Master the Syllabus, Exam Pattern, and Preparation Tips for CLAT 2026
Introduction
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national-level exam for admissions to 26 National Law Universities (NLUs) and other top law colleges in India. CLAT 2026 will assess candidates across five sections: English Language, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. This blog provides a detailed syllabus breakdown, preparation tips, and a special CTA for CLAT 2026 aspirants.
CLAT Exam Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Date | December 2025 |
| Mode | Offline (Pen-and-Paper) |
| Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 120 MCQs |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for correct, -0.25 for incorrect |
| Language | English |
CLAT Syllabus 2026: Topic-Wise Breakdown
1. English Language (20–25% Weightage)
- Topics:
- Key Resources:
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi
- Important Points:
- Practice 10–15 reading comprehension passages weekly.
- Focus on high-frequency vocabulary from law-related articles.
- Reading Comprehension: Passages on diverse themes (e.g., law, ethics, society).
- Vocabulary: Synonyms, antonyms, idioms, and phrases.
- Grammar: Tenses, voice, mood, articles, and sentence correction.
- Sentence Formation: Jumbled sentences, sentence completion.
2. Current Affairs & General Knowledge (25% Weightage)
- Topics:
- Constitution of India: Amendments, fundamental rights, and duties.
- International Relations: Global treaties, summits, and conflicts.
- Indian Economy: Budget highlights, economic policies, and institutions.
- History, Art & Culture: Major events, art forms, and heritage sites.
- Science & Technology: Recent innovations and space missions.
- Preparation Tips:
- Read The Hindu or Indian Express daily for current affairs .
- Use monthly magazines like CLAT Express or Manorama Yearbook.
- Important Points:
- Focus on events from the last 6–12 months.
- Memorize key constitutional articles (e.g., Article 370, Right to Education).
3. Legal Reasoning (25% Weightage)
- Topics:
- Constitutional Law: Fundamental rights, directive principles, and legal provisions.
- Contract Law: Offer, acceptance, consideration, and breach.
- Tort Law: Negligence, defamation, and strict liability.
- Criminal Law: Offenses under IPC (murder, theft, fraud).
- Family Law: Marriage, divorce, and inheritance laws.
- Key Resources:
- Legal Awareness and Legal Reasoning by Neetu Singh
- CLAT Previous Year Question Papers
- Important Points:
- Study landmark judgments (e.g., Maneka Gandhi vs. Union of India).
- Practice case-based questions to improve analytical skills.
4. Logical Reasoning (20–25% Weightage)
- Topics:
- Critical Reasoning: Assumptions, inferences, and argument evaluation.
- Analytical Reasoning: Blood relations, seating arrangements, and puzzles.
- Data Sufficiency: Determine if given data is sufficient to answer questions.
- Preparation Tips:
- Solve puzzles from books like How to Solve It by George Pólya .
- Practice mock tests to build speed and accuracy.
- Important Points:
- Use elimination techniques for complex puzzles.
- Focus on syllogisms and analogies for quick marks.
5. Quantitative Techniques (10% Weightage)
- Topics:
- Data Interpretation: Tables, graphs, and pie charts.
- Arithmetic: Percentages, ratios, profit/loss, and time-speed-distance.
- Algebra: Equations, inequalities, and progressions.
- Probability & Statistics: Basic probability and data analysis.
- Key Resources:
- CLAT Quantitative Techniques Questions
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams by R.S. Aggarwal
- Important Points:
- Practice 20–30 questions daily to improve speed.
- Focus on shortcuts for time-based problems (e.g., compound interest).
CLAT Exam Pattern 2026
| Section | No. of Questions | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 22–26 | 20% |
| Current Affairs | 28–32 | 25% |
| Legal Reasoning | 28–32 | 25% |
| Logical Reasoning | 22–26 | 20% |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10–14 | 10% |
Preparation Tips for CLAT 2026
- Study Plan:
- Allocate 3–4 hours daily for Legal Reasoning and Current Affairs.
- Use a 3-month study schedule with weekly targets.
- Mock Tests:
- Solve 5+ previous years’ papers to build speed and accuracy .
- Analyze mistakes and revise weak areas.
- Current Affairs:
- Focus on events from the last 6–12 months .
- Use apps like NewsHunt or Inshorts for quick updates.
- Legal Reasoning:
- Study landmark cases and constitutional provisions .
- Join online forums like CLAT Possible for doubt-solving .
