Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a non-statutory body created under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the convenience of the students seeking admission to various National Law Universities in the country. An entrance test is conducted to provide a list of candidates on the basis of ‘merit-cum-preference’ to each University for admission to their Under-Graduate (UG)/ Post-Graduate (PG) programmes, as per the eligibility, reservation and other criteria laid down under the respective statutes of the participating Universities.

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), is an all India common entrance examination, conducted on rotational basis by 18 National Law Universities (NLUs) for admissions to their UG and PG degree programmes. The 18 participating NLUs in the order of their year of establishment are:

• National Law School of India University, Bangalore (NLSIU)
• *National Academy of Legal Study & Research University of Law, Hyderabad (NALSAR)
• *National Law Institute University, Bhopal (NLIU)
• The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata (WBNUJS)
• National Law University, Jodhpur (NLUJ)
• Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur (HNLU)
• Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar (GNLU)
• Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow (RMLNLU)
• Rajiv Gandhi National Law University, Patiala (RGNUL)
• Chanakya National Law University, Patna (CNLU)
• National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi (NUALS)
• National Law University Odisha, Cuttack (NLUO)
• National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi (NUSRL)
• National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam, Guwahati (NLUJAA)
• Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Visakhapatnam (DSNLU)
• Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirappalli (TNNLS)
• Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai (MNLU)
• Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur (MNLU)

Note:- *Pursuant to the directions passed by the Honourable High Court of Madhya Pradesh in W.P. No. 17936/16, the serial number of year of establishment of National Academy of Legal Study and Research (NALSAR) University of Law, Hyderabad and The National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal inter se is subject to the decision of the Legal Education Committee of the Bar Council of India in that respect.

The first CLAT Core Committee consisting of Vice-Chancellors of seven participating NLUs decided that a Common Entrance Test shall be conducted by all the participating Universities on rotational basis in the order of their year of establishment. Accordingly, the first Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) was conducted in the year 2008. Presently there are 18 NLUs participating in CLAT and following the policy of rotation, the Tenth Common Law Admission Test (CLAT – 2017) shall be conducted by Chanakya National Law University, Patna.

Eligibility UG Programme
Under-Graduate Programme offered by the National Law Universities The eighteen NLUs offer five-year integrated Under-Graduate Law Courses leading to the award of a degree in Law as per their respective nomenclature.

Eligibility Criteria for UG Programme in CLAT-2017

• • Candidates shall be below Twenty (20) Years of age as on 1st July 2017 in case of all Unreserved/NRIs/NRI Sponsored categories candidates.
  • Candidates shall be below Twenty Two (22) years of age as on 1st July 2017 in case of SC/ST/ OBC/Specially Abled Persons (SAP) category candidates.
• As regards minimum percentage of marks in qualifying examination (i.e., 10+2), the candidates must have secured:
  
  • Forty five percent (45%) marks in case of candidates belonging to Unreserved / OBC / Specially Abled Persons (SAP) and other categories, and
  • Forty Percent (40%) marks in case of candidates belonging to SC/ST categories.
• Candidates who are appearing in the qualifying examination in March/April 2017 are also eligible for appearing in CLAT-2017 online examination. However, they shall be required to produce an evidence of their passing the qualifying examination at the time of admission, failing which they shall lose their right to be considered for admission.
• The result of qualifying examination (i.e., 10+2) shall be submitted by the candidate at the time of admission failing which the candidate shall be ineligible for admission to the Course.
• In case of equal marks, the breaking of tie shall be by the following procedure and order as under:
  
  • Higher marks in the section of legal aptitude in CLAT-2017 exam.
  • Higher age.
  • Computerised draw of lots.

Eligibility PG Programme
Post-Graduate Programme offered by the National Law Universities.

The information pertaining to the LL.M. Degree Course offered at various NLUs along with the course duration and the specializations offered has been provided in detail under the respective sections of each University’s website and information brochure. The candidates are advised to check the websites of the respective Universities from time to time to keep themselves updated with any change in the course structure or other details.

