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HomeSyllabusCLAT PG (LL.M) Syllabus 2027
Postgraduate
Official Curriculum Updated

CLAT PG Syllabus 2027 (Official Consortium of NLUs)

Comprehensive 13-Subject Curriculum, Topic-Wise Descriptions, Marks Weightage & Preparation Strategy for LL.M. Aspirants

Duration
2 Hours (120 Minutes)
Total Marks
120 Marks
Questions
120
Marking Scheme
+1 for correct, –0.25 for incorrect
Official Examination Distribution

Subject-Wise Marks Weightage (Out of 120 Marks)

Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence together account for nearly one-third of the total paper.

Core Subject / Area of LawApprox. WeightageRemarks / Preparation Focus
Constitutional Law
20–25 Marks
Highest weightage section; questions focus on fundamental rights, basic structure, writ jurisdiction, and recent constitutional bench rulings.
Jurisprudence
10–15 Marks
Core focus on analytical, natural, historical, and sociological schools, legal theories (Austin, Hart, Kelsen), rights, duties, and ownership.
Criminal Law
10–15 Marks
Case-driven extracts from IPC principles, mens rea, general exceptions, homicide vs murder, bodily offences, and BNS 2023 overview.
Law of Contract
8–10 Marks
High-frequency conceptual questions on offer/acceptance, free consent, frustration, breach of contract, damages, and specific relief.
Administrative Law
5–8 Marks
Focus on delegated legislation, principles of natural justice, judicial review, legitimate expectation, and statutory tribunals.
Law of Torts
5–8 Marks
Doctrines of strict & absolute liability, negligence, vicarious liability, general defences, and Consumer Protection Act 2019.
Company Law
5–8 Marks
Corporate personality, lifting the veil, directors duties, corporate governance, CSR, oppression/mismanagement, and IBC basics.
Public International Law
5–8 Marks
Sources under Art 38 ICJ Statute, recognition, state responsibility, law of treaties (VCLT), UN organs, and UNCLOS maritime zones.
Environmental Law
5–8 Marks
Precautionary principle, polluter pays, public trust, EPA 1986, NGT Act 2010, international climate agreements, and landmark PILs.
Family Law
5 Marks
Marriage, divorce, maintenance (Sec 125), succession rights under Hindu Succession Act (2005 Amendment), Muslim personal law, and UCC.
Property Law
5 Marks
Transfer of Property Act: rule against perpetuity, election, ostensible owner, lis pendens, part performance (Sec 53A), mortgage, and lease.
Labour & Industrial Law
5 Marks
Industrial Disputes Act (industry/workman), trade unions, strikes/lockouts, social security legislations, and Four New Labour Codes 2020.
Tax Law
3–5 Marks
Constitutional provisions on taxation (Arts 265, 246A), income tax heads/exemptions, and Goods and Services Tax (GST) principles.

Most Important Topics in Syllabus of CLAT PG

These high-yield topics carry the highest frequency of judicial reasoning extracts and direct application questions in the recent exam cycles:

1Fundamental Rights & Constitutional Amendments
2Basic Structure Doctrine & Judicial Review
3Legal Theories of Austin, Kelsen, Hart & Fuller
4Mens Rea, General Exceptions & Joint Liability
5Breach of Contract, Remedies & Section 56 Frustration
6Principles of Natural Justice & Wednesbury Unreasonableness
7Strict & Absolute Liability (Rylands & MC Mehta)
8Corporate Veil & Oppression/Mismanagement (Sec 241)
9Sources of International Law & Vienna Convention (VCLT)
10Core Environmental Doctrines (Polluter Pays & Precautionary)

Key Examination Characteristics

Extract-based questions drawn from recent landmark High Court and Supreme Court judgments and statutory amendments
Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence together account for nearly one-third of the total marks (30-40 marks)
120 Multiple Choice Questions testing deep conceptual application and judicial doctrine interpretation
Direct admission gateway to 24+ National Law Universities (NLUs) across India for LL.M. programs
Mandatory coverage of new statutory updates alongside foundational legal codes and judicial reasoning
Eligibility Criteria

Academic Pre-requisites

General / OBC / EWS / PwD: Minimum 50% aggregate marks in LL.B. (3-year or 5-year integrated).
SC / ST Categories: Minimum 45% aggregate marks in LL.B. degree.
Final Year / Appearing Candidates: Eligible to apply (must submit degree proof at time of admission).
Upper Age Limit: None. Candidates of any age may appear for CLAT PG.
Free Eligibility Evaluation & Admission Enquiry

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Comprehensive Subject-Wise Syllabus (13 Subjects)

Click on any subject below to expand or collapse verified examinable subtopics, statutory sections, and legal doctrines.

Official CLAT PG Syllabus: 13 Core Areas of Law

Comprehensive, verified breakdown of all 13 core legal subjects specified in the official Consortium of NLUs PG curriculum.

