Common Law Admission Test is undoubtedly the toughest law entrance exams in the country for undergraduate admissions. When it comes to difficulty level, the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) comprises very tough questions asked from a total of five sections and all questions are passage based. Candidates preparing for the CLAT 2026 exam must carefully analyze all the previous year question papers to understand the difficulty level, type of questions, important topics, answering techniques and more. In this article we have broken down the CLAT 2025 question paper and shared a detailed analysis for students. Candidates preparing for the upcoming CLAT 2026 exam can take help of this detailed analysis to understand what the exam is about and what they should expect in the upcoming attempt.
Section | Key Topics |
English Language | Reading comprehension (literary/philosophical extracts), vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms, phrases), inference (author's intent, cause-effect), educational philosophy, character-building. |
Current Affairs Including General Knowledge | International relations (BRICS, geopolitics), constitutional changes (Article 370, J&K), gender empowerment (women’s reservation), Indian history (Civil Disobedience), sports (Olympics 2024). |
Legal Reasoning | Child rights (POCSO, criminal justice), environmental law (constitutional duties, Paris Agreement), contract law (void vs. voidable), intellectual property (Geographical Indications). |
Logical Reasoning | Critical reasoning (social issues, consulting roles, mental health), seating arrangement puzzles, inferences, strengthening/weakening arguments, myths vs. facts. |
Quantitative Techniques | Data interpretation (wage gaps, budgets), percentages, ratios, arithmetic (increases, interest), financial calculations (savings, expenses). |
Section | Passage/Topic | Key Topics Tested | Brief Analysis Summary |
English Language | Passage I: George Orwell’s “Why I Write” | Motives for writing; vocabulary (synonyms like "tumultuous"); inference on author's intent; cause-effect from childhood experiences. | Tests comprehension, motives (egoism, aesthetic, etc.); synonyms/antonyms; author's advocacy for contemporary treatment; implications of escaping early influences. |
English Language | Passage II: Swami Vivekananda’s “Education” | True education (character-building, concentration); critiques of rote learning; vocabulary (assimilation); national needs (will power). | Emphasizes concentration as key to knowledge; aims of education (character, intellect, livelihood); holistic "all of the above" options; patriotic themes. |
English Language | Passage III: R.K. Narayan’s “An Astrologer’s Day” | Descriptive vocabulary (dazzling, vociferousness); market trades/occupations; inferences on characters and timing. | Word meanings/phrases; negation in trades; specific recalls (e.g., groundnut seller's names); prophetic perceptions. |
English Language | Passage IV: J. Krishnamurti’s “The right kind of Education” | Educational philosophy (love over ideals); vocabulary (volatile antonyms); teacher's attitude; consequences of conformity. | Parent/teacher qualities (observation, individual study); results of forcing ideals (fear/conflict); right education with love/understanding. |
Current Affairs Including General Knowledge | Passage V: BRICS Summit 2024 | International relations (BRICS, Indo-China dialogue); acronyms; critiques; geopolitical signals. | Outcomes (diplomatic de-escalation); "S" in BRICS (South Africa); Big Cats Alliance; Western critiques on divisions; multipolar world. |
Current Affairs Including General Knowledge | Passage VI: Article 370 Abrogation & J&K Reorganization | Constitutional changes; UT structures; states/UTs count; capitals; false statements. | Special status; division into 2 UTs; legislative assemblies; current India map (28 states, 8 UTs); Leh as Ladakh capital; negations on facts. |
Current Affairs Including General Knowledge | Passage VII: Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023 | Women's reservation; implementation (post-census); critiques on leadership/representation. | Force after census; inheritance in leadership; substantive vs. descriptive quotas; amendments for SC/ST women. |
Current Affairs Including General Knowledge | Passage VIII: Civil Disobedience Movement | Historical events; roles of industrialists/workers/women; outcomes/dilemmas. | Dandi March start; concerns (disruption); Congress predicaments; major outcomes (women's participation). |
Current Affairs Including General Knowledge | Passage IX: Paris Olympics 2024 | Sports achievements (India's medals); peculiarities (post-pandemic); geopolitical backdrops. | Back-to-back hockey (Tokyo-Paris); uniqueness (river ceremony); conflicts (Israel-Hamas); highest tally (Tokyo); Seine River. |
Legal Reasoning | Passage X: Children in Criminal Justice System | Child rights (victims/CICL); NCRB data; CJS objectives; POCSO; risks. | Issues faced (school difficulties, criminal behavior); deterrence; NCRB role; highest crimes (kidnapping); POCSO expansion; exposure risks. |
