According to the latest CLAT exam pattern, the question paper will consist of 120 multiple-choice questions, each carrying 1 mark. The exam duration will be 2 hours. Both CLAT UG and PG exams will be conducted in offline mode.
The CLAT UG exam comprises 5 sections: English Language, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. On the contrary, the CLAT PG exam has a single section with questions asked from topics like Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, Administrative Law, Law of Contract, etc.
The CLAT exam will also have negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer. Read ahead to know the latest CLAT exam pattern 2027 along with the section-wise weightage, marking scheme, and other details.
Next CLAT Exams
CLAT Exam Pattern 2027 Overview
Here is a quick glimpse of the CLAT 2027 exam pattern for reference purposes:
| Particular | Details |
| Exam Conducting Body | Consortium of National Law Universities |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Question Type | Objective Type |
| Duration | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) |
| Total Questions | 120 MCQs |
| Maximum Marks | 120 Marks |
| Marking Scheme | +1 mark for every correct answer |
| Negative Marking | -0.25 mark for every wrong answer |
| CLAT UG Sections Covered | English Language, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques |
| CLAT PG Sections Covered | Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, Administrative Law, Law of Contract, Torts, Family Law, Criminal Law, Property Law, Company Law, Public International Law, Tax Law, Environmental Law, and Labour & Industrial Law. |
Check out CLAT Syllabus 2027
What is the CLAT Exam Pattern?
The CLAT exam opens doors for admission to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programmes offered by participating National Law Universities in India.
CLAT UG and CLAT PG have the same number of questions, exam duration, and marking scheme. However, they differ in several other aspects. Let’s understand these differences in detail.
- CLAT UG Exam: The CLAT UG exam consists of five sections with a total of 120 MCQs carrying 120 marks. Candidates will be given 120 minutes to complete the test.
- CLAT PG Exam: The CLAT PG exam consists of 1 section based on the mandatory subjects of the undergraduate program. The exam features 120 objective-type questions, with a total duration of 120 minutes.
Check out CLAT Subjects 2027
CLAT UG Exam Pattern
The CLAT UG exam pattern has been updated here. The overall exam duration will be 120 minutes. As per the marking scheme, each question carries 1 mark, and 0.25 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer.
Check the section-wise CLAT exam pattern and key topics for the UG exam below:
| Subject | Number of Questions (Approx) | Key Topics |
| English Language | 22-26 (Roughly 20% of paper) | – Reading Comprehension – Vocabulary – Synonyms – Antonyms – English Grammar – Tenses – Parts of Speech -Literary Devices |
| Current Affairs, General Knowledge | 28-32 (Roughly 25% of paper) | – Constitution – International Relations – Indian Economy – History – Art & Culture – Current Events |
| Legal Reasoning | 28-32 (Roughly 25% of paper) | – Constitution – Contract Law – Tort Law – Criminal Laws – Family Law – Evidence Act – International Law |
| Logical Reasoning | 22-26 (Roughly 20% of paper) | – Critical Reasoning (Assumptions, Inference, Cause & Effect) – Analytical Reasoning (Blood Relations, Syllogisms) |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10-14 (Roughly 10% of paper) | – Data Interpretation – Percentage – Profit & Loss – Time & Work – Mensuration – Probability |
CLAT 2027 All-in-One Guide Table:
| CLAT GK Topics | CLAT Critical Reasoning |
| CLAT Preparation Books | CLAT Exam Preparation |
| How Many Hours Should You Study for CLAT? | 3 Months CLAT Preparation |
| How to make notes? | CLAT Marks v/s Rank |
CLAT Exam Pattern for PG
Check the CLAT exam pattern and key topics for the PG exam below:
| Subject | Expected Weightage (out of 120) | Key Topics |
| Constitutional Law | 20-25 marks | – Preamble – Fundamental Rights – Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) – Fundamental Duties – Separation of Powers – Judicial Review – Basic Structure Doctrine – Emergency Provisions – Amendment of the Constitution – Writ Jurisdiction – Federalism and Centre–State Relations |
| Family Law | 5-12 marks | – Marriage & Divorce – Maintenance – Adoption & Guardianship – Succession & Inheritance – Uniform Civil Code |
| Criminal Law | 10-15 marks | – General Exceptions – Mens Rea – Joint Liability – Offences Against Person & Property – Defences in Criminal Law – Sentencing Principles |
| Public International Law | 6-7 marks | – Sources of International Law – State Jurisdiction & Immunity – Law of Treaties – Recognition of States & Governments – International Court of Justice |
| Law of Torts | 4-5 marks | – Negligence – Nuisance – Defamation – Vicarious Liability – Strict and Absolute Liability – Remedies |
| Company Law | 5-7 marks | – Incorporation – Directors’ Duties – Corporate Governance – Share Capital – Winding Up |
| Jurisprudence | 8-15 marks | – Nature and Definition of Law – Sources of Law – Legal Theories – Rights and Duties – Justice and Morality – Ownership and Possession – Liability and Sanctions – Legal Personality – Legal Realism & Natural Law |
| Law of Contract | 8-10 marks | – Offer and Acceptance – Consideration – Free Consent – Void and Voidable Contracts – Breach of Contract – Quasi Contracts – Indemnity & Guarantee – Agency |
| Environmental Law | 5-12 marks | – Environment Protection Act, 1986 – Polluter Pays Principle – Sustainable Development – Public Interest Litigation (PIL) – International Environmental Conventions |
| Administrative Law | 4-5 marks | – Delegated Legislation – Judicial Review – Natural Justice – Administrative Discretion – Ombudsman and Lokpal – Tribunals |
| Labour & Industrial Law | 4-5 marks | – Industrial Disputes & Resolution – Trade Unions – Minimum Wages & Bonus Laws – Social Security LawsLabour Codes (2020) |
| Tax Law | 4-5 marks | – Direct & Indirect Taxes – Income Tax & GST Basics – Constitutional Provisions on Taxation – Tax Assessment & Appeals |
| Property Law | 7-8 marks | – Transfer of Property – Sale, Lease & Mortgage – Easements & Licences – Doctrine of Part Performance – Ownership & Possession |
Browse Free CLAT Mock Test by Examcharcha.