120 Marks Total

The backbone of CLAT PG. Tests deep conceptual grounding in constitutional doctrines, civil liberties, and landmark Supreme Court verdicts.

Preamble & Constitutional Philosophy

Guiding principles, sovereign socialist secular democratic republic, justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.

Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35)

Right to Equality (Articles 14–18), Basic Freedoms (Article 19), Protection of Life & Personal Liberty (Article 21, Maneka Gandhi, K.S. Puttaswamy privacy ruling), Preventive Detention safeguards (Article 22).

Freedom of Religion & Minority Rights (Articles 25–30)

Freedom of conscience, essential religious practices test, Sabarimala verdict, rights of linguistic and religious minorities.

Directive Principles & Fundamental Duties (Articles 36–51A)

Socio-economic guidelines, judicial reconciliation of Part III and Part IV (Minerva Mills), 42nd Amendment duties and legal enforceability.

Separation of Powers & Basic Structure Doctrine

Landmark verdicts including Kesavananda Bharati, Indira Gandhi v Raj Narain, Minerva Mills, and NJAC judgment.

Union & State Executive Governance

Powers of the President and Governors, pardoning powers (Articles 72 & 161), Ordinance-making limits (Articles 123 & 213, D.C. Wadhwa, Krishna Kumar Singh).

Union & State Legislatures

Parliamentary privileges, anti-defection law (Tenth Schedule, Kihoto Hollohan), legislative procedures and financial bills.

Judiciary & Extraordinary Writ Jurisdiction

Original, appellate, and advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court (Articles 131, 136, 143), Writ remedies under Articles 32 and 226 (Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Certiorari, Prohibition, Quo Warranto).

Federalism & Centre-State Relations

Distribution of legislative, administrative, and financial powers (Articles 245–293), doctrine of pith and substance, repugnancy (Article 254), S.R. Bommai case.

Emergency Provisions (Articles 352–360)

Proclamation of National Emergency, failure of constitutional machinery in States (President Rule - Article 356), Financial Emergency, effect on Fundamental Rights (Articles 358 & 359).

Constitutional Amendments (Article 368)

Procedure, scope, basic structure limits, analysis of 101st (GST), 103rd (EWS), 104th, 105th, and 106th (Nari Shakti Vandan) Amendments.

Constitutional & Statutory Authorities

Election Commission (Article 324, Anoop Baranwal ruling), Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG), Finance Commission, Union and State Public Service Commissions.

Philosophical and analytical foundations of law, schools of legal thought, sources of law, and core jurisprudential concepts.

Nature, Definition & Classification of Law

Meaning of jurisprudence, normative vs positive science, relationship between law, ethics, and morality.

Analytical & Positivist School

John Austin (Imperative Command Theory, Sovereign, Sanctions), Jeremy Bentham (Utilitarianism), H.L.A. Hart (The Concept of Law, Primary & Secondary Rules, Rule of Recognition), Hans Kelsen (Pure Theory of Law, Grundnorm, Hierarchy of Norms).

Natural Law School

Classical Greek/Roman thought (Cicero, Aristotle), Medieval period (St. Thomas Aquinas), Social Contractarians (Grotius, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau), 20th Century revival (Rudolf Stammler, Lon Fuller Inner Morality of Law, John Finnis).

Historical School

Friedrich Carl von Savigny (Volksgeist - National Consciousness of People), Sir Henry Maine (Status to Contract evolution, Anthropological jurisprudence).

Sociological School

Roscoe Pound (Social Engineering Theory, Jural Postulates), Leon Duguit (Social Solidarity), Rudolf von Ihering (Jurisprudence of Interests), Eugen Ehrlich (Living Law).

Realist School

American Legal Realism (Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. Bad Man Theory, Karl Llewellyn, Jerome Frank Rule & Fact Skepticism), Scandinavian Realism (Axel HΓ€gerstrΓΆm, Alf Ross).

Sources of Law

Customs (Essentials of valid custom), Precedent (Stare Decisis, Ratio Decidendi vs Obiter Dicta, Prospective Overruling), Legislation (Supreme and Subordinate legislation).

Concepts of Rights and Duties

Wesley Newcomb Hohfeld Analysis of Jural Relations (Jural Correlatives & Jural Opposites), Theories of Rights (Will Theory vs Interest Theory).

Ownership and Possession

Corpus Possessionis and Animus Possidendi, Savigny and Ihering theories, Corporeal vs Incorporeal possession, Ownership essentials and modes of acquisition.

Legal Personality & Theories of Punishment

Legal status of unborn child, dead persons, idols, animals, and corporations; Theories of punishment (Deterrent, Retributive, Preventive, Reformative, Compensatory); Distributive justice (John Rawls Veil of Ignorance).

