Law
Mar 15, 2026
CLAT 2026: Consortium of NLUs to Add Five New Exam Centers in Northeast India
V
Vikram Malhotra
Mar 15, 2026
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The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) has announced a significant expansion of its examination infrastructure for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026. In an official notification released this morning, the Consortium revealed that five new exam centers will be established in Northeast India, specifically in Itanagar, Kohima, Aizawl, Agartala, and Gangtok. This decision comes after several representations from student bodies and local governments highlighting the difficulties faced by aspirants from these regions in traveling to major hubs like Guwahati or Kolkata.
The move is part of the Consortium's broader 'Inclusion Initiative,' which aims to diversify the student profile at the 24 participating NLUs. By bringing the exam closer to home for thousands of students, the Consortium hopes to see a rise in the number of applications from the eight northeastern states. 'Geography should not be a barrier to a career in law. We are committed to making CLAT a truly national exam that is accessible to every corner of India,' said the President of the Consortium.
In addition to the new centers, the Consortium has also announced a revised fee structure for students from the EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) and BPL (Below Poverty Line) categories. There will be a 50% waiver on the application fee for these candidates, provided they submit valid documentation during the registration process. This step is expected to make the high-stakes entrance exam more affordable for meritorious students from marginalized backgrounds.
The CLAT 2026 exam is scheduled for the first Sunday of December, but the registration process usually begins in July. However, the early announcement of exam centers allows students to plan their travel and logistics well in advance. The syllabus for CLAT 2026 remains unchanged, focusing on English Language, Current Affairs including General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. The Consortium also clarified that the exam will continue to be conducted in an offline, pen-and-paper format.
Law aspirants have lauded the decision. 'Traveling from Itanagar to Guwahati for an exam was always a stressful experience. Having a center in my own city will allow me to focus entirely on my performance,' said Tenzing Dorjee, a Class 12 student. The Consortium has also hinted at introducing more regional language support for the CLAT PG (Postgraduate) exam in the coming years, further signaling a shift toward a more inclusive legal education ecosystem in India.
The move is part of the Consortium's broader 'Inclusion Initiative,' which aims to diversify the student profile at the 24 participating NLUs. By bringing the exam closer to home for thousands of students, the Consortium hopes to see a rise in the number of applications from the eight northeastern states. 'Geography should not be a barrier to a career in law. We are committed to making CLAT a truly national exam that is accessible to every corner of India,' said the President of the Consortium.
In addition to the new centers, the Consortium has also announced a revised fee structure for students from the EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) and BPL (Below Poverty Line) categories. There will be a 50% waiver on the application fee for these candidates, provided they submit valid documentation during the registration process. This step is expected to make the high-stakes entrance exam more affordable for meritorious students from marginalized backgrounds.
The CLAT 2026 exam is scheduled for the first Sunday of December, but the registration process usually begins in July. However, the early announcement of exam centers allows students to plan their travel and logistics well in advance. The syllabus for CLAT 2026 remains unchanged, focusing on English Language, Current Affairs including General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. The Consortium also clarified that the exam will continue to be conducted in an offline, pen-and-paper format.
Law aspirants have lauded the decision. 'Traveling from Itanagar to Guwahati for an exam was always a stressful experience. Having a center in my own city will allow me to focus entirely on my performance,' said Tenzing Dorjee, a Class 12 student. The Consortium has also hinted at introducing more regional language support for the CLAT PG (Postgraduate) exam in the coming years, further signaling a shift toward a more inclusive legal education ecosystem in India.