Eligibility Criteria for appearing in CLAT-2017 for PG Programme:

• The candidates must have Minimum percentage of marks in qualifying examination (i.e. LL.B./Five-Year Integrated LL.B. (Hons.)/ any other equivalent exam) as under:
  
  • Fifty five percent (55%) marks in case of candidates belonging to Unreserved / OBC / Specially Abled Persons (SAP) and other categories, and
  • Fifty percent (50%) marks in case of candidates belonging to SC/ST category
• The candidate must have passed / appeared in the final semester/final year examination of the qualifying examination on the date of his/her admission.
• In case of candidate who has appeared in the qualifying examination, he/she may submit his/her final result of qualifying examination within the time frame prescribed by the respective University / Institute. Till then such candidates may be given provisional admission.
• In case of equal marks, the breaking of tie shall be by procedure and order as under:
  
  • Higher age;
  • Computerized draw of lots.
• No upper age limit is prescribed for appearing in CLAT-2017

The admission to UG and PG programme in participating universities under CLAT-2017 shall be completed through online centralised counselling conducted by CLAT Office. The basis of allotment of seats shall be ‘merit-cum-preference.’ That is, CLAT Rank and order of preference given by the candidate in the CLAT application form. Online counselling shall start after the declaration of CLAT-2017 results. The entire procedure shall be completed as per the CLAT calendar which is available on CLAT website.

The stepwise procedure for admission which shall be adopted by CLAT Office after declaration of result for admission is as follows:

STEP 1
Publication of first indicative list based on merit cum preference
The University-wise First Indicative List based on merit-cum-preference will be published on CLAT website.

STEP 2
Payment of counselling fee & exercising of option by provisionally selected candidates:

• A specified number of candidates from various categories will be allowed to participate in the counselling process against actual number of seats available with participating NLUs.
• The provisionally selected candidates must deposit the requisite counselling fee of Rs. 50,000/- with CLAT-2017 Office.
• The adjustable counselling fee of Rs. 50,000/- deposited with the CLAT office will be transferred to the respective participating NLUs where the candidate has finally taken admission after the completion of the entire admission process.
• The candidates failing to deposit the requisite counselling fee through the CLAT website by the specified date will lose their right to be considered for admission under CLAT-2017 and their names will be dropped from the CLAT-2017 merit list.
• The candidates have to reserve their seats after paying the counselling fee by the above said procedure prescribed in counselling guidelines given on the CLAT-2017 website.

STEP 3
Publication of second list having the names of finalized candidates after payment of counselling fee and additional waitlisted candidates

• The CLAT office shall publish a second list of candidates who have paid their counselling fee and reserved their seats in the participating NLUs.
• A list of waitlisted candidates will also be released in the second list who are provisionally selected against dropped out candidates, if any.
• The additional candidates are also required to pay the requisite counselling fee of Rs. 50,000/- and reserve their seats within the prescribed time period as per the CLAT-2017 calendar.

STEP 4
Publication of third list allotting seats to candidates

• The CLAT office shall publish a comprehensive third allotment list of candidates who have paid their counselling fee and reserved their seats in the participating NLUs.
• The comprehensive list shall include the names of the candidates who have paid the counselling fee against the first and second indicative lists.
• A list of waitlisted candidates will also be released along with the third allotment list who are provisionally selected against the dropped out candidates
• These waitlisted candidates are also required to pay the requisite counselling fee and reserve their seats within the prescribed time period as per the CLAT-2017 calendar.

STEP 5
Publication of fourth list allotting seats to candidates

• The provisionally selected candidates can withdraw from the admission process within stipulated time as per the CLAT-2017 calendar. Nominal fee of Rs. 10,000/- will be deducted from the deposited counselling fee.
• Any withdrawal after the stipulated period will result in forfeiture of entire amount of counselling fee.
• The CLAT office shall publish a comprehensive fourth allotment list of candidates who have paid their counselling fee and reserved their seats in the participating NLUs.
• The comprehensive list shall include the names of the candidates who have paid the counselling fee against the first, second and third indicative lists.
• The candidates whose names appear in the fourth list and who have not deposited the counselling fee of Rs. 50,000/- are required to pay full fee to the allotted NLUs at the time of admission.

The details of the application fee are given below.

The application fee is nonrefundable.

Category	Application Fee*
SC/ST Category	₹ 3,500/-
Unreserved / SAP / OBC / any other category	₹ 4,000/-

*The application fee can be paid either Online, Additional bank charges may apply for the above transactions.

Online Payment Mode:

• Candidate chooses to pay through online payment mode.
• Candidate will get two options ‘Pay through Debit/Credit Card’ or ‘Net banking’
• From the CLAT Online Application Interface, you will be redirected to a bank you choose.
• You will have to login with your bank’s Net banking (or Internet Banking) user ID and password.
• The fee amount and bank charges will be shown to you, and you have to confirm that the payment is for CLAT- 2017.
• Candidate has to bear the transaction charges. The charges may vary depending on the payment option.
• Once you confirm, you will be redirected back to the CLAT Online Application Interface.