CLAT 2027 Registration Begins: Last Date, Fees, Eligibility and How to Apply

If you dream of studying law at a National Law University (NLU), CLAT 2027 registration is the first official step on that journey. The Consortium of National Law Universities opened the online application portal on August 3, 2026, and candidates can apply at consortiumofnlus.ac.in until October 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM. The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) remains the single national gateway for admission to five-year integrated law programmes at 26 participating NLUs across India.

Whether you are a Class 12 student planning ahead or a graduate exploring postgraduate law options, understanding the registration timeline, eligibility rules, fee structure, and document checklist helps you avoid last-minute errors. This guide covers everything you need to know about CLAT 2027 registration — from key dates and application fees to a step-by-step apply process, common mistakes, and what happens after you submit your form. For a broader overview of the exam itself, visit our dedicated CLAT resource page on CollegeDwar.

What Is CLAT and Why Does Registration Matter?

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a centralised entrance examination conducted by the Consortium of NLUs. A single CLAT score determines your rank and eligibility for counselling across premier institutions such as NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata, and 23 other National Law Universities. Unlike university-specific tests, CLAT offers one application, one exam, and one merit list that opens doors nationwide.

Registration is not merely a formality — it is your official entry into the admission cycle. Without a successfully submitted and fee-paid application, you cannot download the admit card, appear for the exam, or participate in centralised counselling. The consortium processes thousands of applications each year, and incomplete or incorrect forms are often rejected without a second chance once the deadline passes.

CLAT 2027 at a Glance

• Exam date: Sunday, December 6, 2026
• Exam timing (general candidates): 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
• Exam timing (PwD candidates): 2:00 PM to 4:40 PM
• Mode: Offline (pen-and-paper)
• Participating institutions: 26 NLUs (excluding NLU Delhi, which conducts NLAT separately)
• Programmes covered: Five-year integrated BA LLB, BBA LLB, BCom LLB, BSc LLB, and LLM (via PG CLAT)

Because CLAT is highly competitive — with lakhs of aspirants competing for a limited number of seats — starting your registration early gives you time to verify documents, choose exam centres wisely, and focus on preparation without administrative stress.

CLAT 2027 Registration: Important Dates

Missing a deadline in the CLAT calendar can cost you an entire academic year. Mark these dates on your planner and set reminders at least two weeks before each cutoff.

Actionable tip: Do not wait until October 31 to apply. Server load spikes in the final 48 hours, payment gateways may slow down, and document upload errors take time to fix. Aim to complete registration by mid-October 2026.

Who Can Apply for CLAT 2027?

Before you begin registration, confirm that you meet the eligibility criteria for the programme you are targeting — undergraduate (UG) or postgraduate (PG).

CLAT UG 2027 Eligibility

• Candidates must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination from a recognised board.
• General and OBC categories: Minimum 45% aggregate marks in Class 12 (or equivalent).
• SC and ST categories: Minimum 40% aggregate marks.
• Students appearing for the Class 12 board exam in 2027 are also eligible to apply provisionally.
• There is no upper age limit for the UG law programme.

CLAT PG 2027 Eligibility

Graduates seeking admission to LLM programmes at participating NLUs must apply through the same portal. PG eligibility typically requires an LLB degree (three-year or five-year) with minimum qualifying marks as prescribed by the consortium. For detailed PG requirements, refer to our PG CLAT guide on CollegeDwar.

Who Should Not Apply?

Candidates seeking admission to NLU Delhi must note that it does not accept CLAT scores; NLU Delhi conducts its own National Law Admission Test (NLAT). If your target is NLU Delhi specifically, CLAT registration alone will not suffice.

CLAT 2027 Application Fee Structure

The application fee must be paid online during registration. Without successful payment, your application remains incomplete and you will not be allotted an exam centre.

Accepted payment modes include net banking, debit card, credit card, and UPI. Keep the transaction receipt or screenshot until counselling is complete. Fee refunds are generally not issued once payment is processed, so double-check all details before confirming payment.

Documents Required for CLAT 2027 Registration

Prepare scanned copies of all documents before you open the application form. Upload specifications are strict — incorrect file size or format is one of the most common reasons for form rejection.

