CLAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Check Nationality, Age Limit, Aggregate Score & Qualifications

The CLAT eligibility criteria 2026 for the UG courses states that the students must have passed 12^th Standard / equivalent. For PG programs, students must have completed the LL.B / equivalent exam. There is no maximum age limit for appearing in the entrance test. Additionally, students who are Indian Nationals and NRIs can apply for CLAT.

Candidates who are looking forward to appearing for the entrance test must make sure they satisfy the requisite CLAT exam eligibility criteria stated by NLUs i.e., Consortium of National Law Universities (conducting authority).

This article contains detailed information about the CLAT exam eligibility criteria 2026 and its related aspects like academic qualification, minimum qualifying marks, age limit, nationality, etc.

The CLAT 2026 is conducted once every year by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs). Students qualifying the entrance test are eligible for getting admission in around 26 National Law Universities of India and other 33 Private Law Colleges / Institutes / Universities.

In order to attempt the entrance exam, it is mandatory for the students to fulfil the CLAT eligibility criteria 2026 & complete their registration process. The eligibility requirements are discussed below in detail:

Academic Qualifications

The CLAT eligibility criteria 2026 for the UG & PG courses are different; the details about the same are given below:

• For UG: Passed 10+2 / equivalent.
• For PG: Completed LL.B / equivalent exam.

Qualifying Marks

As per the CLAT exam eligibility criteria stated by CNLU, the minimum qualifying marks required for UG programs is 45% marks, and 50% marks (for NRI / General / OBC candidates) for the PG courses.

Note: The students belonging to the SC / ST / PwD categories are granted a relaxation of 5% marks in the respective qualifying exam for the CLAT Exam.

*Aspirants who are going to appear in the final exam in March / April (for UG) or April / May (for PG) are eligible to apply for the entrance test.

Age Limit

There is no upper age limit prescribed by the exam conducting authority to appear for the CLAT entrance exam.

Nationality

Based on the CLAT exam eligibility criteria, NRIs and candidates belonging to India can apply for the entrance exam.

Note: Foreign Nationals are not eligible to appear for the CLAT exam.

* Aspirants can also read about the CLAT Syllabus 2026 & the CLAT Exam Pattern 2026 to gather more information about the entrance exam.

In accordance with the CLAT eligibility criteria 2026 stated by the conducting authority, seats are reserved for the students belonging to SC / ST / OBC / PwD / BPL & other categories, depending on the participating Universities. The reservation criteria for each of the participating National Law Universities are different as per the policies laid down by the Central & State Government.

* For detailed information about the University specific reservation criteria, kindly visit the official website of the concerned National Law Universities.

Students looking forward to appearing for the entrance test must meet the requisite CLAT eligibility criteria 2026 & then proceed with the CLAT Registration 2026. The registration will begin on 1^st August 2025 & end on 31^st October 2025.

To register, aspirants can visit ‘consortiumofnlus.ac.in’, fill-in the application form, and submit the registration fee of Rs. 4000/- (Rs. 3500/- for SC / ST / BPL / PwD students).