CLAT 2023: Exam Date, Eligibility Criteria, Syllabus

CLAT is the gateway for aspiring law professionals to gain admission to NLUs in India for LLB and LLM programs. The CLAT 2023 exam date has been set for December 18, 2022, and the exam mode will be offline. Students need to develop a solid preparation strategy if they want to clear this exam, keeping in mind the CLAT exam pattern and CLAT syllabus 2023. Below, we provide every possible information you need to know about the exam in detail. 

CLAT 2023 – Important points to keep in mind

• Exam date: December 18, 2022
• Conducting Body: Consortium of National Law Universities
• Question type: Multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
• Official website: http://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/

Now, let us get to know the CLAT important dates:

• CLAT application form opening – August 2022, first week
• Last date for submitting the form – October 2022, last week
• Last date for editing application form and paying fee – last week of October 2022
• CLAT exam date: December 18, 2022
• Admit card release – November 2022, fourth week
• Result declaration – December 2022, fourth week
• Beginning of Counselling – January 2022

CLAT 2023 Eligibility Criteria

For a candidate to be eligible to write the CLAT 2023 exam, these criteria must be met:

• The candidate needs to have passed class 12th or an equivalent exam with a minimum of 45% aggregate marks (for SC/ST candidates, it is 40%)
• For CLAT PG, you need to possess an LLB degree or an equivalent qualification, with at least 50% marks or 45% in the case of SC/ST candidates.
• If you are currently in class 12th or an equivalent course and are scheduled to appear in April/May 2023, you can appear for CLAT UG 2023. However, the admission depends upon your meeting all the eligibility criteria, like obtaining the minimum marks required in class 12. 

We will look in detail at the CLAT syllabus 2023

CLAT syllabus 2023 (UG) 

The CLAT syllabus 2023 (UG) comprises five subjects, which include English, Elementary maths, General knowledge and current affairs, Legal aptitude, and Logical reasoning. 

Topics covered in each subject:

• English: Inherence and conclusion, Vocabulary, Comprehension Passage, Meaning of different phrases and words, and Comprehension Passage
• Logical reasoning: Argument (premise and conclusion), Relationships and analogues, Weakening & Strengthening arguments, Contradictions and Equivalence
• Quantitative techniques: Basic algebra, graphs, ratio and proportion, statistical estimation, mensuration, and numerical information
• Legal reasoning: Determining the rules and principles applicable to the passage, applying these rules and principles  

Subject-wise distribution of marks for CLAT 2023 (UG)

Subject	No, of questions	Weightage (in Percent)
English	28 to 32	20
Legal reasoning	35 to 39	25
Logical reasoning	28 to 32	20
Quantitative techniques	13 to 17	10
Current affairs (including General Knowledge)	35 to 39	25

CLAT syllabus 2023 (PG)

Here are some of the important topics under each subject:

• Constitutional law: Features of Indian Constitution/History/ Preamble, Citizenship, Fundamental Rights – Article 12- Article 30, Doctrine of Basic Structure, Fundamental Duties, Important Amendments, Constitutional Remedies, Parliament, Services under Union and State, Supreme Court, Ordinance Power, Emergency Provisions.
• Law of Torts: What is Tort? Origin of Law of Torts in India, Introduction to General Principles, Specific Torts, and Absolute Liability, Negligence, Nuisance and Defamation, Consumer Protection.
• Criminal law:  Criminal Courts in India, Stages of Trial (Investigation, Inquiry, Trial), Group Liability, Abetment, Plea, Bargaining, Bail, Criminal Conspiracy, Exceptions.
• International law: Sources of International Law, Origin and Development of International Law and Bodies, International Law of Sea, air, land, Settlement of Dispute. 
• Intellectual property rights: Patents Act 1970, Nature, Definition, and Scope of IPR, Trademarks Act 1999, Copyright Act 1957, IPR in International Perspective.
• Jurisprudence: Overview of the subject/Nature of Jurisprudence, School of Jurisprudence, Power Liability, Source of Law, Rights, Duties, corporate liability.
• Environmental law: Indian Forest Act 1927, The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, The National Environment Tribunal Act, 1955, International Environment Law, Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers.
• Property Law: Property types, Concept of Sale, Mortgage, Lease, Exchange, Gift, Will, Actionable Claims.

Three Important Preparation tips for CLAT 2023

1. Make a study plan

Create a daily study routine based on the exam pattern and syllabus. Stick to this plan no matter what.  

2. Note down what you study

Make notes, jotting down the important points while you study. These notes will come in handy during the final stages of preparation,

3. Practice mock tests regularly

Practising mock tests will fine-tune your time management skills and improve your speed.

Conclusion

If you are serious about your law career, join professional CLAT online classes that have experienced tutors to guide you thoroughly. The first step is to understand the CLAT syllabus 2023 well and make a detailed study plan based on the various subjects and their weightage in the exam. With such a systematic study plan, you will ace the CLAT 2023 exam on your first attempt.