CLAT PG Criminal Law 2025 - Preparation Tips, Topics, Books

It needs to be understood that criminal law is an extremely essential subject from the point of view of every legal examination. It also holds great weight in CLAT PG (Common Law Admission Test) for post-graduate programs. It encompasses numerous provisions ranging from general to specific principles that require an in-depth understanding of the subject matter. Concepts like culpable homicide, murder, hurt, grievous hurt, and force are similar and can be easily confused. Misunderstanding these concepts can significantly impact your marks. For the upcoming CLAT-PG examination, criminal law as a subject holds much more importance due to the recently introduced new laws that have replaced the existing laws. Various new provisions have been incorporated that were previously not part of the criminal law system and the act has been streamlined due to which the section numbers are changed. These changes attract new questions in the upcoming exams.

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This Story also Contains

1. Importance of Criminal Law in CLAT PG 2026
2. General Preparation Tips to Study Criminal Law for CLAT PG 2026
3. Preparation Strategy for Preparing Criminal Law for CLAT PG 2026
4. Key Takeaways and Points to Remember

Importance of Criminal Law in CLAT PG 2026

Criminal law is not just limited to the act but encompasses a deep understanding of legal precedents and case laws that hold twofold significance.

• Firstly, they help the students understand the application of the provisions in real-life scenarios useful in solving application-based questions.
• Secondly, they attract direct questions about the ratio-decidendi or the underlying reason behind the decision. Mastering these areas significantly increases your understanding of the law and considerably increases your chances of doing good in the examination.

• Mastering criminal law acts as a base for the examination due to the importance of its concepts and the weightage it holds. A comprehensive understanding of this subject considerably increases your chances of scoring high in the examination.

General Preparation Tips to Study Criminal Law for CLAT PG 2026

• Accordin to the CLAT PG syllabus 2026, this subject encompasses a thorough understanding of the syllabus and the important topics that have been frequently featured in the examination.

• It is essential to understand that the entire bare act of all criminal law cannot be covered page by page for the preparation.

• Students need to strategically manage their time, identify the key topics that have a greater probability of question-making making and prepare them to ace the examination.

• It is imperative to focus on the bare acts of the below-mentioned acts to gain an understanding of the exact lines of the statutes.
  Syllabus for Criminal Law for CLAT PG 2026

The syllabus of criminal law includes the following mentioned laws which will help students preparing for the CLAT PG entrance examination.

Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) -

• This Code will replace the existing Indian Penal Code (IPC) is set to come into effect from 1st July 2024. The new law has been enacted to overhaul the criminal justice system in the country to make it more citizen-centric.

• Though there have been no major changes with respect to provisions of the act, the structure and scheme of BNS have been streamlined to provide essential laws relating to an offence under a single chapter. There are a total of 20 chapters in BNS and a total of 358 sections as opposed to 511 sections in IPC. Fines that were very low-ranging in IPC are also now amended to include hefty fines for crimes that warrant heavy penalties. Additionally, terms of imprisonment for 33 offences have been suitably enhanced, fines in 83 cases have been increased and mandatory minimum punishments have also been introduced in 23 offences.

• The BNS is the most important of all criminal laws and has the potential to generate the maximum number of questions. Important concepts from this topic include-

• Elements of crime, Actus Reas and Men’s rea, group liability, abetment, criminal conspiracy, exceptions, attempt to commit offences, offences against public tranquillity, offences against the body – culpable homicide, murder, hurt, grievous hurt, wrongful confinement, and wrongful restraint criminal force, assault, abduction, kidnapping, rape, un-natural offences, and private defence. It is also essential to remember the general definitions.

Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS)

• The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 aims to refine our Criminal procedure system. It aims to provide the framework for the enforcement of substantive criminal law (BNS). Important topics from this framework are- the jurisdiction of criminal court, the process of criminal trials, processes and powers related to investigation, and provisions of bail and bonds.

• A special focus has to be paid to sections incorporating changes and new provisions like Section 176 of BNSS.Section 176 of BNSS of the act mandate investigation for crimes carrying punishment of 7 years of imprisonment or more it also says that section 173 of this said are empowers the new digital age by allowing digital methods of trials enquiry and President s to this a new Revolutionary change has also been introduced with respect to zero f i r a person have right to file and FIR at any police station regardless of the jurisdiction if the offence is of cognizable character. The police has to transfer the requisite FIR to the requisite police station lodging the FIR

3. Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA)

BSA is set to replace the Indian Evidence Act, of 1872. Important topics include Admissions and Confession, Expert Opinion, Character of Corroborative Evidence and Documentary Evidence. Some important sections of BSA that need to be focused on are Section 57 and Section 24. Section 57 of BNS emphasized the recognition of records as part of primary evidence and enable the electronic representation of even oral evidences in addition to the section 24 of BNSS elaborated the idea of joint trial.

Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 ( POCSO Act)

This is the special act enacted to address offences of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children that were not specifically addressed and penalized in the existing criminal law. Provisions of this act also attract significant questions due to the importance it holds to curbing the social menace. It is suggested to go through the provisions of the act and learn the maximum punishment for each type of offence.

Preparation Strategy for Preparing Criminal Law for CLAT PG 2026

1. CLAT PG Syllabus and Exam Pattern

• As stated above it is essential to understand the CLAT PG syllabus 2026 and exam pattern of questions before preparing for the subject. This condition is standard for every subject. The syllabus for Criminal Law has also been explained in the above section.

• The students are required to first, understand the syllabus and then go through the past year's questions to understand what types of questions from which topics are asked in the examination.

• Prepare a list of all the topics that you deem important from the cursory reading of the papers and pay special attention to these topics while preparing the notes.

2. Study Plan

• Students are suggested to draft a daily study plan to navigate their preparation.

• Allot specific time for each criminal law so that you cover all laws in entirety.

• Strategize your study plan in a manner that you initially cover all the important topics from each law and then move on to the not-so-frequently asked topics in the remaining time. This will ensure maximum results in even distressing situations.

• Students are also advised to set their weekly targets in a systematic flow.

3. CLAT PG Books

• Further, it is essential to identify the key sources for your preparation. Students are suggested to gather all essential study materials in one place to keep their preparation systematic and avoid reference to different sources that can lead to a waste of time and overlapping of topics.

• CLAT PG Study material can include coaching material, books and lists of legal presidents and important judgements. Online sources can also be referred to for detailed understanding.

• Kindly note that limited and quality source material is the success of any examination.

• Do not underscore the importance of bare act. They form the basis of any law.

Below are some CLAT PG books that students can refer to for their preparation:

• Commentary on the Indian Penal Code by K.D. Gaur.

• P.S.A Pillai’s Criminal Law

4. Grasp the Fundamentals

• Before studying the specific provisions of Criminal Law, students are advised to understand and comprehend the basic principles of criminal law like history of criminal law, elements of crime, and the operation of criminal justice system in India. Also understand the definition of terms like act, omission, consent, etc. before moving on to the provision to ensure that you are well-versed with the each and every word of the sections. Learn common maxims as direct questions can be asked with respect to the meaning of any maxim.

• Additionally, keep yourself well-versed with the penalties associated with each crime. Most of the penalties are now revised after implementation of new laws.

• Always make notes for revision at the end of preparation. Your brain cannot retain everything that you have studied during the preparation.

5. Analyse Case Studies

• Along with reading and understanding the concept, students are advised to go through the case studies to understand the real-life application of any provision. This will help you in solving application-based questions with greater precision.

• Also, make case summaries of all important judgments. This will help you with easy revision before your exam.

6. Important Topics

• In the beginning, students were advised to prepare a list of important topics from the past year's question papers. It is advisable that during the preparation specific attention is given to these important topics and detailed notes are prepared for the same.

• Keep yourself updated with the recent amendments and current developments in the field. Go through the websites like ‘Bar and Bench’ and ‘LiveLaw’ to ensure that you do not miss any important judgment relating to these provisions that might occur in paper from a contemporary view.

7. Revision

• Always remember that revision is the key to success.

• Regularly revise your key points, case summaries, important definitions, and essentials of provisions.

8. Attempt regular tests

• Another way to ensure constant revision is to take timely practice tests, CLAT PG mock tests, and solve past year question papers.

• Solving CLAT PG sample papers will help you to grasp the idea of regularly asked questions, and the difficulty level of the paper, and improve your time management skills.

• Analyze each test thoroughly to identify your weak points and improve on your past mistakes.

Key Takeaways and Points to Remember

• Do not underscore the importance of bare acts. Focus on understanding the essence and interpretation of each provision.

• Do make a summary of related important judgments right after you complete a concept. This will help you with practical application of the concept and their thorough understanding.

• Do learn the section numbers.

• Since the criminal laws of our country are changed recently, make a list of all newly introduced provisions and their implications and important judgment relating to them.

  • For eg. Previously, the exception to section 375 of IPC stated that sexual intercourse by a man with his own wife, wife not being under the age of 15 years, is not rape. Now, this arbitration age limit set under IPC has been done away with. The exception to section 63 provided that even sexual intercourse or sexual acts by a man with his wife if she is under 18 years of age is rape.

Important case law relating to the above provision is-

Independent Thought vs. Union of India & Anr.- In this case, the Supreme Court of India interpreted the Exception-2 of Section 375 in harmony with main provision. The Apex Court for the first time recognised marital rape and declared that within marriage also sexual intercourse with a wife of age between 15 to 18 years will constitute an offence of rape.

Revision and practice tests are essential to succeed in any exam. The same is true for CLAT-PG as well. Keep taking section tests and mock tests to assess your progress.

You may also check other CLAT PG Topics