore our programmes at Mega Law & GK or read more about our faculty and teaching approach.