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What Is CLAT UG and PG? Eligibility, Age Limit, Exam Pattern & Differences 2027

CLAT UG and CLAT PG are the undergraduate and postgraduate components of the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). CLAT UG is conducted for admission to 5-year integrated LL.B. programmes, while CLAT PG is conducted for admission to LL.M. programmes at participating universities.

clat ug and pg

CLAT has separate UG and PG examinations for candidates entering different stages of legal education. Both CLAT UG and CLAT PG 2027 comprise 120 multiple-choice questions to be answered in two hours, with 0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect answer. However, eligibility requirements, syllabus, and examination focus differ between the two levels.

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CLAT UG vs PG: Key Differences

The main difference between CLAT UG and PG is the stage of legal education for which the candidate is applying. CLAT UG follows Class 12, while CLAT PG follows an LL.B. qualification.

Parameter

CLAT UG 2027

CLAT PG 2027

Purpose

Admission to 5-year integrated LL.B. programmes

Admission to LL.M. programmes

Minimum Educational Qualification

Class 12 or equivalent

LL.B. degree or equivalent qualification

Minimum Marks

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

50% for candidates generally; 45% for SC/ST/PwD

Age Limit

No upper age limit

No upper age limit

Exam Duration

2 hours

2 hours

Total Questions

120 MCQs

120 MCQs

Total Marks

120

120

Negative Marking

0.25 mark deducted for each wrong answer

0.25 mark deducted for each wrong answer

Main Focus

Comprehension, reasoning, and aptitude

Core undergraduate law subjects

Admission Programme

5-year integrated LL.B.

LL.M.

Check the Complete CLAT 2027 Guide:

CLAT Exam Dates CLAT Critical Reasoning
CLAT 2027 Marks vs Rank  Important GK Topics for CLAT
CLAT The Daily Hindu Analysis How Many Hours to Study for CLAT

What Is CLAT UG and PG?

CLAT UG is meant for candidates seeking admission to 5-year integrated LL.B. programmes after Class 12, while CLAT PG is meant for candidates seeking admission to LL.M. programmes after completing or appearing for an LL.B. degree or equivalent qualification.

What Is CLAT UG?

CLAT UG is the undergraduate entrance examination for admission to 5-year integrated LL.B. programmes at participating universities. Candidates who have passed or are appearing for their Class 12 or equivalent qualifying examination can apply, subject to the applicable eligibility criteria.

The CLAT UG paper tests comprehension, reasoning, and aptitude through five sections:

  • English Language
  • Current Affairs, including General Knowledge
  • Legal Reasoning
  • Logical Reasoning
  • Quantitative Techniques

What Is CLAT PG?

CLAT PG is the postgraduate entrance examination for admission to LL.M. programmes at participating universities. Candidates who have completed or are appearing for an LL.B. degree or equivalent qualifying examination can apply, subject to the applicable eligibility criteria.

CLAT PG focuses on comprehension and application of undergraduate-level legal knowledge. Its syllabus includes:

  • 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

CLAT UG Eligibility 2027

For CLAT UG 2027, candidates must have passed or be appearing for the Class 12 or equivalent qualifying examination. Candidates must have at least 45% marks or an equivalent grade, while the minimum requirement is 40% for candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwD categories. There is no upper age limit.

CLAT UG Eligibility Parameter

Requirement

Qualifying Examination

Class 12 or equivalent

Minimum Marks

45% or equivalent grade

Minimum Marks for SC/ST/PwD

40% or equivalent grade

Appearing Candidates

Candidates appearing for the qualifying examination in March/April 2027 can apply

Programme

5-year integrated LL.B. programmes

Explore Complete Resources for CLAT 2027:

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

CLAT PG Eligibility 2027

For CLAT PG 2027, candidates must have passed or be appearing for an LL.B. degree or an equivalent qualifying examination. The minimum requirement is 50% marks or an equivalent grade, reduced to 45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates. There is no upper age limit.

CLAT PG Eligibility Parameter

Requirement

Qualifying Examination

LL.B. degree or equivalent qualification

Minimum Marks

50% or equivalent grade

Minimum Marks for SC/ST/PwD

45% or equivalent grade

Appearing Candidates

Candidates appearing for the qualifying LL.B. examination in 2027 can apply

Programme

Available LL.M. programmes

CLAT UG vs PG Age Limit 2027

There is no upper age limit for CLAT 2027 for either UG or PG candidates. Candidates must still meet the applicable educational qualification and other eligibility requirements. Age may also be relevant under the tie-breaker rules.

