Introduction
Verified by Lawsection.in Editorial Team | Last Updated: February 17, 2026
Every year, thousands of law aspirants across India prepare for CLAT with one dream — securing admission into top National Law Universities. But one of the biggest mistakes many students make is not fully understanding CLAT eligibility criteria, rules, and requirements before applying.
If you are planning to appear in CLAT UG Exam 2027, this complete guide explains:
- Official eligibility criteria
- Academic requirements
- Age rules
- Attempt limits
- Nationality requirements
- Important exam rules
- Common mistakes students make
All information below is aligned with latest Consortium of NLUs guidelines and recent CLAT cycles, so you can plan safely and confidently.
What is CLAT UG Exam?
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national-level law entrance exam conducted annually for admission into undergraduate law programmes (BA LL.B, BBA LL.B, B.Com LL.B etc.) offered by National Law Universities and participating institutions across India.
If you want to explore all national and state law entrance exams, eligibility rules, and preparation strategy, you can visit our Law Exams Hub Page, where we have explained every major law entrance exam in India in a structured and easy-to-understand format.
CLAT UG 2027 Eligibility Criteria
Important Note: CLAT 2027 official notification will follow similar pattern unless Consortium updates rules. Below is based on latest verified CLAT 2026–2027 pattern.
As per the Official CLAT Eligibility Criteria released by the conducting authority, candidates must meet minimum academic and qualification requirements before applying.
1. Educational Qualification Requirement
To apply for CLAT UG:
✔ Must have passed Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent from recognised board
✔ Students appearing in Class 12 are also eligible (must pass before admission)
Minimum Marks Required:
| Category | Minimum Marks Required |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | 45% |
| SC / ST / PwD | 40% |
Official sources confirm:
- Minimum 45% marks for General category
- 40% marks for SC/ST/PwD candidates
- Appearing Class 12 students can apply but must produce proof at admission
2. CLAT Age Limit Rule
As per latest Consortium pattern:
- No upper age limit for CLAT UG
- No officially fixed lower age mentioned in recent notifications
This has been confirmed repeatedly in official eligibility notifications.
3. Stream Requirement (Science / Commerce / Arts)
Students from any stream can apply:
✔ Science
✔ Commerce
✔ Arts / Humanities
As long as Class 12 qualification + minimum marks criteria is met.
4. Number of Attempts Allowed
There is no limit on number of attempts for CLAT UG.
This means candidates can attempt multiple years until they secure desired rank.
5. Nationality Eligibility
Eligible candidates include:
✔ Indian Nationals
✔ NRIs
✔ PIO / OCI (subject to specific NLU policies)
For complete details about CLAT exam pattern, syllabus, preparation strategy, cut-offs, and counselling process, you can read our Complete CLAT Exam Guide, which explains everything step-by-step for serious law aspirants.
Is There Any Passing Marks in CLAT?
There are no fixed passing marks in CLAT.
CLAT is a rank-based competitive exam. This means eligibility is only the first stage — actual admission depends on your All India Rank, category rank, NLU preference order, and seat availability.
Therefore, CLAT preparation must focus on maximising rank, not just clearing a minimum score threshold.
Important CLAT UG Rules Students Must Know – Tie-Breaking Policy
The CLAT UG examination follows a structured and transparent tie-breaking mechanism to ensure fair ranking when two or more candidates secure the same total score.
Official CLAT UG Tie-Breaking Priority Order
If two or more candidates obtain identical total marks, the ranking is decided using the following sequence:
First Priority — Higher Marks in Legal Reasoning Section
The candidate who scores higher marks in the Legal Reasoning section is ranked above others. This rule reflects the core objective of CLAT, which is to assess legal aptitude, comprehension, and analytical ability required for law education.
Second Priority — Higher Age Candidate
If Legal Reasoning scores are also equal, the candidate who is older in age is given preference. This rule has been part of CLAT’s historical admission framework and is applied to ensure final differentiation.
Third Priority — Computerised Draw of Lots (If Required)
If all above parameters remain identical, the final ranking is determined through a computerised random selection process conducted under official supervision to ensure fairness and transparency.
