Difference Between CLAT UG and CLAT PG - Eligibility, Pattern, NLU wise Courses and Seat Intake
  • Law Exams
  • CLAT Exam
  • Difference Between CLAT UG and CLAT PG - Eligibility, Pattern, NLU wise Courses and Seat Intake

Difference Between CLAT UG and CLAT PG - Eligibility, Pattern, NLU wise Courses and Seat Intake

Ongoing Event

CLAT Application Date:01 Aug' 25 - 31 Oct' 25

Sumeet SudarshanUpdated on 21 Mar 2025, 12:21 PM IST

The main difference between CLAT UG and CLAT PG lies in the courses that one can gain admission into through the two exams. But that’s just skimming the surface. When it comes to CLAT UG vs CLAT PG comparison, it’s important to dive deeper and understand what the two exams constitute and what one needs to do in order to be eligible to appear for the exams.

This Story also Contains

  1. CLAT UG Vs CLAT PG: Overview
  2. CLAT UG and PG Eligibility Criteria
  3. CLAT PG Vs CLAT UG: Exam Pattern
  4. Difference Between CLAT UG and CLAT PG: Courses
  5. CLAT UG Vs CLAT PG: Seat Intake
  6. CLAT UG vs CLAT PG: NLU wise Courses and Seat Intake
  7. CLAT UG vs CLAT PG: Fees Structure
Difference Between CLAT UG and CLAT PG - Eligibility, Pattern, NLU wise Courses and Seat Intake
CLAT UG Vs CLAT PG - (Image by pressfoto on Freepik)

The Consortium of National Law Universities administers both, the Common Law Admission Test UG and Common Law Admission Test PG. As the name suggests, the former is for admissions into 5-year integrated undergraduate law programmes while the latter is for admissions into postgraduate LLM programmes at participating NLUs and affiliated colleges. Read on to find everything you need to know about the difference between CLAT UG and CLAT PG at one place.

CLAT UG Vs CLAT PG: Overview

While trying to understand the CLAT UG and PG difference, it also helps to know that there are many similarities between the two exams. The table below provides a snapshot of all the important points in the comparison between CLAT UG and CLAT PG.

CLAT UG vs CLAT PG Snapshot

ParticularsCLAT UG

CLAT PG

Conducting authority

Consortium of NLUs

Consortium of NLUs

Frequency of exam

Once a year

Once a year

Mode of exam

Offline

Offline

Programmes offered

5-year LLB

LLM

Eligibility Criteria

10+2

LLB degree

No. of participating NLUs

24

21

Seats in NLUs

3243

1373

Avg. No. of students appearing

58000+

10000+

Infographics - CLAT UG vs CLAT PG

Infographics - CLAT UG vs CLAT PG

CLAT UG and PG Eligibility Criteria

A major starting point of the difference between CLAT UG and CLAT PG is the eligibility criteria that candidates must fulfil in order to appear for the exams. This difference stems from the courses that are on offer via these two law entrance exams. The CLAT eligibility criteria pertains to the minimum educational qualification, minimum marks, and age limit

CLAT UG vs PG: Eligibility Criteria

Particulars

CLAT UG

CLAT PG

Minimum educational qualification

10+2 pass or equivalent


Candidates appearing for class 12 exams can also apply.

3-year LLB or 5-year LLB pass


Candidates appearing for their final year exams can also apply.

Minimum passing marks

45% for candidates from General/OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI


40% for SC/ST candidates

50% for candidates from General/OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI


45% for SC/ST candidates

Age limit

No upper age limit

No upper age limit

CLAT PG Vs CLAT UG: Exam Pattern

While both CLAT UG and PG are conducted in offline mode over a period of two hours, there is a big difference between CLAT PG and CLAT UG in terms of their exam pattern, topics in CLAT UG and CLAT PG topics. The CLAT UG syllabus tests the candidates on five fronts namely their English language proficiency, legal reasoning, logical reasoning, general knowledge, and quantitative ability. On the other hand, the CLAT PG syllabus tests the candidates knowledge about different laws.

