The CLAT marking scheme 2027 awards one mark for every correct answer, deducts 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer, and does not deduct marks for unattempted questions. Both CLAT UG and CLAT PG follow the same marking scheme.
The CLAT 2027 question paper consists of 120 multiple-choice questions carrying a total of 120 marks. Every correct and incorrect response contributes to your final CLAT score. The final score is used to prepare the All India Rank (AIR) and the merit list for admissions.
The article below explains the CLAT total marks, section-wise marks distribution, negative marking, the score calculation formula, and the expected passing marks. Examples are also provided to show how the final CLAT score is calculated. Read further to know the detailed marking scheme.
Upcoming CLAT Exams:
The table below provides an overview of the CLAT marking scheme 2027.
| CLAT Marking Scheme 2027 Particulars | CLAT UG | CLAT PG |
|---|---|---|
| Total Questions | 120 | 120 |
| CLAT Total Marks | 120 | 120 |
| Marks per Correct Answer | +1 | +1 |
| CLAT Negative Marking | −0.25 | −0.25 |
| Marks for Unanswered Questions | 0 | 0 |
| Exam Duration | 120 Minutes | 120 Minutes |
The CLAT UG marking rules for each response type are provided below.
| CLAT UG Response Type | Marks Awarded |
|---|---|
| Correct Answer | +1 |
| Incorrect Answer | −0.25 |
| Unattempted Question | 0 |
CLAT 2027 All-in-One Guide Table:
The table below presents the CLAT UG exam pattern 2027, including the question format, total marks, duration, and section-wise distribution.
| CLAT UG Exam Pattern Particulars | CLAT UG Exam Pattern Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen-and-Paper) |
| Exam Duration | 2 Hours |
| Total Questions | 120 |
| CLAT Total Marks | 120 |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Exam Language | English |
| Sections Covered | 5 Sections |
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Legal Reasoning and Current Affairs, including General Knowledge, carry the highest weightage, while English Language and Logical Reasoning receive moderate weightage. Quantitative Techniques has the lowest allocation among all sections.
| CLAT UG Sections | Approximate Questions | Approximate Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 22-26 | 20% |
| Current Affairs including General Knowledge | 28-32 | 25% |
| Legal Reasoning | 28-32 | 25% |
| Logical Reasoning | 22-26 | 20% |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10-14 | 10% |
You can calculate your score by applying the official CLAT marking scheme to your responses after checking the official answer key. Correct answers earn one mark each, while incorrect answers attract a deduction of 0.25 marks. Unanswered questions are not evaluated and do not affect the final score.
The official CLAT UG score calculation formula is given below.
| Final Score = (Correct Answers × 1) − (Incorrect Answers × 0.25) |
The following example explains how the CLAT UG score calculation works using the official marking scheme.
| CLAT UG Score Calculation Particulars | Score Details |
| Total Questions in CLAT UG | 120 |
| Questions Attempted | 100 |
| Correct Answers | 85 |
| Incorrect Answers | 15 |
| Unanswered Questions | 20 |
| Score Calculation | (85 × 1) − (15 × 0.25) |
| Negative Marks Deducted | 3.75 |
| Final Estimated CLAT UG Score | 81.25 out of 120 |
Final Score = (85 × 1) − (15 × 0.25)
Final Score = 85 − 3.75 = 81.25
Estimated CLAT UG Score = 81.25 out of 120
Important things for CLAT Exam:
The CLAT PG marking pattern determines how marks are awarded for each response in the postgraduate entrance examination. Correct answers earn 1 mark; incorrect answers incur a 0.25-mark deduction; and unattempted questions receive neither marks nor penalties.
| CLAT PG Response Type | Marks Awarded |
|---|---|
| Correct Answer | +1 |
| Incorrect Answer | −0.25 |
| Unattempted Question | 0 |
The CLAT PG question paper pattern defines the format, duration, and structure of the postgraduate entrance examination.
| CLAT PG Exam Pattern Particulars | CLAT PG Exam Pattern Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen-and-Paper) |
| Exam Duration | 2 Hours |
| Total Questions | 120 |
| CLAT Total Marks | 120 |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Exam Language | English |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 |
NLU-Wise Cut-offs & Fee Structure:
| NLU Delhi Cut-off | NLU Kolkata fee structure |
| NLU Kolkata Cut-off | NLU Bhopal fee structure |
| GNLU Gandhinagar Cut-off | NLU Goa Seats |
In CLAT PG, candidates are assessed through passage-based objective questions derived from judgments, statutes, and other legal materials across the prescribed subjects. The CLAT PG subject-wise syllabus and key focus areas are provided below.
| CLAT PG 2027 Subjects | CLAT PG 2027 Key Focus Areas | Weightage of Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Constitutional Law |
|
20%-25% |
| Jurisprudence |
|
15%-20% |
| Administrative Law |
|
3%-5% |
| Law of Contract |
|
4%-6% |
| Law of Torts |
|
3%-5% |
| Family Law |
|
3%-5% |
| Criminal Law |
|
5%-7% |
| Property Law |
|
3%-5% |
| Company Law |
|
3%-5% |
| Public International Law |
|
3%-5% |
| Tax Law |
|
2%-4% |
| Environmental Law |
|
2%-4% |
| Labour and Industrial Law |
|
2%-4% |
Top CLAT Coaching Institutes in India – Compare and Choose
The CLAT marking scheme has changed several times since the examination was introduced in 2008. The biggest revisions involved reducing the CLAT total marks from 200 to 150 in 2020 and then to 120 in 2024. Despite these changes, the marking pattern has remained consistent, with +1 mark for every correct answer and –0.25 marks for every incorrect answer in recent years. The table below traces the year-wise changes in the CLAT marking scheme, total marks, and examination pattern from 2008 to 2026.
| CLAT Examination Year | CLAT Total Marks | Changes in CLAT Marking Scheme |
|---|---|---|
| CLAT 2008 | 190 |
|
| CLAT 2009 | 200 | Total marks increased from 190 to 200 |
| CLAT 2010-2019 | 200 |
|
| CLAT 2020 | 150 |
|
| CLAT 2021-2023 | 150 |
|
| CLAT 2024 | 120 |
|
| CLAT 2025 | 120 |
|
| CLAT 2026 | 120 | Marking scheme remained unchanged from the previous year |
CLAT does not prescribe official passing or qualifying marks for admission. Admission is based on your CLAT score, category, NLU preference, seat availability, and the cut-off released during counselling. A higher score improves your chances of securing admission to your preferred National Law University.
General category candidates aiming for the top three NLUs should target a score of 100+ marks. A score of 110 or above can improve your chances of admission to institutes such as NLSIU Bengaluru and NALSAR Hyderabad, based on previous admission trends.
For SC/ST candidates, a score of 70–80 marks was considered competitive during the 2026 admission cycle. Admission to some NLUs may also be possible with comparatively lower scores, depending on the cate
Free Resources for CLAT Preparation:
| Current Affairs Quiz | CLAT Post Magazine by LegalEdge |
| Daily Current Affairs | Weekly Current Affairs |
| Monthly Current Affairs | Last 6 Months Current Affairs |
Top CLAT Coaching Programs in India:
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