CLAT Eligibility Criteria 2025: Age, Qualifications, All Details
The journey to a successful career in law begins with a single, critical step: understanding the CLAT
eligibility criteria. The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) stands as an important gateway for
thousands of aspiring legal professionals, setting the stage for a future in one of the most prestigious
and challenging professions.
Understanding the latest CLAT exam eligibility is essential for any candidate aiming to secure their
place in India’s top law universities.
At CLAT SUCCESS, India’s #1 CLAT coaching institute, we not only understand the gravity of this exam but
also the aspects involved in meeting CLAT eligibility requirements.
With a legacy of producing consistent toppers and celebrating the remarkable achievement of securing All
India Rank 1 in CLAT 2024, our insights into the CLAT exam are unmatched.
In this blog post, we will break down the various aspects of CLAT exam eligibility 2025 in simple
terms
. CLAT 2025 Exam: Highlights
Although the CLAT 2025 has now been announced officially, here’s a rough estimate of the CLAT
exam overview based on the CLAT 2024:
Particulars Details
Exam Name CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)
Exam Conducting Body Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs)
Frequency of Exam Once a year
CLAT 2025 Exam Date To be announced
Exam Level National-level Exam
Exam Purpose
Admission to UG and PG Law courses offered at the participating NLUs
Admission to Private and Self-financed Colleges
PSU recruitment for legal positions
Application Fees
₹4000 for General/OBC Category
₹3500 Reserved Categories
Application Mode Online
Mode of Exam Offline
Question Paper Language English
Exam Duration 2 hours
Total Marks 120
Number of Seats
UG program – more than 3,000 seats
PG program – around 1,000 seats
Official Website consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
Overview of CLAT Exam Eligibility 2025
Before filling out the CLAT 2025 application form, applicants must carefully read the eligibility criteria
to determine whether they will fulfill the eligibility norms. The highlights for the CLAT eligibility
criteria for 2025 are as given below:
Criteria Details Educational Qualification
– Completed 10+2 or equivalent examination from a recognized board.
– Candidates appearing for 10+2 exams in the exam year are also eligible.
Minimum Marks
– General/OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI: 45% in 10+2.
– SC/ST: 40% in 10+2.
CLAT Age Limit
No upper age limit
Nationality
– Open to Indian Nationals, NRIs, PIOs, and OCIs.
– Foreign nationals need not take CLAT for admission.
Reservation Policy
As per the rules of participating universities and the government.
Number of Attempts Candidates can take this exam multiple times.
Documentation
Proof of qualification, ID proof, caste/disability certificates (if applicable), and other relevant
documents as per the admission requirements.
CLAT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025
The following are the eligibility for CLAT UG exam:
Eligibility for CLAT:
Nationality
The majority of candidates who take the CLAT UG exam are Indian citizens. They must fulfill all other
eligibility criteria for CLAT such as educational qualifications and minimum marks.
NRIs are eligible to apply for the CLAT exam. This allows Indian citizens residing abroad to seek admission
to law universities in India.
Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) can also appear for CLAT. They are treated
on par with Indian nationals for the purpose of admission to institutions that accept CLAT scores.
Documentation and Proof
Proof of Nationality: Candidates must possess valid documents proving their nationality, such as a
passport for Indian citizens, NRI, PIO, or OCI cardholders.
Verification Process: During the admission process, candidates are required to present these
documents for verification purposes.
Points to Note No Preference in Scoring: Nationality does not influence the scoring or ranking in CLAT. All candidates
are evaluated based on their performance in the exam.
CLAT Eligibility: Education & Qualifications
Here’s a detailed explanation of the educational qualification required for the CLAT Undergraduate
(UG) program:
Basic Requirement
Candidates must have completed their 10+2 or equivalent examination. This means they should have
successfully passed their Class 12 exams from a recognized board or educational institution.
Stream of Study
There is no restriction regarding the stream of study in the 10+2 level. Students from any
stream – Science, Commerce, or Arts – are eligible to appear for the CLAT UG exam.
Minimum Marks in 10+2 General Category, OBC, Especially Abled Persons (SAP), NRI, PIO, and OCI candidates:
They need to score a minimum of 45% marks in aggregate in their 10+2 or equivalent examination.
SC/ST candidates: They are required to score at least 40% marks in aggregate in their 10+2 or
equivalent examination.
Appearing Candidates
Candidates who are appearing in their 10+2 or equivalent examination in the same year as the CLAT
exam can also apply.
However, they must produce proof of passing the qualifying examination at the time of admission.
Failure to provide this evidence may result in disqualification.
Board Recognition
The school board from which the candidate has completed their 10+2 education must be recognized
by the central or state government or equivalent authority.
Foreign Education
Candidates who have completed their 10+2 education abroad or from a board not recognized in India
must produce equivalence certificates from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
This detailed breakdown of the educational qualification for CLAT UG emphasizes the inclusivity of
the exam, allowing students from diverse educational backgrounds to pursue a career in law.
It’s important for candidates to ensure they meet CLAT 2025 eligibility criteria to avoid any
complications during the admission process.