For CLAT UG, the tie-breaker sequence considers higher marks in the Legal Aptitude component, followed by higher age, and then a computerised draw of lots.

For CLAT PG, the tie-breaker considers the candidate's higher age, followed by a computerised draw if required.

Explore Complete Resources for CLAT PG 2027:

CLAT PG Registration CLAT PG Eligibility Criteria
CLAT PG Previous Year Question Papers  

CLAT UG Exam Pattern 2027

The CLAT UG exam pattern 2027 consists of 120 multiple-choice questions carrying 120 marks. The examination has a duration of two hours and includes five sections: English Language; CLAT Current Affairs, including General Knowledge; Legal Reasoning; Logical Reasoning; and Quantitative Techniques.

CLAT UG Exam Parameter

CLAT UG 2027 Details

Exam duration

2 hours

Total questions

120 MCQs

Total marks

120 marks

Question type

Multiple-choice questions

Subjects/Sections

English Language; Current Affairs, including General Knowledge; Legal Reasoning; Logical Reasoning; Quantitative Techniques

Marking scheme

+1 for each correct answer; –0.25 for each incorrect answer

CLAT PG Exam Pattern 2027

The CLAT PG exam pattern 2027 consists of 120 multiple-choice questions carrying 120 marks. The paper has a duration of two hours, with 0.25 marks deducted for every incorrect answer.

CLAT PG Exam Parameter

CLAT PG 2027 Details

Exam Duration

2 hours

Total Questions

120 MCQs

Total Marks

120 marks

Question Type

Multiple-choice questions

Topics 

  • 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

Marking Scheme

  • +1 mark for each correct answer
  • –0.25 mark for each incorrect answer
  •  0 marks for unattempted questions

Find Everything About CLAT 2027:

CLAT Marking Scheme CLAT Cut Off
CLAT Preparation in 3 Months CLAT Maths Syllabus
CLAT Difficulty Level CLAT Previous Year Question Papers

CLAT UG vs PG Fees 2027

The CLAT application fee is separate from the tuition and other fees charged by individual participating NLUs. NLU fees vary by university and programme.

Fee Parameter

CLAT UG 2027

CLAT PG 2027

General/OBC

₹4,000

₹4,000

NRI

₹4,000

₹4,000

SC/ST/BPL/PwD

₹3,500

₹3,500

Previous-year Question Papers

₹500 separately

₹500 separately

Bank Transaction charges

Additional

Additional

Which CLAT Exam Should a Candidate Apply For?

A candidate’s academic qualification determines whether CLAT UG or CLAT PG is applicable.

Candidates who have completed or are appearing for Class 12 can apply for CLAT UG for admission to 5-year integrated LL.B. programmes. Candidates who have completed or are appearing for an LL.B. qualification can apply for CLAT PG for admission to LL.M. programmes, subject to the applicable eligibility criteria.

Important Point

CLAT UG and CLAT PG are meant for different stages of legal education. CLAT UG is for admission to 5-year integrated LL.B. programmes after Class 12, while CLAT PG is for LL.M. admissions after an LL.B. qualification.

Although both examinations have 120 questions, two-hour durations, and negative marking, their eligibility requirements and syllabus are different. CLAT UG primarily tests comprehension, reasoning, and aptitude, whereas CLAT PG tests comprehension and application of knowledge from core undergraduate law subjects.

FAQs on What Is CLAT UG and PG?

CLAT UG and CLAT PG are designed for different levels of legal education. Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria for each examination. Whether a candidate can apply for both depends on their educational qualifications and the applicable CLAT 2027 rules.

CLAT UG and CLAT PG have different difficulty levels because they test different skills. CLAT UG focuses on comprehension, reasoning, current affairs, and aptitude, whereas CLAT PG tests comprehension and knowledge of core undergraduate law subjects. The difficulty depends on the candidate's preparation and strengths.

No, CLAT UG is primarily conducted for admission to five-year integrated LL.B. programmes at participating universities. Candidates seeking admission to three-year LL.B. courses generally need to appear for the entrance examination accepted by their preferred institution.

No, CLAT PG is not compulsory for admission to every LL.M. programme in India. Participating National Law Universities use CLAT PG for admissions, while other universities may conduct their own entrance examinations or accept other qualifying criteria.

Generally, candidates must have completed or be appearing for an LL.B. degree or an equivalent qualifying law degree to apply for CLAT PG. A bachelor's degree in a non-law subject alone does not meet this educational eligibility requirement.

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