CLAT 2028: Complete Details, Exam Date, Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern and Application Process

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national-level entrance examination for students seeking admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programmes offered by participating National Law Universities (NLUs) in India. It is conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities and is one of the major entrance examinations for law aspirants.

Students planning to appear for CLAT 2028 should begin understanding the examination well in advance. Knowing the expected admission process, eligibility requirements, syllabus and examination pattern can help candidates organise their preparation and avoid last-minute confusion.

However, the official CLAT 2028 notification has not been released as of November 2026. Therefore, the exact examination date, application schedule, fees and other rules are yet to be confirmed. The details below use the latest available official CLAT 2027 information as a reference. Any changes announced for CLAT 2028 will take priority.

CLAT 2028: Overview

CLAT is conducted for admission to two major categories of law programmes: five-year integrated undergraduate law courses and postgraduate LL.M. programmes. Candidates must select the appropriate examination while completing the application process.

The Consortium currently includes 26 National Law Universities. The participating universities, available courses and seat details for the 2028 admission cycle should be checked once the official information brochure is published.

CLAT 2028 Exam Date

The Consortium of NLUs has not announced the CLAT 2028 examination date yet. The application opening date, registration deadline, admit card release date and result date are also awaited.

Candidates should not rely on unofficial dates circulating online. The examination calendar will be confirmed through the official notification.

For reference, CLAT 2027 is scheduled for 6 December 2026. Its application process opened on 3 August 2026 and the last date for submission was 31 October 2026. These dates belong to the 2027 examination cycle and should not be treated as the confirmed schedule for CLAT 2028.

CLAT 2028 Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for CLAT 2028 will be confirmed in the official notification. Based on the latest available rules, candidates should understand the following requirements for both UG and PG examinations.

CLAT UG Eligibility

Candidates seeking admission to a five-year integrated law programme must have completed or be appearing for their Class 12 or equivalent examination.

Under the CLAT 2027 eligibility rules, the minimum qualifying marks are:

• General, OBC, PWD and other applicable categories: 45% marks or an equivalent grade in the qualifying examination.

• SC and ST categories: 40% marks or an equivalent grade.

Candidates appearing for their Class 12 examination are also permitted to apply, subject to the requirement of producing proof of passing at the time of admission.

There is no upper age limit under the latest CLAT UG eligibility rules. Candidates should verify the final category-wise requirements in the CLAT 2028 notification before applying.

CLAT PG Eligibility

Candidates interested in postgraduate law programmes must hold an LL.B. degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognised university.

As per the CLAT 2027 eligibility criteria:

• General category candidates must have at least 50% marks or an equivalent grade.

• SC/ST/PwD category candidates must have at least 45% marks or an equivalent grade.

• Candidates appearing for their qualifying examination may also apply, subject to the admission requirements.

There is no upper age limit for the CLAT PG examination under the latest available rules.

CLAT 2028 Exam Pattern

The CLAT examination has separate question paper formats for undergraduate and postgraduate admissions. The exact CLAT 2028 pattern will be confirmed through the official examination notification.

CLAT UG Exam Pattern

The latest CLAT UG pattern, applicable to the 2027 examination, includes 120 multiple-choice questions carrying one mark each. Candidates receive two hours to complete the paper.

The paper is divided into five sections: English Language, Current Affairs including General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Techniques.

CLAT PG Exam Pattern

The postgraduate examination assesses candidates' understanding of undergraduate-level legal subjects and their ability to comprehend legal material.

The CLAT PG 2027 pattern includes 120 objective-type questions carrying one mark each. The examination duration is two hours, with a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer.

Candidates preparing for CLAT PG should focus on legal comprehension, important judgments, constitutional developments and the subjects covered in the prescribed syllabus.

CLAT 2028 Syllabus

The CLAT 2028 syllabus has not been officially released. However, the latest CLAT UG syllabus provides a useful reference for understanding the subjects and skills tested in the examination.

CLAT UG Syllabus

1. English Language

This section evaluates reading comprehension, vocabulary and the ability to understand arguments and viewpoints. Candidates are expected to read passages, identify their central ideas, draw conclusions and understand words in context.

2. Current Affairs Including General Knowledge

The section covers important national and international developments, government policies, awards, sports, international affairs, history and other significant events. Questions are generally based on passages related to current affairs and general knowledge.

3. Legal Reasoning

Legal Reasoning tests a candidate's ability to understand legal principles and apply them to given situations. Questions may involve legal issues, public policy and moral or philosophical arguments. Prior legal knowledge is not required under the latest UG syllabus, although awareness of contemporary legal developments can be useful.

4. Logical Reasoning

This section evaluates analytical and critical thinking skills. Candidates may be asked to identify arguments, understand premises and conclusions, evaluate reasoning and draw logical inferences from passages.

5. Quantitative Techniques

Quantitative Techniques includes questions based on numerical information, data interpretation and basic mathematical operations. Candidates should be comfortable working with percentages, ratios, averages and other fundamental mathematical concepts.