Legal Reasoning | Passage XI: Environmental Protection in Constitution | 42nd Amendment (DPSP/Duties); carbon commitments (Paris Agreement); SC verdicts; Article 21. | Changes in Duties/DPSP; binding commitments; 51A(g) scope; duties on state/citizens; treaty reasons; right to life. |
Legal Reasoning | Passage XII: Contract Act - Void vs. Voidable | Contract definitions; void ab initio; scenarios (illegal, minor, no consideration). | Descriptions (no effect from start); illegal contracts (void); minor agreements (void); bribes (void); no consideration (void). |
Legal Reasoning | Passage XIII: Geographical Indications (Truncated) | IP law; GIs protection (TRIPS); true/false statements. | Not true statements on GIs (protection scope). |
Logical Reasoning | Passage XVI: Homelessness as a Global Issue | Social causes/myths; amplification (mental illness); stats (US homelessness). | True statements (perceptions); least causes (proper health care); myths (job difficulty as fact); approx. numbers (~580k). |
Logical Reasoning | Passage XVII: Role of a Consultant | Business responsibilities (analysis, collaboration); methods (data/strategies); optimization (supply chain); communication/support. | Primary roles; close work (management); customized solutions; efficiency areas; communication importance; training support. |
Logical Reasoning | Passage XVIII: Seating Arrangement Puzzle | Spatial relations (left/right, neighbors); deductions from clues. | Positions (respect to others); third/fifth right/left; immediate neighbors; data adequacy. |
Logical Reasoning | Passage XIX: Lifestyle and Mental Health in India | Mental health correlates (tech, diet); arguments (technology skepticism); solutions/evidence gaps. | Titles (lifestyle/mental health); quote meanings; strengthening (relationships); solutions (limit foods); lacking evidence (English/family); explanations (logic vs. utility). |
Quantitative Techniques | Passage XX: Gender Wage Gaps in India | Economic disparities; percentage calculations; trends/increases. | Wages from gaps (e.g., women in Goa); least wages; multiples (2.8x); hourly +48%; % increase (12%); correct statements. |
Quantitative Techniques | Passage XXI: Mr. Das's Family Budget | Budget percentages; income/expenses; interest/savings goals; adjustments (inflation). | House-rent (18%); extra savings for goal; true comparisons (equal groups?); remainder after rent/savings; new savings % post-inflation; food/ent sum. |
Before going for the previous year question papers’ analysis, candidates must first get well-versed with the syllabus and exam pattern of CLAT 2026. The CLAT 2026 syllabus is very extensive, spread over five subjects and various sub-topics. CLAT 2026 has five subjects - English Language, Current Affairs including General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. According to the CLAT 2026 exam pattern, there are a total of 120 passage-based questions which candidates have to attempt in 120 minutes. The table below denotes some key aspects of the CLAT 2026 syllabus and exam pattern:
Category | Details |
Time duration | 2 hours |
Mode | Offline mode (pen and paper-based mode) |
Conducting Body | Consortium of National Law Universities (CNLU) |
Subjects | English Language, Current Affairs including General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques |
Type of questions | Objective-type questions |
Number of questions | CLAT UG - 120 questions |
Total marks in CLAT | 120 marks (Both CLAT UG and CLAT PG) |
CLAT UG marking scheme | Correct answer - 1 mark Incorrect answer - 0.25 marks deduction Unattempted questions - No negative marking |
Language | English |
On Question asked by student community
With a CLAT PG rank of 1257 in the SC category and being a woman candidate with Rajasthan domicile, you do have a realistic chance of securing admission to several National Law Universities, though the top NLUs may be difficult at this rank. Admission chances depend heavily on category-wise cut-offs, domicile reservations, and how many seats are available in a given year. For top-tier NLUs like NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, or NLUD, the closing ranks for SC category usually fall much lower, so chances there are minimal. However, you should definitely consider mid- and lower-ranked NLUs where SC category cut-offs often extend beyond 1200–1500 ranks.
You should prioritise NLUs that offer domicile or state quota benefits, especially those closer to your home state or neighbouring regions. National Law University Jodhpur (if applicable under domicile or category movement), Hidayatullah National Law University Raipur, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University Lucknow, Gujarat National Law University Gandhinagar, Maharashtra National Law University (Nagpur or Aurangabad), National Law University Odisha, and Tamil Nadu National Law University are some options where candidates in the SC category with similar ranks have secured seats in previous counselling rounds. Lower-tier NLUs like Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Himachal Pradesh National Law University, and Dharmashastra National Law University can also be kept in your preference list as safer options.
