Get answers from education specialists…
Ask an Expert

CLAT Full Form 2027: Meaning, Eligibility and Exam Pattern

The CLAT full form is Common Law Admission Test. Candidates appear for CLAT to secure admission to 5-year integrated LL.B. programmes and LL.M. programmes at participating National Law Universities (NLUs). CLAT is a national-level law entrance examination. The CLAT 2027 participating-universities list includes 26 NLUs along with IIULER Goa and includes GNLU Silvassa Campus separately, totalling 27 participating institutions/campuses.

clat full form

The Consortium of National Law Universities publishes examination details, including eligibility criteria, syllabus, and question-paper format. CLAT 2027 is scheduled for Sunday, 6 December 2026, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Table of Contents

Jump to section

CLAT Full Form in Hindi: CLAT का पूरा नाम क्या है?

In Hindi, CLAT is commonly written as कॉमन लॉ एडमिशन टेस्ट. “सामान्य विधि प्रवेश परीक्षा” can be used as a Hindi translation of the English name, while the official expansion remains the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT).

The Hindi meaning breaks down as follows:

  • सामान्य refers to Common, indicating a unified entrance examination.
  • विधि refers to Law, representing the legal education programmes.
  • प्रवेश means admission, indicating entry into law programmes.
  • परीक्षा means test or Examination, describing the assessment candidates take.

Check the Complete CLAT 2027 Guide:

CLAT Exam Dates CLAT Critical Reasoning
CLAT Current Affairs Important GK Topics for CLAT
CLAT The Daily Hindu Analysis How Many Hours to Study for CLAT

Important Terms Related to CLAT

The abbreviation CLAT relates to terms including Consortium of NLUs, NLU, UG, and PG. The terms below help candidates identify the examination authority, participating institutions, and programme levels.

Term

Full Form

Role in CLAT

Consortium of NLUs

Consortium of National Law Universities

  • Conducts CLAT
  • Publishes examination information, including eligibility, syllabus, and question-paper format

NLU

National Law University

  • Participating law universities
  • Candidates use CLAT scores for admission and counselling

UG

Undergraduate

CLAT UG is for admission to 5-year integrated LL.B. programmes after Class 12

PG

Postgraduate

CLAT PG is for admission to postgraduate law programmes, particularly LL.M. courses

Explore CLAT 2027 Marks vs Rank to understand your expected rank based on marks.

What Is CLAT UG Full Form and CLAT PG Full Form?

CLAT stands for Common Law Admission Test. UG and PG identify the undergraduate and postgraduate levels of the exam, not the CLAT full form.

Particular

CLAT UG

CLAT PG

Full Form

Common Law Admission Test – Undergraduate

Common Law Admission Test – Postgraduate

Programme

5-year integrated LL.B. programmes

LL.M. programmes

Eligibility

Class 12 or equivalent qualification

LL.B. degree or equivalent qualification

Purpose

Admission to undergraduate law programmes after Class 12

Admission to postgraduate law programmes after LL.B.

For CLAT 2027, candidates appearing for their qualifying examination in 2027 may also apply, subject to applicable admission requirements and submission of proof of qualification.

Find Everything About CLAT 2027:

CLAT Marking Scheme  CLAT Mocks
CLAT Preparation in 3 Months CLAT Maths Syllabus
CLAT Previous-Year Questions CLAT Cut Off

CLAT Exam Eligibility 2027

The CLAT eligibility criteria differ for UG and PG examinations based on educational qualification and minimum marks. Candidates must satisfy the requirements for the programme level they plan to enter.

CLAT UG Eligibility Criteria 2027

Candidates applying for CLAT UG must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination. Students appearing for the qualifying examination may also apply, but must provide proof of passing the examination at the time of admission.

Eligibility Requirement

CLAT UG Requirement

Educational Qualification

  • Class 12 or equivalent
  • Candidates appearing in the qualifying examination can also apply
  • Proof of passing the qualifying examination is required at admission

Minimum Passing Marks

  • 45% for candidates generally
  • 40% for SC/ST/PwD candidates

Age Limit

No upper age limit

CLAT PG Eligibility Criteria 2027

Candidates applying for CLAT PG must have passed an LL.B. degree or an equivalent examination. Candidates appearing for the qualifying examination can also apply, subject to applicable admission conditions.

Eligibility Requirement

CLAT PG Requirement

Educational Qualification

  • Passed LL.B. degree or equivalent examination
  • Candidates appearing for the qualifying examination can also apply
  • Proof of passing the qualifying examination is required at admission

Minimum Passing Marks

  • 50% for General/OBC/PwD/NRI/PIO/OCI candidates
  • 45% for SC/ST candidates

Age Limit

No upper age limit

Explore Complete Resources for CLAT 2027:

CLAT Books CLAT Subjects
CLAT Admit Card How to Make Notes for CLAT?
CLAT Preparation CLAT Toppers

CLAT Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2027

The CLAT syllabus 2027 covers different sections for UG and PG candidates. The UG examination includes five sections, while the PG examination tests knowledge of legal subjects. The CLAT exam pattern sets the number of questions, marks, duration, and negative-marking rules.