Mandatory Documents Checklist

• Passport-size colour photograph — recent, clear, plain background; JPG format as per portal specifications.
• Scanned signature — on white paper, in prescribed dimensions and format.
• Class 10 mark sheet or birth certificate — for age and identity verification.
• Class 12 mark sheet — for passed candidates; appearing students may upload their admit card or school certificate as directed on the portal.
• Category certificate — for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, or PwD candidates (issued by competent authority, valid format).
• Valid email ID and active mobile number — required for OTP verification and all future communications.

Document Preparation Tips

1. Scan documents at 200–300 DPI for clarity without exceeding file size limits.
2. Ensure your name on certificates matches your Class 10 records exactly.
3. Category certificates should be dated and issued in the candidate's name — parental certificates are not accepted.
4. Save files with simple names (e.g., photo.jpg, signature.jpg) for easy upload.
5. Keep original documents ready for verification during counselling.

How to Apply for CLAT 2027 Online: Step-by-Step

The entire CLAT 2027 registration process is online through the official consortium portal. Follow these steps carefully to complete your application without errors.

Step 1: Visit the Official Portal

Go to consortiumofnlus.ac.in and click on the CLAT 2027 registration link. Use only the official website — third-party portals cannot submit applications on your behalf.

Step 2: Create Your Account

Click on "New Registration" and enter your name, valid mobile number, email address, and a strong password. An OTP will be sent to your mobile for verification. Activate your account before proceeding.

Step 3: Log In and Fill the Application Form

After login, complete all sections: personal details, parent/guardian information, communication address, academic qualifications, category, and state of domicile (if applying under state quotas at specific NLUs).

Step 4: Upload Documents

Upload your photograph, signature, and supporting certificates in the prescribed format. Preview each upload to ensure clarity and correct orientation.

Step 5: Select Exam Centres

Choose and rank up to three test centres in order of preference. Select cities you can reach comfortably on exam day — centre allotment is based on availability and your preferences.

Step 6: Pay the Application Fee

Proceed to the payment gateway and pay the applicable fee via UPI, debit card, credit card, or net banking. Wait for the payment confirmation page and save the receipt.

Step 7: Review and Submit

Before final submission, review every field carefully. Once submitted, limited correction windows may be announced — but do not rely on corrections for critical errors like name spelling or category selection.

What Happens After You Submit the CLAT 2027 Form?

Understanding the post-registration timeline helps you plan your preparation and counselling strategy.

Confirmation and Admit Card

After successful submission and payment, you will receive a confirmation on your registered email. The consortium releases admit cards approximately two weeks before the exam. Download your hall ticket from the same portal, verify all details, and carry a printed copy along with valid photo ID on exam day.

Exam Day and Result

CLAT 2027 will be conducted on December 6, 2026, in a single session across multiple cities. After the exam, provisional and final answer keys are released, followed by result declaration and publication of the All India Merit List.

Counselling and NLU Preferences

A notable update for recent CLAT cycles is that candidates now indicate NLU preferences after the result is declared, not during initial registration. This allows you to make informed choices based on your actual rank. Centralised counselling follows, with seat allotment across participating NLUs based on merit, category, and preferences.

CLAT 2027 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

While registration is your immediate priority, knowing the exam structure helps you align preparation from day one. The CLAT UG paper tests five sections through comprehension-based questions:

• English Language — reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar in context.
• Current Affairs and General Knowledge — national and international events, static GK.
• Legal Reasoning — principles and fact scenarios; no prior legal knowledge required.
• Logical Reasoning — arguments, assumptions, conclusions, puzzles.
• Quantitative Techniques — elementary mathematics up to Class 10 level.

The consortium confirmed that the CLAT 2027 exam pattern remains unchanged. The paper carries 120 questions, each worth one mark, with a negative marking of 0.25 for every incorrect answer. Unattempted questions carry no penalty. Total duration is 120 minutes for general candidates. For section-wise strategies and syllabus depth, explore our comprehensive CLAT exam guide.

Section-Wise Question Distribution

Participating NLUs Accepting CLAT 2027 Scores

A total of 26 National Law Universities will accept CLAT 2027 scores for UG and/or PG admissions. These include top-ranked institutions that consistently feature among India's best law schools:

• National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore
• NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
• West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata
• National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal
• National Law University, Jodhpur
• Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar
• Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur
• And 19 other NLUs across states including Maharashtra, Odisha, Assam, Kerala, and the Northeast

Each NLU publishes its own seat matrix, reservation policy, and fee structure. Research your target colleges early — seat availability and category-wise cutoffs vary significantly between institutions. Top-tier NLUs like NLSIU and NALSAR typically require All India ranks under 100 for General category UG seats, while newer NLUs may have cutoffs extending to higher ranks.