Exam Pattern of CLAT UG and CLAT PG

Particulars

CLAT UG

CLAT PG

Mode

Offline

Offline

Type of questions

Multiple Choice Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

Duration

2 hours

2 hours

No. of questions

120

120

Marks

120

120

Marks per questions

1 mark per correct answer

1 mark per correct answer

Negative marking

0.25 mark for every wrong answer

0.25 for every wrong answer

Sections / Topics

English, Current affairs including GK, Legal reasoning, Logical reasoning, Quantitative techniques

Different areas of law

Also check - NLU Delhi vs NLSIU Bangalore

Difference Between CLAT UG and CLAT PG: Courses

Another major CLAT UG and PG difference which can be seen in the nomenclature of the exams itself, are the courses offered. Law aspirants can gain admission into various 5-year LLB programmes through CLAT UG whereas candidates are admitted into LLM programmes through CLAT PG.

CLAT UG Vs CLAT PG: Courses Offered

Particulars

CLAT UG

CLAT PG

Courses Offered

BA LLB (Hons.), BBA LLB (Hons.), B.Com LLB (Hons.), BSc LLB (Hons.), BSW LLB (Hons.)

LLM

CLAT UG Vs CLAT PG: Seat Intake

The difference between CLAT UG and CLAT can also be seen in the number of participating NLUs. There are 24 NLUs that offer admissions into 5-year LLB programmes through CLAT UG. However, when it comes to CLAT PG only 21 NLUs offer seats for LLM through CLAT PG. It is because CNLU Patna conducts its own admission process for LLM, whereas DBRANLU Sonepat and RPNLU Prayagraj do not offer LLM programmes. The total number of CLAT seats for UG and PG is 4616.

Also check - CLAT vs MH CET LAW

Seat Intake for CLA UG and CLAT PG

Particulars

CLAT UGCLAT PG

CLAT Seats

3243

1373

CLAT UG vs CLAT PG: NLU wise Courses and Seat Intake

NLUs

Courses

UG Intake

LLM Intake

NLSIU Bengaluru

BA LLB (Hons), LLM

300

120

NALSAR Hyderabad

BA LLB (Hons), LLM

132

66

WBNUJS Kolkata

BA LLB (Hons), LLM

132

100

NLIU Bhopal

BA LLB (Hons), B.Sc LLB, LLM

202 (BA LLB 134, B.Sc LLB 68)

60

NLU Jodhpur

BA LLB (Hons), LLM

120

50

HNLU Raipur

BA LLB (Hons), LLM

180

90

GNLU Gandhinagar

BA LLB(Hons.),BCom LLB(Hons.),BSc LLB (Hons.), BBA LLB(Hons), BSW LLB(Hons), LLM

172 (total seats for all the courses)

57

GNLU Silvassa Campus

BA LLB (Hons), LLM

66

33

RMLNLU Lucknow

BA LLB (Hons), LLM

169

48

RGNUL Patiala

BA LLB (Hons), LLM

180

60

CNLU Patna

BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons)

138( 69 seats each for BA LLB and BBA LLB

-

NUALS Kochi

BA LLB (Hons), LLM

60

60

NLUO, Odisha, Cuttack

BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), LLM

180 (BA LLB 120, BBA LLB 60)

50

NUSRL Ranchi

BA LLB (Hons), LLM

134

60

NLUJA Assam, Guwahati

BA LLB (Hons), LLM

60

40

DSNLU Visakhapatnam

BA LLB (Hons), LLM

138

69

TNNLU Tiruchirappalli

BA LLB (Hons), B.Com LLB (Hons), LLM

120 (BA LLB 60 , B.Com LLB 60)

60

MNLU Mumbai

BA LLB (Hons) , BBA LLB (Hons), LLM

100

50

MNLU Nagpur

BA LLB (Hons) , BBA LLB (Hons), LLM

120 (BA LLB 60, BBA LLB 60)