Principles of substantive criminal liability, general exceptions, specific offences against body, property, state, and transitional insights on BNS 2023.

Foundations of Criminal Liability

Actus Non Facit Reum Nisi Mens Sit Rea, elements of crime, stages of crime (Intention, Preparation, Attempt, Commission).

General Exceptions (Sections 76–106 IPC)

Mistake of Fact vs Law (Sec 76, 79), Judicial acts, Accident (Sec 80), Necessity (Sec 81 - R v Dudley and Stephens), Infancy/Doli Incapax (Sec 82, 83), Insanity (Sec 84 - M Naghten Rules), Intoxication (Sec 85, 86), Consent (Sec 87-90).

Right of Private Defence (Sections 96–106 IPC)

Limits and commencement, circumstances when right extends to causing death of body and property.

Inchoate Offences & Joint Liability

Criminal Conspiracy (Sec 120A, 120B), Abetment (Sec 107-120), Common Intention (Sec 34 - Barendra Kumar Ghosh, Mahbub Shah) vs Common Object (Sec 149 - Unlawful Assembly).

Offences Against Human Body - Homicide & Murder

Distinction between Culpable Homicide (Sec 299) and Murder (Sec 300 - Reg v Govinda, State of AP v R Punnayya), Exceptions to Murder, Rash/Negligent Act causing death (Sec 304A), Dowry Death (Sec 304B).

Bodily Hurt & Restraint Offences

Simple and Grievous Hurt (Sec 319-326), Acid Attacks (Sec 326A/B), Wrongful Restraint and Confinement (Sec 339-342), Kidnapping from Lawful Guardianship vs Abduction (Sec 359-366).

Sexual Offences & Outraging Modesty

Rape (Sec 375, 376 IPC, Criminal Law Amendment Acts 2013 & 2018), Sexual Harassment, Stalking, Voyeurism (Sec 354A-D), Outraging Modesty of Women (Sec 354).

Offences Against Property

Theft (Sec 378), Extortion (Sec 383), Robbery (Sec 390), Dacoity (Sec 391), Criminal Misappropriation (Sec 403), Criminal Breach of Trust (Sec 405), Cheating (Sec 415), Forgery (Sec 463).

Offences Against State & Public Tranquility

Sedition (Sec 124A - Kedar Nath, Supreme Court stay directions), Unlawful Assembly, Rioting, Promoting enmity between groups (Sec 153A/B), Criminal Defamation (Sec 499, 500).

New Criminal Laws (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 Overview)

Key architectural changes from IPC, community service provisions, mob lynching offence, organized crime, and transition timeline.

General principles of formation, validity, discharge, breach, remedies under Indian Contract Act 1872, and Specific Relief Act 1963.

Formation of Contract (Sections 2–9 ICA)

Offer, acceptance, communication, postal rule (Adams v Lindsell), invitation to treat (Pharmaceutical Society v Boots), revocation rules.

Consideration & Privity of Contract (Sections 2(d), 23, 25)

Essentials of consideration, Privity of Contract and Exceptions (Tweddle v Atkinson, Dunlop v Selfridge), Agreement without consideration.

Capacity of Parties (Sections 10–12)

Nature and effects of Minor Agreement (Mohori Bibee v Dharmodas Ghose), Persons of unsound mind, Disqualified persons.

Free Consent & Vitiating Factors (Sections 13–22)

Coercion (Sec 15), Undue Influence (Sec 16), Fraud (Sec 17 - Derry v Peek), Misrepresentation (Sec 18), Mistake of Fact vs Law (Sec 20-22).

Legality of Object & Void Agreements (Sections 23–30)

Agreements opposing public policy, Restraint of Trade (Sec 27 - Nordenfelt rule), Restraint of Legal Proceedings (Sec 28), Wagering Agreements (Sec 30).

Contingent Contracts & Quasi Contracts (Sections 31–36, 68–72)

Contingent events, Doctrine of Unjust Enrichment, Supply of necessaries, Quantum Meruit, Finder of lost goods.

Discharge of Contract & Doctrine of Frustration (Sections 37–67)

Performance, Novation, Rescission, Impossibility of Performance & Frustration (Sec 56 - Satyabrata Ghose v Mugneeram, Taylor v Caldwell).

Breach of Contract & Remedies (Sections 73–75)

Anticipatory vs Actual Breach, Remoteness of Damages (Hadley v Baxendale), Liquidated Damages vs Penalty (Sec 74 - Fateh Chand, Maula Bux).

Special Contracts - Indemnity, Guarantee, Bailment, Pledge & Agency

Rights of Indemnity holder (Sec 124), Surety liabilities & discharge (Sec 126-147), Bailee duties & lien (Sec 148-181), Creation and termination of Agency (Sec 182-238).

