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CLAT Exam Pattern 2026 contains essential details such as the exam mode, the total number of questions, the marking scheme, etc. The CLAT paper pattern has five sections, English Language, Logical Reasoning, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. National Law University (NLU) has prescribed the CLAT 2026 new pattern.
Students are recommended to thoroughly review the CLAT pattern 2026 before beginning with the CLAT 2026 preparation. As per the recent CLAT 2026 notification, the CLAT question paper 2026 for admission to UG courses in the academic year 2026-25 will have 120 questions instead of 150 as in previous years.
There will be about 120 questions in the CLAT UG exam. CLAT new pattern is announced, giving a thorough understanding of primary subjects, sectional weightage, marking scheme, and other vital features.
Practice Now: CLAT Previous Years Question Papers
CLAT Exam Pattern 2026 for UG
CLAT exam pattern 2026 for the UG course includes 5 CLAT subjects, English Language, General Knowledge, Legal Aptitude, Quants, and Logical Reasoning. The CLAT exam total marks for the UG course is 120.
The key features of CLAT exam pattern 2026 are given in the table below:
| Exam Mode | Offline (as per the Official Notification) |
|---|---|
| Type of Questions | MCQs and Comprehensions |
| Total Number of Questions | 150 |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes |
| Medium of Question Paper | English |
| CLAT Negative Marking | Applicable |
| Sections | English Language Current Affairs & General Knowledge Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning Quantitative Techniques |
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CLAT 2026 UG Sectional Weightage
As discussed earlier the CLAT exam pattern 2026 consists of five subjects/ sections. Each section will have passages of 400-450 words from which multiple-choice queries will be asked. Each section has a different number of questions and weightage attached to it.
The expected sectional weightage of CLAT UG 2026 exam is as follows.
| Section | Number of Questions | Weightage (%) |
| English Language | 28 - 32 | 20 % |
| Current Affairs (including GK) | 35 - 39 | 25 % |
| Legal Reasoning | 35 - 39 | 25 % |
| Logical Reasoning | 28 - 32 | 20 % |
| Quantitative Techniques | 13 - 17 | 10 % |
| Total | 150 | 100 % |
Read More: CLAT Important Topics Weightage 2026
CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern - Key Details
CLAT 2026 new pattern details include the CLAT exam pattern, CLAT marks distribution, and many more factors, which have been shared below for the candidates.
CLAT exam Question Type:
- As per the exam pattern, CLAT 2026 will have multiple choice-type questions that will be asked from comprehension passages.
Comprehension Passages and Questions:
- There will be a total of 150 objective-type questions divided into five sections.
- A series of MCQs will follow each comprehension passage in CLAT 2026.
- Candidates will have to answer the questions by reading the passages.
CLAT 2026 Marking Scheme:
- Each question in CLAT 2026 carries one mark.
- A negative mark of one per question will also be applicable in case of incorrect answers.
- Unattempted questions will not have any negative marking.
Must Read: Do's and Don'ts for CLAT 2026
CLAT Exam Pattern Analysis 2026
There are many questions in the CLAT syllabus 2026 and exam pattern, and the exam's type varies subject and section-wise. The CLAT exam pattern 2026 analysis of all CLAT subjects is stated below.
- English: Candidates will be required to respond to inquiries about the paragraph. Candidates will be given comprehension passages from recent or influential fiction and non-fiction works, each around 450 words long.
- Quantitative Techniques: Short lists of assertions or facts, graphs, or other written, visual, or diagrammatic representations of numerical data will be presented in this part, followed by a string of questions.
- Logical Reasoning: This section will contain several brief passages, each of 300 words. Candidates must recognise patterns, logic, and arguments and then respond appropriately.
- Legal Reasoning: Candidates must read texts totalling about 450 words apiece for this section. The texts may be based on actual events or hypothetical situations concerning law, politics, or moral philosophy.
- Current Affairs, including General Knowledge: Candidates must respond to inquiries about passages of up to 450 words each. The excerpts from non-fiction writing, journalism, and news sources will be taken.
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CLAT Total Marks
The candidates applying for the CLAT 2026 should be aware of the combined CLAT exam marks. According to the patterns from previous years, the applicants must respond to 150 questions for 150 marks in the CLAT Exam 2026. However, based on the most recent changes, the CLAT full marks for the UG exams are 120, and there will be 120 questions.
CLAT marks distribution for the UG programs has been shared below. To increase the chances of being admitted, candidates must use the best CLAT preparation strategies.
| Courses | CLAT Total Marks | Total Questions |
|---|---|---|
| UG Courses | 150 marks | 150 questions |
Also Read: Important Topics to Study from CLAT Syllabus
CLAT Marking Scheme 2026
CLAT 2026 question paper for the UG course is divided into 5 sections. The total number of questions in the paper is 120, and each question carries 1 mark. The candidates must note that negative marking is applicable in CLAT UG 2026.
CLAT UG Marking Scheme
The detailed marking scheme included in the CLAT exam pattern 2026 for the UG course is shared below.
| Particulars | Details |
| Correct Response | +1 Mark |
| Incorrect Response | -0.25 Mark |
| Unanswered Question | No Addition, No Deduction |
| CLAT Total Marks 2026 | 150 |
Attempt Free: CLAT Mock Test 2026
FAQs on CLAT Exam Pattern
Q: What is the CLAT exam pattern 2026 for the UG course?
CLAT exam pattern 2026 for the UG course includes 120 questions asked in MCQs and a Comprehension pattern, each carrying one mark. The exam will be conducted offline in English mode, and candidates will be given 120 minutes to complete the exam. The detailed exam pattern for UG 2026 is shared with the candidates.
Q: Is there negative marking in CLAT 2026 for the UG program?
Yes, CLAT UG 2026 includes a negative marking of -0.25 for each wrong answer, and zero marks will be given for each unanswered question.
Q: How many marks of CLAT exam paper are asked for the UG courses?
CLAT UG programs include 120 questions from different sections, each carrying one mark for the CLAT examination.
Q: Will CLAT be held twice in 2026?
According to the Consortium of National Law Universities, CLAT is conducted only once a year.
Q: What is the difficulty level of CLAT 2026?
As per the previous year trends and analysis, the logical reasoning section is expected to be moderate and the quantitative section is likely to be easy to moderate. The overall difficulty level of CLAT is projected to be easy to moderate.
