Thousands of students preparing for admission to India’s premier law schools can now plan their preparation with greater confidence. The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) has officially announced that the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2027 will be conducted on Sunday, December 6, 2026, while confirming that there will be no changes to the syllabus or exam pattern for both Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) examinations.
The announcement provides much-needed certainty for aspirants who had been anticipating possible revisions following discussions on improving legal education and entrance examinations. By retaining the existing structure, the Consortium has enabled students to continue their preparation without the pressure of adapting to a new format.
With CLAT serving as the gateway to most National Law Universities (NLUs) and several leading private law institutions, the examination remains one of India’s most competitive law entrance tests.
Key Highlights
- CLAT 2027 will be conducted on December 6, 2026 (Sunday).
- Registration begins on August 3, 2026, and closes on October 31, 2026.
- No changes have been made to the UG or PG syllabus and exam pattern.
- The exam will continue to serve as the primary admission test for most National Law Universities and several other participating institutions.
- Students can continue their preparation strategy based on the existing exam structure.
Why the Decision Matters
For competitive examination aspirants, uncertainty over syllabus revisions often disrupts preparation. The Consortium’s decision to retain the current pattern offers stability and allows students to focus on strengthening concepts instead of adjusting to a revised blueprint.
Education experts believe consistency in the examination format also helps coaching institutes, schools, and self-study candidates design more effective preparation plans.
Important Dates for CLAT 2027
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Begins | August 3, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | October 31, 2026 |
| CLAT 2027 Examination | December 6, 2026 |
| Exam Timing | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM |
CLAT 2027 Exam Pattern Remains the Same
The Consortium has confirmed that the examination structure will remain unchanged.
CLAT UG Pattern
- Mode: Offline (Pen-and-Paper)
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Total Questions: Around 120 objective questions
- Marking Scheme:
- +1 for every correct answer
- –0.25 for every incorrect answer
The paper will continue to assess comprehension and analytical abilities rather than rote memorisation.
Sections in CLAT UG
Candidates will continue to be tested in the following five areas:
- English Language
- Current Affairs & General Knowledge
- Legal Reasoning
- Logical Reasoning
- Quantitative Techniques
The emphasis remains on reading comprehension, reasoning ability, interpretation of legal principles, and numerical aptitude.
CLAT PG Structure
The postgraduate examination will also follow the existing format, focusing primarily on:
- Constitutional Law
- Jurisprudence
- Administrative Law
- Contract Law
- Criminal Law
- Family Law
- Property Law
- Company Law
- Public International Law
- Environmental Law
- Labour and Industrial Law
- Taxation
- Other core legal subjects
No revisions have been announced for the postgraduate paper.
