CLAT UG 2026 Exam Pattern: that the CLAT UG 2026 exam will be conducted on Sunday, December 7, 2025. With the registration window open from August 1 to October 31, 2025, aspiring law students must now pivot their focus to a strategic preparation plan. The cornerstone of this strategy is a deep and thorough understanding of the CLAT UG 2026 Exam Pattern.
This comprehensive guide breaks down the latest exam structure, marking scheme, and section-wise distribution as prescribed by the Consortium, empowering you to prepare smarter and maximize your score.
CLAT UG 2026: An Overview
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) UG is the gateway for admission to prestigious 5-year integrated law programmes (like BA LL.B, BBA LL.B, B.Sc LL.B) offered by 24 National Law Universities (NLUs) and numerous other private institutions across India. It is a highly competitive exam that evaluates a candidate’s aptitude for legal education through comprehension and reasoning-based questions.
CLAT UG 2026 Exam Pattern: Key Highlights at a Glance
Before diving into the specifics, here is a quick snapshot of the core structure of the CLAT UG 2026 exam:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) UG 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Consortium of NLUs |
| Exam Date | December 7, 2025 |
| Mode of Exam | Offline (Pen and Paper-Based) |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Total Questions | 120 |
| Total Marks | 120 |
| Exam Duration | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for correct answer, -0.25 for incorrect answer |
| Medium of Exam | English |
Detailed Section-Wise Breakdown for CLAT UG 2026
The CLAT UG 2026 question paper is divided into five distinct sections. Unlike rote-learning exams, CLAT focuses on passage-based questions that test your comprehension, analytical, and application skills.
Here is the section-wise distribution of questions and the skills they assess:
| Section | Approx. Number of Questions | Weightage (Marks) | Core Skills Tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 22-26 | 22-26 | Comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, inference |
| Current Affairs (including GK) | 28-32 | 28-32 | Awareness of national/international events, static GK |
| Legal Reasoning | 28-32 | 28-32 | Application of legal principles, problem-solving |
| Logical Reasoning | 22-26 | 22-26 | Critical thinking, argument analysis, patterns |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10-14 | 10-14 | Basic math, data interpretation, numerical ability |
| Total | 120 | 120 |
1. English Language
This section will feature passages of about 450 words, drawn from contemporary or historically significant fiction and non-fiction. The questions will evaluate your ability to:
- Identify the central theme and arguments.
- Draw logical inferences and conclusions.
- Summarize the passage effectively.
- Understand the meaning of words and phrases in context.
2. Current Affairs Including General Knowledge
You will be presented with passages sourced from news, journalistic pieces, and non-fiction writings. This section tests:
- Knowledge of important national and international current events.
- Awareness of arts, culture, and historical events of continuing significance.
- The ability to contextualize information without prior legal knowledge.
3. Legal Reasoning
This is a critical section that includes passages related to fact situations, legal matters, or public policy questions. The key here is not memorizing laws but:
- Identifying the underlying legal principles or rules.
- Applying these principles to various fact scenarios.
- Understanding how a change in the rule alters its application.
4. Logical Reasoning
Comprising short passages of around 300-400 words, this section assesses your logical and analytical capabilities. You must be able to:
- Recognize an argument, its premises, and conclusions.
- Identify logical patterns and flaws.
- Draw inferences and evaluate the effectiveness of arguments.
5. Quantitative Techniques
This section includes sets of facts or propositions, graphs, or other numerical data. The questions, based on Class 10th level maths, will require you to:
- Derive, manipulate, and interpret numerical information.
- Apply skills like ratios, proportions, percentages, and basic algebra.
CLAT UG 2026 Marking Scheme: A Word of Caution
The marking scheme is a crucial element of your test-taking strategy:
- Correct Answer: +1 mark
- Incorrect Answer: -0.25 marks (Negative Marking)
- Unattempted Question: 0 marks
Strategic Insight: The negative marking system penalizes guesswork. It is wiser to attempt questions you are confident about rather than making wild guesses that can reduce your overall score.
Top 5 Preparation Tips for CLAT UG 2026
- Master the Pattern and Syllabus: Your first step is to internalize the exam pattern and detailed syllabus. This helps in allocating time and resources efficiently to each section.
- Cultivate a Reading Habit: Read editorials from The Hindu or Indian Express daily. This simultaneously builds your English comprehension and current affairs knowledge.
- Focus on Legal Aptitude, Not Legal Knowledge: For Legal Reasoning, practice applying general legal principles to new situations. Use study materials and mock tests that provide such scenarios.
- Practice with Mock Tests: Regularly taking full-length mock tests is non-negotiable. It builds speed, accuracy, and exam temperament, while also helping you manage the 2-hour time constraint effectively.
- Analyze and Revise: After every mock test, spend significant time analyzing your performance. Identify weak areas, understand why you made mistakes, and revise those concepts thoroughly.