CLAT 2019 is being conducted in the offline mode. However, it might go online in the future if the number of applications increases, indicated Srikrishna Deva Rao, vice-chancellor of NLU, Odisha, and Convenor of CLAT 2019. Right now, for the offline CLAT exam, the application process is going on at clatconsortiumofnlu.ac.in. The last date to apply for CLAT 2019 is March 31, 2019. Exam will be held on May 12, 2019.
Why the exam is taken offline? The CLAT exam started in 2008. Initially, it was conducted in the offline mode only until 2015. From 2015 to 2018 the exam was taken online, but in 2018 a lot of technical glitches raised questions on the reliability of CLAT online exam. In addition to that, there are issues of accessibility of the online mode of the exam in rural areas. Also, issues of limited infrastructure and inadequate access to technology are also factors behind taking the CLAT exam in offline mode.
Another renown law entrance exam like LSAT 2019 which is scheduled on May 26, 2019, is also an offline examination like CLAT. The last date to apply for LSAT India 2019 is May 15, 2019. Many leading law schools of India accept the LSAT scores like O.P. Jindal Global University, Bennett University, ISBR Law College, Bangalore, GD Goenka University School Of Law, Gurugram, College of Legal Studies (UPES) and many more.
Coming to CLAT to be conducted in the online mode, Srikrishna Deva Rao says that it has been decided to take the CLAT 2019 exam offline again to provide wider access to the candidates. In addition to that, the CLAT exam will have a new conducting body that is the executive committee of the consortium, headquartered at Bangalore.
The executive committee has 3 NLUS – National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore; National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) Hyderabad and NLIU, Bhopal. The decision is made to conduct the CLAT exam on a rotational basis among the NLUs to bring transparency and to enhance the quality of the admission process.
On taking the CLAT exam online again, Srikrishna Deva Rao says that the idea is open. However, CLAT right now does not have large participants like JEE or NEET. Once the exam witnesses large participation like these exams, CLAT might be taken online in the future.
CLAT exam is not easy, however, it is also not unachievable. One needs to focus on their preparations right from the start. Also, candidates need to practice a lot of logical reasoning, legal aptitude, and current affairs while preparing for the exam. All the sections in the exam are equally important and equal importance is given to all the sections.
In 2019, NLU Odisha is conducting the CLAT exam. The exam will be in offline mode and there is a change in the CLAT 2019 PG exam pattern. As per the new pattern, candidates will have to attempt 2 subjective questions of 25 marks each and there will be 100 MCQ questions in CLAT 2019.
