Read the complete CLAT 2026 exam analysis including difficulty level, section-wise review, cut-off expectations, participation statistics, and comparison with CLAT 2025. Detailed insights for law aspirants.
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026 concluded successfully, marking one of the most organised and predictable exam cycles in recent years. After the turbulence of CLAT 2025—marked by litigation, technical issues and student concerns—aspirants finally experienced a stable, well-structured and fair examination.
CLAT 2026 delivered a moderate level of difficulty, balanced sections, and predictable question patterns, offering a refreshing level of transparency and fairness. Below is a complete breakdown of the exam’s structure, difficulty, and comparisons with previous years.
Record Participation Reflects Growing Law Aspirations
CLAT 2026 witnessed a remarkable rise in participation, highlighting the increasing popularity of legal education and National Law Universities (NLUs).
- Total Applicants: 92,344 (a 17% rise from last year)
- UG Applicants: 75,009
- PG Applicants: 17,335
- Attendance Rate: UG: 96.83% & PG: 92.45%
The strong turnout reflects renewed trust in the exam process and the consistency maintained by the Consortium.
Inclusivity & Support: Special Measures for PwD Candidates
The Consortium of NLUs implemented specific initiatives to ensure accessibility and fairness:
- PwD Candidates Appeared: 548
- Dedicated Nodal Officers: Appointed to supervise arrangements and offer personalised support
- Enhanced Facilities: Ensured comfort, equal opportunity, and a barrier-free testing environment.
CLAT 2026: Overall Exam Analysis
Overall Difficulty Level: Easy–Moderate
Student feedback and expert reviews indicate that CLAT 2026 maintained a balanced difficulty level. Prepared candidates found the paper manageable and predictable.
Exam Structure
- Followed the expected 5-section pattern
- Weightage distributed evenly
- No surprises in format
- A clear improvement from the inconsistencies of CLAT 2025
Candidate Performance
Students with consistent practice, strong reading skills, and familiarity with analytical reasoning performed well.
Cut-Off Trends
Given the predictable nature of the paper, cut-offs for top NLUs are expected to remain within the standard range, slightly higher than CLAT 2025 because of the paper’s moderate difficulty and high student turnout.
Section-Wise CLAT 2026 Analysis
1. English Language — Easy to Moderate
Key Highlights
• Noticeable shift towards vocabulary-focused questions
• Passages inspired by literature (e.g., Sapiens, Animal Farm)
• Moderate readability with deeper inference requirements
• Balanced mix of tone, meaning, vocabulary and inference-based tasks
Verdict: High-scoring for students with strong reading skills.
2. Logical Reasoning — Moderate & Tricky (Most Difficult Section)
This section was the biggest game-changer.
- Unexpected Shift
- Students anticipated standard Critical Reasoning questions, but the exam leaned heavily on
- Analytical Reasoning, making the section more challenging.
What Appeared
• Blood Relations
• Ordering & Sequencing
• Coding–Decoding
• Logic-based caselets
• Deductive reasoning
• A very difficult Tabular Arrangement set which:
o Was lengthy
o Required multi-step deductions
o Became the toughest part of the entire paper
Verdict: Trickiest section; significantly influenced overall performance.
3. Legal Reasoning — Easy to Moderate
Why It Was Student-Friendly
• Predictable, principle-based questions
• Short, clear passages
• Topics included:
o Same-sex marriage
o Governance
o Basic constitutional/legal principles
• Direct application-based format
Verdict: One of the most scoring and stable sections of CLAT 2026.
4. GK / Current Affairs — Easy
Nature of Questions
Straightforward, direct, and focused on recent national and international events.
Reported Topics
• American taxation
• SCO
• Air India
• Pahalgam
• Major global & national developments
Verdict: Easiest section; high-scoring with basic current affairs preparation.
5. Quantitative Techniques — Easy (Calculative)
Topics Covered
• Ratio
• Percentages
• Proportion
• Arithmetic
• Data Interpretation sets
Straightforward but required quick calculation and accuracy.
Verdict: Predictable; manageable with basic arithmetic practice.
CLAT 2026 vs CLAT 2025: Difficulty Comparison
| Section | CLAT 2026 Difficulty | Nature of Questions | Comparison with CLAT 2025 |
| English Language | Easy–Moderate | Passage-based, more vocabulary | Slightly deeper inference |
| GK / Current Affairs | Easy | Straightforward & contemporary | Easier |
| Legal Reasoning | Moderate | Principle + fact pattern | Similar |
| Logical Reasoning | Moderate–Tricky | Analytical, multi-step | Harder |
| Quantitative Techniques | Moderate | DI + arithmetic | Similar, more calculative |
Key Takeaways from CLAT 2026
- Logical Reasoning was the deciding section due to analytical-heavy questions.
- GK and Legal Reasoning emerged as the highest-scoring sections.
- QT was clean and predictable.
- The paper marked a return to stability, balance and fairness after the tumultuous CLAT 2025 cycle.
Conclusion
CLAT 2026 restored faith in the examination process by providing a fair, balanced and moderately challenging paper. With predictable difficulty, well-structured sections, and inclusive arrangements for all categories of candidates, the exam set a positive precedent.
As aspirants await results and counselling, we extend best wishes to all students—especially those appearing for AILET 2026. The journey is long, but consistent preparation and resilience always lead the way forward.
