CLAT PG 2025 Exam Pattern

Understanding the CLAT PG 2025 exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation. This comprehensive guide covers the question format, marking scheme, subject distribution, and strategies to maximize your performance.

📋 Exam Overview

Basic Structure

• Exam Name; Common Law Admission Test - Postgraduate (CLAT PG)
• Program; One-Year LL. M. Admissions
• Conducting Body; Consortium of National Law Universities
• Exam Mode; Offline (Pen and Paper)
• Language; English
• Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)

Key Features

• Total Questions: 120 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
• Maximum Marks: 120 marks
• Negative Marking: 0.25 marks for each wrong answer
• No Unattempted Penalty; No marks deducted for unattempted questions
• Section-wise Questions; No fixed sections, mixed subject questions

🎯 Question Format

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

• Format; Four options (A, B, C, D)
• Correct Answer; Only one correct option
• Negative Marking: -0.25 for wrong answer
• Zero Marking; No marks for unattempted questions

Question Types

1. Direct Knowledge Questions

• Format; Direct questions testing legal knowledge
• Example: “Who is the custodian of the Indian Constitution?”
• Percentage: 30-40% of total questions
• Difficulty Level; Easy to Medium

2. Case Study Questions

• Format; Brief legal scenario followed by questions
• Example: “Based on the given case of illegal detention, which remedy is appropriate?”
• Percentage: 25-30% of total questions
• Difficulty Level; Medium to Hard

3. Comprehension Questions

• Format; Legal passage followed by questions
• Example: “Based on the given Supreme Court judgment, what is the legal principle established?”
• Percentage: 20-25% of total questions
• Difficulty Level; Medium

4. Current Legal Issues

• Format; Questions based on recent legal developments
• Example: “Which landmark judgment of 2024 dealt with environmental protection?”
• Percentage: 15-20% of total questions
• Difficulty Level; Medium

📚 Subject-wise Distribution

Core Subjects with Weightage

1. Constitutional Law (25-30 questions)

Weightage: 20-25%

Topics Covered:

• Preamble and Fundamental Rights
• Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties
• Union Executive and Parliament
• State Executive and Legislature
• Judiciary (Supreme Court and High Courts)
• Emergency Provisions
• Constitutional Amendments
• Center-State Relations
• Election Commission
• Special Provisions for States

Question Pattern:

• Direct Questions: 40-50%
• Case Studies: 30-40%
• Current Issues: 10-20%

2. Jurisprudence (20-25 questions)

Weightage: 15-20%

Topics Covered:

• Nature and Sources of Law
• Legal Concepts and Theories
• Schools of Jurisprudence (Natural Law, Analytical, Historical, Sociological)
• Rights and Duties
• Liability and Responsibility
• Possession and Ownership
• Legal Personality
• Justice and Equity
• Rule of Law
• Legal Positivism

Question Pattern:

• Theoretical Questions: 50-60%
• Concept Application: 30-40%
• Comparative Analysis: 10-20%

3. Administrative Law (10-15 questions)

Weightage: 8-12%

Topics Covered:

• Definition and Scope of Administrative Law
• Rule of Law and Administrative Discretion
• Principles of Natural Justice
• Administrative Tribunals
• Judicial Review of Administrative Action
• Delegated Legislation
• Liability of Administration
• Right to Information
• Ombudsman and Lokpal
• Administrative Law and Good Governance

Question Pattern:

• Conceptual Questions: 40-50%
• Case Laws: 30-40%
• Current Issues: 20-30%

4. Law of Contract (10-12 questions)

Weightage: 8-10%

Topics Covered:

• Essential Elements of Contract
• Offer and Acceptance
• Consideration and Capacity
• Free Consent and Coercion
• Void and Voidable Agreements
• Performance and Discharge of Contract
• Breach of Contract and Remedies
• Specific Relief
• Quasi-Contracts
• Sale of Goods Act

Question Pattern:

