CLAT Legal Reasoning Syllabus 2026: List of Topics Asked in Previous Years, Books, Preparation
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CLAT Legal Reasoning Syllabus 2026: List of Topics Asked in Previous Years, Books, Preparation

Shubham BhakuniUpdated on 14 Oct 2025, 10:58 AM IST

CLAT Legal Reasoning Syllabus 2026: Legal reasoning is one of the most important sections in CLAT 2026. The syllabus of CLAT shows that legal reasoning has a weightage of 25% in the question paper. While the consortium has made it clear that CLAT legal reasoning does not require prior knowledge of the law, the aptitude and ability to identify arguments and draw solutions will be tested. However, familiarity with basic legal concepts still helps the candidates score well in this section. The CLAT legal reasoning syllabus covers topics such as legal principles, the constitution, tort law, contract law, and various other areas of law. Key components of the legal reasoning CLAT syllabus include understanding basic legal concepts, such as rights, duties, and liabilities. The Legal Reasoning section includes passages of around 450 words, covering fact-based situations, public policy issues, or moral-ethical debates. Read the complete article to know about the detailed topics-wise CLAT legal reasoning syllabus 2026, books, sample questions and preparation tips.

LiveCLAT 2026 Answer Key LIVE: Raise objections by 5 pm today; NLUs admission process, cut-offsDec 12, 2025 | 1:06 PM IST

In India, legal education is under an intense phase of growth. The total number of law schools has surged to above 1,700, with growth in all types of law schools, including NLUs, premium law schools, and low-cost private and public universities. The number of students taking national, state, and private entrance exams has grown drastically.

Over the years, the CLAT entrance exam has avoided significant logistical and integrity concerns that have arisen with other national entrance exams. However, there have been quality concerns reflected in a high number of objections submitted in the last 2 years.

Legal challenges and court interventions have brought multiple question paper errors to light, creating significant uncertainty and stress for students, delaying admission timelines, and increasing costs for all stakeholders.

Read More at: NLSIU Bangalore VC: CLAT exam reforms urgent; AI can reshape legal education in India

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This Story also Contains

  1. CLAT Subjects 2026: Overview
  2. CLAT Legal Reasoning Syllabus: Weightage, Marks & Key Skills
  3. CLAT Legal Reasoning Syllabus - Topics Covered in Previous Year
  4. How to prepare for CLAT 2026 Legal Reasoning
  5. CLAT 2026 Legal Reasoning Preparation Tips
  6. Books for CLAT Legal Reasoning
CLAT Legal Reasoning Syllabus 2026: List of Topics Asked in Previous Years, Books, Preparation
CLAT Legal Reasoning Syllabus

CLAT 2026 is scheduled to be held on December 7, 2025, in offline mode. The CLAT 2026 syllabus has five subjects - English, legal reasoning, logical reasoning, maths and general knowledge with current affairs. The section-wise overview of the CLAT syllabus is given below.

CLAT Subjects 2026: Overview

Subject name

Number of questions

Legal reasoning

28-32

Logical reasoning

22-26

English comprehension

22-26

Maths

10-14

General knowledge & current affairs

28-32

CLAT Legal Reasoning Syllabus: Weightage, Marks & Key Skills

The legal reasoning for CLAT syllabus is a crucial component of the exam, accounting for 25% of the total marks. Around 22-26 questions will be asked from CLAT 2026 legal reasoning syllabus, even though hardcore legal concepts will not be asked in the examination. The CLAT legal reasoning essentially attempts to test the critical thinking and analytical abilities of candidates. These skills are considered crucial for succeeding in the legal profession. Students can find the legal reasoning syllabus for CLAT below,

Skills required for CLAT Legal Reasoning 2026

  • Critical thinking

  • Analytical skills

  • Ability to identify arguments

  • Ability to draw conclusions from complex statements

  • Fast reading, along with comprehension

The legal reasoning for CLAT syllabus is designed to assess candidates' ability to analyse and apply legal principles in various scenarios. While there is no mention of specific legal reasoning topics in the official CLAT 2026 syllabus, an analysis of CLAT previous years question papers shows that understanding of basic legal concepts does help in answering the questions. Here are the CLAT legal reasoning topics asked in previous years.

CLAT Legal Reasoning Syllabus - Topics Covered in Previous Year

Year

TopicsDifficulty level
2025Less core legal reasoning questions, Valid and Invalid Contract, Right to Privacy, 42nd AmendmentEasy

2024

5 passages with 32 questions. Passages were around marriage laws, digital data protection law, press freedom, the Juvenile Justice Act, Void and voidable Marriage, Personal Data Protection Bill.

Easy

2023

8 passages on current affairs covering topics such as the Law of Torts, Contract Law, the Indian Penal Code, and related concepts

Easy to moderate but lengthy

2022

The passages were based on Monism and dualism, Special Marriage Act, Contract Act, Bigamy and the Constitution. All the passages were from the major laws and the questions were easy as well.

Easy

2021

The passages were from topics such as Special Marriage Act, Law of writs, Penal Law, Personal Laws related to Bigamy, and Public International Law.

