FAQ - CLAT

Q1. What is CLAT?
Ans. CLAT stands for Common Law Admission Test. It is an entrance exam conducted all over India for admission into various law courses in participating law schools. CLAT is conducted for undergraduate students (5 year dual degree programs which have LLB and degrees awarded from BA to BSc, BBA, and B.Com) as well as for Graduate students opting for LLM programs.

Q2. When did CLAT start?
Ans. CLAT exam was started in 2008, before that each law school conducted their own entrance exam.

Q3. Who conducts CLAT exam?
Ans. CLAT is the entrance examination conducted by 22 National Law Universities (earlier it was 14 NLUs in CLAT-2014). In 2008, the first CLAT Core Committee consisting of Vice-Chancellors of participating NLUs had decided that the test should be conducted on rotational basis by participating NLUs in the order of their establishment. The first CLAT exam was conducted by NLSIU, Bangalore in 2008.

Q4. How to apply for CLAT?
Ans. Consider following details while applying for CLAT exam:
1) There is only one mode of application (i.e. online) which can be accessed by a candidate after registering himself/herself on the CLAT website (www.clat.ac.in) by signing up & creating a LOGIN ACCOUNT.
2) Copies of the filled in Online Application Form or uploaded certificates/documents should not be sent to the CLAT Office.
3) Incomplete application or application in any mode other than online or application after the last date and time shall not be considered. It shall be the obligation of the candidate to fill the Online Application Form in a timely manner.

Q5. How much fee is to be remitted while applying for CLAT?
Ans. Fee to be remitted while submitting the Application Form for Unreserved/OBC/PWD and other category candidates is Rs. 4,000/- (For SC/ST category candidates: Rs. 3,500/-). The above application fee includes cost of online application form and e-brochure.

Q6. What is the Eligibility criterion for CLAT?
Ans. The eligibility criteria for candidates (Indian Nationals only) seeking admission through CLAT-2015 in Undergraduate Courses are as follows:
1) No Age Limit: There will be no upper age limit for UG Programme in CLAT 2020.
2) Educational Qualification: A candidate should have obtained Higher Secondary School/ Intermediate (10+2) or its equivalent certificate from a recognized Board with not less than 45% marks in aggregate (40% in case of SC and ST candidates).
3) For XII Appearing Students: Those who are appearing in their Class 12th are eligible to appear in CLAT. Such candidates are required to produce evidence of passing of qualifying examination with minimum required percentage at the time of counselling and admission at NLU.

Q7. Can a candidate apply for UG programme (CLAT) who is appearing in qualifying (10+2) Examination?
Ans. Yes, But Candidates must submit the proof of eligibility (min. percentage in higher secondary/10+2) at the time of admission.

Q8. Do I need to send the certificates along with Application Form?
Ans. The relevant certificates/documents in support of one's claim for admission are not to be submitted along with the Application Form. The original certificates/documents (as indicated in the OMR Application Form and specified in the CLAT Information Brochure) issued by competent authority are to be submitted to the allotted University/Institute only at the time of admission.

Q9. Can a candidate apply for CLAT offline?
Ans. No, a candidate can apply only through online mode.

Q10. What will be the Mode of CLAT Exam?
Ans. From 2019 onwards, CLAT is conducted only in Offline Mode or in Pen & Paper Mode.

Q11. What will be the medium of CLAT Exam?
Ans. Medium of examination is English Only.

Q12. Is there any negative marking in examination?
Ans. Yes, 0.25 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer.

Q13. What is the question paper pattern for CLAT Exams?
Ans. Pattern for CLAT exam as below:

UG Question Paper Format
a. Maximum Marks	150
b. Duration of CLAT 2020 Exam	02:00 Hours
c. Multiple-Choice Questions	150 questions of one mark each
d. Negative Marking	0.25 Mark for each wrong answer
Subject Areas with weightage:	(approximate number of questions)
English Language	28-32 questions, or roughly 20% of the paper
Current Affairs, including General Knowledge	35-39 questions, or roughly 25% of the paper
Legal Reasoning	35-39 questions, or roughly 25% of the paper
Logical Reasoning	28-32 questions, or roughly 20% of the paper
Quantitative Techniques	13-17 questions, or roughly 10% of the paper

Q14. Is there any minimum cut-off CLAT score prescribed for admission in any NLU?
Ans. NO. There is no minimum cut-off score prescribed. Candidature of every candidate shall be considered in their respective category, in order of merit.

