CLAT 2021 Syllabus, Exam Pattern – For UG, PG (Download PDF)

CLAT 2021 Syllabus – The syllabus for CLAT 2021 exam has been published by the Consortium of NLUs. Separate syllabi are available for CLAT-UG 2021 and CLAT-PG 2021. Candidates who appear in relevant Common Law Admission Test can refer the CLAT syllabus and exam pattern 2021 here and prepare as per it. One should also take mock tests and solve sample papers, previous year question papers in order to get top scores. Get the entire CLAT syllabus 2021 here as text and also downloadable PDF document. The exam is being held for admission to 22 NLUs.

CLAT 2021 Syllabus

Consortium of National Law Universities, the exam conducting body of CLAT 2021, has released the syllabus at consortiumofnlus.ac.in. You can download the entire syllabus and guide as PDF here.

CLAT-UG 2021	Click here to download CLAT UG Syllabus 2021
CLAT-PG 2021	Click here to download CLAT PG Syllabus 2021

You can also read the entire syllabus here.

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CLAT UG Syllabus 2021

In the UG-CLAT, the questions are asked from the following subjects- (1) English, (2) Current Affairs including general knowledge, (3) Legal reasoning, (4) Logical reasoning, and (5) Quantitative techniques. Students can check out the complete detailed syllabus and pattern of the exam below. 

(1) English Syllabus

This section comprises of short passages (approx 450 words) each which are contemporary, fictional or non-fictional based. The syllabus of English section will be that of Class 12 level, students can read in 5-7 minutes. These passages are followed by a series of questions that focus checks the language and comprehension skills of the candidates, the topics for the same are as follows.

• Read the main points discussed in the passage, view points and arguments set out in the passage.
• You have to draw inferences and conclusions based on passage.
• You will be asked to summarise the passage.
• Compare the arguments set out in the passage.
• You need to understand the phrases and words used in the passage.

(2) Current Affairs including General Knowledge

In this section, candidates are given with a short passage of 450 words (approx) followed by a series of questions. The passage is mostly politically/news- based, or non-fictional. Here the candidate has to draw the legal knowledge from the passage. Candidates should be rest assured that no question of law / legal information will be asked beyond what is given in the passage. The questions can be derived from the following topics.

• Arts and Culture
• International Affair
• Contemporary events of significance from India and the world
• Historical Events of continuing significance

(3) Legal Reasoning

This section comprises of short passages of 450 words followed by a series of questions based on the facts and scenarios related to the legal issues, policy questions etc. Candidates must have a good knowledge of law like general awareness of contemporary legal and moral issues. You do not need a prior knowledge of Law. Candidates have to apply general principles or propositions to the the following scenarios.

• You will have to apply rules and principals to the fact and situations.
• Candidates have to understand how changes to rules and regulations that might alter the situations.
• You have to understand rules and principals set out in the passage.

(4) Logical Reasoning

The CLAT logical reasoning section comprises of short passages of 300 words followed by a series of questions. Candidates have to understand, recognize and draw arguments and conclusions from the passage. The following type of questions might be asked.

• First candidates have to  identify the arguments and come out with premises and conclusions
• Read and identify the arguments in the passage.
• You have to critically analyse the patterns and how conclusions depend on the evidences.
• You have to infer what follows from the passage and how to apply new situations.
• Candidates have to draw relationships and analogies and assess the effectiveness of arguments.

(5) Quantitative Techniques

This section comprises the short sets of facts and proportions, graphs, and other textual, pictorial representation of the numerical information followed by a series of questions. Candidates have to derive information from the passages, graphs and apply mathematical operations on such information. The questions are often derived from the following topics.

• You will have to derive, infer and manipulate the numerical information in passages, graphs and representations.
• Candidates will have to use 10th standard mathematical operations like basic algebra, mensuration and ratios and proportions and statistical estimation.

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CLAT PG Syllabus 2021

In the PG-CLAT, there will be two sections. However, the General Body of the Consortium of National Law Universities has decided this year no descriptive section in PG CLAT 2021. So, MCQ Section has 120 questions. The paper shall be includes questions from the mandatory topics / subjects in UG programme like:

• Constitutional Law
• Jurisprudence
• Administrative Law
• Law of Contract
• Torts
• Family Law
• Criminal Law
• Property Law
• Company Law
• Public International Law
• Tax Law
• Environmental Law
• Labour & Industrial Law

Section 1: Objective Section

• Questions shall be provided as extracts from primary legal materials like – court decisions in various fields of law, statutes or regulations.
• These questions shall demand candidates to demonstrate – ability to read and comprehend the issues, Awareness of the issues discussed in the passage, Summarise the passage, and Ability to apply your knowledge of the fields of law.

