CLAT Exam Date:07 Dec' 25 - 07 Dec' 25
The Consortium of NLUs declared the results of the much-awaited national-level law entrance exam, CLAT 2021 on July 29, 2021. By securing an overall score of 117, Karthik J Lal, who hails from Kochi, Kerala, has managed to secure the AIR 3 much to the delight of his parents and well wishers. Supported by his family and friends, he worked on his areas of improvement and achieved success in the exam. In an exclusive interview with Careers360, CLAT 2021 Topper Karthik J Lal shares his experience about the road to clearing CLAT 2021. He believes, “Interminable dedication, hardwork and a positive mindset towards situations will surely lead to success.”
Candidates appearing for CLAT 2026 should be aware of the marking scheme. The exam will have 120 questions, each carrying one mark. One mark will be awarded for every correct response, no marks will be assigned to unattempted questions, and 0.25 marks will be deducted for each incorrect answer.
The CLAT 2021 was conducted on July 23 at various test centres across the country. The exam was conducted in pen-and-paper format following strict COVID-19 safety protocols.
Here are the excerpts of the interview Careers360 did with CLAT 2021 Topper Karthik J Lal. Read the complete conversation if you are aiming for the next CLAT exam.
Careers360- Congratulations on your performance in CLAT 2021. What was your initial reaction upon knowing your rank?
Karthik- Thank you so much. I was overjoyed when I saw the CLAT results on July 29, 2021.
Careers360- Tell us something about yourself - the board you studied under, the name of the school, the place you belong to, and a bit about your family?
Karthik- I have studied from Rajagiri Public School, Kochi. My father is a neurosurgeon and my mother is an ophthalmologist. We hail from Kerala. I also have a younger sister.
Careers360- What are your overall and sectional scores in CLAT 2021?
Karthik- In the CLAT 2021 exam, I got 117 marks overall. In English i scored 24 marks, in GK - 27.5 marks, in Legal - 27.5 marks, logic - 28.75 marks, and in Maths - 9.
Careers360- Were you expecting the CLAT results, or was it a surprise?
Karthik- For me, it was a happy surprise.
Careers360- How and when did you start preparing for the CLAT 2021 exam?
Karthik- I was motivated to pursue law by my seniors and the books that I read. I started preparing for clat in class 11. I joined a coaching centre called Heritage located in kochi.
Careers360- Did you follow any specific routine and study hours?
Karthik- I did not follow a rigid schedule. But I made it a point to read “The Hindu” everyday.
Careers360- What are the subject-wise books you used for CLAT exam preparation? Any specific reason for selecting these books?
Karthik- For English and Critical reasoning I used GMAT books. They follow a similar pattern. For quantitative aptitude I did questions from RS Agarwal.
Careers360- Tell us last month’s exam preparation tips?
Karthik- I spent the last month brushing up on GK and current affairs. I tried to do two mocks everyday and I reviewed them thoroughly.
Careers360- Did you solve sample papers and take mock tests? What is the correct frequency for these exercises?
Karthik- I did solve mock tests from the beginning of my preparation. In the last few months I did one mock everyday.
Careers360- Many students make a mess of their preparation in the law few days, as exam pressure reaches the pinnacle. How to handle this tricky phase?
Karthik- My friends and my family definitely helped decrease the stress. I tried to enjoy the process and that made it easier.
Careers360- How can one improve accuracy and speed?
Karthik- Reading the questions before going through the passage is advisable. Practice definitely increases your accuracy Reading editorials regularly helps to improve your reading speed
Careers360- Is there any particular order for attempting the CLAT question paper? How should one go about attempting the test?
Karthik- I think that varies. I did Gk first, then moved to English followed by maths and legal. I did logic in the end.
Careers360- Did the prolonged delay and multiple postponements affect your exam preparation? How did you manage to stay on track?
Karthik- I used the delay to revise topics that I had missed out and to practise. Taking things positively will surely help.
Careers360- Did you face any difficulty during the exam considering there were strict COVID-19 guidelines in place?
Karthik- I did not face any difficulties due to the protocol.
Careers360- Which law discipline do you want to study in your undergraduate?
Karthik- I have not made up my mind on any disciple.
Careers360- Also, do you have any NLU preferences?
Karthik- I prefer NLSIU Bangalore.
Also check,
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
To check your CLAT exam hall ticket, go to the official website, log in with your registration or application number and password (or other login details), and the admit card will be displayed on the screen. You should then download and print at least two copies of the admit card for the exam and counselling process.
I hope it will clear your query!!
Hello,
Yes, you can prepare for CLAT through self-study. Many students do it and score well. But self-study works only if you are disciplined and follow a proper plan.
Here are a few points to keep in mind:
1. Know the syllabus and pattern.
Understand each section: English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quant.
2. Make a fixed timetable.
Study a little every day. Consistency matters more than long hours.
3. Use good books and online sources.
Choose reliable material so you don’t waste time.
4. Practice a lot.
Solve mock tests and previous papers regularly. This is the most important part of CLAT prep.
5. Analyse your mistakes.
Check where you go wrong and improve those areas.
6. Stay updated with current affairs.
Read daily news or monthly current affairs PDFs.
If you can follow these steps honestly, self-study is enough. If you feel stuck or need guidance with strategy, you can always use online classes or doubt-clearing support.
Hope it helps !
According to our prediction the date is tentatively on December 14, 2025 or CLAT 2026 admissions. You may read more about it here law.careers360.com/articles/clat-result
Choosing the right CLAT coaching is a personal decision that should align with your learning style, budget, and location. There isn't a single "best" one.
A humanistic approach suggests you consider these factors:
Faculty & Focus: Look for institutions with experienced faculty who offer personalized doubt clearing, not just recorded lectures.
Material Quality: The study material must be updated to the latest CLAT pattern, emphasizing Legal Reasoning and Current Affairs.
Peer Environment: A strong peer group and competitive environment boost motivation.
The linked article from Careers360 provides context and lists major national players in the CLAT prep space, which you can use to start your comparison: https://law.careers360.com/articles/clat-online-coaching . Choose the one that feels like the best investment in your future
Yes, there are several law colleges in India that offer admission without requiring CLAT or other national-level entrance exams — and one such option is MERI Institute, Delhi .
At MERI Institute , students can pursue law courses based on their 12th-grade merit , without the stress of competitive entrance tests. This makes it an excellent choice for those who want to build a career in law but prefer a more straightforward admission process.
The institute focuses on practical legal education , with experienced faculty members, regular court visits, moot court training, and interactive seminars that help students understand real-world legal practices. The campus environment is supportive and student-friendly, offering both academic guidance and personal growth opportunities.
So, if you’re looking for law colleges without CLAT , MERI Institute in Delhi can be a great fit—providing quality education, a balanced learning approach, and a pathway to a successful law career without the pressure of tough entrance exams.
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Admissions open for B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), B.B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) and LL.B Program (3 Years) | School of Law, MRU ranked No. 1 in Law Schools of Excellence in India by GHRDC (2023)
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