CLAT 2027 registration document guidelines released: apply by October 31

The Consortium of National Law Universities released the CLAT 2027 registration document guidelines on October 14, 2026. These guidelines, including file size and format specifications, aim to assist candidates in accurately completing the online application for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2027, making fee payments, understanding eligibility criteria, and avoiding common errors.

The CLAT 2027 registration process, which commenced on August 3, 2026, is entirely online and will conclude on October 31, 2026. The national-level entrance exam supports admissions to 5-year integrated undergraduate law programmes across 26 National Law Universities (NLUs) and other participating law colleges.

CLAT 2027 Application Process and Key Dates

Candidates are required to register on the official CLAT website, consortiumofnlus.ac.in, and complete the application form by the deadline of October 31, 2026. The official notification for CLAT 2027 was released on July 22, 2026. The examination is scheduled for December 6, 2026, a Sunday, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

The application portal requires candidates to provide a valid email ID and mobile number for registration and all future communication. NLU preferences must be filled at the time of application, as subsequent changes are not permitted. A correction window is typically provided after the registration period closes.

Document Upload Specifications and Fees

The guidelines specify the format and maximum file size for various documents that candidates must upload. A recent passport-size photograph, preferably with a white background, must be in JPEG/JPG format with a maximum file size of 500 KB. The scanned signature, in blue or black ink, should also be in JPEG/JPG format, not exceeding 100 KB. Category, Domicile, and Disability Certificates, if applicable, must be uploaded in PDF format with a maximum file size of 1.5 MB.

The application fee is non-refundable. General, OBC, NRI, and PwD candidates are required to pay ₹4,000, while SC, ST, and BPL candidates have an application fee of ₹3,500. An additional fee of ₹500 applies for previous year question papers.

Eligibility Criteria and Exam Pattern

For undergraduate programmes, candidates must have passed or appeared in Class 12 (10+2) or an equivalent examination. A minimum of 45% aggregate marks is required for General, OBC, and EWS categories, while SC, ST, and PwD categories need at least 40% marks. There is no upper age limit for CLAT UG 2027. Class 12 appearing students are eligible to apply provisionally. The Bar Council of India (BCI) Rules of Legal Education, 2008, outline the eligibility for the five-year course, requiring Class 12 passing, but do not fix application dates.

The CLAT 2027 exam will be an offline, pen-and-paper based test. It will have a duration of 2 hours (120 minutes) and consist of 120 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). The marking scheme awards +1 for every correct answer and deducts -0.25 for each incorrect response. The exam format for CLAT 2027 remains consistent with the previous year, with no surprise changes.

Further reading

• CLAT 2027 scorecard release expected in late December or early January
• CLAT 2027 application deadline nears: apply by October 31
• Common Law Admission Test exam pattern: sections, marking and duration Next step
• AILET 2027 legal aptitude integrated into logical reasoning; apply by November 10
• MAH 3-Year LLB CAP 2026 institutional round deadline extended: apply by 9 October Applications open
• Common Law Admission Test: complete exam guide

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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