The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) stands as a premier national-level entrance exam in India. It opens doors to undergraduate and postgraduate law programs at National Law Universities (NLUs), often leading to lucrative sarkari job opportunities in judiciary, public sector undertakings (PSUs) like NTPC, ONGC, and government legal services.
Graduates from top NLUs secure roles as judges, law officers, and advisors in public institutions. CLAT serves as a direct pathway to these stable, prestigious sarkari jobs with attractive salaries and benefits.
Introduction to CLAT
The Consortium of National Law Universities conducts CLAT annually. Established in 2008 following a Supreme Court directive, it replaced multiple individual entrance exams for NLUs.
Today, 26 NLUs participate, along with over 60 affiliated private law schools. CLAT admits students to:
- 5-year integrated LLB programs (BA LLB, BBA LLB, BSc LLB, etc.)
- One-year LLM programs
The exam tests comprehension, reasoning, and awareness skills essential for legal education. For CLAT 2026, the test occurs on December 7, 2025, in offline mode.
Eligibility Criteria
For UG CLAT
Candidates must pass Class 12 or equivalent with at least 45% marks (40% for SC/ST categories). Appearing students in 2026 can apply. No upper age limit applies.
For PG CLAT
Candidates need an LLB or equivalent with minimum 50% marks (45% for reserved categories). Final-year students qualify provisionally.
Exam Pattern and Syllabus
CLAT UG lasts 2 hours with 120 multiple-choice questions (1 mark each, -0.25 for wrong answers). It features passage-based questions.
Sections include:
- English Language (20-25% weightage): Comprehension, vocabulary, grammar.
- Current Affairs & GK (25%): National/international events, history, geography.
- Legal Reasoning (25%): Legal principles, applications to facts.
- Logical Reasoning (20%): Arguments, puzzles, critical thinking.
- Quantitative Techniques (10-15%): Basic math, data interpretation.
CLAT PG has 120 questions on constitutional law, jurisprudence, criminal law, contracts, torts, international law, etc., also passage-based.
The exam emphasizes reading speed and analytical skills over rote learning.
Seats and Vacancies in NLUs
CLAT 2026 offers approximately 3,700-4,100 UG seats and 1,500-1,600 PG seats across 26 NLUs, including supernumerary, NRI, and foreign national quotas.
Top NLUs like NLSIU Bengaluru (310 seats), NALSAR Hyderabad, and WBNUJS Kolkata provide the most coveted spots. New additions like RPNLU Prayagraj and IIULER Goa increased intake.
Reservations follow government norms:
- 15% SC
- 7.5% ST
- 27% OBC
- 10% EWS
- PwD quotas
Many NLUs reserve seats for state domicile candidates. Vacant seats after centralized counseling fill via spot rounds or NLU-specific processes. Competition remains fierce, with over 1 lakh aspirants vying annually.
Application Process and Important Dates
For CLAT 2026:
- Applications opened August 1, 2025
- Close October 31, 2025
Fee is ₹4,000 (general), ₹3,500 (reserved). Apply at consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
Admit cards release in November. Results and merit lists follow in December, leading to centralized counseling with multiple allotment rounds.
Career Prospects
NLU graduates excel in litigation, corporate law, judiciary (via Judicial Services exams), and academia. Many secure sarkari jobs through UPSC (legal services), PSUs (CLAT PG scores for roles like NTPC Assistant Law Officer), or direct recruitment as public prosecutors and government counsels.
CLAT toppers often become judges, IAS/IPS officers (with law advantage), or legal advisors in ministries. The sarkari job allure lies in job security, pensions, and societal impact.
In conclusion, CLAT demands dedication but rewards with elite legal education and promising careers, including coveted sarkari jobs. With around 5,000+ total seats and growing opportunities, it remains the golden ticket for law aspirants.