Q15. Is there any reservation available on domicile basis in any of the LAW school?
Ans. Yes, some of the participating Law Universities have provision of domicile based reservations.

Q16. Where could I find more information regarding courses offered by various National Law Universities?
Ans. All the National Law Universities (NLUs) have their own websites which give detailed and updated information about the courses available. Refer list of NLUs participating through CLAT for more details.

Q17. Where to contact for details about CLAT?
Ans. If you have a query about CLAT you may contact the official source:
P.O. Bag 7201, Nagarbhavi,
Bangalore - 560 072 Karnnataka, India
clat@consortiumofnlus.ac.in
08047162020
10:00 am to 05:00 pm on all working days

Q18. Are there other Colleges/Universities/Organizations which accepts CLAT Score?
Ans. Institutions/Organizations other than NLUs, who accepts CLAT Score are:

S.No.	Name Of University	S.No.	Name Of University
1	Shobhit University, NH-58, Modipuram, Meerut, U.P.	27	Gujurat Maritime University, Ahmedabad
2	RNB Global University , Bikaner, Rajasthan	28	Kirit P. Mehta School of Law, SVKM's NMIMS (Deemed-to-be-University) Mumbai
3	ISBR Law College, Bangalore	29	Bennett University, Greater Noida, NCT Region UP
4	LLOYD Law College, 11, K.P.-II, Greater Noida-201304, U.P.	30	DIRD College, Delhi
5	Glocal Law School, Glocal University Saharanpur Uttar Pradesh	31	SRM University Delhi-NCR, Sonepat
6	Indore Institute of Law, Indore	32	Geeta Institute of Law, Panipat, Delhi NCR
7	Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, AU-Block, Outer Ring Road, Pitampura, Delhi-110034	33	Maharishi Law School, Maharishi University of Information Technology, NCR Delhi
8	Xavier Law School, Xavier University, Bhubaneswar	34	NIMT Institute of Method and Law, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh
9	Amity University, U.P.	35	School of Law, Presidency University, Bengaluru
10	Law College Dehradun	36	Manipal University, Jaipur, Rajasthan
11	Alliance School of Law, Alliance University, Bangalore-562106	37	School of Law, Oriental University, Indore, Madhya Pradesh
12	Shri Vaishnav Institute of Law, Indore	38	The North Cap University, Gurugram, Haryana
13	GITAM SCHOOL OF LAW, Rushikonda, Visakhapatnam	39	Academy of Law, Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phoole University, Jaipur
14	Kalinga University, Naya Raipur, CG	40	Dr. K N Modi University, Jaipur
15	ICFAI Law School, ICFAI University, Dehradun	41	Harlal School of Law, Knowledge Park I, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh
16	Asian Law College, Noida	42	Galgotia University, Greater Noida Uttar Pradesh
17	Siddharth Law College, Dehradun	43	Shri Ram Murti Smarak College of Law, Bareilly Uttar Pradesh
18	Aryans College of Law, Punjab	44	Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur Rajasthan
19	School of Law, JIMS Engineering and Management Technical Campus Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh	45	The Raffles University, Alwar Rajasthan
20	GLA University Mathura, Uttar Pradesh	46	IFIM Law School, Bangalore
21	REVA University, Bangalore, Karnataka	47	Renaissance Law College, Indore, Madhya Pradesh
22	Unitedworld School of Law, Karnavati University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat	48	Jain University, Bangalore
23	School of Legal Studies, Mody University, Lakshmangarh Rajasthan	49	ITM University Gwalior M.P.
24	Marwadi University, Rajkot, Gujrat	50	FAIRFIELD-SCHOOL OF LAW, New Delhi
25	Institute of Law, Nirma University, Ahmedabad	51	Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Tamil Nadu
26	ICFAI University, Tripura	52	TERI School of Advanced Studies, New Delhi

CORPORATES / ORGANIZATIONS:
1. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited, Dehradun
2. THDC India Limited, Rishikesh
3. Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, Gurgaon

Q19. Are Foreign Nationals required to take CLAT for admission to any of the National Law Universities?
Ans. NO. Foreign Nationals are not permitted to write CLAT. However, there are certain NLUs which offer admission to the Foreign Nationals directly. The Foreign Nationals desirous of taking admission in any of the member National Law Universities having seats for the Foreign Nationals may directly contact the concerned Universities.

