CLAT Previous Year Question Papers 2008–2026 | With Solutions PDF | Cross & Climb Hisar
⚖️ CLAT Preparation · Previous Year Papers

CLAT Previous Year
Question Papers
2008 – 2026

Every official CLAT paper from 2008 to 2026 — with exact section-wise question counts, year-wise difficulty analysis, topic frequency data and a complete PYQ strategy guide. The single most powerful preparation tool available.

✓ Official Papers 2008–2026 ✓ Answer Keys Included 19 Years Section-wise Breakdown Difficulty Analysis
19Years of Papers
2008–26Complete Range
120Qs per paper (2024–26)
FreeAll PDFs Available

Download CLAT PYQ Papers 2008–2026

All official papers with complete answer keys. Includes both old-pattern (2008–2019, objective format) and new passage-based papers (2020–2026). WhatsApp us to receive the full PDF pack directly.

✓ Official Papers ✓ Answer Keys Included 19 Papers Both Formats Free
New Passage-Based Format

CLAT Papers 2020 – 2026

These papers follow the current pattern. Prioritise these for preparation — CLAT 2027 will follow the same format.

CLAT 2026 Current Pattern
Total: 120 Questions · 120 Marks · 120 Minutes
English24
GK & Current Affairs28
Legal Reasoning30
Logical Reasoning26
Quant Techniques12
Moderate Good score: 90–97
GK was toughest section — obscure legal news. RC passages 650+ words.
CLAT 2025 Current Pattern
Total: 120 Questions · 120 Marks · 120 Minutes
English24
GK & Current Affairs28
Legal Reasoning32
Logical Reasoning24
Quant Techniques12
Moderate Good score: 88–96
Legal Reasoning had 32 Qs — heaviest section. Torts & Constitutional Law dominated.
CLAT 2024 Current Pattern
Total: 120 Questions · 120 Marks · 120 Minutes
English24
GK & Current Affairs28
Legal Reasoning32
Logical Reasoning24
Quant Techniques12
Moderate Good score: 92–100
Critical reasoning in LR was notably harder. Contract Law prominent. SC judgments in GK.
CLAT 2023 Current Pattern
Total: 150 Questions · 150 Marks · 120 Minutes
English30
GK & Current Affairs35
Legal Reasoning40
Logical Reasoning30
Quant Techniques15
Moderate Good score: 115–125
QT was easiest section. English RC was the differentiator — complex academic passages.
CLAT 2022 Current Pattern
Total: 150 Questions · 150 Marks · 120 Minutes
English30
GK & Current Affairs35
Legal Reasoning40
Logical Reasoning30
Quant Techniques15
Moderate Good score: 108–118
First fully settled passage-based paper. Constitutional Law (Fundamental Rights) dominated Legal.
CLAT 2021 Current Pattern
Total: 150 Questions · 150 Marks · 120 Minutes
English30
GK & Current Affairs35
Legal Reasoning40
Logical Reasoning30
Quant Techniques15
Easy–Moderate Good score: 120–130
New passage-based format launched. Overall easy — cutoffs were high that year.
CLAT 2020 New Pattern (First Year)
Total: 150 Questions · 150 Marks · 120 Minutes
English30
GK & Current Affairs36
Legal Reasoning39
Logical Reasoning45
Quant Techniques15
Hard Good score: 100–110
Transition year. New format caught most students off-guard. LR was 45 questions — heaviest ever.

All Papers — Direct Download

Download All CLAT Papers (2008 – 2026)

Click any row to download the PDF directly. All files hosted on Google Drive.

Year Format Total Questions Download
2026New Pattern120⬇️ Paper📋 Answer Key
2025New Pattern120⬇️ Paper
2024New Pattern120⬇️ Paper
2023New Pattern150⬇️ Paper
2022New Pattern150⬇️ Paper
2021New Pattern150⬇️ Paper
2020New Pattern150⬇️ Paper
2019Old Pattern200⬇️ Paper
2018Old Pattern200⬇️ Paper
2017Old Pattern200⬇️ Paper
2016Old Pattern200⬇️ Paper
2015Old Pattern200⬇️ Paper
2014Old Pattern200⬇️ Paper
2013Old Pattern200⬇️ Paper
2012Old Pattern200⬇️ Paper
2011Old Pattern200⬇️ Paper
2010Old Pattern200⬇️ Paper
2009Old Pattern200⬇️ Paper
2008Old Pattern200⬇️ Paper

Old Objective Format

CLAT Papers 2008 – 2019

200-question format with direct objective questions. Use these for topic-based drilling, not full-paper pattern practice.

Year English GK & CA Legal Apt. Logical R. Maths Total Difficulty
20193050504020200Moderate
20183050504020200Easy
20173050504020200Moderate
20163050504020200Moderate
20153050504020200Hard
20143050504020200Moderate
20133050504020200Easy
20123050504020200Moderate
20113050504020200Easy
20103050504020200Moderate
20093050504020200Easy
20083050504020200Easy
📌 Old vs New Pattern — Important Distinction CLAT completely changed its format in 2020 from direct objective questions to passage-based MCQs. The two formats test very different skills. For your 2027 preparation, solve 2020–2026 papers for pattern practice and use 2008–2019 papers only for section-wise topic drilling.

