Law
Mar 24, 2026
CLAT 2027: Consortium of NLUs Proposes Regional Language Options for Entrance Exam
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Amitabh Choudhury
Mar 24, 2026
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The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) has initiated a feasibility study to conduct the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) in multiple Indian languages starting from the 2027 academic cycle. Currently, the exam is conducted exclusively in English, which many activists and legal experts argue creates a barrier for talented students from vernacular medium schools. The proposal, discussed during the recent Governing Body meeting in New Delhi, suggests introducing the exam in Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali in the first phase. This move aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes the use of mother tongues in higher education and professional entrance tests.
The Vice-Chancellor of NLSIU Bangalore and the current President of the Consortium, Prof. Sudhir Krishnaswamy, noted that the legal profession in India operates across various linguistic contexts, especially in lower courts. By allowing students to take the entrance exam in their native languages, the NLUs hope to attract a more diverse pool of candidates who can eventually serve the justice system in their respective regions. However, the transition poses significant logistical challenges, particularly in translating complex legal reasoning and logical aptitude questions without losing their original meaning or difficulty level. A dedicated committee of linguists and legal academics has been formed to create a standardized bilingual glossary for the exam.
While the 2026 CLAT (scheduled for December 2025) will remain in English, the announcement for the 2027 cycle has already sparked a nationwide debate. Supporters argue that this will democratize legal education, while critics worry about the quality of legal education if the primary medium of instruction in NLUs remains English. To address this, the Consortium is also looking into providing bridge courses in English for students who enter through the regional language medium, ensuring they can keep up with the global nature of corporate law and international litigation. The final decision on the number of languages and the specific implementation plan is expected to be announced by October 2026.
Students planning for the 2027 cycle are advised to keep a close watch on the official Consortium website. In addition to the language shift, there are rumors of a revised syllabus that might include a section on 'Ethical Reasoning' to better evaluate the moral compass of future lawyers. As the legal field in India expands into tech-law, IP rights, and environmental regulation, the entrance criteria are becoming increasingly multi-dimensional. For now, aspirants for the upcoming 2026 session should continue their preparation in English, focusing on reading speed and comprehension, which remain the core pillars of the current CLAT format.
The Vice-Chancellor of NLSIU Bangalore and the current President of the Consortium, Prof. Sudhir Krishnaswamy, noted that the legal profession in India operates across various linguistic contexts, especially in lower courts. By allowing students to take the entrance exam in their native languages, the NLUs hope to attract a more diverse pool of candidates who can eventually serve the justice system in their respective regions. However, the transition poses significant logistical challenges, particularly in translating complex legal reasoning and logical aptitude questions without losing their original meaning or difficulty level. A dedicated committee of linguists and legal academics has been formed to create a standardized bilingual glossary for the exam.
While the 2026 CLAT (scheduled for December 2025) will remain in English, the announcement for the 2027 cycle has already sparked a nationwide debate. Supporters argue that this will democratize legal education, while critics worry about the quality of legal education if the primary medium of instruction in NLUs remains English. To address this, the Consortium is also looking into providing bridge courses in English for students who enter through the regional language medium, ensuring they can keep up with the global nature of corporate law and international litigation. The final decision on the number of languages and the specific implementation plan is expected to be announced by October 2026.
Students planning for the 2027 cycle are advised to keep a close watch on the official Consortium website. In addition to the language shift, there are rumors of a revised syllabus that might include a section on 'Ethical Reasoning' to better evaluate the moral compass of future lawyers. As the legal field in India expands into tech-law, IP rights, and environmental regulation, the entrance criteria are becoming increasingly multi-dimensional. For now, aspirants for the upcoming 2026 session should continue their preparation in English, focusing on reading speed and comprehension, which remain the core pillars of the current CLAT format.