Last Updated: April 2026
CLAT 2027 Notification Update: As of late April 2026, the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) has confirmed the tentative academic calendar, seat matrix updates and revised reservation framework for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2027. With the new academic session starting earlier this year and three additional NLUs joining the seat-sharing pool, CLAT 2027 aspirants need an updated playbook. This post is a comprehensive current-affairs roundup of every CLAT-related development between April 1 and April 27, 2026.
Key CLAT 2027 Updates — April 2026 At a Glance
| Update | Details | Effective From |
|---|---|---|
| Tentative Notification Date | Last week of July 2026 | CLAT 2027 cycle |
| Tentative Exam Date | 1st Sunday of December 2026 | CLAT 2027 |
| Application Window | Aug-Oct 2026 (10 weeks) | Online only |
| Total Participating NLUs | 26 (up from 24) | Confirmed Apr 2026 |
| Total UG Seats | Approx. 3,520 | Tentative |
| Application Fee | Rs. 4,000 (Gen) / Rs. 3,500 (SC/ST/PwD) | Same as 2026 |
| EWS Reservation | 10% across all NLUs | Confirmed |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 per wrong answer | Unchanged |
1. Two New NLUs Join the Consortium Pool
The Consortium executive committee in its 11 April 2026 meeting cleared the addition of two state-level NLUs — NLU Tripura (Agartala) and NLU Meghalaya (Shillong) — into the All India CLAT seat-sharing pool. Both will offer 60 UG seats each from the 2027–28 academic session. The Consortium tally now stands at 26 participating NLUs.
2. Revised Seat Matrix — All India Quota
The 2027 seat matrix follows the All India + Domicile dual-category structure. Approximately 3,520 UG seats and 1,470 PG seats will be on offer. Top NLU seat increases:
- NLSIU Bangalore: 120 → 180 (50% hike, post-government grant)
- NALSAR Hyderabad: 132 → 132 (unchanged)
- NUJS Kolkata: 136 → 156 (additional 20 seats)
- NLU Delhi: NOT in CLAT (separate AILET — unchanged)
- NLU Jodhpur: 117 → 132
- HNLU Raipur: 180 → 180
3. Reservation Framework — 2027 Edition
The Consortium has confirmed the following reservation breakdown across all 26 NLUs:
| Category | Reservation % | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SC | 15% | All India quota |
| ST | 7.5% | All India quota |
| OBC (NCL) | 27% | Where applicable |
| EWS | 10% | Pan-India |
| PwD | 5% | Horizontal |
| State Domicile | 25-50% | NLU-specific |
| Defence/Wards | 3-5% | NLU-specific |
4. Exam Pattern — No Major Changes for 2027
The CLAT 2027 paper structure remains:
- Total Questions: 120 MCQs
- Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)
- Marking: +1 per correct, -0.25 per incorrect
- Sections: English (24), Current Affairs incl. GK (28), Legal Reasoning (28-32), Logical Reasoning (22-26), Quantitative Techniques (10-14)
- Mode: Offline pen-paper (OMR-based)
5. Application Window & Fee Reforms
The Consortium has retained the application fee at Rs. 4,000 for general candidates. A new “Single-window late fee waiver” for SC/ST/PwD candidates from north-eastern states was announced on 18 April 2026 — applicants from Arunachal, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura get an additional 15-day window post-deadline at no late fee.
6. AILET, SLAT & MH-CET — The Other Law Entrance Universe
Three CLAT-adjacent updates also broke this month:
- AILET 2027 (NLU Delhi): Notification expected first week of August 2026. Pattern unchanged.
- SLAT 2027 (Symbiosis): Application opens 1 December 2026.
- MH-CET Law 2027: Maharashtra State CET cell to release calendar in August.
7. CLAT PG 2027 Update
The Consortium has clarified that the CLAT PG 2027 will follow the same revised pattern (120 MCQs, no subjective questions) introduced in 2024. Total PG seats: ~1,470 across 26 NLUs.
What This Means for CLAT 2027 Aspirants
- Start full-length mocks by August 2026 — exam is in early December.
- Revise the new entrants’ info — NLU Tripura and NLU Meghalaya cutoffs will be the lowest in 2027 (good safety options).
- Track 26 April 2026 SC’s POW Act ruling for current affairs and legal reasoning.
- Update your reservation strategy — EWS at 10% across all 26 NLUs is now stable.
Internal Resources for CLAT 2027
- CLAT Coaching Online — Live + Recorded
- Complete CLAT 2027 Syllabus
- Free CLAT Mock Test
- CLAT Classroom Coaching in Patna
- CLAT 2027 FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the CLAT 2027 official notification be released?
As per the Consortium’s 11 April 2026 communication, the notification is expected in the last week of July 2026.
How many NLUs will accept CLAT 2027 scores?
26 NLUs — up from 24 in 2026 — after the addition of NLU Tripura and NLU Meghalaya.
What is the total number of UG seats in CLAT 2027?
Approximately 3,520 UG seats across 26 NLUs, including the new entrants.
Has the CLAT 2027 exam pattern changed?
No. The 120-MCQ, 2-hour, OMR-based pattern with 0.25 negative marking continues unchanged for 2027.
Is NLU Delhi covered under CLAT 2027?
No. NLU Delhi continues to conduct its own AILET (All India Law Entrance Test) separately.
Image credit: Unsplash / Free Stock