Data-Driven Insights

Topic Frequency — Last 5 Years (2021–2026)

Which topics appear in every CLAT paper? Based on analysis of 2021–2026 papers.

⚖️ Legal Reasoning Topics

Torts
5/5
Constitutional Law
5/5
Contract Law
4/5
Criminal Law
3/5
Family Law
2/5
IPR / Property
2/5

🧩 Logical Reasoning Types

Assumptions
5/5
Strengthen / Weaken
5/5
Conclusions
5/5
Logical Flaws
3/5
Analogical Reasoning
2/5

📖 English Question Types

Inference / Conclusion
5/5
Main Idea / Theme
5/5
Author's Tone
4/5
Vocabulary in Context
4/5
Para Completion
3/5

🌍 GK & Current Affairs Themes

Legal / Constitutional News
5/5
National Political Events
5/5
Economy & Budget
4/5
Environment & Climate
4/5
International Affairs
3/5

Why PYQs Matter

10 Benefits of Solving CLAT Previous Year Papers

Every CLAT topper will say the same thing — PYQs are the single most important preparation tool.

1
🎯

Understand the Real Pattern

No textbook replicates the authentic feel of a CLAT paper. PYQs give you the real passage length, question framing and difficulty distribution.

2
🔁

Topics Recur in Style

CLAT never repeats the same question, but Torts and Constitutional Law appear every single year. Pattern recognition is a learnable skill.

3
⏱️

Build Real Time Management

120 minutes for 120 questions sounds easy until you face a 700-word Legal passage. Only timed practice builds the pace needed on exam day.

4
🗺️

Identify Weak Sections

After 3 PYQ papers you will know exactly which section costs you the most marks. Use that knowledge to prioritise intelligently.

5
📈

Build Exam-Day Confidence

Students who have solved 10+ PYQs walk into CLAT with calm confidence. They have seen it all before — the format holds no surprises.

6
📊

Benchmark Against Real Cutoffs

Every PYQ has a real cutoff. Comparing your raw score tells you exactly how far you are from your target NLU right now.

7
🏃

Improve Speed & Accuracy Together

Repeated timed practice sharpens both speed and accuracy — the exact combination needed to maximise your CLAT score.

8
🧠

Develop Elimination Techniques

PYQ analysis teaches you when to eliminate wrong options quickly vs when to read a passage fully — critical for time-saving.

9
🔍

Spot High-Priority Topics

Torts, Constitutional Law, Assumptions, Inference — PYQ analysis makes your topic priority list crystal clear.

10
📉

Track Progress Over Time

Record your raw score for every paper you attempt. Your score should improve 3–5 marks per paper in the final 2 months. If not, change your approach.


Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Minimum 7–8 papers in timed conditions. Solve all 2020–2026 passage-based papers at least once, and the 3 most recent papers twice. Quality analysis matters more than volume — 5 papers with thorough error review beats 15 papers with no analysis.
Use them selectively — not as full papers. Old papers (2008–2019) had direct objective questions without passages. They are useful for topic-wise drilling on Constitutional Law, Torts, Contract Law. Do not use them for full-paper pattern practice as they will not simulate today's exam format.
Attempt one diagnostic paper in Month 1 to understand where you stand. Return to PYQs seriously from Month 4 onward after covering the complete syllabus. In the final 2 months, attempt 2–3 PYQ papers per week alongside mock tests.
For NLSIU Bangalore (rank 1–50): aim for 96–104+ in the 120-mark format. For NALSAR, NLU Delhi (rank 50–200): aim for 90–98. For top-10 NLUs (rank 200–500): 82–90. Your PYQ score should consistently match these benchmarks before exam day.
Yes — CLAT has a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer. This means blind guessing is risky. If you can eliminate 2 of 4 options, attempt the question. If you have no idea, skip it. PYQ practice helps you develop this judgment naturally.
No — PYQs are essential but not sufficient. You need conceptual understanding of Legal Reasoning topics (Torts, Contract, Constitutional Law), reading habits for English RC, and daily current affairs. PYQs show you what to target; coaching and structured study build the foundation to execute.
Expert Strategy

How to Use CLAT PYQs Effectively

Most students download PYQs and never use them correctly. Here is the right 6-step approach used by CLAT toppers.

01

Start with 2022–2026 First

These follow the current passage-based format. CLAT 2027 will be identical in structure. Prioritise these 5 papers above all others before touching older papers.

02

Simulate Real Exam Conditions

Attempt each paper in exactly 120 minutes. No phone, no breaks, no checking notes. The pressure simulation is the real value — not just the content review.

03

Error Analysis is Non-Negotiable

Spend equal time on your mistakes as on the test. Categorise every wrong answer: misread passage, wrong reasoning, or ran out of time. Fix the pattern — not individual questions.

04

Track Score Week by Week

Record your raw score for every paper attempted. Your score should rise 3–5 marks per week in the final 2 months. If not, change your preparation approach immediately.

05

Use 2008–2019 for Topic Drilling

Old papers are excellent for topic-wise practice on Constitutional Law, Contract, Torts. Use specific questions for targeted revision — not as full-paper pattern practice.

06

Attempt the Last 3 Papers Twice

In your final month, reattempt CLAT 2024, 2025 and 2026 again — 4 weeks after your first attempt. Compare scores. Improvement here means real retention has happened.

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