CLAT 2027 Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit, Marks & Qualification

CLAT Eligibility Criteria - Breaking It Down

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CLAT Eligibility Criteria 2027 - Quick Overview

Candidates should go through the quick overview below to understand the basic requirements for CLAT UG 2027.

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Check Your Eligibility For CLAT 2027

A CLAT score opens doors to some of the best NLUs in India, including NLSIU Bangalore and NALSAR Hyderabad. However, before applying, it is crucial to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria. Understanding the CLAT 2027 eligibility requirements in advance helps avoid any issues during the admission process. Here are the key points you should keep in mind:

CLAT UG Eligibility Criteria 2027

Candidates seeking admission to 5-year integrated law programmes such as BA LL.B., BBA LL.B., BCom LL.B., BSc LL.B., and similar UG law courses through CLAT must satisfy the following CLAT eligibility criteria.

CLAT 2027 Educational Qualification for UG

Candidates applying for CLAT UG 2027 must:

• Have passed Class 12 (10+2) or an equivalent examination from a recognised board/institution, or
• Be appearing in the qualifying examination in the relevant academic year

Students appearing for their Class 12 board exams can also apply for CLAT, provided they complete the qualifying examination and produce the required proof at the time of admission.

Minimum Marks Required for CLAT UG 2027

Candidates should carefully check their category-wise eligibility before applying.

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CLAT 2027 Age Limit & Tie-Break Rules

CLAT Age Limit 2027

There is no minimum or maximum age limit for CLAT UG 2027; the Consortium of NLUs has not prescribed any age bar for candidates appearing in the exam. This means:

• Candidates of any age can apply for CLAT 2027, whether a fresh Class 12 pass-out or a repeater, as long as the academic eligibility criteria (Class 12 with the required minimum marks) are met.
• There is no separate age-based relaxation or age proof required at the time of application; only the academic and category documents listed below matter.

CLAT 2027 Tie-Break Rules

If two or more candidates score identically in CLAT 2027, the Consortium resolves the tie using the following order of preference:

• Higher marks in the Legal Reasoning section
• Higher age (the older candidate is ranked above the younger one)
• Computerized draw of lots, if the tie persists

This is the only place where age plays a role in CLAT; it's used purely as a tie-breaker, never as an eligibility condition.

Check CLAT's previous year's papers for better exam preparation.

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Who Can Apply for CLAT 2027?

CLAT UG is open to students from any stream, with no cap on attempts. Appearing Class 12 students, droppers, NRIs, and foreign nationals can all apply, subject to the conditions below.

Can 12th Appearing Students Apply for CLAT 2027?

Yes, students appearing in Class 12 in the relevant academic year can apply for CLAT 2027. However:

• They must produce proof of passing the qualifying examination at the time of admission/document verification.
• If they fail to submit the required proof by the deadline fixed by the concerned university, they may lose their right to admission.

Can Droppers Apply for CLAT?

Yes, droppers can apply for CLAT. There is no upper age limit, no restriction on attempts, and no bar on gap-year candidates. As long as candidates meet the academic eligibility criteria, they are eligible to apply.

Can Commerce, Science, or Arts Students Apply for CLAT?

Yes. CLAT is open to students from all streams: Arts/Humanities, Commerce, Science, or any equivalent recognised stream, as long as they meet the qualification and minimum marks requirements.

Can Compartment / Supplementary Students Apply for CLAT?

Students with compartment or supplementary exams may still be able to apply if they complete and clear their qualifying examination before admission/document verification deadlines. However:

• Final eligibility depends on whether the candidate ultimately passes Class 12.
• The candidate must satisfy the minimum marks requirement.
• The candidate must submit documents by the admission deadline of the allotted NLU.

Candidates are advised to check the final admission timeline carefully.

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CLAT Reservation Criteria 2027: Category-Wise Seats

Reservation at CLAT-participating NLUs works in two layers: a vertical reservation (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) and a horizontal reservation (PwD, and at some NLUs, women or defence-dependent categories). Most NLUs follow the standard vertical pattern below, though each university's exact seat numbers vary based on its own brochure and state domicile quota:

Important: Reservation is decided NLU-wise, not nationally. Several NLUs also reserve 25-50% of seats for home-state (domicile) candidates, which reduces the pool of All-India seats at that university. Candidates should always check the NLU seat matrix published by their preferred NLU before finalising counselling preferences, and upload a valid category certificate at the time of application to claim any quota.

NRI / Foreign National / NRI Sponsored Category

Indian Nationals and NRIs can appear for CLAT subject to applicable eligibility criteria. Candidates seeking admission under NRI/NRI Sponsored or Foreign

Indian Nationals, NRIs, OCIs, and PIOs are eligible to apply for CLAT, subject to meeting the academic eligibility criteria.

NRI / NRI Sponsored Category:

• Candidates under this category must appear for and qualify for CLAT.
• Seat intake and eligibility conditions vary by NLU.
• Applicants should check the respective university's brochure for specific requirements.

Foreign National Category:

• Foreign nationals can apply for CLAT and are generally required to hold a valid passport.
• Some NLUs admit Foreign National candidates directly on merit, without requiring CLAT.
• Other NLUs may still require them to appear for CLAT.
• Candidates should verify the exact process with their preferred NLU.

Final seat allotment under these categories depends on the individual NLU's brochure, documentation, and admission timeline.

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Who Is NOT Eligible for CLAT 2027?

Candidates fall outside the CLAT UG 2027 eligibility criteria if:

• They have not passed Class 12 and are not appearing in the qualifying exam in the relevant academic year.
• They score below 45% in Class 12 (below 40% for SC/ST/PwD) and cannot produce a category-linked relaxation.
• They are applying for a 3-year LL.B. programme; CLAT is only valid for 5-year integrated UG law programmes and LL.M., not 3-year law courses.
• They fail to submit valid proof of passing Class 12 by the admission deadline set by their allotted NLU, even after clearing the exam.

There is no minimum or maximum age bar and no cap on the number of attempts, so age or repeat attempts never make a candidate ineligible on their own.

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How to apply for CLAT 2027?

Candidates who meet the CLAT 2027 eligibility criteria can now fill out the application form. Registration started on August 3, 2026, on the official website of the Consortium of NLUs. To complete the CLAT 2027 registration process, candidates will need to provide details such as:

• Personal information
• Communication details
• Educational qualifications
• Category details
• Preferred NLU choices
• Other relevant information as required in the form

Only candidates who complete the registration process successfully and pay the prescribed application fee will be eligible to appear for CLAT 2027.

Documents Required for CLAT 2027 Application Form

For the complete list with format specifications (photo size, signature format, category certificate templates), check our detailed guide: Documents Required to Fill CLAT Application Form 2027.

Candidates should be ready with:

• Class 10 certificate/mark sheet (for date of birth proof)
• Class 12 mark sheet/passing certificate
• Category certificate (if applicable)
• PwD certificate (if applicable)
• NRI / OCI / PIO supporting documents (if applicable)
• Valid ID proof
• Any additional documents required by the allotted NLU

CLAT 2027 Application Fees

The CLAT 2027 application fee has been officially confirmed by the Consortium as per the notification:

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Key Takeaways

• Candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (10+2) or an equivalent examination.
• General/OBC/EWS and other unreserved category candidates need at least 45% marks.
• SC/ST/PwD candidates need at least 40% marks.
• There is no upper age limit for CLAT UG 2027.
• Students from Science, Commerce, and Arts streams are all eligible to apply.
• Candidates must complete the application form and document verification process within the prescribed timeline.

Read our CLAT Result Success Stories.

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