CLAT 2027 Last Date: Application Process, Eligibility and Documents

Completing your law school application on time is essential for securing admission to India's premier National Law Universities (NLUs). The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is the single most competitive centralized entrance exam for undergraduate (UG) five-year integrated law programs and postgraduate (PG) Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees in India.

Every academic cycle, thousands of law aspirants search for CLAT 2027 last date, application deadlines, eligibility conditions, and documentation requirements to ensure their registration is submitted accurately without last-minute technical glitches or payment rejections.

Important Authority Notice: The Consortium of National Law Universities publishes official application notifications, eligibility guidelines, and examination schedules exclusively at consortiumofnlus.ac.in. Candidates should verify the live registration portal and submit applications well before the closing date.

What Is CLAT 2027?

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national-level entrance exam organized by the Consortium of NLUs. It provides admission to participating National Law Universities across India, as well as dozens of private law institutions and affiliated universities that accept CLAT scores for their merit lists.

The examination is conducted for two distinct academic tiers:

1. CLAT Under Graduate (UG): For admission into five-year integrated law degrees including Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Laws (BA LL.B. Hons), Bachelor of Business Administration Bachelor of Laws (BBA LL.B. Hons), Bachelor of Commerce Bachelor of Laws (BCom LL.B. Hons), and Bachelor of Science Bachelor of Laws (BSc LL.B. Hons).
2. CLAT Post Graduate (PG): For admission into one-year and two-year Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree programs for law graduates.

Individual universities may prescribe supplementary eligibility or admission counseling regulations, but securing a qualifying score in CLAT remains the essential prerequisite.

CLAT 2027 Important Dates

Applicants must track official milestones carefully. The table below outlines key schedule parameters established for the examination cycle:

Note: Deadlines are strictly enforced by the Consortium. Do not anticipate deadline extensions unless an official public notice is released on the Consortium portal.

Who Can Apply for CLAT 2027?

Eligibility criteria are set by the Consortium and differ between the undergraduate and postgraduate tiers.

1. CLAT UG Eligibility Criteria

• Qualifying Examination: Candidates must have passed the 10+2 (Intermediate / Higher Secondary) examination or an equivalent examination recognized by central or state education boards.
• Minimum Qualifying Marks:
• Candidates belonging to General, OBC, PwD, NRI, PIO, and OCI categories must secure at least 45% aggregate marks in Class 12.
• Candidates belonging to SC and ST categories must secure at least 40% aggregate marks.
• Appearing Candidates: Students appearing for their Class 12 board examinations in the qualifying year are completely eligible to apply, provided they produce proof of qualifying marks at the time of final admission counseling.
• Age Limit: Per Supreme Court directives and Consortium rules, there is no upper age limit for appearing in CLAT UG.

2. CLAT PG Eligibility Criteria

• Qualifying Degree: Applicants must possess an LL.B. degree (either a 3-year LL.B. or a 5-year integrated law degree) from a recognized university.
• Minimum Marks:
• General, OBC, and PwD applicants must have obtained at least 50% marks or an equivalent grade.
• SC and ST applicants must have obtained at least 45% marks or an equivalent grade.
• Final Year Candidates: Students appearing for their final semester LL.B. examinations are eligible to submit an application.

3. Category-Specific Provisions & Accommodations

Reserved category applicants (SC, ST, OBC non-creamy layer, EWS) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD) must hold valid, officially issued certificates as of the date of application. Candidates seeking scribe assistance or compensatory exam time must upload the prescribed medical authority documents during registration.

Documents to Keep Ready Before Applying

Having clear, legible digital copies of your documentation ready prevents upload errors during form submission:

• Passport Photograph: Recent color photograph with a light background (PNG/JPG format, 20 KB to 50 KB).
• Candidate Signature: Clear signature on plain white paper with a black or blue ballpoint pen (10 KB to 20 KB).
• Identity Proof: Valid government identification (Aadhaar Card, Passport, PAN Card, or Voter ID).
• Academic Records: Class 10 marksheet (for date of birth verification) and Class 12 marksheet (or Class 12 admit card for appearing candidates).
• Category / Domicile Certificate: State-specific domicile certificate and caste/reservation certificates (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) if claiming reservation quotas.
• PwD / SAP Certificate: Official disability certificate issued by a competent medical authority if requesting accommodations.

How to Fill the CLAT 2027 Application Form Step-by-Step

Follow these sequential steps to complete your registration accurately:

1. Step 1: Portal Registration — Visit the official website consortiumofnlus.ac.in and click on the "CLAT 2027" registration link. Create your account using an active mobile number and personal email address.
2. Step 2: Account Activation — Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number to activate your candidate login portal.
3. Step 3: Programme Selection — Select whether you are applying for UG (5-Year Integrated Law) or PG (LL.M.).
4. Step 4: Personal Information — Enter your full name exactly as stated on your Class 10 certificate, parent details, date of birth, communication address, and category.
5. Step 5: Exam Centre Preferences — Choose three preferred exam cities in order of preference.
6. Step 6: Document Upload — Upload your photograph, signature, and category/domicile certificates adhering strictly to the file size limits.
7. Step 7: Application Fee Payment — Pay the non-refundable registration fee through the authorized online payment gateway (UPI, Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card).
8. Step 8: Save Confirmation Acknowledgement — Download and print the finalized application form and payment receipt for your records.

Application Fee Structure and Payment Checks

The registration fee must be completed through the Consortium's payment gateway:

• General / OBC / PwD / NRI / OCI Candidates: Rs. 4,000/-
• SC / ST / BPL Candidates: Rs. 3,500/-
• Previous Years' Question Papers (Optional): Additional Rs. 500/- for official question paper booklets.

Payment Precaution: Always use secure networks when completing transactions. If money is debited from your bank account but your application status remains "Unpaid", do not immediately make a second payment. Wait 24 to 48 hours for bank reconciliation, check the payment status in your dashboard, and submit a ticket to the Consortium helpdesk with your transaction reference number.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

1. Waiting Until the Final Hours: Heavy server congestion on the last date can cause payment timeouts or document upload failures. Complete registration well in advance.
2. Name and Date of Birth Discrepancies: Ensure your name, father's name, and date of birth match your Class 10 certificate verbatim.
3. Incorrect Category Selection: Selecting OBC-NCL without having a valid Central/State non-creamy layer certificate issued for the relevant financial year will lead to disqualification from the reservation quota during counseling.
4. Blurry File Uploads: Uploading pixelated photos or low-resolution signatures can result in application rejection.
5. Neglecting Domicile Claims: Failing to claim state domicile status during initial form submission prevents you from accessing state reservation quotas across respective NLUs.

What to Do After Submitting the Form

Once your application status shows "Submitted & Paid":

• Download the Application Form PDF: Keep multiple physical printouts and cloud backups of your completed registration form.
• Monitor the Correction Window: If the Consortium announces a correction window, log in to verify that all personal details and exam center preferences are correct.
• Download the Admit Card: The admit card is released online approximately 10 to 14 days prior to the exam date. Verify your test center address and reporting slot immediately upon release.

Conclusion

The CLAT 2027 registration deadline is a strict cutoff for entry into India's premier National Law Universities. By understanding the eligibility criteria, preparing your documents beforehand, and completing the application accurately, you set a confident foundation for your legal career.

Visit the official Consortium of NLUs portal to complete your application before the deadline and focus your remaining energy on structured exam preparation.