Specific Relief Act 1963 Principles

Specific performance of contracts (2018 Amendment mandatory relief), Injunctions (Temporary, Perpetual, Mandatory), Rectification and Rescission of instruments.

Principles governing exercise of public authority, subordinate legislation, natural justice, judicial review, and administrative tribunals.

Nature, Scope & Rule of Law

Evolution from police state to welfare state, Separation of Powers, A.V. Dicey formulation of Rule of Law and modern administrative realities.

Delegated Legislation & Permissible Limits

Need for delegation, Doctrine of Excessive Delegation, Essential Legislative Functions (In Re Delhi Laws Act), Sub-delegation and conditional legislation.

Control Mechanisms over Delegated Legislation

Parliamentary control (Laying requirements, Scrutiny Committees), Judicial control (Grounds of Substantive and Procedural Ultra Vires).

Principles of Natural Justice - Rule Against Bias

Nemo Judex In Causa Sua (Personal, Pecuniary, Subject-Matter bias), Test of Real Likelihood vs Reasonable Apprehension of Bias (A.K. Kraipak v UOI).

Principles of Natural Justice - Fair Hearing

Audi Alteram Partem, Right to notice, Cross-examination, Reasoned Decisions (Speaking orders), Post-decisional hearing (Maneka Gandhi v UOI), Exceptions to natural justice.

Judicial Review of Administrative Action

Grounds of review (Illegality, Irrationality, Procedural Impropriety), Wednesbury Principle of Unreasonableness, Doctrine of Proportionality.

Doctrines of Legitimate Expectation & Promissory Estoppel

Substantive and procedural expectations, Motilal Padampat Sugar Mills v State of UP, public interest overrides.

Administrative Discretion & Abuse of Power

Non-exercise of discretion, Acting under dictation, Mala fides, Irrelevant considerations, Arbitrariness under Article 14 (E.P. Royappa).

Tribunals & Administrative Adjudication

Articles 323A and 323B, Tribunalization of justice, Supreme Court supervisory writ review over tribunals (L. Chandra Kumar v Union of India).

Ombudsman, State Liability & Right to Information

Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013, Central Vigilance Commission, Sovereign immunity vs State tortious liability (Kasturi Lal, Vidyawati, Rudul Sah), RTI Act 2005.

Civil wrongs independent of contract, doctrines of fault and no-fault liability, tortious defences, remedies, and consumer protections.

Nature, Definition & Essentials of Tort

Tort vs Crime vs Breach of Contract, Injuria Sine Damno (Ashby v White), Damnum Sine Injuria (Gloucester Grammar School case), Ubi Jus Ibi Remedium.

General Defences in Tort

Volenti Non Fit Injuria (Hall v Brooklands), Plaintiff the Wrongdoer, Inevitable Accident, Act of God (Vis Major - Nichols v Marsland), Private Defence, Necessity, Statutory Authority.

Negligence & Standard of Care

Duty of care (Donoghue v Stevenson - Neighbour principle), Breach of duty, Remoteness of Damage (In Re Polemis, Wagon Mound), Res Ipsa Loquitur (MCD v Subhagwanti), Contributory Negligence.

Strict Liability & Absolute Liability

Rule in Rylands v Fletcher (Non-natural user, bring & keep, escape, exceptions), Absolute Liability doctrine in India (M.C. Mehta v Union of India - Oleum Gas Leak, Union Carbide Bhopal case).

Vicarious Liability & State Liability

Master-Servant relationship, Course of employment (Limpus v London General Omnibus), Independent contractor exception, Sovereign immunity and State Liability in India (Vidyawati, Kasturi Lal).

Nuisance & Environmental Torts

Public Nuisance (Section 133 CrPC remedies), Private Nuisance (Unreasonable interference with comfort, health, or property enjoyment), Defences and remedies.

Defamation & Defences

Libel vs Slander, Essentials of Defamation, Innuendo, Defences of Truth/Justification, Fair Comment, Absolute and Qualified Privilege.

Trespass to Person, Land & Goods

Assault, Battery, False Imprisonment (Bird v Jones), Malicious Prosecution essentials, Trespass Quare Clausum Fregit.

Remedies in Torts

Damages (Nominal, Compensatory, Exemplary), Injunctions, Specific Restitution of property, Extra-judicial remedies (Abatement of nuisance, Distress Damage Feasant).

Consumer Protection Act 2019 Framework

Definition of Consumer, Unfair Trade Practices, Defect in goods, Deficiency in services, Product Liability action, Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), Three-tier dispute redressal commissions.

Corporate personality, capital formation, management, corporate governance, shareholder rights, and winding up under Companies Act 2013.

Corporate Personality & Lifting the Veil

Separate legal entity (Salomon v Salomon & Co Ltd, Lee v Lee Air Farming), Lifting the Corporate Veil (Statutory & Judicial grounds - Daimler Co v Continental Tyre).

