Education · Guide
How to Apply for an LLB or LLM at Indian Universities: CLAT and State Exams
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In brief
Most law degrees in India are filled through two separate routes: the national CLAT exam for 24-plus National Law Universities, or a state-level test such as AP LAWCET for state universities and colleges. The current CLAT cycle, named CLAT 2027 because successful candidates join in 2027, covers both the five-year integrated LLB and the one-year LLM (as separate exams), with registration closing October 31, 2026 and the UG exam set for December 6, 2026.
Two main routes into an Indian law degree
Candidates applying to law programmes in India generally choose between two separate application systems. The first is the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), run by the Consortium of National Law Universities, which covers admission to its member National Law Universities (NLUs) for both the five-year integrated LLB and the one-year LLM, according to the Consortium's official site.
The second route is a state-level entrance test. Andhra Pradesh, for example, runs the AP LAWCET, conducted by Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (SPMVV), Tirupati, on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE), for the three-year and five-year LLB programmes offered by state universities and colleges, per Careers360's reporting on the exam.
Which degree, and which exam, applies to you
- Five-year integrated LLB (CLAT UG route): open to candidates who have passed or are appearing in Class 12, with a minimum of 45% marks for general/OBC/PwD candidates and 40% for SC/ST candidates, no upper age limit, per the Consortium's CLAT 2027 notification summarised by TopRankers.
- One-year LLM (CLAT PG route): open to candidates holding a three-year or five-year law degree; CLAT PG is conducted as a separate exam from CLAT UG, not held on the same date, according to Careers360's reporting on CLAT.
- Three-year LLB (state route, e.g. AP LAWCET): requires a bachelor's degree with at least 45% marks for the open category, 42% for Backward Classes, or 40% for SC/ST candidates; final-year graduates may also apply, per Careers360's AP LAWCET 2026 summary.
- Five-year integrated LLB (state route, e.g. AP LAWCET): requires passing Class 12 or an equivalent with the same category-wise percentage thresholds as above, with no upper age limit, according to the same Careers360 report.
Step-by-step: how to apply
- Decide which degree you want: a three-year LLB after a bachelor's degree, a five-year integrated LLB after Class 12, or a one-year LLM after a law degree.
- Pick the exam route: the national CLAT for NLUs, or a state-level test such as AP LAWCET for state universities and government/self-financing law colleges.
- Check that you meet the minimum qualifying marks and category-wise relaxations for your chosen exam, as listed above.
- Register on the official portal — consortiumofnlus.ac.in for CLAT, or cets.apsche.ap.gov.in/LAWCET for AP LAWCET — using your name exactly as it appears on your Class 10 certificate, per TopRankers' step-by-step breakdown of CLAT registration.
- Enter personal and academic details, then select your exam-centre preferences (CLAT allows up to three choices).
- Upload a passport-size photograph and signature scan in the prescribed format and file size, plus category, PwD, BPL or domicile certificates if you are claiming any reservation, as specified by the Consortium's requirements.
- Pay the non-refundable application fee online by debit card, credit card or net banking.
- Download and keep your confirmation page, then later download the admit card and appear for the test on the notified date and time.
- After results are declared, take part in online counselling or seat-allotment rounds, entering your university/college preferences in order.
- Complete document verification and report to the allotted institution within the given deadline to confirm your seat.
Key dates and fees at a glance
| Item | CLAT 2027 UG (NLUs) | AP LAWCET 2026 (Andhra Pradesh) |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting body | Consortium of National Law Universities | SPMVV Tirupati, for APSCHE |
| Degrees covered | 5-year LLB (UG); LLM (PG) is a separate CLAT exam on a different date | 3-year and 5-year LLB |
| Registration window | August 3 – October 31, 2026 | February 12 – March 28, 2026 (with late fees after March 12) |
| Exam date | December 6, 2026 | May 4, 2026 |
| General-category fee | ₹4,000 (also covers OBC/PwD/NRI/PIO/OCI; ₹3,500 for SC/ST/BPL) | ₹900 (₹850 BC, ₹800 SC/ST) |
| Mode | Offline, pen-and-paper, 2:00–4:00 PM | Computer-based test |
Both sets of dates come from the exams' own conducting bodies or the dedicated trade press (Careers360, TopRankers) citing those bodies. The CLAT 2027 window was open at the time of writing, with registration due to close on October 31, 2026, according to the Consortium's own portal.
Documents you will typically need
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- A valid photo ID such as Aadhaar, PAN or driving licence
- A recent passport-size photograph in the specified file size and format
- A scanned signature in the specified file size and format
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC) if claiming reservation
- PwD or BPL certificate, or a domicile certificate for state-quota claims, where applicable
This document list follows the CLAT 2027 application requirements reported by TopRankers; state exams such as AP LAWCET ask for broadly similar academic records and a scanned photograph and signature within their own size limits, as set out by APSCHE's exam portal.
Questions
- What is the difference between CLAT and a state exam like AP LAWCET?
- CLAT, run by the Consortium of National Law Universities, is the single national route into the 24-plus National Law Universities for both the five-year LLB and the one-year LLM (held as separate exams). AP LAWCET, by contrast, is a state-level test conducted by SPMVV Tirupati on behalf of APSCHE for admission to law colleges and universities within Andhra Pradesh.
- What is the CLAT 2027 application deadline?
- Registration opened on August 3, 2026 and is due to close on October 31, 2026, with the UG exam scheduled for December 6, 2026, according to the Consortium of National Law Universities and reporting by TopRankers.
- Is there negative marking in CLAT or AP LAWCET?
- CLAT deducts 0.25 marks for each wrong answer alongside one mark for each correct answer, per Careers360's summary of the exam pattern. AP LAWCET, also reported by Careers360, has no negative marking.
- Can I apply for both a three-year and a five-year LLB?
- Eligibility depends on your existing qualification: a three-year LLB requires a completed (or final-year) bachelor's degree, while a five-year integrated LLB requires only Class 12 or equivalent, so the two are not alternative choices for the same stage of study, according to Careers360's AP LAWCET eligibility breakdown.
- Do I need a domicile certificate to apply for a state law entrance exam?
- A domicile certificate is required only if you are claiming a state-quota or reservation benefit tied to residency; it is listed among the category-related documents in the CLAT application requirements reported by TopRankers, and state exams generally ask for the same type of proof for their own quotas.
Sources
- Consortium of National Law Universities — official site
- Consortium of National Law Universities — CLAT 2027
- APSCHE — Common Entrance Tests portal (LAWCET)
- Careers360 — AP LAWCET 2026 Notification: Exam Date, Application, Eligibility
- Careers360 — CLAT 2026: Dates, Application, Syllabus, Preparation Tips, NLUs
- TopRankers — CLAT Application Form 2027: Registration Steps, Fees & Correction Window
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