All You Need To Know About CLAT 2017

The Common Law Admission Test will be held on 14^th May 2017. Chanakya National Law University, Patna is conducting the examination this year. It is interesting to note that this year only online payment will be accepted for registration, unlike last year when aspirants could register online as well as offline.

Participating NLUs

The 18 participating NLUs in the order of their year of establishment are:

1. National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru.


2. National Academy of Legal Study and Research (NALSAR) University of Law, Hyderabad.


3. National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal.


4. West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS), Kolkata.


5. National Law University (NLU), Jodhpur.


6. Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur.


7. Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar.


8. Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU), Lucknow.


9. Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Punjab.


10. Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna.


11. National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), Kochi


12. National Law University Odisha (NLUO), Cuttack


13. National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL), Ranchi.


14. National Law University and Judicial Academy (NLUJA), Assam.


15. Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU), Visakhapatnam.


16. Tamil Nadu National Law School (TNNLS), Tiruchirappalli.


17. Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Mumbai.


18. Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Nagpur.

Eligibility Criteria

For UG (5 years Under Graduate Program)

1. (i) Candidates shall be below Twenty (20) Years of age as on 1st July 2017 in case of all Unreserved/NRIs/NRI Sponsored categories candidates.

(ii) Candidates shall be below Twenty Two (22) years of age as on 1st July 2017 in case of SC/ST/ OBC/Specially Abled Persons (SAP) category candidates.

1. As regards minimum percentage of marks in qualifying examination (i.e., 10+2), the candidates must have secured:

(i) Forty five percent (45%) marks in case of candidates belonging to Unreserved /OBC /Specially Abled Persons (SAP) and other categories, and

(ii) Forty Percent (40%) marks in case of candidates belonging to SC/ST categories.

1. Candidates who are appearing in the qualifying examination in March/April 2017 are also eligible for appearing in CLAT-2017 online examination. However, they shall be required to produce an evidence of their passing the qualifying examination at the time of admission, failing which they shall lose their right to be considered for admission.

For PG (1 year Post Graduate Program)

1. The candidates must have Minimum percentage of marks in qualifying examination (i.e. LL.B./Five-Year Integrated LL.B. (Hons.)/any other equivalent exam) as under:

(i) Fifty-five percent (55%) marks in case of candidates belonging to Unreserved / OBC/Specially Abled Persons (SAP) and other categories, and

(ii) Fifty percent (50%) marks in case of candidates belonging to SC/ST category,

1. The candidate must have passed / appeared in the final semester/final year examination of the qualifying examination on the date of his/her admission.


2. In case of candidate who has appeared in the qualifying examination, he/she may submit his/her final result of qualifying examination within the timeframe prescribed by the respective University / Institute. Till then such candidates may be given provisional admission.


3. In case of equal marks, the breaking of tie shall be by procedure and order as under:

(i) Higher age;

(ii) Computerized draw of lots.

1. No upper age limit is prescribed for appearing in CLAT-2017.

Pattern of Clat-2017 (Under-Graduate Programme)

Syllabus for Admission to UG Course

Scope and coverage of questions under different subject areas:

1. English including comprehension

The English section will test the candidates’ proficiency in English based on comprehension passages and grammar. In the comprehension section, candidates will be questioned on their understanding of the passage and its central theme, meanings of words used therein, etc. The grammar section requires correction of incorrect grammatical sentences, filling of blanks in sentences with appropriate words, etc.

2. General Knowledge and Current Affairs

The General knowledge will be tested on the general awareness including static general knowledge. Questions on current affairs will test candidates on their knowledge of national and international current affairs.

3. Mathematics

This section will test candidate’s knowledge on elementary mathematics, i.e., math taught up to 10th Class/standard.

4. Legal Aptitude

This section will test candidate’s interest towards study of law, research aptitude and problem solving ability. Questions may include legal propositions (described in the paper), and a set of facts to which the said proposition has to be applied. Some propositions may not be “true” in the real sense, candidates will have to assume the “truth” of these propositions and answer the questions accordingly.

5. Logical Reasoning

The purpose of the logical reasoning section is to test the candidate’s ability to identify patterns, logical links and rectify illogical arguments. It may include a variety of logical reasoning questions such as syllogisms, logical sequences, analogies, etc. However, visual reasoning will not be tested.

Pattern of Clat-2017 (Post-Graduate Programme)

Admission Procedure

The admission to UG and PG programme in participating universities under CLAT-2017 shall be completed through online centralized counseling conducted by CLAT Office. The basis of allotment of seats shall be ‘merit-cum-preference’, i.e., CLAT Rank and order of preference given by the candidate in the CLAT application form. Online counseling shall start after the declaration of CLAT-2017 results.

