CLAT exam centres 2026: complete state-wise list and how to choose your best location

Admissions are now open! Apply today.

Jagdish Sheth School of Management
PGDM in General is one of the fastest growing industries and demands professionals in general management...

Karnataka College of Management & Science
The Karnataka College of Management & Science was established in the year 2010 under the aegis of Karnataka education

Alliance School of Business
Ranked #42 among Engineering Colleges in India by Alliance School of Business| Highest CTC 50 LPA, 100% Placements

United International Business School
Ranked #1 Among Private Universities in QS Asia Rankings 2025 | Scholarships worth 210 CR

Are you gearing up for CLAT 2026? If you’re a law aspirant, you already know how important every detail of the entrance process is. One key decision that often gets overlooked is the choice of exam centre. The location you select can affect everything - from how early you need to wake up, to your stress levels, to how focused you feel when you finally sit down to write the exam.

A convenient and familiar exam centre can make your exam day smooth and hassle-free, while a distant or unfamiliar location can add unnecessary anxiety and even risk delays. That’s why it’s essential to make an informed choice based on your personal needs and circumstances. In this guide, you’ll find a complete state-wise list of CLAT exam centres for 2026, along with expert tips on how to pick the best centre for you.

Why your CLAT exam centre matters

Your CLAT exam centre is more than just a location—it can shape your entire exam experience. Choosing wisely can make the difference between a calm, focused exam day and a stressful, tiring one. Here’s why this decision is so important:

  • Reduces travel stress: The closer your centre is to home, the less you have to worry about long commutes, traffic jams, or unexpected delays.
  • SBoosts comfort and confidence: Familiar surroundings can help you feel more relaxed and focused, allowing you to perform at your best.
  • Ensures punctuality: A convenient location means you’re more likely to arrive on time, avoiding last-minute rushes or the risk of missing the exam.
  • Peace of mind for parents: For parents, knowing that their child’s centre is safe and accessible brings added reassurance.

In short, the right CLAT exam centre lets you focus on what really matters—acing the exam!

State-wise list of CLAT exam centres 2026

CLAT 2026 will be conducted in over 139 cities across India, giving you a wide range of options to choose from. Below is a comprehensive state-wise list of CLAT exam centres to help you quickly find the locations most convenient for you.

State CLAT exam centres (Cities)
Andhra PradeshAnantapur, Chirala, Eluru, Guntur, Kadapa, Kakinada, Kurnool, Nellore, Ongole, Rajahmundry, Srikakulam, Tekkali, Tirupathi, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram
BiharMuzaffarpur, Patna, Arrah, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Purnea
ChhattisgarhBilaspur, Raipur, Bhilai Nagar, Durg
DelhiNew Delhi
GujaratAhmedabad, Gandhinagar, Anand, Bhavnagar, Himatnagar, Jamnagar, Mehsana, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara
HaryanaFaridabad, Gurugram, Ambala, Hisar, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Rohtak, Sonipat, Yamuna Nagar
Himachal PradeshBilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Una
Jammu & KashmirJammu, Srinagar, Samba
JharkhandJamshedpur, Ranchi, Bokaro Steel City, Dhanbad, Hazaribagh
KarnatakaBallari, Belagavi, Bengaluru, Bidar, Davanagere, Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Hassan, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Shivamogga, Tumakuru, Udupi, Vijayapura
KeralaAlappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kannur, Kasaragod, Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur
Madhya PradeshBhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Sagar, Satna, Ujjain
MaharashtraAkola, Amravati, Aurangabad, Chandrapur, Dhule, Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Latur, Mumbai/Navi Mumbai, Nagpur, Nanded, Nashik, Pune, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sangli, Satara, Solapur, Thane, Wardha
OdishaBalasore, Berhampur-Ganjam, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Rourkela, Sambalpur
PunjabAmritsar, Bhatinda, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Mohali, Patiala, Sangrur
RajasthanAlwar, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sikar, Sriganganagar, Udaipur
SikkimGangtok
Tamil NaduCoimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Erode, Thanjavur, Nagercoil, Tirunelveli, Tiruchirappalli, Vellore, Namakkal
TelanganaKhammam, Karimnagar, Warangal, Nizamabad, Mahabubnagar
TripuraAgartala
Uttar PradeshGreater Noida, Meerut, Noida, Agra, Aligarh, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Mathura, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Allahabad, Ghaziabad
UttarakhandDehradun, Haldwani, Haridwar, Roorkee
West BengalAsansol, Burdwan, Siliguri, Hooghly, Barasat, Howrah, Barrackpore, Kalyani, Kolkata
GoaPanaji, Madgaon
MeghalayaShillong
AssamGuwahati

How to choose your best CLAT exam centre

Choosing the right CLAT exam centre can make a big difference in your exam day experience. Here are some important factors to consider to help you pick the best location:

Proximity to home

  • Selecting a centre close to your home reduces travel time and fatigue.
  • It lowers the chances of encountering unexpected delays on exam day.
  • Being near home also means you can easily manage last-minute preparations or emergencies.

Transport and accessibility

  • Check if the exam centre is well-connected by public transport or easily accessible by road.
  • Consider traffic conditions and typical travel time during peak hours.
  • If you’re travelling by train or bus, look up nearby stations and routes in advance.

Familiarity with the location

  • Choosing a centre in a city or area you know well can help reduce anxiety.
  • Familiar surroundings make it easier to navigate to the venue and find nearby amenities like food or lodging.