Can Class 12 Appearing Students Apply for CLAT 2027?
Yes. Students appearing in Class 12 during the academic session prior to admission are eligible to apply for CLAT UG.
However, such candidates must successfully pass Class 12 and submit proof of qualification at the time of admission or counselling. Failure to produce final marksheets may result in cancellation of provisional admission.
This rule ensures fair opportunity for current students while maintaining academic eligibility standards.
Common Mistakes Students Make
Many CLAT aspirants lose opportunities due to misunderstanding basic rules rather than lack of preparation.
- One major mistake is assuming CLAT requires prior legal knowledge or law background. In reality, the exam tests reasoning and comprehension, not prior law study.
- Another common error is ignoring category-wise minimum marks eligibility. Some students apply without verifying eligibility thresholds, leading to rejection during counselling.
- Some aspirants also wrongly believe CLAT has strict age restrictions. As per recent patterns, there is no upper age limit, which makes CLAT accessible for repeat aspirants and career switchers.
Who Should Target CLAT UG 2027?
CLAT is ideal for students who want:
- Top National Law Universities
- Corporate law career
- Judiciary preparation base
- Litigation career
- Legal policy / government career
Documents Required for CLAT Application
Student Generally required:
- Class 10 Marksheet
- Class 12 Marksheet / Appearing Proof
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
- ID Proof
- Photograph + Signature
(Exact list will be confirmed in CLAT 2027 notification.)
CLAT UG 2027 Expected Timeline
| Event | Expected Timeline |
|---|---|
| Application Start | August 2026 |
| Last Date | October–November 2026 |
| Exam Date | December 2026 |
Important Note: Students should treat these timelines as planning guidance and always verify final dates from the official notification.
Expert Preparation Advice
Students preparing for CLAT UG 2027 should ideally begin structured preparation at least one year in advance. The exam increasingly tests reading comprehension depth and logical reasoning ability rather than static knowledge.
Daily newspaper reading, weekly mock tests, and section-wise analysis are critical success strategies. Students should also practice time management because CLAT is designed to test reading speed under pressure.
Most successful candidates focus on improving reading stamina, accuracy in logical questions, and consistency in current affairs revision rather than memorising legal theory.
Related Law Entrance Exams
- AILET Exam (UG & PG guide)
- SLAT Exam (Symbiosis Law Admission Test)
- PUCET Law (Eligibility & Syllabus)
Final Conclusion
If you want to appear for CLAT UG Exam 2027, your primary focus should be:
- Meeting minimum academic eligibility
- Understanding exam rules
- Preparing strategically for rank (not just qualifying)
Since CLAT is rank-based admission, eligibility only makes you eligible to appear — real success depends on preparation quality.
Students planning long-term international legal careers can also explore global law degree options through our Study Law Abroad Section, where we explain LLB, LLM, and PhD Law opportunities for Indian students in top countries.
This content is prepared after reviewing official Consortium notifications, latest exam patterns, and verified education sources. However, candidates must always verify details from official CLAT notification of the respective year before applying.
Continue Learning (Previous Guide)
CLAT UG Exam 2027: Detailed Analysis of Syllabus, Exam Pattern & Weightage
Get the most updated and verified CLAT UG Exam 2027 syllabus and exam pattern analysis including section-wise weightage, and marking scheme.
Recommended For CLAT & Law Aspirants
Our editorial team curates these guides after reviewing official exam notifications, admission updates, and verified education sources to help law aspirants make informed decisions. Always cross-check final dates and rules from the official notification of the concerned year.
Law Colleges & Admissions
COLLEGE DIRECTORY
Law College Directory: Law Colleges in India & Abroad
Explore law colleges with courses, fees, approvals, eligibility, and admissions.
NLUs & ADMISSIONS
Top NLUs: Seats, Cut-Off Trends & Counselling
NLU admissions explained with counselling flow and document checklist.
ADMISSIONS HELP
How to Choose the Right Law College
A practical framework to select the best college based on budget, career, and location.
Reviewed by Lawsection Editorial Team using official exam notifications, university sources, and verified education references. Candidates should always verify dates, eligibility, and rules from the official notification of the concerned year.