The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) competition grows fiercer yearly, with thousands of aspirants vying for seats at the top National Law Universities (NLUs). The key to cracking the CLAT 2026 exam is understanding its syllabus, section-wise weightage, and essential topics.
This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the CLAT 2026 syllabus, helping you structure your preparation strategically.
What is the CLAT?
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national-level, standardized entrance exam for admission to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs at NLUs across 24 prestigious National Law Universities (NLUs) in India and over 60 private law colleges. Candidates can pursue 5-year integrated LLB (UG) and one-year LLM (PG) programs through this exam, making it one of India’s most competitive and sought-after law entrance tests.
The UG CLAT is divided into five sections, and the PG CLAT is divided into three sections, each testing specific skills required for the legal profession.
Overview of the CLAT UG 2026 Syllabus
The CLAT 2026 UG syllabus comprises five sections. Here’s a quick breakdown of the sections and their corresponding weightage in the exam:
| Sections | Weightage (%) | Approx. No. of Questions |
| English Language | 20% | 22–26 |
| Current Affairs (incl. GK) | 25% | 28–32 |
| Legal Reasoning | 25% | 28–32 |
| Logical Reasoning | 20% | 22–26 |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10% | 10–14 |
The exam format emphasizes comprehension-based passages, making strong reading and analytical skills crucial.
Detailed Section-Wise Syllabus
- English Language
The English section comprises 3–4 passages, each around 450 words long, drawn from fiction, non-fiction, or journalistic sources. Questions test comprehension skills, grammar, and vocabulary.
Important Topics:
- Synonyms and antonyms
- Sentence correction and spotting grammatical errors
- Tenses, active/passive voice
- Vocabulary in context
- Drawing inferences, summarizing passages
Skills Tested:
- Reading comprehension
- Summarizing and evaluating arguments
- Vocabulary and contextual word meanings
Preparation Tips:
- Read newspapers like The Hindu or The Indian Express to improve reading speed and comprehension.
- Practice grammar exercises from books like Wren & Martin.
- Use flashcards to build vocabulary.
- Current Affairs, Including General Knowledge
This section consists of 4–6 passages based on current events and static GK. The questions assess your awareness of national and international developments.
Important Topics:
- Current national and international events
- Sciences, technology, summits, and awards
- Indian arts, culture, and historical events of significance
Skills Tested:
- General Awareness
- Ability to draw inferences and comprehend information
Preparation Tips:
- Follow daily newspapers and monthly current affairs magazines like Pratiyogita Darpan.
- Keep notes of significant events for revision.
- Legal Reasoning
This section does not require prior legal knowledge. However, an understanding of fundamental laws and public policy can be advantageous. The questions revolve around passages describing legal principles or situations.
Important Topics:
- Contract law, tort law, and criminal law basics
- Legal maxims and terms
- Constitutional law principles
Skills Tested:
- Identifying legal principles in the passage
- Applying legal principles to fact-based situations
- Critical thinking
Preparation Tips:
- Refer to Legal Aptitude for CLAT and Other Law Exams by A.P. Bhardwaj.
- Read legal news regularly to stay updated with current developments.
- Logical Reasoning
The logical reasoning section assesses your analytical and critical thinking skills. It includes passage-based questions that test your ability to evaluate arguments and apply deductions.
Important Topics:
- Arguments, assumptions, inferences and conclusions
- Analogies and relationships
- Logical sequences and patterns
Skills Tested:
- Inferring conclusions from given premises
- Evaluating contradictions and analogies
Preparation Tips:
- Practice puzzles and logical reasoning exercises.
- Use reasoning books like Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey.
- Quantitative Techniques
This section evaluates your elementary mathematics skills (up to Class 10 level). Questions are based on numerical data presented in charts or tables.
Important Topics:
- Percentages, ratios, and algebra
- Profit and loss, time and work, mensuration
- Data interpretation
Skills Tested:
- Analyzing and understanding numerical data
- Basic mathematical operations
Preparation Tips:
- Practice calculations manually to improve speed and accuracy.
- Use Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal for focused preparation.
Overview of the CLAT PG 2026 Syllabus
| Sections | Main Topics |
| Sec A – Constitutional Law | Legislative power – procedure, privilegesJudicial power – organisation of the judiciary, the jurisdiction of SC of India,Federal Idea – Nature of Indian Polity, co-operative federalismFreedoms of Inter-state Trade and CommerceImpact of Emergency on center-state Relations |
| Sec B – Contract, Torts, Criminal Law, International Law, IPR and Jurisprudence | Elements of crime: Actus Reus, Mens Rea, group liability, abetment, criminal conspiracy, exceptions, attempt to commit offences; offences against public tranquillity; offences against the body – culpable homicide, murder, hurt, grievous hurt, wrongful confinement, wrongful restraint, criminal force, assault, abduction, kidnapping, rape, and unnatural offences. Classification of torts: trespass, nuisance, defamation, liability for misstatements, negligence. Formation, validity, discharge, and performance of contracts; remedies and quasi-contracts under the Indian Contract Act-1872 and the Indian Specific Relief Act-1963. Definition, origin, and development of international law; its sources, subjects, and relationship with municipal law; state recognition and succession; international rivers, canals, sea, air, and outer space law; nationality, statelessness, jurisdiction, immunity, extradition, asylum, diplomatic relations, treaties, war, contraband, blockades, legal effects of war, dispute resolution, state responsibility, retorsion, reprisals, armed interventions, and the United Nations role. Nature, scope, and key laws of IPR: Trademarks Act 1999, Patents Act 1970, Copyright Act 1957, and IPR in an international context. Legal methods, the Indian legal system, fundamental legal theories: Analytical positivism, Kelsen’s pure theory, Hart’s and Austin’s definitions of law, Holland’s and Salmond’s views, and approaches to jurisprudence – Historical, sociological, economic (Marx and Engels), and realist (American and Scandinavian). |
| Sec C – Law topics and Contemporary issues | Key constitutional provisions, recent judgments, case law, amendments, legal issues, and facts. |
- The CLAT PG question paper consists of 120 objective-type questions, each with one mark.
