Eligibility
The bar for CLAT UG is deliberately low — it's designed to let almost any 10+2 student attempt the exam — but a few specific conditions decide whether your application is accepted. Here is the shape of the rule as it has stood in recent years.
Educational qualification
You need a 10+2 (Senior Secondary) or equivalent qualification from a recognised board, in ANY stream — Science, Commerce, Arts/Humanities, or Vocational. No particular Class 11–12 subject is required for the 5-year integrated law programme.
Qualifying marks
Notifications have historically asked for roughly 45% aggregate in the 10+2 exam for General/unreserved candidates, and roughly 40% for SC/ST and other reserved categories (exact slabs vary by year and by the NLU's own reservation policy).
No upper age limit
In recent cycles CLAT UG has had NO upper age limit — so there's no age-based reason to delay attempting it. (The exact year this took effect and any policy shift should be re-checked in the current notification.)
Appearing candidates
Students currently sitting their Class 12 / qualifying exam in the same year are eligible to apply and sit CLAT. Proof of passing with the required marks is typically needed by admission/counselling, not at the time of applying.
What this means for you
- If you're in Class 12 now (any stream), you're almost certainly eligible this cycle.
- Don't let a borderline board percentage stop you preparing — the qualifying bar is low; focus on the CLAT paper.
- Keep your marksheet and category certificates ready before counselling — eligibility is finally verified there, not at registration.
Confirm with the official notification
Exact qualifying percentages, category relaxations and any age clauses are set fresh each year and can change. Verify the current year's requirements on the official CLAT Consortium website: consortiumofnlus.ac.in.