The stepwise procedure for admission which shall be adopted by CLAT Office after declaration of result for admission is as follows:

Step 1: Publication of first indicative list based on merit cum preference
The University-wise First Indicative List based on merit-cum-preference will be published on CLAT website.

Step 2: Payment of counseling fee and exercising of option by provisionally selected candidates:

1. A specified number of candidates from various categories will be allowed to participate in the counseling process against actual number of seats available with participating NLUs.


2. The provisionally selected candidates must deposit the requisite counseling fee of Rs.  50,000/- with CLAT-2017 Office.


3. The adjustable counseling fee of Rs.  50,000/- deposited with the CLAT office will be transferred to the respective participating NLUs where the candidate has finally taken admission after the completion of the entire admission process.


4. The candidates failing to deposit the requisite counseling fee through the CLAT website by the specified date will lose their right to be considered for admission under CLAT-2017 and their names will be dropped from the CLAT-2017 merit list.


5. The candidates have to reserve their seats after paying the counseling fee by the above said procedure prescribed in counseling guidelines given on the CLAT-2017 website.

Step 3: Publication of second list having the names of finalized candidates after payment of counseling fee and additional waitlisted candidates

1. The CLAT office shall publish a second list of candidates who have paid their counseling fee and reserved their seats in the participating NLUs.


2. A list of waitlisted candidates will also be released in the second list who are provisionally selected against dropped out candidates, if any.


3. The additional candidates are also required to pay the requisite counseling fee of Rs.  50,000/- and reserve their seats within the prescribed time period as per the CLAT-2017 calendar.

Step 4: Publication of third list allotting seats to candidates

1. The CLAT office shall publish a comprehensive third allotment list of candidates who have paid their counseling fee and reserved their seats in the participating NLUs.


2. The comprehensive list shall include the names of the candidates who have paid the counseling fee against the first and second indicative lists.


3. A list of waitlisted candidates will also be released along with the third allotment list who are provisionally selected against the dropped out candidates


4. These waitlisted candidates are also required to pay the requisite counseling fee and reserve their seats within the prescribed time period as per the CLAT-2017 calendar.

Step 5: Publication of fourth list allotting seats to candidates

1. The provisionally selected candidates can withdraw from the admission process within stipulated time as per the CLAT-2017 calendar. Nominal fee of Rs.  10,000/- will be deducted from the deposited counseling fee.


2. Any withdrawal after the stipulated period will result in forfeiture of entire amount of counseling fee.


3. The CLAT office shall publish a comprehensive fourth allotment list of candidates who have paid their counseling fee and reserved their seats in the participating NLUs.


4. The comprehensive list shall include the names of the candidates who have paid the counseling fee against the first, second and third indicative lists.


5. The candidates whose names appear in the fourth list and who have not deposited the counseling fee of Rs.  50,000/- are required to pay full fee to the allotted NLUs at the time of admission.

Completion of admission formalities at the allotted NLUs.

1. After the candidates are finally allotted seats in participating NLUs, they will be required to approach the allotted NLU with the balance amount towards the admission and other fees.


2. The candidates shall carry relevant certificates/documents in original issued by the competent authority in support of the various claims made by the candidates, during the scheduled periods given in CLAT-2017 calendar and complete their admission formalities. Students are advised to visit the website of concerned NLUs to see the format of specific desired documents required for admission.


3. The certificates in original will be checked by the respective universities at the time of their admission. (For detailed information/updates about the scheduled dates, the candidates must refer to CLAT-2017 calendar as updated from time to time).


4. The candidates not possessing the required certificates/documents in original or failing to meet the eligibility requirements will not be allowed to seek admission in participating NLUs.


5. The candidates seeking admission under various categories specially those belonging to the reserved categories such as SC/ST/OBC/SAP (Specially Abled Persons) /DFF/NRI/NRI sponsored and the unreserved category candidates seeking admission under State Domicile Category, will be required to obtain the relevant and authentic certificates/documents from the competent authorities and produce the same at the time of admission in the concerned NLU.


6. Those candidates who fail to report at the allotted NLU after the publication of CLAT merit list and fail to complete the admission formalities as per CLAT-2017 calendar will automatically lose their claim for admission and their entire amount of the counseling fee of Rs.  50,000/- will be forfeited.