CLAT Age Eligibility
There is no upper age limit for candidates wishing to appear for the CLAT UG exam. This means that
aspirants of any age who have completed their 10+2 or equivalent examination can apply for CLAT.
However, they meet the other eligibility criteria for CLAT, such as educational qualifications and
minimum percentage requirements.
CLAT Exam Eligibility: Documents
For the CLAT admission process, candidates are required to present various documents for
verification. These documents are crucial to confirm their CLAT exam eligibility based on the criteria
set by the consortium.
1. Proof of Identity
Passport, Aadhar Card, or Driving License: Any government-issued identity document that includes
the candidate’s photograph and details.
2. Educational Qualification Certificates
Class 10 Certificate: For date of birth verification.
Class 12 Marksheet and Certificate (or equivalent): To prove fulfilment of the minimum educational
qualification for UG candidates.
Graduation Certificate and Marksheet (if applicable): For PG candidates, proof of completing an
LL. B or equivalent degree.
3. Reservation Category Certificates (if applicable)
Caste Certificate: For candidates claiming reservation under SC/ST/OBC categories.
Economically Weaker Section (EWS) Certificate: If applicable.
Disability Certificate: For candidates claiming reservation under the PWD (Persons with Disabilities)
category.
4. NRI/OCI/PIO Documentation (if applicable)
Relevant documents proving NRI/OCI/PIO status for candidates applying under these categories.
5. Domicile Certificate (if required)
Some universities require a domicile certificate for admission under state quota.
6. Recent Passport Size Photographs
Typically, a few recent color passport size photographs are required.
7. CLAT Application Form and Admit Card
Printout of the completed CLAT application form and the admit card used during the
examination.
8. Scorecard or Rank Letter
The CLAT scorecard or rank letter issued post the examination.
9. Character Certificate
Issued by the last attended school or college.
10. Migration and Conduct Certificate
If applicable, from the last attended school or college.
11. Gap Year Affidavit (if applicable)
For candidates who have taken a gap year(s), a sworn affidavit explaining the gap period.
Important Notes:
Originals and Copies: Candidates are generally required to bring both original documents and a set of
photocopies for submission.
Verification Process: These documents are verified during the counselling process or at the time of
admission.
University-Specific Requirements: Some universities might have additional or specific document
requirements. It’s important to check individual university guidelines.
Keep Documents Updated: Ensure that all documents are valid and up-to-date.
Candidates should meet the CLAT exam eligibility criteria and prepare these documents well in
advance to avoid any last-minute issues. It’s crucial to stay informed about any changes in
the document requirements by regularly checking the official CLAT consortium website or
university-specific admission guidelines.
CLAT PG Eligibility 2025
The CLAT exam offers admissions to national and NRI students in the PG program provided by the
NLUs and other private institutes that accept CLAT scores.
Criteria Details
Educational Qualification
Must hold an LL.B degree or equivalent from a recognized university. Candidates in the final year of
their LL.B degree are also eligible.
Minimum Marks
– General/OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI: 50% in LL.B degree.
– SC/ST: 45% in LL.B degree.
CLAT Age Limit No upper age limit.
Nationality Open to Indian Nationals, NRIs, PIOs, and OCIs. Foreign nationals can apply directly
to universities.
Reservation Policy As per the rules of the participating universities and the government.
Documentation Degree certificates, mark sheets, ID proof, caste/disability certificates (if applicable),
and other relevant documents as required.
Check out the CLAT LLM eligibility in detail below:
Eligibility for CLAT PG: Nationality
Applicants who are Indian Nationals, NRIs (Non-Resident Indians), OCIs (Overseas Citizens of India),
and PIOs (Persons of Indian Origin) are eligible for the CLAT exam in 2025, provided they meet the
specified CLAT PG requirements.
Foreign nationals are also permitted to apply for the CLAT 2025 exam but must possess a valid
passport.
Eligibility for CLAT PG: Academic Qualifications
Candidates appearing for the CLAT PG program should have a valid bachelor’s degree of 3 or 5 years
in Law or any equivalent exam. The cut-off marks vary depending on the category:
For OBC /Unreserved/ Especially abled Persons (SAP) and other categories, at least 50% marks
are required.
For the SC/ ST category, at least 45% marks are required.
Candidates appearing for CLAT should submit the final result of the qualifying exam within the time
limit prescribed by the concerned University or institute. Until then, they are given provisional admission.
Eligibility for CLAT PG: Age Limit
There’s no specified CLAT age limit for appearing in PG CLAT 2025 and pursuing an LLM course in
national law universities.
Recent Updates on Eligibility of the CLAT Exam
The authority did not change CLAT exam eligibility for 2024, so candidates appearing in the upcoming
CLAT exam 2025 can expect the same eligibility. However, the Consortium has altered the CLAT exam
eligibility listed below:
Applicants can apply for the Common Law Admission Test regardless of age.
No limits on the number of attempts.
In addition to Indian nationals, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign national candidates are also eligible for
CLAT.
CLAT eligibility criteria for 2025 will be verified officially during counselling and the final admission
round. Officials will check minutely whether you have fulfilled all the CLAT eligibility parameters.
