CLAT Eligibility Criteria: Age, 12th Marks & All Requirements

What is CLAT?

The CLAT exam, or Common Law Admission Test, is a national entrance exam for admission to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs at 27 National Law Universities (NLUs) in India. 

This law entrance test assesses candidates in English, Current Affairs including GK, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. 

The purpose of the CLAT is to ensure a standardized evaluation for law school admissions, determining if candidates have the essential skills and knowledge for a career in law. 

CLAT 2027 Eligibility Criteria: Overview

Below is the overview of the eligibility criteria for CLAT 2027:

CLAT UG Eligibility

CLAT UG exam is for students in the 12th and 12th pass-out classes. It is the entrance exam for undergraduate law programs. 

Aspect	CLAT Eligibility
CLAT UG Age Limit	No upper or lower age limit
CLAT Educational Qualification	Must be in 10+2 or have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination
12th Marks Criteria for CLAT	General/OBC/NRI/PIO/OCI: 45% or equivalent grade
	SC/ST/PWD: 40% or equivalent grade
Appearing Candidates	Candidates appearing for their qualifying examination in March/April 2027 are also eligible
CLAT Tie Breaker	– Higher marks in the Legal Aptitude section
	– Higher age
	– Computerized draw of lots

CLAT PG Eligibility

CLAT PG is for students who have already graduated with an LLB degree or are in the final year of their LLB program.

Aspect	CLAT Eligibility
CLAT PG Age Limit	No upper age limit for candidates appearing for PG program through CLAT 2027
Educational Qualification	Must have an LLB degree or equivalent examination
Minimum Marks	General/OBC/NRI/PIO/OCI: 50% or equivalent grade
	SC/ST/PWD: 45% or equivalent grade
Appearing Candidates	Candidates appearing for their qualifying examination in April/May 2027 are also eligible
Tie Breaker	– Higher age
	– Computerized draw of lots

Resources for CLAT Preparation:

Online CLAT Coaching	CLAT Mock Test
CLAT Videos	CLAT Sample Papers
CLAT Syllabus	Free CLAT Notes
CLAT Current Affairs	Previous Year CLAT Papers

CLAT Eligibility Criteria 2027

Let’s discuss the eligibility for CLAT 2027 UG exam:

Age Limit

There is no lower or upper age limit for candidates appearing for CLAT 2027. This means that students of any age can apply for the undergraduate law program as long as they meet the other eligibility criteria of CLAT.

Check all details about CLAT age limit.

Educational Qualifications for CLAT

Criteria	Requirement
Qualification	10+2 or equivalent
Accepted Boards	CBSE, ICSE, State & recognized boards
Stream Requirement	No restriction (All streams eligible)

• Required Academic Qualifications: Candidates must have completed their 10+2 or an equivalent examination from a recognized board or institution. This is a crucial form requirement to ensure eligibility for the CLAT exam.
• Accepted Educational Boards: Accepted boards include CBSE, ICSE, state boards, and other recognized boards. This ensures that students from various educational backgrounds can apply.
• CLAT Subject Requirements: There are no specific subject or stream requirements for appearing in the CLAT exam. Students from any stream, be it Science, Commerce, or Arts, are eligible.

Minimum Marks or Percentage for CLAT

Category	Minimum Marks Required
General/OBC/NRI/PIO/OCI	45%
SC/ST/PwD	40%

• General Category: Candidates belonging to the General/OBC/NRI/PIO/OCI categories must secure at least 45% marks or an equivalent grade in their 10+2 or equivalent exam.
• Reserved Category: Candidates belonging to SC/ST/PWD categories must secure at least 40% marks or an equivalent grade. This relaxation in marks is provided to ensure inclusivity and broader access to legal education.

Check details about 12th marks criteria for CLAT.

Important Points for Class 12th Students Related to CLAT Eligibility

• Students of Class 12th: Students who are appearing for their 10+2 or equivalent examination in March/April 2027 are also eligible to apply for CLAT 2027. However, they must provide evidence of passing the qualifying examination at the time of admission.
• Result Submission: The result of the class 12th must be submitted at the time of admission. Failure to do so will result in disqualification from the admission process.