Types & Incorporation of Companies

One Person Company (OPC), Private Company, Public Company, Small Company, Section 8 Company, Holding and Subsidiary Companies, Incorporation procedure under Companies Act 2013.

Charter Documents (MOA & AOA)

Memorandum of Association clauses and alteration, Articles of Association, Doctrine of Ultra Vires (Ashbury Railway Carriage v Riche), Constructive Notice, Indoor Management (Royal British Bank v Turquand).

Corporate Capital & Securities

Share capital classes (Equity with differential voting rights, Preference shares), Sweat equity, Rights issue, Bonus shares, Debentures, Prospectus and civil/criminal liability for misstatements.

Directors & Key Managerial Personnel (KMP)

Appointment, Qualifications, Disqualifications (Sec 164), Vacation, Removal, Women Directors, Independent Directors and statutory duties under Section 166.

Corporate Governance & Committee Oversight

Audit Committee, Nomination and Remuneration Committee, Stakeholders Relationship Committee, Related Party Transactions (Sec 188), Corporate Criminal Liability.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Section 135 & Schedule VII mandates, eligibility thresholds, CSR Committee, 2% average net profit expenditure, Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) norms.

Prevention of Oppression and Mismanagement

Foss v Harbottle majority rule and exceptions, Rights of minority shareholders, Petitions under Sections 241–244, Powers of National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

Compromises, Arrangements & Mergers

Schemes of arrangement under Section 230-232, Cross-border mergers, Fast-track mergers, Regulatory role of NCLT, ROC, and Competition Commission of India (CCI).

Winding Up & Insolvency (IBC 2016 Basics)

Modes of winding up under Companies Act 2013 (Sec 271), Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016, Committee of Creditors (CoC) commercial wisdom.

Sources of international law, statehood, treaties, immunities, international organizations, dispute settlement, and law of the sea.

Nature, Origin & Basis of International Law

Concept of international law, Austinian critique vs modern consensus (Oppenheim, Starke), Pacta Sunt Servanda, Natural law vs Positivist theories.

Sources of International Law (Article 38(1) ICJ Statute)

International Conventions/Treaties, International Custom (Opinio Juris and State Practice - North Sea Continental Shelf cases), General Principles of Law, Judicial decisions and teachings of publicists.

Relationship Between International Law & Municipal Law

Theories of Monism and Dualism, Incorporation Theory vs Transformation Theory, Indian Constitutional Practice (Article 51(c), Article 253, Vishaka v State of Rajasthan).

Subjects of International Law

States as primary subjects, International organizations (Reparation for Injuries ICJ Advisory Opinion), Individuals as subjects of international criminal law and human rights.

Recognition of States & Governments

Constitutive Theory (Oppenheim) vs Declaratory Theory (Hall), De Facto vs De Jure recognition, Legal consequences and retroactive effect of recognition.

State Territory, Jurisdiction & Immunities

Modes of acquiring territory (Occupation, Accretion, Cession, Prescription), Principles of jurisdiction (Territorial, Nationality, Protective, Universal), Sovereign Immunity & Diplomatic Immunities (VCDR 1961).

Law of Treaties (Vienna Convention - VCLT 1969)

Conclusion of treaties, Reservations (Reservations to Genocide Convention Advisory Opinion), Invalidation, Termination, Jus Cogens peremptory norms (Article 53), Rebus Sic Stantibus.

United Nations & Peaceful Settlement of Disputes

UN Charter purposes and principles, General Assembly, Security Council (Chapter VII powers, Veto), International Court of Justice (Jurisdiction, Contentious cases, Advisory opinions).

Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982 Architecture)

Maritime zones (Internal Waters, Territorial Sea - 12 nautical miles, Contiguous Zone - 24 nm, Exclusive Economic Zone - 200 nm, Continental Shelf, High Seas as Common Heritage of Mankind), Innocent passage vs Transit passage.

International Humanitarian & Human Rights Law

Geneva Conventions 1949 and Additional Protocols, Jus in Bello vs Jus ad Bellum, UDHR 1948, ICCPR 1966, ICESCR 1966, International Criminal Court (Rome Statute jurisdiction over Genocide, War Crimes, Crimes against Humanity).

Constitutional mandates, statutory regimes for pollution control, judicial doctrines, green tribunals, and global climate conventions.

Constitutional Framework for Environmental Protection

Right to wholesome environment under Article 21 (Subhash Kumar v State of Bihar, M.C. Mehta cases), Directive Principles (Article 48A), Fundamental Duties (Article 51A(g)), Writ jurisdiction in ecology.

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

Umbrella legislation, Powers of Central Government (Sections 3 & 5), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notification, Public hearings, Penalties for contravention.

