CLAT LLM 2026 AIR 2 Without Coaching: Yashvi Arora’s Preparation Strategy & Study Plan

“The sweetest success is always the fruit of relentless hard work and unbreakable resilience” - the quote came true to life when Yashvi Arora saw her CLAT 2026 All India Rank. Yashvi Arora secured an All India Rank 2 in the CLAT PG exam 2026, bringing great elation and pride for herself and her family. Arora hails from Gurgaon and has completed her undergraduate law degree from MDU-CPAS Gurgaon campus. The CLAT PG 2026 topper has also completed her Bachelors in Political Science from ARSD College, Delhi University. Her incredible rank in the biggest PG law entrance exam of the country also got her admission to the top-ranked law school of India - NLSIU Bengaluru. Careers360 got in touch with Yashvi Arora where she discussed about her preparation journey, future goals, advice for future aspirants and lot more. Here are some excerpts from the conversation.

Careers360: Hi Yashvi, congratulations on your success! What was your initial reaction upon seeing your rank? Were you expecting such a good AIR, or was it a surprise?

Yashvi: Thank you so much for the wishes. This came to me as a pleasant surprise. After the provisional answer key was released, I had some idea that my score was a decent one, but AIR 2 really came as a surprise. My parents and I were completely overwhelmed on seeing the result. It was an exciting yet emotional moment.

Careers360: Tell us about yourself, your educational background, the place you belong to, and your family background.

Yashvi: My full name is Yashvi Arora. I reside in and belong to Gurugram, Haryana. I come from a very loving and supportive family. My father is an entrepreneur, and my mother is a homemaker. I completed my schooling from DAV Sector 14, Gurugram. Thereafter, I pursued my graduation in Political Science (Honours) from ARSD College, Delhi University. After that, I enrolled in the three-year LLB course at MDU-CPAS, Sector 40, Gurugram.

Careers360: Why did you choose LLM instead of joining the profession, corporate law, or litigation?

Yashvi: I have always had an inclination towards the academic arena more than litigation or corporate law. Pursuing my master’s was, therefore, already planned the moment I enrolled in the LLB programme.

Careers360: Why NLSIU for LLM and not other NLUs? What makes it different from other NLUs?

Yashvi: I believe that all NLUs are the epitome of legal academic excellence. I was particularly inclined towards NLSIU Bengaluru because, firstly, it stands as the best law college in India, and the exposure that the esteemed institute provides is truly unique and insightful. Additionally, the university is known for its excellent placements. For me, this is a lifetime opportunity.

Careers360: How do you look at LLM? Is it only for people who want to join academia, or also for those looking for specialised expertise in a certain field?

Yashvi: In my opinion, if someone is inclined towards academia, then enrolling in an LL.M becomes non-negotiable. However, in areas like litigation, I do not think it is a compulsion to pursue an LLM to establish specialisation, as that also comes with practice. That said, it is ultimately a matter of individual choice.

Careers360: Coming to the preparation, how difficult is it to crack CLAT LLM and secure such a high rank?

Yashvi: To be honest, I was just preparing to clear the exam; the rank was a happy consequence. I believe that with consistency, planned preparation, and belief in oneself, it is not difficult to crack the exam.

Careers360: Did you opt for coaching or self-study? Is coaching really important for CLAT PG preparation?

Yashvi: I did not opt for coaching and prepared for the exam on my own. I do not think coaching is absolutely necessary for CLAT PG preparation. However, it completely depends on an individual’s aptitude. If coaching makes the preparation easier, then one should definitely opt for it.

Careers360: What are the important subjects and topics that one should focus on while studying for CLAT LLM?

Yashvi: The subjects for the exam are explicitly mentioned. In my view, the most important subjects are Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, Criminal Law, Contract Law, Family Law, Labour Law, and Environmental Law. These form the core of the exam. A wholesome understanding of these subjects, along with reading recent case laws and practising mocks, will definitely help in achieving good results.

Careers360: Did you practise mocks and sample papers? If yes, how important is it to solve sample papers for CLAT LLM?

Yashvi: Yes, I definitely practised mocks and sample papers. Attempting previous years’ question papers helps in analysing the exam pattern. I strongly recommend solving mock papers, as they provide an opportunity to rectify mistakes during practice itself, which is much better than making them in the actual exam. This also helps candidates become familiar with the exam pattern.

Careers360: What would you recommend to aspirants for attempting the CLAT PG question paper and completing it within two hours while avoiding negative marking?

Yashvi: Mock practice is a non-negotiable part of preparation. Solving papers within a fixed time duration helps ensure that the exam can be completed on time.

Careers360: How was your experience at MDU — especially regarding (1) faculty, (2) internships, (3) moot court/debating culture, and (4) placements?

Yashvi: My experience at MDU-CPAS has been great. The institute has provided me with an abundance of opportunities and support, and the faculty has been immensely cooperative. The institute actively helps students with internships, enabling them to gain both theoretical and practical exposure. There are regular moot court competitions organised with great enthusiasm, along with strong faculty support. Several other activities, such as debating, essay writing, speech competitions, and quizzes, are also conducted regularly.