CLAT- History

Definition and purpose

CLAT is a national-level entrance exam that helps aspirants gain admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programs in 26 national law universities in India.  CLAT is conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities, comprising representative universities.

Importance in the Indian legal education system

CLAT simplifies the process of choosing people who are dedicated to reforming the Indian Legal system. The examination evaluated candidates on a variety of legal topics, requiring them to get in-depth knowledge of these topics. This prepares them for the legal profession and lays the foundation for their future legal education. 

Origins and Establishment

Background of legal education in India

Prior admission processes to law schools

Before CLAT was introduced, each NLU conducted its entrance exam. This created a hassle as aspirants had to prepare for each exam separately. The process was cumbersome, time-consuming, and expensive.

Need for a standardized test

In 2006, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by a parent in the Supreme Court of India, demanding a standardized test for admission to all NLUs.

Formation of the Common Law Admission Test

Year of establishment (2008)

The first CLAT was conducted in 2008. Seven NLUs signed a MoU to hold CLAT in the presence of Secretary MHRD and UGC representatives. 

Founding members (National Law Universities)

The founding members were seven National Law Universities, namely- NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, NLIU Bhopal, WBNUJS Kolkata, NLU Jodhpur, HNLU Raipur, and GNLU Gandhinagar. The responsibility of conducting CLAT was on a rotational basis among the NLUs. 

Development and Evolution

Initial years and implementation

First CLAT exam details

The first CLAT exam was MCQ-based and offline. 

Participating NLUs in the initial phase

Initially, seven NLUs signed a MoU to hold CLAT. These were - NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, NLIU Bhopal, WBNUJS Kolkata, NLU Jodhpur, HNLU Raipur, and GNLU Gandhinagar.

Changes and reforms over the years

Introduction of new NLUs

In 2015, a revised MoU was signed to include other  NLUs within the ambit of CLAT.

Changes in the exam pattern and syllabus

In 2015, CLAT was held online. 

Key Events

Major controversies and resolutions

Notable incidents and how they were addressed

Irrespective of its success, CLAT has faced controversies around technical glitches during online exams, improper evaluation, and inconsistencies in question papers. This had hampered the reputation of CLAT. 

Impact on the credibility and trust of CLAT

In response to these controversies, the CLAT Consortium was formed in 2018. The aim was to put in place a more structured and stable examination system.

Impact on Legal Education

Increase in the number of aspirants.

Trends and statistics

The number of CLAT applicants has increased steadily over the past decade. 

There has been a diversification in the applicant pool with respect to gender, caste, and educational background. 

Influence on law school admissions

Standardization and merit-based selection

CLAT has established a standardized testing mechanism that ensures that all candidates are evaluated on the same parameters. It focuses on merit-based selection of candidates based on their performance in the exam. 

Contribution to the legal profession

Quality of students and professionals entering the field

Merit-based admissions have contributed to enhancing the quality of students and professionals entering the legal field. CLAT has ensured that top performers who have the required intellect get into the top law schools.

Current Structure and Pattern

Overview of the current exam format

Sections and subjects covered

CLAT UG- 

The examination has five sections - 

• English Language 
• Current Affairs, including General Knowledge 
• Legal Reasoning 
• Logical Reasoning
• Quantitative Techniques 

CLAT PG- 

The examination has two sections - 

• Constitutional Law
• Other areas of law such as Jurisprudence, Administrative Law, Law of Contract, Torts, Family Law, Criminal Law, Property Law, Company Law, Public International Law, Tax Law, Environmental Law, and Labour and Industrial Law

Scoring and ranking

• CLAT has 120 objective-type questions of one mark each. There is a negative mark of 0.25 for every wrong answer. The duration of the exam is 120 minutes.
• The seat allotment will take place based on the students' rank and the choices they fill out. The seat allotment will take place in multiple rounds. 

Preparation and Strategy

Tips for aspirants

Study materials and resources

CLAT UG-

• English Language - Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis, High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin, Objective General English by RS Aggarwal, Barron’s Pocket Guide to Vocabulary, The Pearson Guide to the CLAT by Pearson's, CLAT Guide by Tata McGraw-Hill
• General Knowledge and Current Affairs - Lucent’s GK, Manorama Year Book, Competition Success Review, India Year Book, and Pratiyogita Darpan. Also read leading newspapers like Hindu, Indian Express, and Hindustan Times.
• Mathematics - Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal, Class 10th NCERT Textbook, Data interpretation by R.S Aggarwal, Elementary Mathematics with Numerical Ability by Prateek Jain, Magical Book on Quicker Maths by M Tyra 
• Legal Aptitude - Universal’s CLAT Guide, Bare Acts of Indian Constitution,  Legal Awareness and Legal Aptitude by AP Bhardwaj, LexisNexis Butterworths, Objective Legal Aptitude by R.S Aggarwal, Important Judgement That Transformed India by Alex Andrews George
• Logical Reasoning - Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey, Analytical and Logical Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by RS Aggarwal, A New Approach to Verbal and Analytical Reasoning by Arihant, 501 challenging Logical Reasoning Practice book, Quantitative Aptitude ebook (ALL Parts Solved) by RS Aggarwal

CLAT PG- 

• Singhal's S. S. Hand Books for LLM Entrance Exam
• PSA Pillai or Ratanlal & Dhirajlal for IPC
• Universal Guide to LLM Entrance Exam
• Avtar Singh or R.K. Bangia for Contract
• Universal's Book on Past year Papers
• K. Jain (Dukki) Part — I & II for Constitution AK Jain MCQs
• K. Jain or Salmond for Jurisprudence
• Public International Law by Dr. Ashok K Jain
• Family and Property Law by Poonam Pradhan
• Company Law by Avtar Singh
• The Constitution of India by P.M. Bakshi

Coaching and self-study strategies

Thoroughly understand the exam pattern, syllabus, and weightage and allocate your time accordingly. Create a study schedule that gives enough importance to all sections. Practice time-bound mock tests and analyze the results after each to rectify your mistakes. 

Alternatively, you can join a specialized coaching institute to complement your preparation. You will benefit from their structured program, faculty’s experience, and curated study material. 

Conclusion

The first National Law University was established in Bangalore in 1987. Within subsequent years, each state established its own NLU. Each NLU used to conduct its entrance exam. However, in 2006, a PIL was filed, which resulted in the introduction of CLAT. The first CLAT exam was conducted offline in 2008. 

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Why is CLAT important for aspiring law students?

CLAT opens the door to the prestigious National Law Universities. There are numerous benefits of graduating from an NLU, such as excellent placement offers, preference from companies, better internship opportunities, and a competitive learning environment.

What challenges does CLAT face today?

CLAT is conducted only in English, which creates a bias against rural and marginalized persons.

What are the key changes in the CLAT exam pattern?

The major change in the exam pattern is the reduction of the number of questions from 150 to 120. 

What are the prospects for CLAT?

CLAT holds a promising future for law aspirants. With continuous changes in question formats, revision of syllabus, and use of technology, the CLAT consortium is committed to maintaining the status and credibility of the exam.