Procedure for filling up the Application Form

1. Application form for CLAT-2017 shall be filled online only.


2. The online application form has to be accessed from the CLAT-2017 website (www.clat.ac.in). The candidates are first required to register themselves at the CLAT-2017 website (www.clat.ac.in) by creating a LOGIN account using an      e-mail ID. The details of the login ID and password shall be then sent to the registered e-mail ID and through SMS to the registered mobile number of the candidate.


3. The application form shall be available from 01st January 2017. The candidate can fill up the required details in the application form and save the same before finally submitting it. No hard copy of the filled in online application form is to be sent to the CLAT Office.


4. The candidate shall fill his/ her preference order for all eighteen NLUs at the time of online application only. No change shall be allowed in the preference once the form is submitted by the candidate.


5. For any information related to the eighteen NLUs, the candidate may refer to the e-brochure of the respective institutions which is available at the CLAT-2017 website.


6. The candidates must upload the self-attested scanned copies of the relevant certificates at the suitable places in the online application form.


7. Admit Card/Hall ticket shall be downloaded by the candidate by logging into his/her LOGIN account from 20th April 2017. The candidates shall take a print out of Admit Card/Hall Ticket and carry the same to the Examination Hall.


8. The application form, complete in all respects must be submitted on or before 31st March 2017 (11:59 PM). Incomplete application forms shall not be considered.


9. All NRI/NRI Sponsored Category candidates have to appear for the CLAT-2017 examination. However, the Foreign Nationals need not appear for the CLAT-2017 examination and they shall directly apply to the concerned universities.

1. Application Fee / Previous Years Question Papers’ Fee: Application fee to be paid On-line only

1. For General / OBC / SAP and other category candidates: Rs.  4000/-


2. For SC/ST category candidates: Rs.  3500/-


3. The candidates will have to bear the bank transaction charges for remitting the fee online


4. The cost of previous years question papers is Rs.  400/ (not included in the CLAT-2017 fee of Rs.  4,000/-

2. Mode of Payment of Application Fee

Application fee shall be paid online through net-banking or debit card or credit card. The candidates will have to bear additional bank transaction charges in case they opt for remitting fee through net-banking payment gateways.

3. Documents to be Uploaded with Online Application

The original certificates/documents issued by the competent authority as specified in the CLAT-2017 Information Brochure are to be submitted to the allotted University only at the time of admission. The relevant photocopies of the certificate are required to be self-attested. Photograph and signature of the candidate need not be attested while submitting the Online Application Form.

The scanned photocopies of the documents to be uploaded in the PDF/JPG / JPEG format by all the candidates are:

1. Front facing passport size recent photograph with clear lenses (30 mm x 45 mm) [JPG/JPEG Format, size not more than 100 KB].


2. Signature of the candidate [JPG/JPEG Format, size not more than 100 KB].

The scanned photocopies of the documents to be uploaded in the PDF format by a candidate depending on the applicability are:

1. Certificate of impairment for Specially Abled Persons (SAP) and Scribe Declaration Form by the Scribe in the prescribed format.

The certificates/documents listed above are essential requirements for admission to the UG and PG courses, if applicable to any candidate.

4. Declaration of Result

CLAT-2017 result will be published on 29th May 2017 on the CLAT website (www.clat.ac.in) with an overall merit list of candidates prepared according to their CLAT Rank along with their categories. The Candidates will be able to access the results through LOGIN Account.

CLAT Calendar

CLAT FAQs

1. What is the mode of CLAT Examination 2017?

A. ONLINE Examination

2. What is Online Examination?

It is a secured and un-interrupted Computer Based Test (CBT) using LAN. Online mode of examination is Examinee friendly also.

3. What will be the medium of Online Examination?

Medium of Examination is English only.

4. What will happen in case if there is some problem in computer during the examination?

Immediately, the candidate should intimate the Invigilator of such problem. There will be enough buffer computer systems available at the examination centre to take care of such problems. The time lost in change of system will be duly taken care of. Each and every second will be recorded by the Server (Real Time).

5. Is there any special arrangement for Specially Abled Persons [SAP]?

Yes. The candidate can opt for either to arrange his/her own SCRIBE or to make request to the CLAT Office to provide the SCRIBEfor the candidate. In case of first option the candidates has to download the SCRIBEdeclaration form which is available on CLAT 2017 Website at the time of filling-in application form.

6. Which kind of disable persons can take admission through CLAT 2017?

A candidate will have to produce disability certificate from competent authority in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Definition of disability for the purpose of admission shall be in accordance with Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. Disability in the act is defined to include: Blindness, low vision, leprosy cured, hearing impairment, loco-motor disability, mental retardation or illness.