Eligibility for CLAT: Tie-breaker
When 2 or more candidates score the same in CLAT 2025, NLUs will use the process mentioned
below to break the tie –
Tie-breaker Round for CLAT UG
So, when the condition appears:
Candidates with higher grades in legal reasoning get ranked higher in the selection process.
After a second tie, the older candidate gets priority over the other.
A computerized drawing of lots determines how the candidates are ranked if a tie cannot be broken
in the first round.
Tie-breaker Round for CLAT PG
For CLAT PG, the following points are considered to break the tie:
Age of the candidate
Computerised draws
Eligibility for CLAT: Application Form
CLAT 2025 application forms will be out soon. Candidates can follow the guidelines below for more
help filling out the application form:
Register and create a CLAT login to access the application form. To register, provide details like –
name, contact number, email id, and password.
Once registered, complete the CLAT application form. Upload passport-size photo, signature,
personal details, communication details, and educational qualifications.
Select the NLUs based on the preference and the preferred 3 exam centres.
Provide reservation details and submit the CLAT application form if applicable.
After submitting the CLAT Application Form, pay the registration fees online via Credit/ debit/ UPI or
Net Banking.
Following the above, candidates can fill out their applications with the eligibility requirements.
However, candidates must thoroughly understand the eligibility requirements before applying for the
exam. Verify all the correct details, as there’s no other chance to edit the application form.
Eligibility for CLAT: Overseas Students
For CLAT 2025, overseas students, including Indian Nationals, NRIs, PIO, and OCI holders, must meet
specific eligibility criteria. Candidates can check the following:
Candidates applying through NRI, NRI sponsored, or the Foreign National Category need to contact
their university authority for CLAT exam eligibility 2025 regarding required documents and other
queries related to the NRI Quota.
Candidates applying for the NRI category should appear for CLAT 2025 for those NLUs that require
this exam as an admission requirement for this category.
The CLAT exam authority will be responsible for shortlisting the applicants as per the official
updates on the CLAT eligibility criteria.
Documents Required for NRI Candidates
Check the below points to know the mandatory documents for the NRI candidates according to CLAT
eligibility:
Copy of the Valid Indian Passport of the candidate
Copy of Visa obtained in the last 12 months
Certificate from the local embassy mentioning that the individual is an NRI/OCI or PIO Card
Eligibility for CLAT: Sponsors for NRI Candidates
Individuals interested in sponsoring the candidates for CLAT must have a first-degree relationship
with the candidates and shall reside abroad as an NRI.
Candidates with no parents/ near relatives/ are taken as a ward by another nearest relative, then
such candidates may also be considered for admission per the official CLAT eligibility 2025.
Documents Required for Sponsored NRI Candidates
Following are the essential documents required for the sponsored NRI candidates according to
the official CLAT eligibility 2025:
Sponsor’s copy of the valid Indian passport.
The sponsor obtained a copy of the visa in the last 12 months.
The local embassy certificate stating that the sponsor is an OCI/NRI or PIO Card.
The sponsor’s affidavit indicates an interest in the candidate’s education and a
willingness to fund it for the next five years.
Critical Points for Eligibility Criteria for CLAT 2025
Below is an overview of the important points regarding CLAT eligibility:
Candidates failing to meet CLAT 2025 eligibility criteria will be disqualified automatically, although
they have cleared the exam. They must be well-versed with all the CLAT eligibility details prescribed
by the NLU Consortium.
To be eligible for counselling, candidates appearing in the qualifying exam must secure the minimum
required marks.
Candidates must submit all the necessary documents for the qualifying examination and the mark sheet
/certificate during counselling. Failure to do so will instantly cancel the candidature.
Those candidates applying under the reserved category must submit all the necessary documents supporting
their claim.
Why Meet CLAT Eligibility Criteria?
Meeting the eligibility criteria for CLAT is crucial for several reasons:
1. Entry Requirement for Law Schools
CLAT eligibility criteria 2025 serve as the basic filter for admission to prestigious law schools in India.
Failing to meet these criteria automatically disqualifies a candidate, regardless of their performance
in the exam.
These criteria provide a standardized way to assess the readiness of candidates for legal education.
2. Legal and Ethical Compliance
Fulfilling the CLAT 2025 eligibility criteria is a matter of complying with the rules and regulations
set by the CLAT consortium. It reflects a candidate’s respect for legal and ethical standards.
Non-compliance can lead to disqualification or legal challenges, potentially impacting a student’s entire
academic and professional trajectory.
3. Foundation for Legal Education
The criteria, especially CLAT educational qualifications, ensure that candidates have a foundational
level of knowledge and skills necessary for advanced legal studies.
Certain CLAT eligibility criteria like educational qualifications and age ensure that candidates possess
the maturity and intellectual capability required for the rigors of law school.
4. Fairness and Equality
CLAT exam eligibility criteria ensure that all candidates are evaluated on a common ground, maintaining
fairness in the admission process.
By adhering to these criteria, law schools can select candidates purely based on merit, skill, and potential.
5. Future Legal Career
Meeting eligibility for CLAT exam is the first step in a career where adherence to standards and
regulations is paramount.