Law education in India has gained immense popularity over the years. With a large number of universities and colleges offering law courses, students have a variety of options to choose from. Admission to these law courses is done through various national and state-level entrance exams. The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is one of the most popular entrance exams for admission to law courses in India. In addition to CLAT, there are other exams such as AILET, LSAT, and MH CET Law. These exams assess the candidate’s aptitude for law, reasoning ability, and general knowledge. Apart from these exams, there are also some law schools that offer admission based on merit or academic performance. To pursue a career in law, one can opt for undergraduate or postgraduate courses such as LLB, LLM, or integrated law courses. A career in law offers various opportunities in fields such as litigation, corporate law, public service, academia, and more.
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CLAT 2023 Latest Update as on 04 Sep 2026
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Checked on 04 Sep 2026
CLAT 2023, conducted by the Consortium of NLUs, was held in December 2022 for admissions to the 2023–25 batch; the cycle is fully concluded and results, counselling, and seat allotments were completed in early 2023.
| Exam | CLAT 2023 |
|---|---|
| Status | CLAT 2023 notification was released: July 2022 (cycle fully concluded — historical reference) |
| Next expected | CLAT 2023 registration window ran approximately August–November 2022 (historical — cycle closed) |
| Official website | consortiumofnlus.ac.in |
| Last verified | 04 Sep 2026 |
CLAT 2023 was conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) on 18 December 2022 for admission to five-year integrated LLB and LLM programmes across 22 NLUs for the 2023–25 academic batch. As of 04 September 2026, the CLAT 2023 cycle is entirely concluded — registration, examination, result declaration, and counselling rounds all closed by mid-2023. No new official information regarding CLAT 2023 is outstanding or expected. Students currently seeking law admission should note that subsequent editions (CLAT 2024, 2025, and 2026) have also concluded, and attention should now turn to CLAT 2027. Based on the consistent prior-year pattern, the CLAT 2027 notification and registration are expected to open around August–September 2026, though no official announcement has been made yet. Aspirants should regularly monitor consortiumofnlus.ac.in for official notifications, eligibility criteria, and application dates for the upcoming cycle.
- CLAT 2023 notification was released: July 2022 (cycle fully concluded — historical reference)
- CLAT 2023 registration window ran approximately August–November 2022 (historical — cycle closed)
- CLAT 2023 exam was conducted: 18 December 2022 (historical fact, cycle complete)
- CLAT 2023 results were declared: December 2022–January 2023 (historical — cycle complete)
- CLAT 2023 counselling and seat allotment concluded: January–March 2023 (historical — cycle complete)
- CLAT 2027 registration expected to open: approximately August–September 2026 (based on prior-year pattern; not yet officially announced)
Sources: Consortium of NLUs — Official CLAT Website
Admission in Law Courses in India
How to Secure Admission in Law Schools Across India.
- The admission process for law courses in India is conducted through various entrance exams.
- The most popular entrance exams for law courses in India are CLAT, LSAT, AILET, and SET.
- CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is conducted for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programs at various national law universities.
- LSAT (Law School Admission Test) is conducted for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programs at various private law colleges.
- AILET (All India Law Entrance Test) is conducted by National Law University (NLU) Delhi for admission to its five-year integrated law program.
- SET (Symbiosis Entrance Test) is conducted by Symbiosis International University for admission to its law courses.
- Eligibility criteria for law courses vary from institute to institute but generally require candidates to have completed 10+2 or an equivalent exam with a minimum of 45-50% marks.
- The application process for law entrance exams usually begins in January or February and the exams are held in April or May.
- Some law colleges also offer direct admission based on merit, with no requirement for an entrance exam.
- Along with the entrance exam, some institutes also conduct group discussions and personal interviews for admission to their law programs.
- Candidates interested in pursuing a career in law can choose from a range of specializations, including corporate law, criminal law, civil law, intellectual property law, and international law.
India Law Admission 2023 Notifications
If you are planning to enter a law school in India, it’s important to stay updated with the latest admissions notifications. Keep an eye out for announcements from the Bar Council of India, as well as individual law schools. These notifications typically include details such as registration dates and deadlines, application requirements, admission criteria and more. It’s also advisable to mark these dates in personal calendar so that you don’t miss any important submission deadlines. Being aware of these notifications is crucial if you want to secure place in a top Indian law school in 2023.