Reservation Policy and Category-Wise Seats

CLAT counselling follows category-based reservation as per government norms and individual NLU policies. During registration, selecting the correct category is critical because it determines your fee, reserved seat eligibility, and cutoff benchmarks.

• SC/ST/OBC/EWS: Horizontal and vertical reservations apply at each NLU as per their admission policy.
• PwD: Persons with disabilities receive reserved seats and extended exam time (40 minutes extra).
• State domicile quotas: Several NLUs reserve a percentage of seats for candidates from the home state.
• NRI/Foreign national seats: Some NLUs offer separate NRI-sponsored seats with distinct fee structures.

Upload valid category and domicile certificates during registration. Discrepancies discovered during counselling verification can lead to seat cancellation, so ensure all certificates are current and correctly formatted.

Smart Preparation Tips While You Register

Registration season is the ideal time to build momentum for the four months leading to the December exam. Here is a practical action plan:

1. Register in the first two weeks — August 2026 — to eliminate administrative delays.
2. Start daily reading — newspapers and editorials for English and current affairs sections.
3. Solve previous-year papers — understand question formats and time management.
4. Take mock tests monthly — increase frequency to weekly by October 2026.
5. Track official notifications — bookmark consortiumofnlus.ac.in for admit card and correction window updates.
6. Plan backup options — if you are also exploring design or other professional courses, keep track of parallel exams such as NID DAT on CollegeDwar, but prioritise CLAT if law is your primary goal.

Four-Month Preparation Roadmap After Registration

Once your CLAT 2027 form is submitted, divide your remaining time strategically. August and September should focus on building fundamentals across all five sections. October is for intensive mock tests and identifying weak areas. November is revision-heavy — consolidate notes, revisit legal reasoning principles, and stay updated on current affairs from the preceding twelve months. The final week before December 6 should be light revision and rest, not cramming new topics.

Common Registration Mistakes to Avoid

Each year, thousands of candidates face issues that could have been prevented with careful attention during registration:

• Wrong category selection — affects fee, reservation, and cutoffs; verify before payment.
• Name mismatch — application name must match Class 10 certificate exactly.
• Blurry photograph or signature — leads to admit card rejection at the exam centre.
• Inactive email or phone — you will miss OTP, admit card, and result notifications.
• Waiting until the last day — portal crashes and payment failures are common on deadline day.
• Applying through unofficial websites — only consortiumofnlus.ac.in is authorised.
• Ignoring domicile/reservation fields — some NLUs offer state-specific quotas that require accurate domicile information.

CLAT UG vs PG CLAT: Which Registration Applies to You?

The same portal handles both undergraduate and postgraduate applications, but eligibility and exam content differ. Class 12 students and those appearing in 2027 should register for CLAT UG. LLB graduates targeting LLM seats should register for PG CLAT. You cannot use a UG CLAT score for LLM admission or vice versa. Read programme-specific eligibility on the official portal before selecting your exam type during registration.

Why CLAT Remains India's Most Important Law Entrance Exam

For over a decade, CLAT has shaped the legal education landscape in India. Graduates from NLUs dominate judicial services, corporate law firms, litigation chambers, academia, and public policy roles. A strong CLAT rank not only secures admission but also signals academic rigour to future employers. The five-year integrated model eliminates the need for a separate three-year LLB, saving time and providing early exposure to moot courts, internships, and legal research.

Registering for CLAT 2027 is therefore more than paperwork — it is a commitment to a career path that offers diverse opportunities in India's growing legal ecosystem. Whether you aspire to corporate law at a Magic Circle firm, judicial services, legal journalism, or civil liberties advocacy, an NLU degree through CLAT provides the foundation.

Conclusion

CLAT 2027 registration is now live at consortiumofnlus.ac.in, with the last date to apply set at October 31, 2026. The exam on December 6, 2026, will decide admissions to 26 National Law Universities offering India's most sought-after integrated law programmes. Complete your registration early, keep documents ready, pay the fee on time, and shift your full focus to preparation.

For ongoing updates on syllabus, mock tests, college cutoffs, and counselling, bookmark CollegeDwar's CLAT section. Law school is a marathon — and registration is the starting line. Cross it confidently, and give yourself the best chance at the NLU of your dreams.