Overview of CLAT Entrance Exam

 This is a common law admission test that is centralized by National-level entrance exams for admission to Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) law programs offered by the National Law Universities (NLUs) and other affiliated institutions. 

Clat helps students get into the top law schools in India known as NLUs. NLUs offer great education and opportunities for law students. 

History of CLAT

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) was established in 2008 to address the challenges posed by the decentralized and varied entrance exams conducted by each National Law University (NLU).

Before CLAT, students had to prepare for multiple exams, leading to increased stress, financial burden, and inefficiency. Recognizing the need for a standardized admission process, the NLUs proposed CLAT, which received approval from the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). CLAT aimed to create a uniform, transparent, and merit-based selection process for law aspirants.

Objectives of CLAT

• Uniformity: To establish a common platform for admissions to NLUs, ensuring uniformity in the selection process.

• Efficiency: To reduce the logistical and financial burden on students by eliminating the need for multiple entrance exams.

• Transparency: To ensure a transparent and merit-based selection process for admissions to NLUs.

• Standardization: To maintain consistent academic standards across NLUs through a standardized testing process.

Evolution of CLAT

• Rotation Policy: Initially, CLAT was organized by different NLUs on a rotational basis. This approach ensured that each participating NLU took turns to host and manage the exam, promoting equal responsibility and participation among all institutions.

• Formation of CLAT Consortium: In 2018, the Consortium of National Law Universities was established to centralize and enhance the administration of CLAT. Comprising representatives from all participating NLUs, the Consortium aims to improve the quality, transparency, and efficiency of the examination process.

List of NLUs in India

1. AR University of Law - Hyderabad, Telangana

2. The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS) - Kolkata, West Bengal

3. National Law University, Jodhpur (NLUJ) - Jodhpur, Rajasthan

4. National Law School of India University (NLSIU) - Bangalore, Karnataka

5. NALSNational Law University, Delhi (NLUD) - New Delhi, Delhi

6. National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) - Kochi, Kerala

7. Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) - Patiala, Punjab

8. Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU) - Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

9. Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) - Raipur, Chhattisgarh

10. Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) - Gandhinagar, Gujarat

11. Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) - Patna, Bihar

12. National Law University, Odisha (NLUO) - Cuttack, Odisha

13. National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL) - Ranchi, Jharkhand

14. National Law University and Judicial Academy (NLUJAA) - Guwahati, Assam

15. Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU) - Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

16. Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU) - Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu

17. Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai (MNLU Mumbai) - Mumbai, Maharashtra

18. Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur (MNLU Nagpur) - Nagpur, Maharashtra

19. Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad (MNLU Aurangabad) - Aurangabad, 

20. Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU) - Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

21. Dharmashastra National Law University (MPDNLU) - Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh

22. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University (DBRANLU) - Sonipat, Haryana

23. National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) - Gandhinagar, Gujarat (Note: It offers law courses and is recognized as an institute of national importance)

24. Atal Bihari Vajpayee University of Law (ABVUL) - Hojai, Assam