CLAT Marking Scheme 2027
The CLAT marking scheme is simple and is the same for both the CLAT UG and CLAT PG exams. You should understand the marking scheme, as incorrect answers attract negative marking.
| Particulars | Marks Awarded |
| Correct Response | +1 Mark |
| Incorrect Response | -0.25 Mark |
| Unattempted Question | 0 mark |
How Does Negative Marking in the CLAT Exam Work?
For every correct answer, 1 mark shall be awarded. There will be a deduction of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer. No marks shall be deducted for unattempted questions.
For example:
- Correct Answers: 95 × 1 = 95 Marks
- Incorrect Answers: 20 × 0.25 = 5 Marks Deducted
- Final Score = 90 Marks
Explore important Resources for CLAT Preparation here:
CLAT Exam Pattern 2027: Complete Paper Structure
The pattern of CLAT exam helps you understand the question type and prepare accordingly. The CLAT UG exam primarily assesses aptitude and skills required for legal education.
The CLAT PG exam tests students’ comprehension skills, analytical thinking and legal knowledge. Check the complete paper structure of the CLAT UG & PG exam below:
Mode of Examination
The CLAT exam will be conducted in the offline mode. You will be required to answer questions on an OMR answer sheet.
Duration of the Exam
The CLAT exam duration will be 120 minutes (2 hours). Good time management helps candidates complete the paper within the prescribed duration.
Number of Questions
The CLAT question paper will contain 120 objective-type questions, each question carrying 1 mark.
Type of Questions
The CLAT question paper will have passage-based multiple-choice questions followed by a series of questions. It assesses your awareness of legal knowledge, general principles, and related concepts.
CLAT Subjects Covered
The CLAT question paper will cover the following areas:
| CLAT UG | – English Language – Current Affairs, including General Knowledge – Legal Reasoning – Logical Reasoning – Quantitative Techniques |
| CLAT PG | – Constitutional Law – Jurisprudence – Administrative Law – Law of Contract – Torts – Family Law – Criminal – Law – Property – Law – Company Law – Public International Law – Tax Law – Environmental Law – Labour & Industrial Law |
Check out CLAT 2027 Exam Date
How to Prepare According to the CLAT Exam Pattern 2027?
Knowing the exam pattern of CLAT can help you plan your strategy smartly. This helps you avoid last-minute surprises and unnecessary stress on exam day.
You should practice mocks and quizzes based on the latest format. This will improve your familiarity with the actual exam.
Identify High Priority Topics
Legal Reasoning and Current Affairs carry the highest weightage in the CLAT UG exam. In the CLAT PG exam, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, and Jurisprudence usually have the highest weightage.
Practice Unlimited Mocks
You should solve mocks that match actual exam standards. This will improve your speed, accuracy, and overall time management. Practising mocks under a timed environment will also help you get used to the question format and time pressure.
Analyse Your Performance
You should dedicate at least 1-1.5 hours to analysing your mock performance. This will highlight the weak areas, time spent per section, and time-consuming topics. This approach can help you improve your mistakes early.
Practice Passage-Based Questions
CLAT consists of passage-oriented questions that evaluate comprehension, legal knowledge, and analytical skills. Practice passages from newspapers, editorials, and mocks daily. This will enhance your reading speed and accuracy.
Solve CLAT Previous Year Question Papers for better preparation.
FAQs
The CLAT exam will be organised in offline mode.
The CLAT exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions, each question carrying 1 mark.
As per the CLAT exam question pattern, the total marks are 120.
The CLAT exam duration will be 120 minutes (2 hours).
Yes. There will be a penalty of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer.
The CLAT UG exam has 5 sections, whereas the CLAT PG exam has 1 section. Check the complete details above.