CLAT PG is the entrance exam for admission to LLM programmes at National Law Universities (NLUs) in India. It is conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities. This note explains the exam pattern and gives a subject-by-subject, topic-by-topic breakdown of the syllabus in simple language.
Note: The official CLAT PG 2027 notification has not been released yet (expected around mid-to-late July 2026).
CLAT PG 2027 Exam Pattern at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
| Conducting Body | Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) |
| Mode of Exam | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
| Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 120 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Marks per Question | 1 mark each (Total: 120 marks) |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks for each wrong answer |
| Question Format | Passage-based objective questions |
| Language | English |
| Tentative Exam Date | First week of December 2026 |
How the Questions Are Framed
- Every question is based on a short passage or extract taken from court judgments, bare acts (statutes), or legal commentary.
- After reading the passage, you answer objective-type questions that test:
- Understanding of the passage
- Application of the legal principle to a new fact situation
- Ability to identify the correct legal rule or exception
CLAT PG 2027 Syllabus – Subject-Wise Breakdown
The syllabus is based on core LLB subjects. Below, each subject is broken down into its important sub-topics so you know exactly what to study.
1️⃣ Constitutional Law
- Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35)
- Reasonable Restrictions on Rights
- Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)
- Basic Structure Doctrine
- Constitutional Amendment Process (Article 368)
- Federalism & Centre-State Relations
- Separation of Powers
- Emergency Provisions
- Judicial Review
2️⃣ Jurisprudence
- Natural Law Theory
- Legal Positivism
- Historical & Sociological School of Law
- Legal Realism
- Concept of Sovereignty
- Legal Rights & Duties
- Justice vs. Morality Debate
- Key Thinkers: John Austin, H.L.A. Hart, Hans Kelsen, Ronald Dworkin, Roscoe Pound
3️⃣ Administrative Law
- Principles of Natural Justice
- Judicial Review of Administrative Action
- Delegated Legislation
- Writ Jurisdiction (Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Certiorari, Prohibition, Quo Warranto)
- Tribunals & Ombudsman (Lokpal/Lokayukta)
4️⃣ Criminal Law (IPC/BNS & CrPC/BNSS)
- General Exceptions (Chapter IV of IPC)
- Offences Against the Human Body
- Offences Against Property
- Mens Rea and Actus Reus
- Right of Private Defence
- Criminal Conspiracy & Common Intention
- Bail Provisions & Trial Procedure
- Law of Evidence: Relevancy & Confessions
- Burden of Proof
5️⃣ Law of Contract
- Offer & Acceptance
- Consideration
- Capacity to Contract
- Free Consent (Coercion, Undue Influence, Fraud, Misrepresentation, Mistake)
- Void & Voidable Agreements
- Breach of Contract & Remedies
- Specific Relief
- Quasi Contracts
6️⃣ Law of Torts
- Negligence
- Strict Liability
- Absolute Liability
- Defamation
- Vicarious Liability
- Nuisance
- Overlap with Consumer Protection Law
7️⃣ Company Law
- Incorporation of a Company
- Share Capital & Shareholders’ Rights
- Directors’ Duties & Liabilities
- Corporate Governance
- SEBI Regulatory Framework
- Mergers, Acquisitions & Winding Up
8️⃣ Public International Law
- Sources of International Law (Treaties, Custom, General Principles)
- State Responsibility
- United Nations Charter
- International Court of Justice (ICJ) & International Criminal Court (ICC)
- WTO & International Trade Law
- Recognition of States
9️⃣ Environmental Law
- Environment Protection Act, 1986
- Polluter Pays Principle
- Precautionary Principle
- Sustainable Development
- National Green Tribunal (NGT) Jurisdiction
🔟 Family Law
- Marriage, Divorce & Maintenance
- Succession & Inheritance
- Adoption & Guardianship
- Personal Laws (Hindu, Muslim, Christian)
1️⃣1️⃣ Property Law
- Transfer of Property Act, 1882
- Sale, Mortgage, Lease, Gift
- Doctrine of Lis Pendens
- Doctrine of Part Performance
1️⃣2️⃣ Labour Law
- Industrial Disputes Act
- Trade Unions
- Workmen’s Compensation
- Employment & Termination Rules
1️⃣3️⃣ Taxation Law
- Heads of Income
- Deductions & Exemptions
- Direct Tax vs. Indirect Tax
- GST Framework (Basic Concepts)
- Anti-Avoidance Principles
14. Arbitration & Conciliation : Arbitration Act 1996 basics, conciliation, and mediation principles
15. Intellectual Property Rights: Copyright, trademarks, patents, designs, landmark IP cases
Subject-Wise Weightage (Expected Trend)
| Subject | Expected Importance |
| Constitutional Law | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very High |
| Jurisprudence | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ High |
| Administrative Law | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ High |
| Criminal Law | ⭐⭐⭐ Moderate |
| Law of Contract | ⭐⭐⭐ Moderate |
| Other Subjects (Torts, Company Law, International Law, Environmental Law, Family Law, Property Law, Labour Law, Taxation, IPR, Arbitration and Conciliation Act) | ⭐⭐ Spread across remaining questions |