CLAT PG Syllabus

The latest CLAT PG syllabus is based on undergraduate-level legal subjects. The major subjects include:

• Constitutional Law

• Jurisprudence

• Administrative Law

• Law of Contract

• Law of Torts

• Family Law

• Criminal Law

• Property Law

• Company Law

• Public International Law

• Tax Law

• Environmental Law

• Labour and Industrial Law

Candidates should refer to the official CLAT 2028 syllabus once it becomes available, as the prescribed subjects and examination requirements may change.

CLAT 2028 Application Form

The CLAT 2028 application form is expected to be available online through the official Consortium website. The registration dates and application instructions have not yet been announced.

Based on the previous application process, candidates can expect the following general steps:

1. Visit the official Consortium of NLUs website.

2. Open the CLAT 2028 registration link once it becomes available.

3. Register using a valid mobile number and email address.

4. Verify the registration details and log in to the application portal.

5. Enter personal, academic and communication details.

6. Select the appropriate programme and examination centre preferences.

7. Upload the required photograph, signature and applicable certificates.

8. Pay the application fee through the available online payment options.

9. Review the application carefully and submit the form.

10. Save a copy of the submitted application and payment confirmation.

Candidates should ensure that the information entered in the application form matches their official documents. Any incorrect details or missing documents may create problems during the admission process.

CLAT 2028 Application Fee

The official application fee for CLAT 2028 has not been announced. For reference, the CLAT 2027 application fee was as follows:

These amounts are provided only as a reference to the previous examination cycle. Candidates should check the CLAT 2028 notification for the applicable registration fee and payment instructions.

CLAT 2028 Participating NLUs

The Consortium of National Law Universities currently has 26 member universities. These institutions offer undergraduate and postgraduate law programmes through the CLAT admission process.

Some well-known participating institutions include:

• National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru

• NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad

• National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal

• The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata

• National Law University, Jodhpur

• Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar

• Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Mumbai

• Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur

• National Law University, Delhi is not part of the CLAT admission process and conducts its own entrance examination.

The participating university list, available programmes, seat intake and reservation policies for CLAT 2028 should be verified through the official information brochure.

How to Prepare for CLAT 2028?

Preparing for CLAT requires consistent practice, reading habits and a clear understanding of the examination pattern. Starting early gives candidates enough time to strengthen their fundamentals and identify areas that need improvement.

Build a regular reading habit: Read newspapers, editorials and reliable current affairs sources regularly. This helps improve reading speed, comprehension and awareness of important developments.

Understand the syllabus: Go through the latest available syllabus and familiarise yourself with all five UG sections. For PG candidates, revise the core legal subjects and practise legal comprehension.

Practise passage-based questions: CLAT UG places significant emphasis on comprehension and reasoning. Solve questions based on passages to improve your ability to identify important information and draw accurate conclusions.

Prepare current affairs consistently: Maintain concise notes on important national and international events. Revise them regularly rather than depending entirely on last-minute preparation.

Take mock tests: Mock examinations help candidates understand the paper structure, manage time and evaluate their performance. Analyse incorrect answers after every test to understand the reasons behind mistakes.

Work on time management: Practise completing questions within a fixed time limit. Develop a strategy that allows you to attempt questions accurately without spending too much time on a single passage.

Revise regularly: Set aside time for revising concepts, current affairs notes and previously attempted questions. Regular revision helps retain information and track improvement.

CLAT 2028: Frequently Asked Questions

1. When will CLAT 2028 be conducted?

The official CLAT 2028 examination date has not been announced yet. The Consortium of NLUs will publish the confirmed schedule through its official website.

2. Has the CLAT 2028 application form been released?

No. The CLAT 2028 application form has not been released as of November 2026. Candidates should wait for the official registration announcement.

3. What is the eligibility for CLAT 2028 UG?

As per the latest CLAT UG rules, candidates need to pass or appear for their Class 12 or equivalent examination. The previous cycle required 45% marks for general category candidates and 40% for SC/ST candidates. The final CLAT 2028 requirements are yet to be confirmed.

4. How many questions are there in CLAT UG?

The latest CLAT UG pattern has 120 multiple-choice questions carrying 120 marks, with a duration of two hours. The CLAT 2028 pattern will be confirmed in the official notification.

5. Is there negative marking in CLAT?

Yes. Under the latest CLAT UG and PG patterns, 0.25 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer. Candidates should check the 2028 notification for confirmation.

6. Which subjects are included in the CLAT UG syllabus?

The latest UG syllabus includes English Language, Current Affairs including General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Techniques.

7. Can students appearing for Class 12 apply for CLAT 2028?

Under the latest eligibility rules, students appearing for their qualifying examination can apply. However, they must meet the required academic criteria and provide proof of passing at the time of admission.

8. Where can candidates check official CLAT 2028 updates?

Candidates can check the Consortium of National Law Universities' official website at https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/ for notifications, application dates, examination details and admission-related announcements.

Conclusion

CLAT 2028 aspirants should use the time before registration to understand the examination structure, review the syllabus and develop a consistent study routine. Although the official dates and detailed rules are still awaited, the latest examination pattern and eligibility guidelines provide a starting point for planning.

Candidates should rely on official announcements for confirmed information and regularly check the Consortium website for updates. Staying informed and preparing consistently can help them approach the examination with greater clarity and confidence.