Water & Air Pollution Control Regimes

Water Act 1974 (Functions of CPCB and SPCB, Consent to establish/operate), Air Act 1981 (Air pollution control areas, inclusion of noise pollution), Effluent and emission standards.

National Green Tribunal Act, 2010

Establishment and composition of NGT, Jurisdiction over seven scheduled environmental laws, Application of sustainable development principles (Section 20), Appeal to Supreme Court (Section 22).

Core Environmental Doctrines in Indian Jurisprudence

Polluter Pays Principle (Enviro-Legal Action case), Precautionary Principle (Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum), Public Trust Doctrine (M.C. Mehta v Kamal Nath), Doctrine of Inter-Generational Equity.

Forest & Wildlife Protection Legislations

Indian Forest Act 1927, Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 (Restrictions on de-reservation and diversion of forest land, T.N. Godavarman ongoing orders), Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 (Schedules, Sanctuaries, National Parks, Tiger reserves).

Waste Management & Biological Diversity

Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, Hazardous and Other Wastes Rules, E-Waste Management, Biological Diversity Act 2002 (National Biodiversity Authority, People Biodiversity Registers, Access & Benefit Sharing).

International Environmental Accords

Stockholm Conference 1972, Brundtland Commission Report (Our Common Future), Rio Earth Summit 1992 (Agenda 21, Rio Declaration, CBD, UNFCCC).

Climate Change Governance

Kyoto Protocol 1997 (Clean Development Mechanism), Paris Agreement 2015 (Nationally Determined Contributions - NDCs, Global stocktake, Net-zero commitments, COP deliberations).

Environmental Public Interest Litigation (PIL)

Relaxation of locus standi, Epistolary jurisdiction, Court-appointed Commissioners, Continuous Mandamus, Landmark green jurisprudence shaping sustainable development.

Personal law regimes governing marriage, divorce, maintenance, succession, guardianship, and the constitutional debate on Uniform Civil Code.

Sources & Schools of Personal Laws

Sources of Hindu Law (Shruti, Smriti, Digests, Custom, Precedent, Legislation), Mitakshara vs Dayabhaga Schools; Sources of Muslim Law (Quran, Sunnah/Hadith, Ijma, Qiyas), Sunni and Shia Schools.

Marriage under Hindu & Muslim Law

Hindu Marriage Act 1955 (Conditions for valid marriage - Sec 5, Ceremonies - Sec 7, Registration - Sec 8), Muslim Marriage as Civil Contract (Nikah, Mahr/Dower - Prompt and Deferred, Conditions of valid Nikah).

Special Marriage Act 1954

Secular civil marriage, conditions, solemnization, registration, consequences on inheritance and personal law status.

Matrimonial Remedies & Nullity

Restitution of Conjugal Rights (Sec 9 HMA - T. Sareetha, Saroj Rani), Judicial Separation (Sec 10 HMA), Void Marriages (Sec 11 HMA), Voidable Marriages (Sec 12 HMA).

Divorce under Hindu Law (HMA 1955)

Fault-ground divorce (Cruelty, Adultery, Desertion - Sec 13(1)), Mutual Consent Divorce (Sec 13B), Irretrievable Breakdown of Marriage (Supreme Court powers under Article 142 - Shilpa Sailesh case).

Dissolution of Muslim Marriage

Forms of Divorce (Talaq-ul-Sunnat, Talaq-ul-Biddat/Triple Talaq declared void in Shayara Bano, Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Marriage Act 2019), Ila, Zihar, Khula, Mubarat, Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act 1939.

Maintenance & Alimony Framework

Maintenance under Section 125 CrPC/BNSS (Shah Bano, Danial Latifi), Sections 24 & 25 HMA (Pendente lite and permanent alimony), Hindu Adoptions & Maintenance Act 1956 (Sec 18 & 19), Rajnesh v Neha uniform guidelines.

Law of Succession & Coparcenary

Hindu Succession Act 1956, Mitakshara Coparcenary, 2005 Amendment (Daughters coparcenary birthrights - Vineeta Sharma v Rakesh Sharma), Rules of intestate succession for males and females; Muslim Law of Inheritance (Sharers, Residuaries, Distant Kindred, Doctrine of Aul and Radd).

Adoption & Guardianship

Hindu Adoptions & Maintenance Act 1956 (Capacity, valid requisites), Juvenile Justice Act 2015 & CARA adoption regulations, Guardians and Wards Act 1890 (Paramountcy of child welfare).

Uniform Civil Code (Article 44)

Constitutional directive, judicial pronouncements (Shah Bano, Sarla Mudgal, John Vallamattom), Goa Civil Code model, Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code Act 2024 analysis.

Transfer of Property Act 1882: general principles of transfer, vested/contingent rights, specific transfers including sale, mortgage, lease, and gift.

Scope & Foundations of Property Transfer

Definition of Immovable Property (Section 3 TPA), Actionable Claims, Instruments, Attestation, Actual and Constructive Notice.

