The national gateway to prestigious law schools, the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026, is set for tomorrow, Sunday, December 7, 2025. This high-stakes exam opens doors to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across 24 National Law Universities (NLUs). With intense competition anticipated, the Consortium of NLUs has issued strict exam-day protocols to ensure a fair and orderly process for all candidates.
CLAT 2026 Admit Card and Mandatory Documents
Candidates must carry a physical, printed copy of their CLAT 2026 admit card, downloaded from the official Consortium portal. This document is essential for both the initial gate check and the final verification inside the examination hall. If the photograph on the admit card is not clear, candidates should bring an additional self-attested passport-size photo.
Alongside the admit card, one original government-issued photo ID is compulsory. Acceptable IDs include:
- Aadhaar Card
- Passport
- Voter ID Card
- PAN Card
- Driving Licence
Authorities have made it clear that digital or soft copies of identification will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Exam Timings, Reporting Schedule, and Security
The CLAT 2026 will be conducted in a strict two-hour window from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. To account for enhanced security checks and seating procedures, candidates are advised to reach their allotted test centre at least one hour before the reporting time.
A critical rule to note is the gate closure at 2:15 PM. No candidate will be permitted entry after this deadline, even if they are present at the centre premises. Officials will conduct biometric attendance and document verification before allowing candidates to proceed to their assigned rooms.
Exam centre officials strongly recommend planning travel in advance, particularly in metropolitan cities where weekend traffic could lead to unexpected delays.
CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
Both the UG and PG CLAT exams will consist of 120 multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
For the Undergraduate (UG) CLAT 2026, questions will be drawn from five sections: English Language, Current Affairs including General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. The marking scheme awards +1 mark for each correct answer and deducts 0.25 marks for every incorrect response.
The Postgraduate (PG) CLAT 2026 will test knowledge of core law subjects such as Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, Contract Law, Torts, the Indian Penal Code, and others. It follows the same marking scheme as the UG exam. Given the negative marking, candidates must strategically balance speed with accuracy to optimise their scores and final rankings.
Items Allowed and Strictly Prohibited
Candidates can only carry the following items into the examination hall:
- Printed CLAT 2026 admit card
- Original Government ID proof
- Two black or blue ballpoint pens
- A transparent water bottle
- Passport-size photograph (if required for verification)
The list of banned items is comprehensive and strictly enforced. Candidates are barred from bringing mobile phones, smartwatches, any electronic gadgets like calculators, earphones, Bluetooth devices, bags, wallets, purses, notes, or metal accessories. Possession of any prohibited item will result in the candidate being barred from taking the exam.
As thousands of aspirants prepare for D-day, adherence to these guidelines is paramount for a hassle-free examination experience and a shot at securing a seat in India's top National Law Universities.