60

MNLU Aurangabad

BA LLB (Hons) , BBA LLB (Hons), LLM

120 (BA LLB 60, BBA LLB 60)

60

HPNLU Shimla

BA LLB (Hons) , BBA LLB (Hons), LLM

120 (BA LLB 60, BBA LLB 60)

80

DNLU Jabalpur

BA LLB (Hons), LLM

120

50

DBRANLU, Sonipat, Haryana

BA LLB (Hons)

120

-

NLUT Agartala

BA LLB (Hons), LLM

60

50

Also check - Reason to Take CLAT Exam

CLAT UG vs CLAT PG: Fees Structure

Another area of difference between CLAT UG and CLAT PG is the fees to be paid by the students. The NLUs fees structure differs across NLUs and the programmes offered by them. The highest fees among participating NLUs is charged by NLSIU Bengaluru where the cost comes to upwards of Rs 20 lakhs for the 5-year LLB programme. The table given below provides the NLU wise fees for different NLUs through CLAT.

NLU Fees Structure

NLU Name

NLU fees for CLAT UG (5-year LLB)

NLU fees for CLAT PG (LLM)

NLSIU Bengaluru

Rs.4.10 Lakhs p.a

Rs. 4.10 Lakhs p.a.

NALSAR Hyderabad

Rs. 2.70 Lakhs p.a

Rs. 1.75 Lakhs p.a.

NLIU Bhopal

Rs. 3.30 Lakhs p.a.

Rs. 2.45 Lakhs p.a.

WBNUJS Kolkata

Rs. 3.85 lakhs p.a.

Rs. 2.72 Lakhs p.a.

NLU Jodhpur

Rs. 3.06 Lakhs p.a.

Rs. 2.28 Lakhs p.a.

HNLU Raipur

Rs. 2.15 Lakhs pa

Rs. 1.65 Lakhs p.a.

GNLU Gandhinagar

Rs. 2.58 Lakhs pa

Rs. 2.62 Lakhs p.a.

GNLU Silvassa Campus

Rs. 2.58 Lakhs pa

Rs.2.62 Lakhs p.a.

RMLNLU Lucknow

Rs. 1.70 Lakhs pa

Rs. 1.10 Lakhs p.a.

RGNUL Patiala

Rs.2.59 Lakhs pa

2.19 Lakhs p.a.

CNLU Patna

Rs. 2.57 Lakhs pa

-

NUALS Kochi

Rs.2.14 Lakhs pa

Rs. 1.63 Lakhs p.a.

NLUO, Odisha, Cuttack

Rs. 2.47 Lakhs pa

Rs. 1.87 Lakhs p.a.

NUSRL Ranchi

Rs.2.41 Lakhs pa

Rs. 2.20 Lakhs p.a.

NLUJA Assam, Guwahati

Rs. 2.44 Lakhs pa

Rs. 2.11 Lakhs p.a.

DSNLU Visakhapatnam

Rs. 2.09 Lakhs pa

Rs. 1.89 Lakhs p.a.

TNNLU Tiruchirappalli

Rs. 1.17 Lakhs pa (TN SC/ST)

Rs. 1.23 Lakhs pa (TN first generation graduate)

Rs. 2.17 pa (All India SC/ST)

Rs. 2.23 Lakhs pa (Others)

Nil (TN Govt. schools quota)

Rs. 1.13 Lakhs p.a. (TN SC/ST)

Rs. 1.68 Lakhs p.a. (All India SC/ST)

Rs. 1.74 Lakhs p.a. (Others)


MNLU Mumbai

Rs. 3.28 Lakhs p.a. (Maharashtra students)

Rs. 3.62 Lakhs p.a. (All India)

Rs. 2.52 Lakhs p.a. (Maharashtra students)

Rs. 2.64 Lakhs p.a. (All India)

MNLU Aurangabad

Rs. 2.66 Lakhs pa (Maharashtra students)

Rs. 3.12 Lakhs pa (All India)

Rs. 1.80 Lakhs p.a. (Maharashtra students)

Rs. 2.05 Lakhs p.a. (All India)

HPNLU Shimla

Rs. 2.98 Lakhs pa

Rs. 2.70 Lakhs p.a.