Transferability of Property (Sections 5–9)

What may be transferred (Section 6 - Spes Successionis, Right of Re-entry, Easements, Personal interests), Persons competent to transfer (Section 7), Oral transfer (Section 9).

Restraints on Alienation & Perpetuity (Sections 10–17)

Conditions restraining alienation (Section 10), Restriction repugnant to interest created (Section 11), Rule Against Perpetuity (Section 14), Accumulation of income (Section 17).

Vested and Contingent Interest (Sections 19–24)

Characteristics of Vested Interest (Section 19), Contingent Interest (Section 21), Differences and transmissibility on death.

Conditional Transfers & Doctrine of Election

Transfers with condition precedent and subsequent (Sections 25–34), Doctrine of Election (Section 35 - Allegans Contraria Non Est Audiendus, Coopers v Coopers).

Transfers by Non-Owners & Ostensible Owners

Transfer by Ostensible Owner (Section 41 - Benami transactions link), Transfer by unauthorized person who subsequently acquires interest (Section 43 - Feeding the Grant by Estoppel).

Fraudulent Transfer & Doctrine of Lis Pendens

Transfer during pending litigation (Section 52 - Lis Pendens, Bellamy v Sabine, essentials), Fraudulent Transfer with intent to defeat/delay creditors (Section 53).

Doctrine of Part Performance (Section 53A)

Equitable doctrine codified in India, essentials, contract in writing, possession in furtherance of contract, shield vs sword principle.

Sale & Exchange of Immovable Property

Definition and essentials of Sale (Section 54), Contract for Sale vs Conveyance of Sale, Rights and liabilities of buyer and seller (Section 55), Exchange of property (Section 118).

Mortgages, Leases & Gifts

Kinds of Mortgages (Section 58 - Simple, Conditional Sale, Usufructuary, English, Deposit of Title Deeds, Anomalous), Right of Redemption (Section 60 - Clog on redemption), Leases of Immovable Property (Sections 105–117, Determination of lease), Gifts (Sections 122–129 - Acceptance, Revocation, Universal donee).

Constitutional basis of labour jurisprudence, dispute resolution, trade unions, social security enactments, and the Four New Labour Codes 2020.

Constitutional Foundations of Labour Jurisprudence

Articles 14, 19(1)(c), 21, 23, 24, 39, 41, 42, 43, 43A; Tripartite consultation, ILO Conventions ratified by India.

Industrial Disputes Act 1947 - Core Definitions

Definition of Industry (Section 2(j) - Bangalore Water Supply case), Workman (Section 2(s)), Industrial Dispute (Section 2(k)), Appropriate Government.

Workplace Actions - Strikes & Lockouts

General prohibition of strikes and lockouts in public utility services (Sections 22 & 23 IDA), Illegal strikes and consequences (Section 24), Justified vs Unjustified strikes.

Lay-off, Retrenchment & Closure

Definition and conditions of Lay-off (Section 2(kkk), Section 25C), Retrenchment (Section 2(oo), Section 25F - Last Come First Go rule), Closure conditions (Section 25FFA, 25-O for large establishments).

Dispute Settlement Machinery

Works Committee, Conciliation Officers, Boards of Conciliation, Courts of Inquiry, Labour Courts, Industrial Tribunals, National Tribunals, Voluntary Arbitration (Section 10A).

Trade Unions Act 1926

Registration of Trade Unions, Rights and liabilities of registered unions, Immunity from criminal conspiracy in trade disputes (Section 17), Immunity from civil tort liability (Section 18), Political funds.

Wages & Minimum Standards Enactments

Minimum Wages Act 1948 (Concepts of Living Wage, Fair Wage, Minimum Wage - Express Newspapers case), Payment of Wages Act 1936 (Authorized deductions, timely payment).

Social Security & Welfare Legislations

Employees Compensation Act 1923 (Employer liability for accident arising out of and in the course of employment), Maternity Benefit Act 1961 (2017 amendments, paid leave, crèche facilities), EPF & ESI Acts.

Four New Labour Codes (2020 Architecture)

Code on Wages 2019, Industrial Relations Code 2020, Code on Social Security 2020, Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code 2020 (Rationalization, gig/platform workers coverage, universal minimum wage).

Unorganized Workers & Contemporary Issues

Unorganized Workers Social Security Act 2008, Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act 1970, Gig economy rights, Platform worker social security protections.

Constitutional distribution of taxing powers, income tax heads, assessment procedures, and Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework.

Constitutional Scheme of Taxation

Article 265 (Taxes not to be imposed save by authority of law), Article 246A (Special provision for GST), Article 269A (Levy and collection of GST on inter-state supply), Restrictions on State taxing powers (Articles 286, 287), Finance Commission role.

