Cracking CLAT with AIR 2 in just 4–5 months of preparation sounds unbelievable, until you listen to Sahil Gupta.
In this exclusive interview with Law Prep Tutorial, Sahil opens up about how he discovered law only after Class 12, how he built his strategy around mock tests, and what helped him master CLAT Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, and Quant despite limited prep time.
Sahil’s story is especially inspiring for late starters, PCM students, and those who feel overwhelmed by the idea of switching streams. His approach is simple but powerful: consistency, reading, and mock analysis.
Today, as a senior at NLSIU Bangalore, Sahil Gupta shares what life looks like across the three years, the internships he has done, the skills he wishes he had learned earlier, and why mindset matters more than study hours.
His journey shows that clarity, discipline, and reading habits can transform even a short preparation window into a top result.
About Sahil Gupta (AIR-2 CLAT 2023)
Sahil Gupta, who secured AIR 2 in CLAT 2023, comes from a PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Math) background and decided to pursue law only after finishing his Class 12 boards. With no prior exposure to legal studies, he began preparation in August and appeared for CLAT in December – a four-month window that he maximized through intense mock practice and consistent reading.
Now in his third year at NLSIU Bangalore, Sahil has already completed internships across litigation, research, NGOs, and law firms. He believes reading is the single most important skill for law students, as research-the backbone of every legal activity-is essentially structured reading.
His journey is a reminder that you don’t need to start early; you need to start right. With the right mindset, consistent mocks, and daily reading, even a short preparation window can lead to the top ranks.
Interview With Sahil Gupta: CLAT 2023 AIR 2
Law Prep: Sahil, welcome! How are you feeling today?
Sahil: I’m good! A bit tired – we just had a long class – but all good.
Law Prep: Was CLAT always your first choice? What’s your background?
Sahil: Not at all. I’m from the PCM stream, and CLAT wasn’t in my plans initially. I explored career options only after my Class 12 boards. Law stood out, so I decided to give CLAT a serious attempt.
Law Prep: How long did your CLAT preparation take?
Sahil: Around 4 to 5 months – I started in August and wrote CLAT in December.
Law Prep: With such a short prep window, what was your primary strategy?
Sahil: CLAT mocks. As many as possible. They improve speed, accuracy, and exam temperament. I aimed for one mock a day when possible. I didn’t have many mock series, so I borrowed mocks from friends.
Law Prep: What about building subject basics?
Sahil: CLAT mostly tests Class 10-level concepts.
- English – You’ve studied it since childhood.
- Math – Basic arithmetic and reasoning.
- Logical Reasoning – Pure practice-based.
CLAT mocks naturally covered these. I only prepared Legal Reasoning and Current Affairs separately because they need targeted practice.
Law Prep: What was your method for Current Affairs?
Sahil: Newspapers. I highlighted important points and made short notes. Compendiums overload you; newspapers give daily, digestible pieces of information.
Law Prep: How did you prepare for Legal Reasoning?
Sahil: By reading more legal passages and analyzing the legal section after every mock. Consistency matters more than books.
Must Know for Every CLAT Aspirant:
| CLAT Marking Scheme | CLAT Exam Date |
| Best Books for CLAT Preparation | CLAT Syllabus PDF |
| CLAT Eligibility Criteria | CLAT Exam Pattern |
| CLAT Age Limit | Career Opportunities after Law |
Law Prep: You’re now in your third year at NLSIU. Have you done internships?
Sahil: Yes, I’ve done 3–4 internships:
- Litigation internship at Jaipur High Court
- Online internship at a law firm
- Mandatory NGO internship in first year
- Research internship at an institute
Law Prep: What skill do you wish you had developed earlier?
Sahil: Reading.
Law school = reading + more reading.
Research is basically reading, analyzing, and extracting insights. Google searching alone isn’t research.
Law Prep: Did your PCM background help in Quant?
Sahil: A little, but not much. I had to work on basic calculation speed because Class 11–12 math is formula-based, not arithmetic. I practiced basic number crunching again.
Law Prep: So does PCM give an advantage in CLAT?
Sahil: Not really. It doesn’t make you better at Quant; you may even be slower with basic calculations.
Law Prep: How is life different across the first three years at NLS?
Sahil:
- First Year: Overwhelming. Everything is new and you try to do everything.
- Second Year: More clarity. You choose what matters and drop the unnecessary.
- Third Year: Much clearer. Fewer core subjects + electives, so life becomes manageable.
Law Prep: If a student starts preparing today, can they still crack CLAT?
Sahil: Absolutely. I know people who prepared seriously for just two months and still made it to NLS. It’s about mindset, consistency, and doing the right things daily.
Important Resources After CLAT Exam:
| CLAT Result 2026 | CLAT Answer Key 2026 |
| CLAT Counselling 2026 | CLAT Admit Card 2026 |
| CLAT Marks vs Rank 2026 | CLAT College Predictor 2026 |
| CLAT Toppers 2026 | CLAT Rank Predictor 2026 |
| CLAT Question Paper 2026 |
Watch Video of Interview With CLAT Topper Sahil Gupta
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