The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) offers students the opportunity to complete a single application form for admission to any of the under-graduate and post-graduate degree programs of the 16 participating law institutes (LL.B & LL.M). The Common Law Admission Examination must, according to the MoU, be carried out on rotation by each of the National Law Schools according to the seniority criterion.
The 16 participating Law Schools for CLAT at present are:
National Law School of India University, Bangalore (NLSIU)
National Academy of Legal Study & Research (NALSAR) University of Law, Hyderabad
National Law Institute University, Bhopal (NLIU)
West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata (WBNUJS)
National Law University, Jodhpur (NLUJ)
Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur (HNLU)
Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar (GNLU)
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow (RMLNLU)
Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab (RGNUL)
National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi (NUALS)
Chanakya National Law University, Patna (CNLU)
National Law University, Odisha (NLUO)
National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi (NUSRL)
National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam (NLUJA)
Tamil Nadu National Law School (TNNLS), Tiruchirappalli
Damodaran Sanjeevaiya National Law University (DSNLU), Visakhapatnam
CLAT 2021 Eligibility Criteria
UG Course
Academic Qualification – A candidate must have secured minimum marks required in 12th standard, as per the category to which he/she belongs:
For Unreserved /OBC /Specially Abled Persons (SAP) and other categories – A minimum of 45% marks required.
For SC/ST Category – A minimum of 40% marks required.
General Criteria – Candidates appearing in the qualifying examination in April/May 2021 are eligible to register for Common Law Admission Test. They must submit an evidence of their successfully clearing the qualifying examination at the time of admission, failing which they will lose their right to be considered for admission.
Submit the result of qualifying examination (i.e., 10+2) at the time of CLAT Admission.
In case of equal marks, the tie-breaking procedure is as follows:
Higher marks in the section of legal aptitude in CLAT 2021
Higher age
A computerized draw of lots
PG Course (LL.M.)
CLAT offers admissions to both national and NRI candidates in the One Year LLM Course offered at various NLUs and other institutes/ universities accepting CLAT Scores.
CLAT Age Limit
There is no upper age limit set for appearing in the examination.
CLAT Eligibility
Academic Qualification – Aspirants appearing for CLAT LLM Program should have secured a minimum percentage in qualifying examination (i.e. LL.B./ 5-Year Integrated LL.B. (Hons.)/ any other equivalent exam). The marks vary as per candidate’s category.
For Unreserved /OBC /Specially Abled Persons (SAP) and other categories: a minimum of 50% marks are required.
For SC/ ST category – a minimum of 45% marks is required.
On the date of admission, he/ she must have passed or appeared in the final semester/final year examination of the qualifying examination.
Submit the final result of the qualifying examination within the time frame prescribed by the respective University/Institute. Till then such candidates are given provisional admission.
General Criteria – In case of equal marks, the tie-breaking procedure is as follows:
Higher age, the tie persists then;
Computerized draws of lots will be taken into consideration.
CLAT Eligibility Criteria for NRI Students
NRI/ NRI Sponsored category candidates are offered seats under NRI Quota. Admissions is carried out by the concerned universities independently on the basis of CLAT merit.
Important points to keep in mind:
Candidates must contact the concerned university directly for admission formalities, eligibility, documents required and other related queries for seeking admission under NRI/NRI sponsored category.
WBNUJS, Kolkata (West Bengal) has different criteria for admissions.It is as follows:
There are a total of 17 seats for the candidates aspiring for admissions in the undergraduate courses whereas there are no seats available for the postgraduate program.
Through CLAT Office: CLAT Office will issue the list of students eligible for taking admission under this category.
Documents required by the NRI Candidates at the time of CLAT Admission:
Copy of Valid Indian Passport of the Student
Copy of Visas obtained in the last 12 months
Certificate from the local embassy stating that the person is an NRI/OCI or PIO Card
Documents required by NRI Sponsored Candidates at the time of admission:
Copy of Valid Indian Passport of the Sponsor
Copy of Visas obtained in the last 12 months by the Sponsor
Certificate from the local embassy stating that the Sponsor is an NRI/ OCI or PIO Card
An affidavit by the sponsor indicating the interest shown in the education affairs of the student and willingness to fund the education of student over the next 5 years.
Sponsors for NRI Sponsored Students
The person who willingly sponsors candidates for admission is required to be a first-degree relation of the student and shall be residing abroad as a Non-Resident Indian.
In case the student has no parents or near relatives or taken as a ward by some other nearest relative, such students also may be considered for admission. The guardian must have legally treated the applying candidate as a ward. Such guardians shall file an affidavit mentioning the interest in the education of the candidate and also their relationship with the candidate. It is mandatory for that person to also be a Non-Resident Indian and ordinarily residing abroad.