Many graduate aspirants often wonder if they can participate in the CLAT exam after finishing their graduation. The answer to this is Yes, aspirants can take the CLAT exam after they have graduated in any discipline, but there is an important difference between students with a law background and students without it.If candidates have no prior experience in law, they can take the CLAT UG exam which will enable them to gain access to the 5 year integrated LLB program in National Law Universities (NLUs) and other prestigious law schools in India.
Students do not need a law background to take part in CLAT UG. Anyone who has finished Class 12th, or even a graduate from a different field wanting to switch to law, can sit for the exam. In contrast, CLAT PG is designed for those who already have an LL.B. degree (either 3-year or 5-year). Thus, graduates from any field without a law background should choose CLAT UG, while law graduates can apply for CLAT PG. This facility makes CLAT a suitable option for both new candidates and those switching careers.
CLAT UG vs CLAT PG | Eligibility & Admission Scope
Students can check out the CLAT UG and PG eligibility criteria along with the admission scope below.
Feature | CLAT UG | CLAT PG |
Who Can Apply? | Students who have completed Class 12 (or appearing in Class 12) from any stream | Candidates who have completed or are in the final year of LL.B. (3-year or 5-year Integrated) |
Educational Requirement | Minimum 45% marks in Class 12 (40% for SC/ST) | Minimum 50% marks in LL.B. (45% for SC/ST) |
Age Limit | No upper age limit | No upper age limit |
Admission Scope | Admission to 5-year Integrated LL.B. programs at NLUs and other law universities | Admission to 1-year or 2-year LL.M. programs at NLUs and other recognized law colleges |
Target Group | Aspirants from any stream (Arts, Commerce, Science, Engineering, etc.) wanting to pursue law | Law graduates seeking specialization, advanced study, or research in law |
Exam Focus | English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Techniques | Core law subjects: Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, Contract, Torts, Criminal Law, International Law, etc. |
Steps to Fill CLAT Application Form 2026
Students can follow the below listed steps to know how to apply for the CLAT exam.
Registration: Interested candidates will have to register by providing their personal and academic details. Besides, they must select and confirm a password for their newly created account.
Login: After the registration process is completed, candidates must log in to access their application form.
Select the Program: After logging in, choose the program you wish to take this exam for i.e. 5-year LLB or 1-year LLB.
Fill out the Application Form: There are various fields in the exam form such as personal information, communication details, qualifying examination status, exam center preferences (3 centers can be selected in the order of preference), and reservation.
Submit the Form: Once these exam details are completely filled, candidates must agree to the declaration and give their consent. After all this is done, candidates must submit the form.
Payment of Application Fee: This is the last step to fill CLAT 2026 Application Form. The payment of CLAT Application Fee must be done through online mode i.e. credit card, debit card or net banking.
Recommended: CLAT 2026 - Documents Required to Fill the Application Form
CLAT Exam Pattern Highlights 2026
Before appearing or preparing for the exam, aspirants are advised to carefully analyze the CLAT exam pattern provided below in tabular format. The exam pattern of CLAT will help students improve their preparation strategy and overall approach for the test.
Particulars | CLAT Exam Pattern Highlights |
Exam mode | Pen-and-paper exam |
Exam duration | Two hours |
Test language | English |
Type of questions | Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) |
Exam subjects | Five (English Language, Current Affairs including General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Techniques) |
Total questions | 120 MCQs |
Maximum marks | 120 marks |
Marking scheme | +1 for correct answer -0.25 for incorrect answer |
Career Opportunities After CLAT
Entering law through CLAT provides immense career possibilities after an LL.B. through CLAT UG, or an LL.M. through CLAT PG. CLAT UG graduates can enter their careers in litigation, corporate law, or government services, while CLAT PG students have the additional degree of specialization in their areas of interest, plus the possible paths to research and academia, higher judiciary, etc. The table provides a list of significant options available to the CLAT graduate.
Pathway | After CLAT UG (LL.B.) | After CLAT PG (LL.M.) |
Litigation & Advocacy | Join courts as a practicing lawyer, handle civil/criminal cases | Specialize in advanced legal practice, appellate advocacy |
Corporate Sector | Work with law firms, MNCs, startups as a legal associate | Enter corporate legal teams in niche domains like IPR, Competition Law, Taxation |
Judiciary & Public Sector | Eligible for Judicial Services Exams, govt. legal jobs | CLAT PG scores used by some PSUs for legal officer recruitment |
Academics & Research | Limited (can pursue LL.M. for higher study) | Opportunities as Assistant Professor, researcher, or Ph.D. in Law |
Policy & NGOs | Work with NGOs, think tanks, legal aid clinics | Specialize in policy-making, human rights, and international law projects |
Higher Studies Abroad | LLB graduates may apply for foreign LLMs | CLAT PG can strengthen profile for Ph.D. or post-doctoral programs abroad |
Note: Students who have graduated in any other discipline other than law, must have a dedicated preparation plan to ace the exam. Being familiar with the basics of Law syllabus is a must and candidates must also learn about the CLAT syllabus and exam pattern primarily to create a smart CLAT preparation plan for the current academic year.
