CLAT Syllabus 2026: Subject-Wise Breakdown, Exam Pattern & Study Plan

Each year, thousands of potential law student candidates from all over India appear for the Common Law Admission Test, or CLAT, vying for a spot at the top National Law Universities and other best law universities in India.

This exam is the first gate you will have to cross on your way to a legal career, which could include corporate law, as well as human rights, judiciary or international diplomacy careers. In order to cross that gate, you will need clarity on the CLAT syllabus, the pattern of this exam and how to plan your study.

If you want to get into a top law university in 2026 and are planning on a career in law, then this blog is for you. Here you will get all relevant information about the CLAT exam 2026, including the syllabus, marking pattern, eligibility and a well-tested method for preparing for the exam.

Read through this blog, get all the information and begin preparation for the CLAT 2026.

Key Details About CLAT 2026

Before diving into the subject-wise CLAT syllabus, you need to know the eligibility criteria and important dates related to CLAT 2026.

CLAT Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria

1. Candidates who have passed the 10+2 or an equivalent examination from a recognised board with 45% marks or its equivalent in grade.
2. There is a relaxation of 5% marks or equivalent if the candidate belongs to SC/ST/PwD categories.
3. Candidates appearing for the 10+2 examination in March/April 2026 are also eligible to apply.
4. There is no upper age limit for candidates appearing for the UG Programme for the CLAT 2026.

CLAT Exam 2026 Important Dates

• Applications Open: 1 August 2025
• Last Date for Applications: 31 October 2025
• CLAT 2026 Exam Date: 7 December 2025

CLAT Exam 2026 Fees

• General/OBC candidates: 4,000 rupees
• SC/ST/BPL/PwD category candidates: 3,500 rupees

CLAT 2026 Exam Timing

• Sunday, 7th December 2025, from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. and from 2.00 P.M. to 4.40 P.M. for PWD category students (Subject to revision in case of necessity)

CLAT 2026 Exam Details: Pattern, Marking, Key Sections

CLAT Exam 2026 Section-wise Breakdown

As you know, the total of 120 questions have been categorised into five different sections. Here is an approximate idea of how many questions you can expect in each section:

CLAT Syllabus for English Language

In the English section of CLAT 2026, you will get fiction or non-fiction passages of 450 words, which will be readable in 5-7 minutes by a Class 12 student. It will be intended to test your reading and thinking skills, not just your memory.

After each passage, you will encounter questions that will test your ability to:

• Identify the main idea and argument
• Make inferences and draw conclusions
• Summarise the content
• Compare different perspectives in the text
• Understand words and phrases based on context

CLAT Exam Syllabus for English Language

• Reading Comprehension
• Parts of Speech
• Figures of Speech
• Vocabulary-Based Questions
• Sentence Correction & Grammar Rules
• Tenses
• Active & Passive Voice
• Prepositions
• Spotting Errors
• Modals
• Subject-Verb Agreement
• Synonyms & Antonyms
• Fill in the Blanks
• Vocabulary
• Idioms and Phrases
• Para Jumbles & Cloze Test

CLAT Syllabus for Current Affairs & General Knowledge

The next is GK and current affairs sections, here you will get 450-word passages from news articles, reports and other factual sources.

It will test your understanding of:

• Major national and international events
• Arts, culture and heritage
• Global developments and diplomacy
• Historical events with ongoing impact

It is not targeted to test your knowledge about law, but how well you conclude facts, stay informed and interpret key findings.

CLAT Exam Syllabus for Current Affairs & General Knowledge

• National & International Affairs
• Government Schemes and Policies
• Science & Technology
• Summits & Conferences
• Sports
• Awards & Honours
• Arts & Culture
• Important Historical Events
• Constitution
• International Relations
• Indian Economy
• History
• Books and Authors
• Geography
• Politics

CLAT Syllabus for Legal Reasoning

The Legal Reasoning section consists of 450-word passages based on real-life legal situations, policy debates or ethical dilemmas. You don’t need prior legal knowledge, but being aware of current legal and moral issues will certainly help.

The questions will test your ability to:

• Identify legal rules and ideas in the passage
• Apply them to different situations
• Understand how changing a rule changes the outcome

This section checks how you think through legal problems, not how much law you’ve memorised.

CLAT Exam Syllabus for Legal Reasoning

• Concepts of Law
• Law of Torts
• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
• Family Law
• Special Marriage Act
• Contract Act
• Criminal Law
• Constitutional Law
• Law of Writs
• Penal Law
• Public International Law
• Legal Current Affairs
• Evidence Act
• International Law
• Legal Terms and Maxims
• Recent Judgments and Amendments
• Landmark Judgements

CLAT Syllabus for Logical Reasoning

The Logical Reasoning section also includes passages of around 450 words, followed by questions that test your thinking.