• Principle-Based Questions: 50-60%
• Problem Questions: 30-40%
• Case Laws: 10-20%

5. Law of Torts (8-10 questions)

Weightage: 7-8%

Topics Covered:

• Nature and Definition of Tort
• Essential Elements of Tort
• General Defenses in Torts
• Negligence and Strict Liability
• Nuisance and Defamation
• Trespass to Person and Property
• Consumer Protection
• Environmental Torts
• Vicarious Liability
• Remedies in Torts

Question Pattern:

• Conceptual Questions: 40-50%
• Case Studies: 40-50%
• Comparative Questions: 10-20%

6. Criminal Law (8-10 questions)

Weightage: 7-8%

Topics Covered:

• General Principles of Criminal Law
• Mens Rea and Actus Reus
• General Exceptions and Defenses
• Offences Against State
• Offences Against Human Body
• Offences Against Property
• Culpable Homicide and Murder
• Kidnapping and Abduction
• Criminal Conspiracy
• Criminal Procedure Code

Question Pattern:

• Principle Questions: 40-50%
• Case Studies: 40-50%
• Procedural Questions: 10-20%

7. Property Law (6-8 questions)

Weightage: 5-7%

Topics Covered:

• Transfer of Property Act
• Sale and Mortgage of Property
• Lease and Gift of Property
• Easement and Licenses
• Registration of Documents
• Land Acquisition Act
• Property Rights and Succession
• Intellectual Property Rights
• Digital Property
• Real Estate Regulations

Question Pattern:

• Statutory Questions: 50-60%
• Case Laws: 30-40%
• Current Issues: 10-20%

8. Family Law (6-8 questions)

Weightage: 5-7%

Topics Covered:

• Hindu Marriage Act
• Hindu Succession Act
• Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act
• Muslim Personal Law
• Special Marriage Act
• Christian Marriage Act
• Domestic Violence Act
• Child Rights and Protection
• Adoption Laws
• Live-in Relationships

Question Pattern:

• Statutory Questions: 50-60%
• Comparative Questions: 20-30%
• Current Issues: 20-30%

9. Company Law (4-6 questions)

Weightage: 3-5%

Topics Covered:

• Companies Act 2013
• Types of Companies
• Corporate Governance
• Board Meetings and Resolutions
• Share Capital and Debentures
• Director’s Responsibilities
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Insolvency and Bankruptcy
• SEBI Regulations
• Start-up and MSME Laws

Question Pattern:

• Statutory Questions: 60-70%
• Case Studies: 20-30%
• Current Issues: 10-20%

10. International Law (4-6 questions)

Weightage: 3-5%

Topics Covered:

• Sources of International Law
• State Recognition and Succession
• State Responsibility
• International Organizations
• Human Rights Law
• International Trade Law
• International Environmental Law
• Law of the Sea
• International Humanitarian Law
• International Criminal Law

Question Pattern:

• Treaty Law: 40-50%
• Case Laws: 30-40%
• Current Issues: 20-30%

11. Environmental Law (3-5 questions)

Weightage: 2-4%

Topics Covered:

• Environmental Protection Act
• Water and Air Pollution
• Biodiversity Conservation
• Climate Change Laws
• Forest Conservation
• Wildlife Protection
• Hazardous Waste Management
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• National Green Tribunal
• Sustainable Development

Question Pattern:

• Statutory Questions: 50-60%
• Case Laws: 20-30%
• Current Issues: 20-30%

12. Intellectual Property Rights (3-5 questions)

Weightage: 2-4%

Topics Covered:

• Copyright Act
• Patent Law
• Trademark Law
• Design Law
• Trade Secrets
• Geographical Indications
• IPR Enforcement
• International IPR Treaties
• Digital Copyright
• Traditional Knowledge

Question Pattern:

