The CLAT Eligibility Criteria is set by the Consortium of the NLUs every year. Only those candidates who fulfill the CLAT Eligibility Criteria are allowed to sit for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). The CLAT exam eligibility criteria is different for LLB and LLM courses. The CLAT exam is scheduled for December 1, 2024, and the candidates can apply for the exam till 15th October 2024. Read more about the CLAT Registration Process by clicking Here.
CLAT Exam Eligibility - A Brief
The CLAT Exam eligibility criteria refers to the minimum marks, educational qualification, nationality, age limit, and other criteria that the aspirants must fulfill to be able to appear for the exam. The CLAT eligibility is defined by the Consortium of National Law University (NLU). Before applying for the exam, the candidates must carefully check the CLAT eligibility criteria to avoid getting the application rejected.
Read in Detail: CLAT Registration 2025
The CLAT Consortium follows the eligibility criteria for law courses as prescribed by the Bar Council of India, which is the regulatory authority for legal education and professional standards in India. The CLAT Consortium verifies the eligibility of shortlisted candidates during the counselling process, and candidates need to submit supportive documents ensuring their eligibility for admission. Check the CLAT eligibility criteria in general, and for the LLB and LLM courses explained in detail on this page.
Must Check: CLAT 2025 Important Exam Dates
CLAT 2025 will be held in a pen-paper-based test mode. CLAT 2024 scores will be used for admission to the academic year 2024-2025.
CLAT Eligibility Criteria at a Glance
Check the CLAT 2025 eligibility criteria for both UG and PG courses simplified in the table below.
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CLAT UG Eligibility |
CLAT PG Eligibility |
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Educational Qualification |
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Minimum Marks |
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CLAT Age Limit |
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CLAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria for UG Law Courses
The criteria that the candidates need to fulfill the CLAT eligibility criteria for undergraduate (UG) law courses are mentioned below:
BCI standards for undergraduate law courses are as stated, "Bar Council of India may from time to time, stipulate the minimum percentage of marks not below 45% of the total marks in case of general category applicants and 40% of the total marks in case of SC and ST applicants, to be obtained for the qualifying examination, such as 2 Examination in case of Integrated Five Years' course or Degree course in any discipline for Three years' LLB course, for the purpose of applying for and getting admitted into a Law Degree Program of any recognized University in either of the streams. Provided that such a minimum qualifying mark shall not automatically entitle a person to get admission into an institution but only shall entitle the person concerned to fulfill other institutional criteria notified by the institution concerned or by the government concerned from time to time to apply for admission.”
Check the top colleges accepting the CLAT Scores
CLAT Educational requirements
- Candidates should have passed the 12th std. with a minimum 45 percent aggregate (applicable for candidates belonging to General/ Other Backward Class (OBC)/ Person with Disability (PwD)/ Non-Resident Indian (NRI)/ Person of Indian Origin (PIO)/ Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) category)
- Candidates should have passed the 12th std. with a minimum 40 percent aggregate (applicable for candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC)/ Scheduled Tribe (ST) category)
- Candidates appearing for their Class 12 board examinations in March/April are also eligible to apply for the CLAT 2025 exam. However, such candidates will need to produce proof of passing Class 12 or equivalent exam at the time of admission. Candidates unable to produce the evidence shall forfeit their right of admission through the CLAT exam
CLAT Age Limit Eligibility Criteria
The exam authorities and universities in India set upper or lower age limits for admission to their courses. However, to cater a large number of law aspirants, BCI capped the age restriction for the five-year LLB course admission. Therefore, now CLAT consortium follows the same for CLAT eligibility criteria. There is no upper age limit to appear for the CLAT 2025 exam as well.
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CLAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria for LLM Course
The postgraduate (PG) law program in which candidates can secure admission through the CLAT exam is LLM (Master of Law). The basic criteria that candidates need to fulfill to meet CLAT eligibility criteria for the LLM course are mentioned below:
CLAT 2025 LLM Academic Eligibility
- Candidates belonging to the General/ OBC/ PwD/ NRI/ PIO/ OCI category should possess an LLB or equivalent degree with a minimum 50 percent aggregate
- Candidates belonging to SC/ ST category should possess an LLB or equivalent degree with a minimum of 45 percent aggregate
- Candidates appearing for the final year examination of their qualifying degree are also eligible to apply for CLAT
CLAT 2025 LLM Age limit
Given that, there is no age limit for five-year and three-year LLB courses, BCI has relaxed age limit for LLM course admission as well. Therefore,
- There is no upper age limit to apply for the CLAT PG exam as well.
- However, candidates securing same rank and marks in CLAT LLM will be given preference, if they are higher in age than the others.
CLAT Eligibility for International Students
- Foreign National students or NRI/NRI sponsored students are also eligible to sit for CLAT exam on condition that they must qualify the required criteria. The CLAT eligibility for international students might differ in some NLUs; therefore, such students are advised to check the official website of the respective NLUs.
- NRI aspirants seeking admission under the NRI quota must meet the CLAT test eligibility criteria and complete the necessary admission formalities.
CLAT Eligibility Criteria For NRI Students
- Admissions for NRI/NRI-sponsored category aspirants are carried out based on their merit score, and the concerned university allocates the CLAT Seat Allotment under the NRI Quota.
- Please contact the concerned university directly for admission formalities, minimum eligibility for the CLAT Exam, required documents, and other related queries about seeking admission under the NRI Quota.
- In case of the non-availability of foreign national seats, seats will be converted into NRI/NRI-sponsored seats.
- The admission will be based on the CLAT ranking in the above case.
- The CLAT Office shall be responsible for issuing the list of candidates eligible for CLAT Admission under this category.
List of Documents Required for NRI Candidates for CLAT Admission 2025
- If you belong to the NRI category, you must submit the documents below at admission.
- Copy of the Valid Indian Passport of the Student
- Visas acquired in the last 12 months
- Certificate from the local embassy stating that the person is an NRI/OCI or PIO Card
Documents Required for NRI Sponsored Candidates for CLAT Exam Admission 2025
- Sponsor's copy of valid Indian passport.
- Visas obtained in the last 12 months by the sponsor
- Certificate from the local embassy stating that the sponsor is an NRI/ OCI or PIO card
- An affidavit by the sponsor indicating the interest shown in the student's education affairs and willingness to fund the education of students over the next five years.
CLAT 2025 Tie Breaker
In case of a score tie between candidates, NLU uses the following criteria in the same order to break the tie.
- The candidate with higher score in legal aptitude subject will be given preference.
- In case the tie remains, students who is older will be prioritized.
- If the tie persists, the candidate with a higher computerized draw to lots will be preferred for selection.
Important Points on NLUs Admission Criteria 2025
Candidates should fulfill the below-mentioned NLU admission criteria to be considered for admissions.
- Candidates must have passed their Class 12 from a recognized board with a minimum 45% score for the General category and 40% for the reserved category
- Candidates must have appeared in the CLAT 2025 entrance examination and obtained a valid score
- The candidate must make it to the CLAT allotment list to be eligible for admission
- The eligibility criteria of the particular NLU (if any) should also be fulfilled
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