DNLU Jabalpur

Rs. 2.96 Lakhs pa

Rs. 2.96 Lakhs p.a.

DBRANLU, Sonipat, Haryana

Rs. 1.87 Lakhs pa

-

MNLU Nagpur

Rs. 3.65 Lakhs pa

Rs. 3.13 Lakhs p.a.

NLUT Agartala

Rs. 1.81 Lakhs p.a.

Rs. 1.51 Lakhs p.a.

Also check - CLAT Vs SLAT

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is CLAT PG necessary?
A:

To gain admission into elite NLUs, it is necessary for a law aspirant to appear in CLAT PG.

Q: What is UG and PG in law?
A:

UG in law refers to undergraduate programmes available in law such as 3-year LLB and 5-year LLB. PG in law refers to the postgraduate programme in law which is the LLM course.

Q: Is CLAT PG difficult to crack?
A:

CLAT PG is difficult to crack as over 10000+ students appear for just over 1300+ seats which translates into a success rate of just 10%.

Articles
|
Certifications By Top Providers
Sociology in India
Via Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi
Introduction to Econometrics
Via Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Data Analysis for Social Science Teachers
Via University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
Sociological Perspectives on Modernity
Via Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Swayam
 162 courses
Edx
 129 courses
Futurelearn
 74 courses
NPTEL
 74 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to CLAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CLAT ?

It is always better to take the CLAT exam right after Class 12 if your goal is to build a career in law, because CLAT UG is specifically designed for admission into integrated five-year law programs like BA LLB, BCom LLB, or BBA LLB. Appearing after Class 12 saves you time, as you complete both graduation and law together in a single course. On the other hand, if you first complete graduation and then plan for law, you will not be eligible for CLAT UG but instead for CLAT PG, which is meant for admission into LLM programs. This path takes longer, because you first spend three or four years on graduation and then add another three years in an LLB program if you choose not to go for an integrated course. So, if you are already sure about pursuing law as your career, writing CLAT right after Class 12 is the smarter and time-saving option, while writing it after graduation makes sense only if you are considering higher studies in law or a shift in career later.

For CLAT, the most important topics are from  Legal Reasoning, Current Affairs & GK, the Indian Constitution, English Language, Quantitative Techniques and Logical Reasoning. For a brief detail you can go through the following link: https://law.careers360.com/articles/clat-important-topics

Thank You.

Hi dear candidate,

Both the colleges Maharaja Agrasen (MAIMS) or Gitarattan (GIBS) are affiliated to IP University and allows admission either by CLAT or IPU CET Law. Without either of these exams, your admission is NOT accepted there. You can try looking for management quota seats in these colleges if you have got good marks in 12th class.

BEST REGARDS

Hi dear candidate,

You can easily register yourself for CLAT exam by visiting the Consortium of NLUs official website and follow these steps:

  • Register yourself with your EMail ID, phone number and password.
  • Log in using OTP
  • Complete application form by entering details, selecting program (UG/PG) and uploading required documents mentioned there.
  • Then at last, review the application and pay the registration fees.
  • Download your confirmation slip.

Know the complete process at:

CLAT Registration 2026 (Started): Documents Required, Application Fee, Link, Steps to Apply

BEST REGARDS

Right now there is no official e-guide for CLAT 2026 released by the Consortium of NLUs. They usually provide sample questions and model papers closer to the exam, but not a complete guide at this stage.

You can still prepare using free study material available online. Many websites provide free downloadable PDFs, mock tests, and previous year papers that will help you understand the pattern and practice important topics.

If you want a structured book, there are two good options. The Oswaal CLAT & AILET guide has past year solved papers, topic-wise questions, and mock tests. The Arihant CLAT Conqueror book has more than 3000 practice questions with solutions. Both are helpful depending on whether you prefer solved papers or more practice questions.