CLAT Eligibility 2026: Who’s Eligible and What You Need to Qualify for LLB & LLM

If you're aiming for admission into the five-year LLB or LLM programs through CLAT 2026, it’s important to first understand the eligibility criteria. These rules lay out the required educational qualifications, minimum marks, and age limits you must meet to get into one of the National Law Universities (NLUs) in India. Interestingly, most top law colleges that accept CLAT scores follow similar guidelines for admissions.

The eligibility norms are based on the standards set by the Bar Council of India—the authority that regulates legal education and professional ethics in the country. During the CLAT counselling process, the Consortium of NLUs will carefully check each candidate's eligibility. You’ll be required to submit documents to prove that you meet all the necessary criteria.

This makes it crucial to review the CLAT 2026 eligibility conditions before filling out the application form. Ignoring this step could lead to disqualification later on, even if you’ve performed well in the exam.

Also, keep in mind that CLAT 2026 will be conducted as a traditional pen-and-paper test, and your scores will determine your admission for the academic year 2025–2026. So, make sure you’re eligible before you apply—it can save you a lot of hassle down the line.

CLAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for Undergraduate (UG) Law Programs

If you're planning to apply for a five-year integrated law course through CLAT 2026, it’s essential to understand the eligibility criteria first. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to qualify:

Educational Qualifications (As per Bar Council of India Guidelines)

To be eligible for undergraduate law programs, candidates must meet the minimum academic requirements set by the Bar Council of India (BCI). According to the BCI:

General, OBC, PwD, NRI, PIO, and OCI candidates must have scored at least 45% marks in their Class 12 (or equivalent) exams.
SC and ST candidates need to have a minimum of 40% aggregate marks in Class 12.

It’s important to note that meeting these minimum marks does not guarantee admission. It simply makes you eligible to apply. Each university or institute may have additional admission requirements or selection criteria in place.

Appearing Candidates

Students who are currently in Class 12 and are expected to take their board exams in March or April 2026 can also apply for CLAT 2026. However, they must provide proof of having passed their qualifying exam at the time of admission. Failure to submit this proof will result in disqualification, even if the CLAT score is good.

CLAT 2026 Eligibility: Age Limit (UG & PG Courses)

When it comes to age, the good news is—there’s no upper age limit for appearing in the CLAT 2026 exam.

This means candidates of any age can apply for the law entrance exam, whether they’re aiming for the five-year undergraduate law program or the postgraduate LLM course. This decision follows the Bar Council of India’s directive to remove age restrictions, allowing a broader range of aspirants to pursue legal education.

CLAT 2026 Eligibility for LLM (Postgraduate) Courses

If you're looking to pursue an LLM (Master of Law) through CLAT 2026, here are the academic requirements you need to meet:

Educational Qualifications

General, OBC, PwD, NRI, PIO, and OCI candidates must hold an LLB or equivalent law degree with at least 50% aggregate marks.
SC and ST candidates need a minimum of 45% aggregate marks in their LLB or equivalent degree.

Candidates who are in the final year of their LLB program are also eligible to apply, but they’ll need to provide proof of qualification during the admission process.

Age Criteria for LLM

Just like the undergraduate law programs, there’s no upper age limit for applying to the CLAT PG (LLM) exam. However, in cases where two or more candidates secure the same CLAT rank and marks, preference will be given to the older candidate.