CLAT UG Syllabus 2027

Candidates appearing for CLAT UG need to prepare English Language, Current Affairs, including General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques.

CLAT UG Section

Topics and Question Format

English Language

  • Passages of approximately 450 words
  • Comprehension-based questions

Current Affairs, including General Knowledge

  • Passages from newspapers and journalistic sources
  • Current affairs and general knowledge

Legal Reasoning

  • Passages of around 450 words
  • Public policy, legal matters, and philosophical enquiries
  • Identifying principles and applying rules to real situations

Logical Reasoning

  • Drawing inferences
  • Recognising and forming arguments
  • Identifying patterns

Quantitative Techniques

  • Brief statements of fact
  • Visual numerical data

CLAT UG 2027 Section-wise Question Distribution

The CLAT UG exam has 120 questions carrying 120 marks and must be completed within 120 minutes. Candidates receive 1 mark for each correct answer, while 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect response. The number of questions in individual sections is approximate and may vary.

CLAT UG Section

Number of Questions

Approx. 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%

Total

120

100%

CLAT PG Syllabus and Exam 2027

The CLAT PG syllabus covers core areas of law, including Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, Administrative Law, Law of Contracts, Torts, Criminal Law, Property Law, Company Law, Public International Law, Tax Law, Environmental Law, Family Law, and Labour & Industrial Law.

The CLAT PG exam has 120 questions carrying 120 marks, with 120 minutes to complete the paper. Candidates receive 1 mark for each correct answer, while 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.

Important CLAT Abbreviations

CLAT abbreviations appear frequently in law degrees, exam formats, candidate categories, and the admission process. The following list covers commonly used terms candidates may encounter while preparing for CLAT and applying to NLUs.

Abbreviation

Full Form

Where the Full Form Is Used

LL.B.

Bachelor of Laws

Undergraduate law degree

LL.M.

Master of Laws

Postgraduate law degree

BA LL.B.

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws

5-year integrated LL.B. programmes

BBA LL.B.

Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Laws

5-year integrated LL.B. programmes

OMR

Optical Mark Recognition

Answer sheet used in the offline CLAT exam

MCQ

Multiple Choice Question

Question format used in CLAT

PwD

Persons with Disabilities

Candidate category and exam-related provisions

NRI

Non-Resident Indian

Candidate category in NLU admissions

PIO

Person of Indian Origin

Candidate category under certain admission rules

OCI

Overseas Citizen of India

Candidate category under certain admission rules

SC

Scheduled Caste

Reservation category

ST

Scheduled Tribe

Reservation category

OBC

Other Backward Classes

Reservation category

EWS

Economically Weaker Section

Reservation category

BPL

Below Poverty Line

Category eligible for the applicable reduced CLAT application fee

AIR

All India Rank

Rank secured by a candidate in CLAT

CLAT 2027: What Candidates Should Know?

For CLAT full form 2027 searches, remember that CLAT stands for Common Law Admission Test. The CLAT 2027 examination is scheduled for 6 December 2026, and the Consortium has stated that the examination covers admissions to 5-year integrated LL.B. and LL.M. programmes beginning in the 2027–28 academic year.

FAQs on CLAT Full Form

The Consortium of National Law Universities conducts CLAT. The Consortium also publishes information on eligibility, syllabus, registration, and question-paper format.

For CLAT UG, candidates need Class 12 or an equivalent qualification. For CLAT PG, candidates need an LL.B. degree or an equivalent qualification. Candidates appearing for the qualifying examination may also apply, subject to applicable admission requirements.

CLAT is required for admission to participating National Law Universities and institutions accepting CLAT scores. CLAT is not compulsory for every law programme in India.

No. CLAT and AILET are separate law entrance examinations. The Consortium of National Law Universities conducts CLAT, while AILET is conducted by National Law University, Delhi.

The CLAT 2027 participating-universities list includes 26 NLUs, plus IIULER Goa, and lists GNLU Silvassa Campus separately, for a total of 27 participating institutions/campuses. National Law University, Delhi is not part of the CLAT participating-university list and conducts its own AILET.

Not sure
what’s right for you?

Let’s help you figure it out.

Share what you’re trying to decide, and get guidance on exams, colleges, courses and coaching options that fit your goals.

  • ✓ Discuss your goals and preferences
  • ✓ Get guidance based on your needs
  • ✓ Clear your doubts before you decide

Request a free callback

It takes less than a minute.