• Statutory Questions: 50-60%
• Case Studies: 20-30%
• Current Issues: 20-30%

⏰ Time Management Strategy

2-Hour Distribution

Section-wise Time Allocation

• Constitutional Law: 25-30 minutes
• Jurisprudence: 20-25 minutes
• Administrative Law: 10-15 minutes
• Contract Law: 10-12 minutes
• Other Subjects: 40-50 minutes
• Revision and Review: 5-10 minutes

Question-wise Time Strategy

• Easy Questions: 30-45 seconds per question
• Medium Questions: 45-60 seconds per question
• Hard Questions: 60-90 seconds per question
• Review Time: 5-10 minutes for doubtful questions

Time Management Tips

Before Exam

• Mock Tests; Practice with time constraints
• Speed Reading; Improve reading speed
• Question Identification; Quickly identify easy questions
• Strategy Planning; Decide attempt order

During Exam

• Easy First; Attempt known questions first
• Mark Difficult; Mark difficult questions for review
• Don’t Get Stuck; Move on if stuck on a question
• Time Check; Monitor time regularly

Question Attempt Strategy

• Three-Round Strategy:
• **Round 1 **; Attempt all easy questions
• **Round 2 **; Attempt medium difficulty questions
• **Round 3 **; Attempt remaining questions with educated guesses

🎯 Scoring Strategy

Mark Distribution Analysis

High-Scoring Subjects

• Constitutional Law: 25-30 questions
• Jurisprudence: 20-25 questions
• Administrative Law: 10-15 questions

Moderate-Scoring Subjects

• Contract Law: 10-12 questions
• Law of Torts: 8-10 questions
• Criminal Law: 8-10 questions

Low-Scoring Subjects

• Property Law: 6-8 questions
• Family Law: 6-8 questions
• Company Law: 4-6 questions

Score Maximization Strategy

Accuracy vs Speed

• Priority; Accuracy over speed
• Negative Marking; Avoid random guesses
• Confidence Level; Answer only if 60% confident
• Strategic Guessing; Eliminate wrong options first

Target Score Planning

• Safe Score: 80-90 marks (80-75% accuracy)
• Good Score: 90-100 marks (75-83% accuracy)
• Excellent Score: 100 + marks (83%+ accuracy)
• Top NLU Target: 105-115 marks

Section-wise Preparation Focus

High-Priority Subjects

• Constitutional Law; Master fundamental principles
• Jurisprudence; Focus on key concepts and theories
• Administrative Law; Study recent Supreme Court judgments

Medium-Priority Subjects

• Contract Law; Focus on essential elements
• Law of Torts; Study important case laws
• Criminal Law; Review general principles

Low-Priority Subjects

• Property Law; Focus on recent amendments
• Family Law; Study personal laws comparatively
• Company Law; Focus on corporate governance

📊 Practice and Mock Tests

Mock Test Strategy

Mock Test Schedule

• Initial Phase: 1 mock test per month
• Intensive Phase: 2 mock tests per month
• Final Phase: 1 mock test per week
• Last Month: 2-3 mock tests per week

Mock Test Analysis

• Performance Analysis; Identify weak areas
• Time Management; Improve speed and accuracy
• Question Pattern; Understand question trends
• Score Target; Set realistic score targets

Question Bank Practice

Previous Year Papers

• Last 5 Years; Analyze question patterns
• Subject-wise Analysis; Focus on recurring topics
• Difficulty Level; Understand question complexity
• Current Trends; Identify emerging topics

Current Legal Developments

• Supreme Court Judgments; Recent landmark judgments
• Legal Amendments; New laws and amendments
• International Law; Recent international developments
• Legal News; Important legal news and debates

🎯 Key Takeaway; Focus on Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence as they carry maximum weightage. Practice time management regularly to optimize your performance in the actual exam.

📝 Pro Tip; Create a subject-wise revision schedule and allocate more time to high-weightage subjects. Regular mock tests will help you understand your preparation level and improve your exam strategy.

*Last Updated; December 2024 | Next Review; January 2025 *