Your strategy should be to keep a wide preference list during counselling, placing mid-ranked NLUs first and then moving to lower NLUs, rather than restricting yourself only to a few choices. Also, stay active during subsequent counselling rounds and vacancy rounds, as many seats in the SC category are filled later due to withdrawals. Overall, while top NLUs may be tough, you have a fair chance of getting into a decent NLU if you plan your preferences smartly and remain flexible.
With a CLAT PG rank of around 11,000, getting admission into the top National Law Universities (NLUs) is not likely, as their general category cut-offs usually close much earlier. However, you still have realistic chances in lower-ranked and newer NLUs, especially in the later rounds of CLAT counselling or through vacant seats.
At this rank, you may consider NLUs such as NLU Tripura, NLU Meghalaya, NLU Nagaland, NLU Sikkim, NLU Andhra Pradesh, NLU Odisha, NLU Jabalpur, and NLU Aurangabad, particularly if you belong to a reserved category like SC, ST, OBC, EWS, or have domicile or women reservation applicable. Cut-offs for these universities tend to go higher in rank compared to older NLUs, and seats often open up in subsequent counselling rounds due to withdrawals.
If you do not secure an NLU seat, you should also strongly consider reputed state and private law universities that accept CLAT PG scores or conduct their own entrance tests. Universities such as Faculty of Law, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Delhi University (DU – through CUET PG), Jamia Millia Islamia, Symbiosis Law School, Christ University, Jindal Global Law School, and Nirma University are good alternatives for LLM aspirants. Many of these institutions offer strong academic exposure, experienced faculty, and good research opportunities, sometimes even better than newer NLUs.
Overall, while a rank of 11,000 limits options in top NLUs, admission is still possible in newer NLUs or good non-NLU law universities, provided you actively participate in counselling rounds and keep backup options ready.
With a CLAT 2026 All India Rank around 2070, Telangana domicile, and holding an OBC certificate (girl candidate), your chances of getting admission into a top-tier NLU like NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, NUJS Kolkata or NLU Jodhpur are quite low, as their closing ranks are usually much higher. However, you still have realistic chances in several mid-tier and newer NLUs, especially if OBC reservation and domicile or women reservation is applicable.
Based on previous years’ counselling trends, you can reasonably expect chances in NLUs such as NLU Odisha (Cuttack), NLIU Bhopal (borderline, depending on category movement), NLU Assam (Guwahati), DSNLU Visakhapatnam, TNNLU Tiruchirappalli, HPNLU Shimla, NLU Tripura, NLU Meghalaya, NLU Sikkim, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar NLU Sonipat. Some of these universities see rank movement in later rounds and vacancies, particularly for reserved categories and women candidates.
Since you are from Telangana, you should definitely keep NALSAR Hyderabad in your preference list, but only after all higher NLUs, as the domicile quota is limited and usually closes at a much better rank. Still, it is worth trying because domicile and category together can sometimes help in spot or vacancy rounds.
Your best strategy would be to prepare a balanced preference list: first include all top NLUs, then mid-tier NLUs like NLU Odisha and NLIU Bhopal, followed by newer and lower-ranked NLUs where your rank has a stronger chance. Make sure you actively participate in all counselling rounds, including vacancies, as many seats open up after withdrawals.
Cut-offs vary every year depending on seat intake, category distribution, and counselling dynamics, so even if you miss out in early rounds, you should not lose hope. Keep your documents ready, track counselling updates closely, and stay flexible with preferences to maximize your chances of securing an NLU seat.
Hello there,
Here is a list of government and semi-government colleges that accept CLAT score:
However, these universities also carry out separate registration to apply using your CLAT Scorecard.
I hope this helps you.
Thankyou.
Hello,
With EWS rank 2673 in CLAT 2026, you are unlikely to get the top NLUs like NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, NLIU Bhopal, or RMLNLU Lucknow .
You have good chances for mid-tier NLUs such as:
DBRANLU Sonepat
MPDNLU Jabalpur
IIULER Goa
NUSRL Ranchi
DSNLU Visakhapatnam
CNLU Patna BBA LLB
RPNLU Prayagraj (in later rounds)
Most newer MNLUs like Mumbai, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Silvassa
Final allotment can vary depending on counselling rounds and seat availability
You can also use our CLAT College Predictor Tool to predict which colleges you can get based on your score and rank.
Hope it helps !
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