{"id":31883,"date":"2025-11-25T10:24:29","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T10:24:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawpreptutorial.com\/blog\/?page_id=31883"},"modified":"2026-04-11T09:21:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T09:21:31","slug":"air-1-clat-2023","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.lawpreptutorial.com\/blog\/clat\/toppers\/air-1-clat-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Abhinav Somani, AIR-1 CLAT 2023: Topper Strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Every CLAT aspirant dreams of achieving a top rank, but few manage to reach the very top-AIR 1. Abhinav Somani, who secured All India Rank 1 in CLAT 2023, is now a third-year student at NLSIU Bangalore, and his journey reflects sincerity, clarity, and emotional maturity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this exclusive conversation with Law Prep Tutorial, Abhinav talks about his academic background, how he moved away from science despite coming from a family of doctors, why he chose law, and how CLAT preparation<\/a><\/strong> shaped him. He also discusses college life at NLSIU, the importance of mental balance, why reading fearlessly is the key to CR\/RC, and how to manage guilt, distractions, and the pressure of expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For aspirants preparing for CLAT 2027<\/a><\/strong> and CLAT 2028<\/a><\/strong>, this interview offers honest, practical, and deeply relatable lessons that go far beyond textbooks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"free<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

About Abhinav Somani, AIR 1 CLAT 2023<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Abhinav Somani, AIR 1 in CLAT 2023, comes from a family where nearly everyone-including parents, grandparents, and relatives-is a doctor. Even then, he chose law after realizing that science didn\u2019t align with his interests. A sincere and studious child throughout school, Abhinav consistently scored above 90\u201395% and excelled particularly in humanities subjects like History, Economics, and Political Science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During COVID, his father encouraged him to explore CLAT<\/a><\/strong> for a month. What started as an experiment quickly turned into genuine interest. Abhinav loved the logical and analytical nature of legal reasoning, and the BA-plus-professional degree structure of law made perfect sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, as a third-year student at NLSIU Bangalore<\/a><\/strong>, he continues to explore different areas of law through internships and academic exposure. His mindset, calmness, and maturity make his story one of the most inspiring journeys for future CLAT aspirants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview With Abhinav Somani: AIR-1 CLAT 2023<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> Were you always a sincere and studious student?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abhinav:<\/strong> Yes. I was always the 90\u201395% student. I studied sincerely throughout school. Only after coming to college did I learn to relax a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> Why didn\u2019t you choose Science despite being academically strong?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abhinav:<\/strong> Everyone in my family is a doctor, but by Class 10, I knew science wasn\u2019t for me. I often joke that if boards weren\u2019t cancelled during COVID, I might have failed science!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I loved humanities, and my father suggested law since it combines BA subjects with a professional career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> Did you have long-term plans when you chose law?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abhinav:<\/strong> Not at all. It was confusion mixed with COVID uncertainty. My father asked me to try CLAT preparation for a month. That\u2019s when I started developing genuine interest in the subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> When did you start liking law as a subject?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abhinav:<\/strong> During CLAT prep itself. Even basic torts or contract concepts fascinated me. After joining NLS, I like the law even more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> As a first-generation lawyer, did it affect your clarity?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abhinav:<\/strong> Yes. I had no idea about law careers. My early perception came from Suits and Harvey Specter. But NLS opens up so many fields\u2014litigation, policy, research, corporate-that your assumptions disappear quickly. I try different internships to find what fits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Must Know for Every CLAT Aspirant:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CLAT Marking Scheme<\/strong><\/a><\/td>CLAT Exam Date<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Best Books for CLAT Preparation<\/a><\/strong><\/td>CLAT Syllabus PDF<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr>
CLAT Eligibility Criteria<\/strong><\/a><\/td>CLAT Exam Pattern<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr>
CLAT Age Limit<\/strong><\/a><\/td>Career Opportunities after Law<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> What\u2019s more fun-CLAT prep or life at NLS?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abhinav:<\/strong> College, definitely. CLAT prep was intense. College is friends, Bangalore, exploring, late-night discussions. Life gets richer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> Does CLAT prep help in law school?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abhinav:<\/strong> Only partially. CLAT teaches fast reading. But college reading requires understanding, not speed. So yes, the skill helps, but not dramatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> What do you find funny about first-year students?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abhinav:<\/strong> Their energy! Running everywhere, singing, playing badminton, attending every event. By third year, you become calmer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> What does their excitement fade for by third year?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abhinav:<\/strong> Talks and events. First years feel they must attend everything. Later you realize missing one talk won\u2019t ruin your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> How was your Maths for CLAT?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abhinav:<\/strong> Decent. I wasn\u2019t strong in advanced Math, but I was fast with mental arithmetic, which helped tremendously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> Should weak students skip Quant?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abhinav:<\/strong> Never. Even random guessing helps if done smartly. You can eliminate options and increase your probability. One mark can decide NLS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> Advice for CR & RC?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abhinav:<\/strong> Remove labels like CR or RC. Everything is English comprehension-including Legal Reasoning. When you see all of it as \u201creading and understanding English,\u201d fear reduces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> Tips for Legal Reasoning?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abhinav:<\/strong> Just get familiar with basic concepts like contracts, torts, offer-acceptance, consideration. Don\u2019t overdo it; you\u2019ll study them in college anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Law Prep:<\/strong> Advice for GK prep?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abhinav:<\/strong> The biggest enemy is FOMO. Don\u2019t read 15 sources. I used only 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read fewer sources deeply and consistently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> Did you have a Plan B?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abhinav:<\/strong> Not really. My plan was to give CLAT and AILET. If needed, explore other exams later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> What needs more mental strength-CLAT or college?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abhinav:<\/strong> Both. CLAT feels huge because lakhs compete. College feels personal because everyone knows each other\u2019s CGPAs and achievements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> How did you handle low phases during preparation?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abhinav: <\/strong>I took breaks-especially walking my dog daily. I reminded myself that feelings of \u201cnot enough\u201d are normal. On exam day, all you can do is your best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> Students feel guilty for missing school life or events. Is it worth it?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abhinav:<\/strong> Objectively, yes-top law schools are worth sacrifices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But subjectively, don\u2019t give up things that protect your mental peace. For me, daily dog walks were non-negotiable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Important Resources After CLAT Exam:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CLAT Result 2026<\/strong><\/a><\/td>CLAT Answer Key 2026<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr>
CLAT Counselling 2026<\/strong><\/a><\/td>CLAT Admit Card 2026<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr>
CLAT Marks vs Rank 2026<\/strong><\/a><\/td>CLAT College Predictor<\/a><\/strong> 2026<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
CLAT Toppers 2026<\/strong><\/a><\/td>CLAT Rank Predictor 2026<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
CLAT Question Paper 2026<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> Did you use social media during prep?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abhinav:<\/strong> I used it in the early months, but as CLAT came closer, I deactivated everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Law Prep:<\/strong> Final message for CLAT aspirants?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abhinav:<\/strong> Don\u2019t compare yourself unnecessarily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay calm – panic is natural but manageable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CLAT is important but not life-defining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If things don\u2019t go as planned, life still offers great opportunities – many of my friends in other colleges are genuinely happier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch Video of Interview With CLAT Topper Abhinav Somani<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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