Fundamental Concepts of Income Tax

Assessment Year, Previous Year, Definition of Income (Section 2(24)), Gross Total Income vs Total Income, Residential Status and Tax Incidence (Section 6, global income vs Indian income).

Five Heads of Income

Salaries (Sections 15–17, standard deductions), Income from House Property (Sections 22–27, annual value computation), Profits and Gains of Business or Profession (Sections 28–44DB, allowable deductions and depreciation), Capital Gains (Sections 45–55A, short-term vs long-term assets, exemptions under Sec 54), Income from Other Sources (Sections 56–59, residual head, gift taxation).

Exemptions, Deductions & Rebates

Incomes which do not form part of total income (Section 10, Agricultural income - Sec 10(1)), Deductions under Chapter VI-A (Sections 80C, 80D, 80G, 80TTA), Rebate under Section 87A.

Corporate Taxation & Special Provisions

Domestic vs Foreign company taxation, Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT under Section 115JB), Dividend Distribution Tax abolition and taxation in hands of shareholders.

Assessment & Tax Administration

Types of Returns (Normal, Belated, Revised), Summary Assessment (Sec 143(1)), Scrutiny Assessment (Sec 143(3)), Best Judgment Assessment (Sec 144), Income Escaping Assessment / Re-assessment (Sec 147–151), Faceless Assessment Scheme.

Appeals, Revisions & Dispute Resolution

Appellate hierarchy (Commissioner of Income Tax - Appeals, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal - ITAT as final fact-finding body, High Court on substantial question of law, Supreme Court), Revision by Principal Commissioner (Sections 263 & 264).

Goods and Services Tax (GST) Architecture

Central GST (CGST), State GST (SGST), Integrated GST (IGST), Union Territory GST (UTGST), GST Council (Article 279A, voting structure and consensus).

Core GST Mechanics

Taxable Event - Supply of goods or services (Section 7 CGST Act), Composite and Mixed Supplies (Section 8), Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM - Section 9(3)/(4)), Input Tax Credit (ITC - Section 16, conditions, blocked credits under Sec 17(5)), Composition Levy.

Tax Evasion, Avoidance & International Tax

Distinction between Tax Planning, Tax Avoidance, and Tax Evasion (McDowell & Co, Vodafone International Holdings), General Anti-Avoidance Rules (GAAR), Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAA under Section 90), Transfer Pricing (Arm length price principles).

Best Strategy to Cover CLAT PG Syllabus

Preparing for the syllabus of CLAT PG requires focus, structure, and consistency. Follow these proven principles:

1. Start with High-Weightage Subjects First

Begin with Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, and Criminal Law, as these three subjects carry nearly half the total marks (40-55 marks). Once you master them, move to moderate-weightage subjects like Contract, Torts, and Company Law to maximize overall accuracy.

2. Study Bare Acts Alongside Notes

Bare Acts help you understand the exact legal language and statutory qualifiers used in enactments. Read them side-by-side with your notes to connect theoretical knowledge with practical statutory interpretation tested in CLAT PG comprehension passages.

3. Revise Landmark Judgments Regularly

Create a dedicated notebook for landmark Supreme Court and High Court judgments across all 13 subjects. Revise them weekly, as over 80% of questions in CLAT PG are excerpted directly from judicial reasoning paragraphs.

4. Practice with CLAT PG PYQs and Mocks

Solve CLAT PG Previous Year Papers (2020–2026) and simulated full-length mocks. This trains your reading speed, passage extraction efficiency, and negative-marking risk management under strict 120-minute timed conditions.

5. Make Subject-Wise Formula & Flowcharts

While studying each topic, summarize legal doctrines, exceptions, and case citations into 1-page flowcharts. Use comparative tables to revise quickly during the final phase, especially for personal laws, property doctrines, and international conventions.

6. Stay Updated with Contemporary Legal Reforms

Regularly follow Supreme Court constitution bench hearings, recent statutory updates (like the New Criminal Laws and Labour Codes), and national regulatory developments to anticipate passage themes in the upcoming exam.

Examination FAQs

What is the pattern of CLAT PG questions?

CLAT PG consists of 120 multiple-choice questions based on comprehension extracts (approx. 350-450 words each) drawn from recent landmark Supreme Court/High Court judgments, statutes, or legal regulations.

Which subjects have the highest marks in CLAT PG?

Constitutional Law (20–25 marks), Jurisprudence (10–15 marks), and Criminal Law (10–15 marks) carry the highest weightage, together accounting for nearly 40-55 marks out of 120.

Is there negative marking in CLAT PG?

Yes, each correct question awards +1 mark, and 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect response.

What is the official website for Consortium of NLUs and CLAT PG Syllabus?

The official website of the Consortium of National Law Universities is consortiumofnlus.ac.in. Candidates can verify the official admission notification, exam calendar, and syllabus updates directly on the Consortium portal.

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