The Consortium of National Law Universities has officially confirmed that the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026 will be conducted on Sunday, December 7, 2025, from 2 PM to 4 PM.
This announcement, released on July 20, 2025, provides aspirants with a clear runway for preparation and a solid reason to start planning with purpose.
Key Dates for CLAT 2026
- CLAT 2026 Exam Date: Sunday, December 7, 2025
- Time: 2 PM to 4 PM
- Application Window: August 1 to October 31, 2025
- Mode: Offline (pen and paper test)
Anyone targeting the top NLUs now has a four-month window to structure their prep smartly, especially those starting their journey with structured CLAT online coaching or enrolled in full-time programs.
CLAT 2026 Registration: How to Apply?
Applying for CLAT 2026 is pretty straightforward, but it’s important to do it right the first time. Here’s how:
Step-by-step guide:
- Go to the official website
Visit consortiumofnlus.ac.in. This is the only official portal. - Click on ‘CLAT 2026’
You’ll find the registration link right on the homepage once applications open. - Register yourself
Enter your name, mobile number, email ID, and set a password to create an account. - Fill out the application form
Log in and complete the form with your details, academic records, preferred NLUs, and category (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.). - Upload documents
You’ll need:- Passport-size photo
- Signature (scanned)
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- Domicile certificate (if applying under state quota)
- Pay the application fee
- ₹4,000 for General/OBC candidates
- ₹3,500 for SC/ST/BPL candidates
Payment can be made online via UPI, credit/debit card, or net banking.
- Download confirmation
Once submitted, save a copy of your filled form and fee receipt for future reference.
Tip: Don’t wait till the last week. The site often slows down close to the deadline.
Are CLAT and AILET 2026 on the Same Day?
No, and that’s good news.
For years, students preparing for both CLAT and AILET have had to deal with overlapping exam dates or barely any gap between the two. It made planning tough and pushed many to choose one over the other.
But for 2026, things are finally spaced out.
- CLAT 2026 will be held on Sunday, December 7, 2025 (2 PM – 4 PM)
- AILET 2026 is expected on Sunday, December 14, 2025 (11 AM – 1 PM) (tentative, based on past years)
That’s a solid 7-day buffer between the two.
Why this matters
A lot of aspirants write both exams every year. Sure, the syllabus has similarities, but the paper styles are different.
- CLAT leans heavily on comprehension-based questions and long passages.
- AILET throws in a bit of speed with its tougher quant section and more direct questions.
When both exams happen too close, students feel cornered. With a week’s gap, there’s time to switch gears, revise smartly, and not feel burnt out.
This small scheduling change means less pressure, better prep, and a fair shot at both.
CLAT Syllabus 2026: Quick Breakdown
The CLAT exam tests aptitude, not memory. Here’s a simple outline of the five sections:
1. English Language
- Reading comprehension
Vocabulary-in-context - Grammar & sentence correction
- Tone, summary, and inference-based questions
2. Current Affairs & General Knowledge
- National & international events
- Awards, books, and sports
- Legal current affairs
- Static GK in the context of recent news
(Tip: Focus on editorials, CLAT-specific monthly digests, and structured quizzes.)
3. Legal Reasoning
- Situational legal principles
- No prior legal knowledge needed
- Focus on interpreting laws and applying logic
4. Logical Reasoning
- Argument structures
- Assumptions and conclusions
- Cause-effect relationships
- Strong/weak arguments
(Timed practice matters more than volume here.)
5. Quantitative Techniques
- Based on Class 10th Maths
- Graphs, charts, tables, and arithmetic logic
- Word-based numerical reasoning
The CLAT syllabus isn’t vast, but it’s layered. The key is repeated exposure through mocks, sectionals, and feedback loops.
Why Mock Tests Matter So Much
Here’s the thing: knowing the syllabus is one part. Knowing how to apply it under pressure is what makes the difference on test day.
That’s where CLAT mock test PDFs come in.
Well-designed mocks give you:
- A feel for the real paper
- A sense of timing
- Practice navigating uncertainty
- Analytics on accuracy, speed, and section-wise performance
Mock performance often mirrors the final result. The sooner you start, the better your learning curve will be.
What Makes a CLAT Coaching Institute Worth Your Time
Not all CLAT prep is equal. Some places offer classes but leave you guessing on strategy. Others hand you 100 PDFs and expect you to figure it out. Most students realise, sooner or later, that real learning happens in the everyday grind, not in marketing promises.
What helps:
- Smaller batch sizes: When your teachers know your name, your weaknesses, and your pace, everything changes.
- A consistent daily structure: Classes are important, but so are daily reading habits, regular revision cycles, current affairs updates, and mock test reviews. Without structure, the syllabus feels endless.
- Real feedback: CLAT preparation is full of blind spots. What works is a detailed review: “You’re overreading passages,” or “You missed this inference cue.”
- Less shortcut, more depth: This isn’t an exam you guess your way through. The best performers usually read more, think harder, and avoid over-relying on tricks.
- A sense of mentorship: Whether online or offline, good prep feels like a conversation. Not just someone teaching you, but someone walking with you.
So if you’re searching for CLAT coaching near me or browsing through options for CLAT online coaching, remember: the right coaching doesn’t shout. It supports.
Final Strategy: From Now to December
Here’s a rough prep calendar you can follow:
August–September
- Complete full syllabus
- Build reading habits
- Start with 1–2 mocks per week
October
- Increase mocks to 3 per week
- Focus on weak areas
- Refine time strategy per section
November
- Focus on revision
- Work on test temperament
- Practise back-to-back mock days
December (until 6th)
- Light touch-ups
- Stay mentally sharp
- Let the system you’ve built carry you through
Ready to Start?
CLAT 2026 isn’t far. But with the dates now fixed, the most valuable thing you can do is begin with clarity.
Whether you’re preparing at home with CLAT online coaching, exploring the CLAT syllabus for the first time, or printing your first CLAT mock test PDF, the earlier you move, the more ground you’ll cover.
