The CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is a national-level entrance exam conducted for admission to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs at National Law Universities (NLUs) in India. The CLAT is one of the most competitive law entrance exams, used by top law schools in India to select candidates for various law degrees.
Here are the full details of the CLAT entrance exam:
1. Conducting Body:
- Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) conducts the CLAT exam. The Consortium is a body comprising 22 National Law Universities (NLUs) in India. The conducting body changes every year, and it is responsible for organizing the exam, releasing the official notification, and declaring results.
2. Purpose of the Exam:
- Admission to UG and PG Law Programs: The CLAT exam is held for admission to undergraduate (5-year integrated LLB) and postgraduate (LLM) programs offered by various NLUs and other law schools that accept CLAT scores.
3. Eligibility Criteria:
The eligibility for CLAT varies for undergraduate and postgraduate programs:
Undergraduate Program (BA LLB) Eligibility:
- Educational Qualification:
- Candidates must have passed their 12th standard or equivalent examination from a recognized board.
- Minimum Marks:
- General/OBC/NRI candidates: At least 45% marks in aggregate.
- SC/ST candidates: At least 40% marks in aggregate.
- Candidates appearing for their 12th exams in the same year as the CLAT exam are also eligible, but they must meet the eligibility criteria by the time of admission.
Postgraduate Program (LLM) Eligibility:
- Educational Qualification:
- Candidates must have completed a 3-year LLB or a 5-year integrated LLB degree from a recognized university.
- Minimum Marks:
- General/OBC/PwD/NRI candidates: At least 50% marks in aggregate.
- SC/ST candidates: At least 45% marks in aggregate.
4. Exam Mode:
- Mode: The CLAT exam is conducted in online mode (Computer-Based Test).
- Language: The exam is conducted in English.
5. Exam Pattern:
The CLAT exam consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) that assess candidates’ knowledge and understanding in various areas, including legal reasoning, general knowledge, and analytical skills.
Undergraduate Program (UG) Exam Pattern:
- Total Number of Questions: 150
- Duration: 2 hours
- Total Marks: 150
- Marking Scheme:
- For each correct answer: +1 mark
- For each wrong answer: -0.25 marks (negative marking)
- No marks are awarded for unanswered questions.
Section Breakdown:
- English Language
- Number of Questions: 28-32
- Topics Covered: Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, etc.
- Current Affairs, including General Knowledge
- Number of Questions: 35-39
- Topics Covered: Current Events, National and International News, History, Geography, and General Knowledge.
- Legal Reasoning
- Number of Questions: 35-39
- Topics Covered: Legal Principles, Situational Judgment, Legal Awareness.
- Logical Reasoning
- Number of Questions: 28-32
- Topics Covered: Analytical Reasoning, Puzzles, Series, Directions, etc.
- Quantitative Techniques
- Number of Questions: 13-17
- Topics Covered: Basic Arithmetic, Percentages, Profit and Loss, Ratio and Proportion, Algebra.
Postgraduate Program (PG) Exam Pattern:
- Total Number of Questions: 120 (approx.)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Total Marks: 120
- Marking Scheme:
- For each correct answer: +1 mark
- For each wrong answer: -0.25 marks (negative marking)
- No marks for unanswered questions.
Section Breakdown:
The PG exam consists of questions based on Law and Legal Aptitude. Some topics include:
- Constitutional Law
- Jurisprudence
- Law of Contracts
- Criminal Law
- International Law
- Family Law
6. Application Process:
The application process for CLAT is completely online. Here’s a step-by-step guide to applying:
- Registration:
- Visit the official CLAT website and register by providing basic personal details, such as name, email, phone number, and password.
- Fill Application Form:
- Enter your educational qualifications, personal details, and program preference (UG or PG).
- Upload Documents:
- Upload scanned copies of your recent passport-sized photograph, signature, and other required documents (if applicable).
- Application Fee:
- General/OBC/NRI candidates: ₹4000
- SC/ST/PwD candidates: ₹3500
- The application fee can be paid via credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI.
- Submit Application:
- After completing the form and making the payment, submit your application form. Ensure that all details are correct before submission.
7. Important Dates:
Here are the important dates for CLAT (approximate):
- Notification Release Date: Usually in January
- Application Start Date: Usually in January
- Application End Date: Usually in March
- Admit Card Release Date: Usually in April
- Exam Date: Usually in May
- Result Declaration: Usually in June
8. Syllabus:
The CLAT syllabus is designed to test the candidate’s skills and knowledge in various areas:
Undergraduate Program (UG) Syllabus:
- English Language:
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Correction
- Current Affairs, General Knowledge:
- Current Affairs (National & International)
- News on Economy, Politics, Science & Technology
- Sports, Culture, and Awards
- Legal Reasoning:
- Legal Knowledge and Awareness
- Legal Principles and Reasoning
- Judicial Decisions
- Logical Reasoning:
- Analytical Reasoning
- Puzzles
- Series, Directions, Sequences
- Quantitative Techniques:
- Arithmetic
- Percentages
- Ratios and Proportions
- Data Interpretation
Postgraduate Program (PG) Syllabus:
- Constitutional Law
- Jurisprudence
- Law of Contracts
- Criminal Law
- Family Law
- International Law
- Legal Aptitude and Reasoning
9. Result and Cutoff:
- Result Declaration: CLAT results are usually announced within a few weeks after the exam. Candidates can check their results on the official CLAT website by entering their login credentials.
- Cutoff: The cutoff for CLAT varies depending on the university and the category (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.). For top NLUs, the cutoff is generally in the 90+ percentile range for General candidates.
- Top NLUs: The cutoff for the top National Law Universities (such as NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, NLIU Bhopal, etc.) generally requires a high rank (typically in the top 1000).
10. Counseling and Admission Process:
- Counseling Process: After the results are declared, the CLAT Consortium conducts an online counseling process. Candidates who have cleared the cutoff are eligible for the counseling process, where they will be allotted seats in various participating NLUs.
- Admission Criteria: Admission is based on the candidate’s CLAT rank, category, and availability of seats in the preferred NLU.
The CLAT exam is a key gateway for students seeking admission to top law universities in India. With systematic preparation, focused study on core areas, and consistent practice through mock tests, candidates can significantly improve their chances of securing a good rank and gaining admission to their desired law school.
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