- Similar to the UG pattern, this exam includes questions based on reading comprehension.
- A negative marking of 0.25 will also be applied for each incorrect answer.
- The CLAT PG syllabus covers the mandatory subjects from the UG program and the additional subjects listed below.
The exam-conducting authority will provide excerpts from primary legal materials, including significant court decisions, statutes, or regulations across various areas of law. These will be accompanied by a series of objective-type questions designed to assess the following competencies outlined in the CLAT 2026 syllabus:
- The ability to read and interpret the issues discussed within the passage.
- Understanding of the arguments and viewpoints presented in the passage.
- Awareness of the broader issues highlighted in the passage.
- Analysis of the legal issues and facts arising from the passage and the relevant judgment or statute.
- The capacity to summarise the passage and effectively apply knowledge of the legal topics covered.
CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern
Familiarity with the exam pattern is critical for effective time management during the exam.
| Exam Feature | CLAT UG | CLAT PG |
| Mode | Offline (Pen & Paper) | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Duration | 2 hours | 2 hours |
| Questions | 120 MCQs | 120 MCQs |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for correct answers, -0.25 for incorrect answers | +1 for correct answers, -0.25 for incorrect answers |
| Language | English | English |
Key Reasons to Start Preparation Early:
- Strong reading comprehension skills take time to develop.
- Prior understanding of topics improves confidence.
- A disciplined approach gives ample time for revisions and mock tests.
Preparation Strategy for CLAT 2026
Counterbalance the syllabus breadth with an organized preparation plan. Here’s how to approach it effectively:
- Create a Study Plan:
- Allocate specific time blocks for each section weekly.
- Initially, the focus will be on high-weightage sections like Current Affairs and Legal Reasoning.
- Use Standard Study Material:
- For English, try Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis.
- Law sections can be tackled with A.P. Bhardwaj’s books.
- Practice Mock Tests:
- Mock tests familiarize candidates with time-bound objectives.
- Analyze performance to identify strengths and weaknesses.
- Stay Current:
- Keep yourself updated with relevant news and legal developments till a month before the exam.
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Answers to FAQs
- What Is the Syllabus for CLAT 2026?
The CLAT 2026 syllabus includes legal aptitude, current affairs, English language skills, logical reasoning, and quantitative techniques. The PG exam also covers additional law subjects from the undergraduate curriculum, focusing on comprehension and analysis of primary legal materials such as statutes and significant judgments.
- What Subjects Are Included in the CLAT 2026 Syllabus?
The syllabus comprises subjects like English language, current affairs with general knowledge, legal reasoning, logical reasoning, and quantitative techniques for UG aspirants. PG candidates must focus on core law subjects outlined in the CLAT PG section.
- What Are the Important Topics in the CLAT 2026 Syllabus?
Key topics include reading comprehension, grammar and vocabulary in English, national and international current affairs, constitutional law basics, legal principles, logical arguments, and elementary mathematics (up to Class 10 level) for UG. PG candidates should prioritize landmark judgments, legal principles, and advanced law concepts.
- How Is the CLAT 2026 Syllabus Divided Among Different Sections?
The syllabus is divided into five sections for UG—English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. For PG, the focus is on comprehension-based questions derived from core law subjects and significant legal sources.
- What Is the Weightage of Each Section in CLAT 2026?
For UG, the approximate section-wise weightage is as follows:
- English Language: 20%
- Current Affairs, including General Knowledge: 25%
- Legal Reasoning: 25%
- Logical Reasoning: 20%
- Quantitative Techniques: 10%
PG candidates will answer questions primarily on legal topics, with comprehension-based passages constituting the majority.
- What Topics Should I Focus on for the English Language Section in CLAT 2026?
Concentrate on reading comprehension, vocabulary building, grammatical rules, sentence correction, and understanding complex texts. Practising passage-based questions can significantly improve your command of this section.
- What Topics Are Covered Under Current Affairs and General Knowledge for CLAT 2026?
This section covers recent national and international developments, significant events, legal and policy updates, historical and geographical facts, and topics related to science, economics, and politics. Reading newspapers like The Hindu and Indian Express is highly recommended.
- How Can I Prepare for the Legal Reasoning Section of CLAT 2026?
Focus on understanding legal principles, applying laws to specific situations, and decision-making based on facts and information. Solving previous year’s papers and understanding landmark cases will sharpen your reasoning skills.
- What Types of Questions Are Asked in the Logical Reasoning Section of CLAT 2026?
The logical reasoning section includes critical thinking, decision-making, and conclusion-based questions. Familiarize yourself with puzzle-solving and logical deductions for a better score.
- What Topics Are Covered in the Quantitative Techniques Section for CLAT 2026?
The quantitative section tests elementary mathematics skills, including arithmetic, ratios, percentages, profit and loss, averages, time and work, and basic geometry. Solving data interpretation and case-based problem sets is crucial for preparation.