Admission Procedure
Major Changes This Year
No official change has been announced for CLAT 2023 as its cycle is complete; any updates now pertain to CLAT 2024 or later editions announced by the Consortium of NLUs.
No major change has been officially announced for CLAT 2023 at this stage, as the cycle concluded in early 2023. Historically, CLAT 2023 retained the offline pen-and-paper format, comprehension-based question pattern introduced in 2020, and a 120-minute duration for 150 questions (UG). Negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer applied. For future cycles such as CLAT 2027, any changes to syllabus, eligibility, or exam pattern will be officially notified by the Consortium of NLUs on their website; no such changes are confirmed as of today.
The admission procedure for law schools across India usually includes a written entrance exam followed by personal interviews and group discussions.
- It is important to prepare early for the entrance exam by studying the syllabus and practicing sample papers.
- Additionally, many top law schools give weightage to academic achievements and extracurricular activities when considering applicants.
- Hence, it’s important to maintain good grades throughout academic career and participate in activities that showcase leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills.
- Once you have successfully cleared the entrance exam, put best foot forward during the interview rounds to increase chances of securing admission in a prestigious Indian law school.
Law Entrance Exams
Before applying for law schools across India, you will need to clear the entrance exam. The entrance exams include national and state-level exams such as CLAT, AILET, LSAT, and SET-Law.
- These exams typically have multiple-choice questions covering various topics like English comprehension, general knowledge, legal aptitude, and logical reasoning.
- It is important to research the specific requirements of each law school regarding entrance exams before deciding which exam(s) to take.
- Once you have decided which exam(s) to take, it is essential to prepare thoroughly by studying the syllabus and solving practice papers.
- Good preparation can increase chances of scoring well on the exam and ultimately securing admission in a top Indian law school.
Top Law Colleges in India
India has a large number of prestigious law colleges that offer top-notch education and training to aspiring lawyers.
- Some of the most sought-after law colleges in India include National Law School of India University (Bangalore), National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (Hyderabad), Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, NALSAR University of Law (Hyderabad), and Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law, IIT Kharagpur.
- These law schools are known for producing some of the best legal professionals in the country and offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses along with specialized programs such as intellectual property law, corporate law, human rights law, etc.
Selection Procedure
The selection procedure for admission to law schools across India varies depending on the college and the course you are interested in.
- However, most top law colleges have a common admission test known as the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), which is conducted annually by one of the participating National Law Universities.
- The exam usually consists of multiple-choice questions related to legal aptitude, logical reasoning, mathematical ability, and general awareness.
- Some colleges may also require students to appear for additional tests or interviews before finalizing the admission process.
- It’s important to check the specific requirements and deadlines of each college you are interested in applying to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CLAT 2023 still accepting applications?
No. The CLAT 2023 application window closed in November 2022 and the entire exam cycle, including counselling and seat allotment, was completed by mid-2023.
When was CLAT 2023 held?
CLAT 2023 was held on 18 December 2022 in offline (pen-and-paper) mode across multiple exam centres in India.
Where can I check my CLAT 2023 result or scorecard?
CLAT 2023 results were published on consortiumofnlus.ac.in. The portal may still host archived scorecards; check the official website or contact the Consortium of NLUs directly.
Who conducts CLAT and what is the official website?
CLAT is conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs). The official website is consortiumofnlus.ac.in, where all notifications, results, and counselling information are published.
What is the exam pattern for CLAT 2023?
CLAT 2023 (UG) had 150 comprehension-based questions to be answered in 120 minutes, with a negative marking of 0.25 marks per incorrect answer. Subjects included English, GK/Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques.
When will CLAT 2027 registration start?
No official announcement has been made yet. Based on prior-year patterns, CLAT 2027 registration is tentatively expected to open around August–September 2026. Monitor consortiumofnlus.ac.in for the official notification.
What is the eligibility criteria for CLAT?
For CLAT UG, candidates must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) with at least 45% marks (40% for SC/ST). There is no upper age limit. Eligibility details for future cycles may vary; always verify on the official website.
How many NLUs accept CLAT 2023 scores?
CLAT 2023 scores were accepted by 22 National Law Universities. Some private law colleges also use CLAT scores for admission, though their participation may vary each year.