Q20. What are the entrance exams one needs to take to get admission to the top Law colleges?
Ans. The main exams in question here are the following: CLAT, AILET, SET, LSAT, Christ College and UL-SAT.

LAW, for a layman, means a system of rules and guidelines, legally enforceable. But as a profession, it means lot more and encompasses various fields such as litigation, media, advisory, academics, etc. As law incorporates diverse fields, it opens various options for law graduates. The demand for knowledgeable law graduates, with the requisite skills to handle key positions at leading organizations across diverse sectors, has surged dramatically.

With a growing economy and an increasing number of foreign firms targeting the Indian market, the requirements of legal expertise has not only increase but make LAW a very lucrative and respectable career option. Some options where you can make your career in Law are given below:-

1. LITIGATION / LITIGATOR
The traditional career path for a lawyer, is to "go into practice", or join the chambers of a senior advocate as his junior. The traditional image of a lawyer is based on this career option only but now, there is scope for specialization even in this field - some lawyers practice criminal law, some company law, some taxation, constitutional law, etc. You can choose to focus on appellate work, trial-level practice, tax consultant, civil litigation or criminal cases.

2. CORPORATE ADVISORY
You may work with a company/corporate entity as an in-house legal counsel, advising on legal matters related to its business. An In-house counsel plays an important role in drafting, scrutinizing and negotiating contracts; ensuring and monitoring compliance with rules and laws; and handling legal disputes.

• Private Sector: One may join Multi-National Corporations, Private companies, Private Banks, etc.
• Public Sector: Counsels are also required in Government Agencies, Public Sector Undertakings, Public and Nationalized banks, etc. These government organizations usually recruit lawyers through a written competitive exam followed by an interview.

3. LEGAL ANALYST in LAW FIRMS
Nowadays, a new trend has emerged where law graduates shifted from solo practice to well organized law firms, which comprise several lawyers working together as one entity. As part of a law firm, one advises clients about their legal rights as well as advise them on other legal matters and represents them in trials.

4. LEGAL PROCESS OUTSOURCING (LPO)
Legal Processing outsourcing (LPO) is the delegation of core legal functions like making first drafts of cases, compliance work, legal research, etc. by any MNC/Corporate to an External Consultancy firm called LPO. The assigned task is completed on the basis of set parameters and fixed timelines. You can become an important part of reputed MNCs by shaping a career in LPO.

5. RESEARCH & ACADEMICIA
Academics is the place where you are paid for sharing your knowledge with the young blood of the nation. There are many Law Schools in the country where thousands of students are pursuing their career in Law and for that they need some intellectual personalities who can work as a Guide, a Teacher and a Mentor for the students. This is a career that not only allows you to pursue your intellectual interests but also to work on Research Projects and also offers a wide degree of flexibility and autonomy and pays you to read, talk and think.

6. CAREER IN MEDIA AFTER LAW DEGREE
If you're curious and good at communicating, this one could be for you. As professions, both journalism and law are interconnected as they require superior research and writing skills as well as a critical knowledge of the government and the legal system. Legal journalism covers legal proceedings in courts, arbitration events, criminal matters, etc., which are disseminated to the public.

Top LAW Firms / Companies of India:
Some of the top law firms in the country are:

• Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.
• Trilegal India
• Khaitan & Co.
• Sagar Associates
• DSK Legal
• AZB & Partners
• Anand & Anand
• Vaish associate
• Phoenix Legal
• Desai & Dewanji
• J Sagar And Associates(JSA)
• S & R Associates
• Luthra and Luthra
• Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
• Talwar Thakore and Associates
• Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan

Note:

• The Seat Break-Up List is prepared as per seats allotted to NLUs in CLAT-2016.
• Reserved and Unreserved seats includes seats from All India as well as State-wise quota.
• 3% Horizontal reservation shall be applicable for Persons with Disabilities (PWD).
• Other Backward Class (OBC) seats also includes Extremely Backward Classes (EBC), Women of Backward Classes (WBC), and Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC).