Supreme Court Criticizes CLAT Question Standards: Calls for Transparency and Reform

In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India has issued a stern warning to the Consortium of National Law Universities, expressing serious dissatisfaction with the way questions are prepared for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT).

While hearing a petition highlighting inconsistencies in the CLAT exam, the apex court remarked, “We are moved to express our dissatisfaction with the casual attitude adopted by the Consortium in preparing questions for the CLAT examinations. This trend has a direct impact on the career goals of millions of students.”

The court also recalled a similar concern raised back in 2018, where the quality and format of CLAT questions were questioned. However, no concrete action has since been taken by either the Union Government or the Bar Council of India (BCI), the court noted.

As a result, the bench has now issued a notice to the Union Government, seeking its formal response on the matter. The Bar Council of India is also expected to clarify its stance in upcoming hearings.

What is CLAT?

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a highly competitive national entrance exam conducted for admissions into undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs offered by 22 National Law Universities (NLUs) across India. Each year, lakhs of students prepare rigorously for the exam, which is known for its challenging nature.

However, this year again, multiple students and legal experts raised concerns about poorly framed, ambiguous, or vague questions appearing in the exam paper.

Why This Supreme Court Intervention Matters

The Supreme Court’s sharp observations underline the urgent need for improved standards, better accountability, and more transparency in the CLAT examination process. The court’s intervention could potentially lead to critical reforms that improve the fairness and quality of the exam — reforms that would benefit thousands of aspiring legal professionals across the country.

The legal and educational community is now closely watching for the Union Government’s response, as it could shape the future structure and governance of one of India’s most important entrance exams.

Read Also: Supreme Court to Hear Pleas on CLAT 2025 Results: Key Developments

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Hemesh Choudhary

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