Moderate

CLAT 2026 Legal Reasoning Syllabus: List of topics asked in previous years

  1. Marriage Laws

  2. Digital Data Protection Law

  3. Press Freedom

  4. Juvenile Justice Act

  5. Void and Voidable Marriage

  6. Personal Data Protection Bill

  7. Law of Torts

  8. Contract Law

  9. Indian Penal Code and Related Concepts

  10. Monism and Dualism

  11. Special Marriage Act

  12. Contract Act

  13. Bigamy

  14. Constitution Law

  15. Special Marriage Act

  16. Law of Writs

  17. Penal Law

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Going through the legal reasoning syllabus for CLAT from previous years is an effective way to prepare for the upcoming exam. Students are required to familiarise themselves with the legal reasoning CLAT syllabus to effectively tackle the exam's critical thinking questions.

You may also check popular law courses -

Amity University, Mumbai Law Admissions 2026

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Amity University Kolkata Law Admissions 2026

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How to prepare for CLAT 2026 Legal Reasoning

The legal reasoning section in the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) will have questions based on comprehension-based paragraphs. The CLAT 2026 question paper will consist of five to six paragraphs, each followed by a series of multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Candidates will have to read the paragraphs and answer the questions based on the information provided.

The CLAT legal reasoning paragraphs will be around 450 words each. These paragraphs will be based on various fact situations or scenarios involving legal matters, public policy questions or moral philosophical enquiries.

While prior legal knowledge is not required for CLAT 2026 legal reasoning, a basic understanding and awareness of general legal and moral issues will help the candidates apply principles in various fact situations.

CLAT 2026 Legal Reasoning Preparation Tips

Here are some important tips to help the candidates start with CLAT legal reasoning preparation.

Read Daily Newspaper Articles

Reading the newspapers regularly will help the candidates keep up with the latest developments in the legal and political field. The CLAT legal aptitude requires the candidates to be good with current legal affairs and newspapers are considered the best preparation material for it.

Read Legal Journals

Reading articles and journals on law, the judiciary, and judgments helps candidates familiarise themselves with historical developments in law and legal terminology and become comfortable with complex legal language.

Practice Questions on Legal Principles

The legal aptitude questions in CLAT 2026 will be complex and lengthy. Candidates should practice the questions around legal principles and learn how to use principles in various fact situations. The CLAT previous year's questions are good practice sources to start with.

Improve legal maxims and vocabulary

Legal maxims and terminologies are important for understanding complex legal paragraphs quickly. Candidates should keep a dictionary of legal terminology, and maxims. Additionally, candidates can note the legal terminologies mentioned in the articles and journals along with their meanings.

Books for CLAT Legal Reasoning

Here are some recommended books for CLAT legal reasoning.

  • Legal aptitude and legal reasoning by A P Bharadwaj

  • Legal awareness by Pearson

  • LST’s legal reasoning module

  • Objective Legal Studies by R.S. Agrawal

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Questions related to CLAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CLAT ?

If you are expecting around 80 marks in CLAT 2026, your chances will mainly depend on that year’s overall difficulty level and how the marks translate into ranks. In most years, a score around 80 usually places candidates somewhere in the mid-rank range, which means that the top NLUs like NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad or WBNUJS Kolkata are generally difficult to get at this score. However, some of the newer or mid-tier NLUs may still be possible depending on cut-offs, reservation category, and seat availability during later rounds. Students with similar scores in past years have sometimes received calls from NLUs such as NLU Jabalpur, NLU Assam, NLU Tripura, NLU Aurangabad, or NLU Shimla, but the exact possibilities shift every year. Treat this score as competitive but not in the top bracket, and wait for the official ranks to get a clearer picture of which options are realistically open. All the best!

https://law.careers360.com/articles/nlu-cutoff

Hello aspirant,

With 64.5 marks in CLAT 2026 and EWS+UP domicile, getting a top NLU may be difficult because EWS cutoffs are usually high. However, you may still have chances in the newer or mid-tier NLUs, depending on this year's overall scoring trend. NLUs like NLU Tripura, NLU Shimla or NLU Jabalpur sometimes open seats for EWS candidates at lower scores. It's best to wait for the official ranks and counselling lists, as seats shift during later rounds.

FOR REFERENCE : https://law.careers360.com/articles/clat-cutoff

THANK YOU

Hello aspirant,

Getting 43 in CLAT can feel disappointing, but it doesn't define your ability. You still have AILET, and many students improve sharply in their second attempt. For AILET, focus more on English, logical reasoning and GK. In static GK, study important books, monuments, national parks, constitutional facts and major awards. For current affairs, revise the last 6-8 months covering national events, government schemes, appointments, sports and major international news. Make short notes and revise daily. With a clear plan and claim mind, you can perform much better in AILET.

FOR GUIDANCE : https://law.careers360.com/articles/ailet-preparation-tips

THANK YOU

Hello,

Here are the Expected SC Category Cut-offs (CLAT UG 2026):

  • NLSIU Bangalore: 85-87
  • NALSAR Hyderabad: 82-84
  • WBNUJS Kolkata: 80-82
  • NLU Jodhpur: 78-80
  • GNLU Gandhinagar: 76-78
  • RMLNLU Lucknow: 74-76

For more details access below mentioned link.

https://law.careers360.com/articles/clat-cut-off-2026-for-sc-category

Hope it helps.

Good Morning, Candidate,

It entirely depends on the university whether the admission for the BA LLB will be based on the 12th board or the national-level entrance exam, or both. The admission exams are below

1. Common Law Admission Test

2. All India Law Entrance Test

3. Symbiosis Law Admission Test

4. Common University Entrance Test

Thank you. Hope this information helps you.