You’ll need to:

• Spot the key argument, its premises and conclusion
• Assess how strong or weak the reasoning is
• See how changing facts can impact the outcome
• Apply ideas from the passage to new situations
• Identify patterns, analogies, contradictions and logical links

CLAT Exam Syllabus for Logical Reasoning

• Identifying Arguments
• Drawing Inferences and Conclusions
• Strengthening and Weakening Arguments
• Identifying Assumptions and Flaws
• Arrangements (Linear, Circular and Matrix)
• Puzzles and Logical Patterns
• Syllogisms
• Coding-Decoding
• Blood Relations
• Analogies
• Series Completion
• Statement and Assumptions
• Assertion – Reason

CLAT Syllabus for Quantitative Techniques

In the Quantitative Techniques section, you’ll get short passages or data-based texts with numbers, charts or tables.

You’ll be asked to:

• Read and extract key numerical information
• Solve problems using basic mathematical concepts

CLAT Exam Syllabus for Logical Reasoning

• Arithmetic
• Algebra
• Geometry
• Mensuration
• Percentages
• Profit and Loss
• Simple and Compound Interest
• Time, Speed and Distance
• Ratios and Proportions
• Averages
• Number System
• Bar Graphs
• Line Graphs
• Pie Charts
• Tables
• Data Interpretation
• Data Sufficiency

Covering CLAT Syllabus: Book Recommendation for Exam Preparation

To cover the CLAT syllabus and prepare for the 2026 exam, here are some recommended books that you can follow:

What CLAT Syllabus Tests: Not Memory, But Mental Ability

Many believe CLAT is about learning facts. It’s not, CLAT tests how you:

• Read long texts with precision
• Pick the central idea
• Spot assumptions
• Apply logic to unfamiliar legal concepts
• Make fast decisions under pressure

This is what lawyers do in real life. For instance:

• You may be given a paragraph about environmental law and asked to pick the strongest argument.
• You might read a short editorial on a social issue and answer questions on tone, bias or inference.

Why Knowing the CLAT Syllabus is Important?

If you are dreaming about securing a seat in the top law university in India, the CLAT exam is the medium that can turn it into a reality. So, knowing the syllabus and exam pattern is the first step towards preparation, as it will help you plan your strategies for CLAT 2026.

Helps You Identify and Prioritise Key Areas

• Aligns Preparation with Exam Requirements
• Make a Suitable and Effective Study Plan
• Avoids Wasting Time on Irrelevant Topics
• Avoid Guesswork
• Helps You in Time Management
• Makes Revision More Efficient
• Gives You an Edge

How to Prepare for the CLAT Syllabus 2026?

Knowing the complete CLAT syllabus for the 2026 exam is the starting point of your journey. Here is how you can prepare for the exam after having a detailed understanding of what kind of questions will be asked and what you need to prepare for:

• Know the CLAT syllabus well before you start preparing
• Improve your reading skills to score well in English
• Follow daily news and facts for current affairs and GK
• Sharpen your thinking to solve logical questions faster
• Learn basic legal ideas to handle legal reasoning easily
• Be strong in school-level maths for the quant section
• Take mock tests often and learn from your mistakes
• Update your study plan based on test results or news
• Keep revising topics so you don’t forget them later
• Use your time smartly while studying and during the exam

Proven Preparation Strategies for CLAT Exam 2026

You can follow these strategies to prepare well for the CLAT 2026:

• Start by understanding the syllabus and exam pattern clearly
• Create a realistic and flexible study plan
• Build strong concepts in all subjects
• Choose standard and reliable study materials
• Read regularly to boost comprehension and vocabulary
• Practise logical and analytical reasoning questions
• Don’t ignore the Quantitative Techniques section
• Keep revising General Knowledge and Current Affairs weekly
• Stay updated on legal and national developments
• Practise mock tests and previous year question papers seriously
• Analyse your mock test results and adjust your plan
• Revise regularly to strengthen memory and speed
• Work on time management and speed
• Stay consistent, focused and disciplined every day
• Maintain a positive and calm mindset

CLAT Cut-Off 2025 (Category-Wise)

Here are the cut-off marks for different categories for admission in top law universities in India, according to CLAT 2025:

BML Munjal University: A World-class University for Law Education

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1. BA LLB (Hons)
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Here is what makes BML Munjal University the perfect choice for law education in India:

• Study at BCI-approved BMU’s School of Law
• 45% Experiential Learning
• Courtroom Advocacy Training
• Moot Courts & Mock Trials
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• Student-run Legal Aid Clinics
• Benefit from Hero Group’s Network
• Scholarship on Tuition Fee Up to 100%

Synopsis

Knowing the CLAT syllabus, exam pattern, eligibility criteria, etc, is the starting step of your preparation journey for the CLAT 2026.

Being aware of what subjects to study, the weightage and importance of each section in the exam and what book you need to focus on will all help you stay clear and focused on your exam preparation path. With consistency, clarity and a robust study plan, you can successfully achieve your ambition of studying at a top law university.

BML Munjal University provides world-class education and a complete environment where law students can think, learn and grow. Choose BML Munjal University to turn your dream of becoming a leader in the field of law into reality.