Candidates who secure 40% in objective Section, only qualify for evaluation of descriptive section. In case of SC / ST candidates the cut off percentage is 35%.

Section 2: Descriptive Section (This year not applicable)

• In this section, candidates have to write an essay that should answer any 2 questions from the provided list in the question paper.
• The answer of the candidate must not exceed 800 words each.
• The essay must demonstrate – Awareness of the legal, factual, and philosophical issues and Ability to structure your answer, and clearly set out various arguments and perspectives related to the topic.

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Recommended Books for CLAT Exam

Candidates can check the list of the best books that are recommended by the CLAT 2020 toppers. 

English Language

Name of Books	Links to Purchase
Word power made easy	Buy Here
High school English grammar and composition by Wren and Martin	Buy Here
Objective General English by R.S Agarwal	Buy Here
Six weeks by Wilfred Funk	Buy Here
Better English by Norman Lewis	Buy Here

Logical Reasoning

Name of Books	Links to Purchase
Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S Agarwal	Buy Here
Analytical reasoning book by M.K Pandey	Buy Here
Logical reasoning by Arun Sharma	Buy Here

Legal Reasoning

Name of Books	Links to Purchase
The Constitution of India: Miracle, Surrender, Hope by Rajeev Dhavan	Buy Here
Thinking Like a Lawyer (A New Introduction To Legal Reasoning) by Frederick Schauer	Buy Here
A People’s Constitution – by Rohit De	Buy Here
Vision for a Nation: Paths and Perspectives by former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh (launched in Feb 2020	Buy Here

Quantitative Techniques

Name of Books	Links to Purchase
Data interpretation by R.S Agarwal	Buy Here
NCERT Books from class 6th to 10th	Buy Here

Current Affairs including General Knowledge

• There is no better source than news papers. Read the following:
• Hindu and Indian Express Newspaper
• Press Information bureau

Recommended Books for CLAT PG 2021

Some of the best CLAT PG books are as follows:

Name of Books	Links to Purchase
Bare Acts	Buy Here
Jurisprudence and Legal Theory by Dr, V. D. Mahajan	Buy Here
Constitutional Law of India by Dr JN Pandey	Buy Here
Ascent’s law Guide for LLM Entrance by Dr Ashok K Jain	Buy Here

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CLAT 2021 Exam Pattern

To bag good marks in the CLAT examination, you need to read and understand the exam pattern thoroughly.

For Undergraduate

Mode of Test: It is held in CBT Mode.

Duration: The exam is for 2 hours.

Number of Questions: There are 150 MCQ type questions.

Marking Scheme: 1 mark is added for correct answers and 0.25 is deducted for wrong answers.

Distribution of Questions: The number of sections is as follows.

Name of Subject	Number of Questions ( Approx.)
English Language	28-32, roughly 20% of the paper
Current Affairs, including General Knowledge	35-39, roughly 25% of the paper
Legal Reasoning	35-39, roughly 25% of the paper
Logical Reasoning	28-32, roughly 20% of the paper
Quantitative Techniques	13-17, roughly 10% of the paper

For Post Graduate

Number of Questions: There are 120 MCQ type questions.

Total Marks: 120 marks

Duration: The exam is for 2 hours.

Subjective Questions: There will be 2 Essay type questions of 25 marks each.

Negative Marking: There will be deduction of 0.25 marks.

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CLAT 2021 Previous Year Question Papers

You can download CLAT 2021 previous year question papers for preparation purposes.

Year	Link to Download
2020	Download Here
2019	Download Here
2018	Download Here
2017	Download Here
2016	Download Here

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How to Prepare for CLAT Exam?

Candidates who have successfully submitted the CLAT 2021 Application Form can access the learning platform provided by the CLNU. The organization uploads various study materials, sample papers, instructional materials and exercises for each section. Here are some preparation tips for the candidates to prepare for the CLAT LLM/LLB examination. 

• Candidates must go through the sample papers provided by the CLNU properly. This will help the candidate to understand the exam pattern and level of the questions asked in the exam.
• Stay updated with the current events, news. Candidates must make a habit of reading the newspaper regularly.
• Make notes of the topics that you find difficult to understand. 
• Take regular mock tests to improve your accuracy to attempt the questions.
• Practice grammar daily to improve vocabulary.
• Candidates must be aware of the historical case law and amendments related to the law topics.
• Also, we advise the applicants to practise writing essays with a clear presentation of issues, factual matters, arguments, and conclusions. 

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CLAT 2021 Syllabus FAQs