Accommodation options

  • If you need to travel to a different city, research safe and affordable accommodation near the exam centre.
  • Booking your stay early can save money and reduce stress.
  • Consider staying at a place that allows an easy commute to the exam centre.

Backup choices

  • Always select multiple centres during registration, ranking them in order of preference.
  • This increases your chances of getting a convenient location if your first choice is full.
  • Prioritise centres based on your comfort and accessibility.

Special needs and preferences

  • If you have any special requirements (such as wheelchair access or extra time), check if the centre can accommodate them.
  • Inform the CLAT authorities during registration and provide the necessary documents for special provisions.

Selecting your centre during registration

Choosing your CLAT exam centre is an important step in the registration process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make the right selections:

  1. Log in to the official CLAT registration portal.
    Start your application by creating an account or logging in with your credentials.
  2. Enter your personal and academic details.
    Fill out all required information accurately.
  3. Select your preferred exam centres.
  4. Review your choices.
    Double-check your selected centres before submitting the form. Once submitted, changes may not be allowed after the deadline.
  5. Submit your application and pay the fee.
    Complete your registration by paying the application fee and saving a copy of your application for future reference.

Get all the latest CLAT 2026 updates, important dates, and expert preparation tips – all in one place.

Changing your exam centre

Sometimes, after submitting your CLAT application, you may realise that you need to change your exam centre. Here’s what you need to know about making changes:

Before the registration deadline:

  • You can edit your exam centre preferences anytime before the CLAT registration window closes.
  • Simply log in to the registration portal, update your choices, and save the changes.

After the registration deadline:

  • Once the registration period ends and admit cards are issued, changes to your exam centre are generally not allowed.
  • The exam authority finalises centres based on your latest submitted preferences.

In case of emergencies:

  • If you have a genuine emergency (such as a medical issue or unavoidable relocation), contact the CLAT helpdesk or exam authority as soon as possible.
  • While changes are rare after admit cards are released, exceptions may be considered in special cases.

Keep documentation ready:

  • If you request a change due to special circumstances, be prepared to provide supporting documents (like medical certificates or proof of relocation).

What to expect at the exam centre

Knowing what to expect at your CLAT exam centre can help you feel prepared and confident on exam day. Here are some important points to keep in mind:

Reporting time:

  • Arrive at the exam centre at least 30–60 minutes before the scheduled start time.
  • Early arrival gives you time to complete entry formalities and settle in without rushing.

Documents to carry:

  • Printout of your CLAT admit card
  • Valid photo ID (such as Aadhaar card, passport, voter ID, or driving license)
  • Any other documents specified in your admit card instructions

Permitted and prohibited items:

  • Only bring essential stationery (black/blue ballpoint pens, pencils, erasers).
  • Do not carry electronic devices (mobile phones, calculators, smartwatches), study materials, or bags into the exam hall.
  • Water bottles may be allowed, but check the official guidelines for the current year.

Exam day instructions:

  • Follow all instructions provided by the exam staff.
  • Maintain discipline and avoid any unfair practices.
  • Listen carefully to announcements and ask for help if you have any doubts.

Conclusion: Plan ahead for a stress-free CLAT exam day

Choosing the right CLAT exam centre is a vital part of your preparation journey. By selecting a centre that is convenient, accessible, and comfortable for you, you reduce unnecessary stress and give yourself the best chance to perform well on exam day. Remember to consider factors like proximity, transport options, familiarity, and accommodation if needed.

Always double-check your centre preferences before submitting your registration form, and keep an eye on official CLAT updates for any changes. Planning ahead—right from registration to exam day logistics—can make a huge difference in your confidence and focus.

Stay organised, prepare well, and approach your CLAT exam with a calm mind. Your dream law college is within reach!

Frequently asked questions

1. Is 70 a good score in CLAT? +
A score of 70 in CLAT is considered moderate. It may help you secure admission in some lower-ranked NLUs or reserved category seats. However, for top NLUs, cutoffs are usually higher. Your chances depend on the year’s difficulty level and category-wise cutoffs.
2. Where will the CLAT exam be held? +
CLAT 2026 will be conducted at over 139 centres across 22 states and union territories in India. Candidates can select up to three preferred exam centres during registration. The final allotment depends on your preferences and seat availability.
3. Is CLAT harder than NEET? +
CLAT and NEET test different skills. CLAT focuses on legal aptitude, reasoning, English, and current affairs, while NEET tests Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. NEET’s vast syllabus and competition make it challenging, but CLAT’s reading-heavy format and time pressure can also be tough. Difficulty depends on your strengths.
4. How many CLAT exam centres can I choose during registration? +
You can select up to three exam centres in order of preference during the registration process. This increases your chances of getting a convenient location.
5. What if my preferred centre is not allotted? +
If your first-choice centre is full, you will be allotted the next available centre from your list of preferences.
6. Can I change my exam centre after the admit card is released? +
Generally, no. Changes to the exam centre are only allowed before the admit card is issued. After that, the centre is final.
7. What should I do if my exam centre is far from my residence? +
Plan your travel and accommodation well in advance. Arriving a day early in the exam city can help you avoid last-minute travel stress.
8. Are there special provisions for differently-abled candidates? +
Yes. Differently-abled candidates must inform the authorities during registration and submit relevant documents to receive necessary accommodations.
9. What documents are mandatory at the exam centre? +
You must carry a printed copy of your admit card and a valid photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, etc.) to the exam centre.
10. What happens if I am late for the exam centre? +
Latecomers may not be allowed to enter the exam hall. It’s best to arrive at least 30–60 minutes early to avoid any issues.