7. Is there any provision of extra time for the Persons with Disabilities appearing in CLAT 2017?

Yes, Candidates with disabilities appearing in the CLAT 2017 shall be entitled to a compensatory time of 40 minutes.

8. Will I get sheets/papers for rough work/calculations etc.?

Yes, Examination Centre will provide. But no electronic devices are allowed in Examination Hall/Room.

9. How can I practice for Online Examination?

The Mock Test will be available on the website www.clat.ac.inshortly. The candidate can use the same and practice as many times as he/she wants. This will give look and feel of the format of online examination (Computer Based Test) in simulation environment. It can also be downloaded and can be installed on stand-alone computer with no cost.

10. I have filled-up the Application Form successfully but now, can I change/correct the details as entered in the Application form?

No changecan be made after the Final Submission of the Application Form. However, if the time is still left for filling up the Online- Application Form, the applicant has to fill a Fresh/New Application Form along with the prescribed fee. In such case the new ID will be generated by the system and the fee paid for the previously filled Application form will not be refunded. Make Notethat the last application form shall be treated as Final.

11. How will I receive my admit card?

The eligible candidate has to download his/her Admit Card from the CLAT website (www.clat.ac.in) from 20th April, 2017 onwards.Please Notethat the Admit Card will not be sent via e-mail or by post or by any other means to the candidate. They must carry proof of their identity (issued by GOI or state government) such as identity card, Aadhar Card, voter identity card, driving license, and passport etc. to the venue of the examination.

12. If I received Blank/Zero Registration Number after submission of Application Form then what I should do?

It means that the Application Form has not been submitted successfully and you are required to apply a fresh.

13. What details should I retain after completion of successful submission of my Application Form?

The candidate must retain the:

Hard copy of the Filled-in form.

Fee receipt Detail.

Auto-generated ID and Password.

14. What is the procedure of allotment of Law Universities for admission?

During the online submission of application form, the candidates will be required to fill up all the 18 available choices of National Law Universities for the UG/PG course in order of their preferences. Seats shall be allotted on merit-cum-choice basis.

15. Can the candidate change his/her choices of National Law Universities subsequently?

No,Choice once indicated and submitted shall be treated as final. However, in case of submitting multiple application forms the last submitted form will be treated as final.

16. Is there any provision of Transfer of a student from one participating university to another participating university subsequent to their admission through CLAT -2017?

No, CLAT Rules do not provide for such transfers. Up-gradation to the University of Higher Choice is done only by the CLAT office during the admission process.

17. What is the prescribed fee for the CLAT-2017 online application form?

The prescribed fee is:

For General / OBC / SAP and other category candidates: Rs.4000/-

For SC/ST category candidates: Rs.3500/-

18. What is the Counselling fee?

Counselling fee is the payment (Rs.50, 000/-) made to the CLAT office by a candidate to show his/her seriousness/commitment in taking admission in any of the participating NLU(s). Counselling fee is not a separate fee, it is the adjustable advance paid to the CLAT office which subsequently gets adjusted at the time of admission from the fee payable to the respective University by a candidate.

19. Can I get my counseling fee refunded in case I don’t want to take admission?

Please Note that:

There shall be no refund of counseling fee after the last date of withdrawal from admission process i.e., 21st June, 2017.

The counseling fee of those candidates who withdraw up to 21st June, 2017, will be refunded after deducting Rs.10, 000/-.

20. Is there any reservation available on domicile basis in any of the Law Universities?

Yes. Some of the participating Law Universities have provision of domicile based reservations for which the candidates are advised to refer to the respective NLUs Brochure available on their website and also on CLAT 2017 website.

21. Is there any reservation of seats in CLAT-2017 for the women candidates?

Yes. Some of the participating universities provide horizontal reservation for the female candidates. Candidates are advised to refer to the respective NLU’s Brochure available on CLAT 2017 website in this regard.

22. Do the CLAT participating universities have the common rules of reservation?

No. The CLAT participating universities are governed by their respective State Acts and follow the reservation policies/rules prescribed by their Acts/State Governments. The candidates are advised to look into the detailed information of the respective NLUs Brochure available on CLAT 2017 website to know about the University wise specific reservations.

Participating National Law Universities reserve the right to change the total number of seats and break-up of seats as per their policy before the final allotment. Reservation policy is subject to change as decided by the concerned State Government from time to time.

Source here.

This article has been made possible because of financial support from Independent and Public-Spirited Media Foundation.