Archive · 25 Jul 2026
Expert Panel Recommends Major CLAT Overhaul
An expert panel has suggested big changes to the CLAT exam, which is used for admissions to law schools in India.
They want to remove the general knowledge section, reduce the number of questions, and add a new essay part.
These changes won't happen for the 2027 exam but are being considered for 2028.
The panel also thinks the way the exam is run should be improved to make it fairer and better.
People can give their opinions on these changes until August 31.
An expert committee recommended major changes to the CLAT exam, including removing the GK section and merging legal and logical reasoning.
The proposed changes will not affect CLAT 2027 but are being considered for CLAT 2028.
The panel suggested adding a subjective essay component to test communication and argument skills.
The current rotating convenorship model for administering the exam was criticized for lacking institutional memory.
Public feedback on the recommendations is being sought until August 31.
- Who
- An expert committee appointed by the Consortium of National Law Universities
- What
- Recommended sweeping changes to the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)
- When
- The report was published last week, with feedback sought until August 31
- Where
- India
- Why
- To improve the quality and fairness of the exam, addressing criticisms of the current format
Proponents of Change
Supporters of Status Quo
Exam Structure
Proponents of Change
The expert panel advocates for a leaner three-section model, removing the GK section and merging legal and logical reasoning, to reduce rote learning and emphasize analytical skills.
Supporters of Status Quo
Supporters of the current structure argue that the existing format tests a broader range of knowledge and skills, including general awareness and speed.
Subjective Component
Proponents of Change
The panel proposes adding a subjective essay component to test communication and argument skills, believing it better prepares students for legal practice.
Supporters of Status Quo
Opponents contend that subjective questions introduce bias and are harder to standardize, potentially disadvantageing some students.
Administration
Proponents of Change
The panel recommends professionalizing the paper-setting process to ensure quality control and avoid litigation over answer keys, citing the lack of institutional memory in the current rotating convenorship model.
Supporters of Status Quo
Some argue that the current system fosters collaboration among member universities and that professionalizing the process could centralize power and reduce diversity in question-setting.
- Committee Members
- Tarunabh Khaitan (LSE), Dev Saif Gangjee (Oxford), Shyamkrishna Balganesh (Columbia), Pritam Baruah (BML Munjal University), Surabhi Ranganathan (Cambridge)
- Current Exam Structure
- General Knowledge, English, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning
- Proposed Exam Structure
- Language and Comprehension, Legal and Logical Reasoning, Subjective Essay
- Exam Duration
- 2 hours
- Number of Questions
- 10-15 per section
- Public Feedback Deadline
- August 31
- Implementation Year
- CLAT 2028