CLAT 2027 Registration Open: Key Dates, Fees & Process

It’s officially on. The Consortium of National Law Universities has kicked off the registration window for CLAT 2027India, marking the start of another grueling cycle for thousands of aspiring lawyers across the country. While the exam is labeled “2027,” the entire process—registration, testing, and initial results—will actually take place in late 2026.

Here’s the thing that catches many students off guard: you’re applying now for a seat in the 2027–28 academic session. The application portal opened on August 1, 2026, and stays open until October 31, 2026. Miss this window, and you’ll be waiting another year to compete for those coveted spots at India’s top legal institutions.

The Timeline You Can’t Afford to Miss

Let’s get the dates straight because there’s some noise out there. According to detailed guides from BML Munjal University and LawPrep Tutorial, the official notification dropped on July 20, 2026. From there, the clock started ticking.

• Application Window: August 1, 2026 – October 31, 2026
• Admit Card Release: Third week of November 2026
• Exam Date: December 6, 2026 (tentative)
• Answer Key Release: December 8–9, 2026
• Objection Window: December 9–11, 2026
• Final Results: Third week of December 2026

Some sources, like KnowledgeNation, suggest a broader registration period stretching into November 2026, but sticking to the October 31 deadline is the safest bet. Why risk it? The competition is fierce, with over 75,000 students typically showing up each year.

How Much Will It Cost?

Money talks, even in education. The application fee structure has two main slabs, though there’s slight variation in how different categories are classified by various educational portals.

Generally, candidates falling under General, OBC, NRI, or OCI categories will pay ₹4,000. For those in SC, ST, or BPL categories, the fee drops to ₹3,500. Interestingly, Person with Disability (PwD) candidates see mixed classifications—some sources list them at ₹4,000, while others, like GRAD Hitbullseye, place them in the lower ₹3,500 bracket. Payment is online only via debit/credit cards, UPI, or net banking. And yes, these fees are non-refundable.

Step-by-Step: Cracking the Application Process

The good news? It’s all digital. No printing, no mailing. Just log in to the Consortium’s official website and follow the steps. But don’t rush through it. A single typo can cause headaches later.

1. Register First: Click the “CLAT 2027” link, enter your name, mobile number, and email. You’ll get an OTP to verify your identity.
2. Fill the Details: Log in with your new credentials. Enter personal info exactly as it appears on your 10+2 certificates. This includes date of birth, gender, and parent/guardian names.
3. Academic History: Input your board name, passing year, and marks. If you’re currently appearing for Class 12, select the “Appearing” option.
4. Choose Your Cities: Pick three test center preferences. Think about travel logistics early.
5. Upload Documents: This is where people stumble. Ensure your photo and signature are in JPEG/PNG format, between 100–500 KB. Category certificates must be PDFs under 1.5 MB.
6. Pay Up: Complete the transaction and download the confirmation page. Screenshot it too. Digital footprints matter.

What’s Inside the Exam?

Forget multiple-choice quizzes; this is high-stakes testing. CLAT 2027 will be conducted offline—pen and paper—in English. The exam lasts 120 minutes and features 120 questions.

Scoring is straightforward but punishing for guessers. Each correct answer earns +1 mark. However, every wrong answer deducts 0.25 marks. There’s no partial credit. With roughly 3,000 seats for undergraduate courses and 1,000 for postgraduate programs, precision matters more than volume.

Eligibility is flexible regarding age—there’s no upper limit. For UG courses, you just need to have passed (or be appearing for) Class 12. PG applicants need an LLB degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST candidates).