CLAT Exam Pattern 2026 has been officially released by the Consortium of National Law Universities (CNLUs). The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026 for UG will consist of 120 multiple-choice questions carrying 120 marks to be solved in 2 hours. The exam will be conducted in offline pen-and-paper mode with a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer.
The paper is divided into five sections: English Language, Current Affairs including General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. This revised pattern focuses more on comprehension and reasoning skills rather than rote learning. Understanding the latest CLAT 2026 exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation and time management.
Overview Table
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Consortium of National Law Universities |
| Mode of Exam | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Duration | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) |
| Total Questions | 120 MCQs |
| Total Marks | 120 Marks |
| Marking Scheme | +1 (Correct), -0.25 (Wrong), 0 (Unattempted) |
| Sections | 5 Sections |
| Medium | English |
| Exam Date | December 7, 2025 (Conducted) |
Detailed CLAT Exam Pattern 2026
| Section | No. of Questions | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 22-26 | 20% |
| Current Affairs including GK | 28-32 | 25% |
| Legal Reasoning | 28-32 | 25% |
| Logical Reasoning | 22-26 | 20% |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10-14 | 10% |
| Total | 120 | 100% |
Key Features:
- All questions are passage-based (approx. 450 words per passage).
- No sectional time limits.
- Focus on reading speed, critical thinking, and application skills.
CLAT Marking Scheme 2026
| Response Type | Marks |
|---|---|
| Correct Answer | +1 Mark |
| Wrong Answer | -0.25 Marks |
| Unattempted | 0 Marks |
Strategy Tip: Attempt questions only when you are 60-70% confident due to negative marking.
CLAT UG Syllabus 2026 (Section-wise)
| Section | Detailed Topics / Skills Tested |
|---|---|
| English Language | - Reading Comprehension (450-word passages) - Main idea and purpose of the passage - Inference and conclusion drawing - Summarisation - Argument analysis and viewpoints - Contextual vocabulary and word meaning - Passage structure and organisation |
| Current Affairs including General Knowledge | - Contemporary events (National & International) - Government schemes and policies - Science & Technology developments - Sports, Awards & Honours - Arts, Culture & Books - Historical events of current relevance - Economic developments, Budgets & Indices - Environmental issues and climate change |
| Legal Reasoning | - Application of legal principles to fact situations - Identification of rules and principles from passages - Torts, Contracts, Criminal Law basics - Constitutional Law (Fundamental Rights, DPSP) - Public Policy and Moral Philosophy questions - Legal maxims and terminologies in context - No prior legal knowledge required |
| Logical Reasoning | - Argument analysis (Premise & Conclusion) - Strengthen and weaken arguments - Identify assumptions and inferences - Parallel reasoning and analogies - Flaws in arguments - Critical analysis of patterns of reasoning - Logical consistency and contradictions |
| Quantitative Techniques | - Class 10 level Mathematics - Data Interpretation (Graphs, Charts, Tables) - Ratios, Proportions and Percentages - Basic Algebra - Mensuration and Geometry - Statistics (Mean, Median, Mode) - Time, Speed & Distance - Averages and Mixtures |
Note: All questions in CLAT 2026 are passage-based. The focus is on comprehension, application, and reasoning skills rather than rote memorization.
Preparation Tips for CLAT 2026
- Prioritize Current Affairs and Legal Reasoning (50% combined weightage).
- Read newspapers daily (The Hindu, Indian Express).
- Practice 10-15 full-length mocks under timed conditions.
- Focus on accuracy to minimize negative marking.
- Build speed for long passages.