CLAT Exam Eligibility: Tie-Breaker Score

If 2 or more candidates get the same score in the CLAT exam, the break of the tie shall be by the following procedure and order:

• Higher marks in the component/section on Legal Aptitude in the CLAT 2027 exam;
• Higher age;
• Computerised draw of lots.

CLAT Eligibility Criteria (for PG)

Now, let’s discuss the eligibility for CLAT PG exam:

Age Limit

There is no lower or upper age limit for candidates appearing for the CLAT PG 2027. This allows candidates of any age to apply for the postgraduate law program as long as they meet the other eligibility criteria.

Educational Qualifications

• Required Academic Qualifications: Candidates must have an LLB degree or an equivalent examination from a recognized university or institution. This is a critical form requirement to ensure eligibility for CLAT 2027.
• Accepted Universities: Degrees must be from recognized universities and institutions, ensuring that the educational qualifications meet the necessary standards.

Minimum Marks or Percentage for CLAT PG

• General Category: Candidates belonging to the General/OBC/NRI/PIO/OCI categories must secure at least 50% marks or an equivalent grade in their LLB or equivalent examination.
• Reserved Category Requirements: Candidates belonging to SC/ST/PWD categories must secure at least 45% marks or an equivalent grade. This relaxation in marks ensures wider accessibility to legal education.

Important Points for Final Year Students Related to CLAT PG Eligibility

• Students who are appearing for their LLB or equivalent examination in April/May 2027 are also eligible to apply for CLAT 2027. They must provide evidence of passing the qualifying examination at the time of admission.
• The result of the qualifying examination (i.e., LLB) must be submitted at the time of admission. Failure to do so will result in disqualification from the admission process.

Tie Breaker Rule for CLAT PG

• Higher Age: If two or more candidates secure equal marks, the older candidate will be given preference.
• Computerized Draw of Lots: If the tie still persists, a computerized draw of lots will be used to determine the rank.

Documents Required As Per CLAT Eligibility Criteria

To apply for CLAT, you must have the following documents:

Document	Details
Photograph	Front-facing passport-size recent photograph with a plain background
Signature	Signature of the candidate
Category Certificate	Certificate if applying under SC/ST/OBC categories
Disability Certificate	Relevant certificate issued by a competent authority if the candidate is PWD
BPL Certificate	Relevant certificate issued by a competent authority if the candidate is under the BPL category

Submission Notes:

• Original certificates/documents issued by competent authorities to be submitted at the time of admission.
• Photograph and signature need not be attested when submitting the online application form.
• All documents/certificates should be uploaded in PDF format only.

CLAT 2027 Application Fee

Check the CLAT fee structure for application:

Category	Application Fee	Additional Information
General/OBC/NRI Candidates	Rs. 4,000/-	Application fees can be paid online only
SC/ST/BPL/PWD Category Candidates	Rs. 3,500/-	Application fees can be paid online only

Note:
If you want to previous years’ question papers, the Consortium of NLUs charges INR 500 extra. 

Importance of Knowing CLAT Eligibility Criteria

1. Avoids Last-Minute Disqualification

Knowing eligibility ensures you meet requirements early and don’t face rejection during counselling or admission stages.

2. Helps You Plan Preparation at the Right Time

Clarity on eligibility lets you start preparation early without confusion or unnecessary delays.

3. Prevents Misconceptions About Streams and Age

Many students assume restrictions; understanding criteria removes myths about age limits and academic streams.

4. Ensures Correct Application During Registration

Accurate knowledge helps you fill the CLAT form correctly and avoid mistakes that may lead to rejection.

5. Keeps You Focused on What Truly Matters

Once eligibility is clear, you can focus fully on preparation instead of worrying about basic requirements.

Must Know for Every CLAT Aspirant:

CLAT 2027 Preparation Strategy	CLAT Exam Pattern
Best Books for CLAT	CLAT Marking Scheme