Concerns Over Coaching Dependency in CLAT
According to Prof. Tarunabh Khaitan, co-convener of the Expert Committee that reviewed the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), the current system disproportionately benefits candidates who can afford extensive coaching. This insight was part of a report by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs), published recently. Despite the findings, no immediate changes will be made to the CLAT 2027 exam format, which is scheduled for December.
Recommendations for Future CLAT Exams
The Consortium has decided to defer any potential changes, including a shift towards aptitude-based testing, to be reviewed by a separate committee in anticipation of CLAT 2028. This decision follows more than five months after the initial submission of the report on February 2. A letter accompanying the report urged prompt publication to facilitate possible implementation for the 2027 exam.
Committee’s Findings and Suggestions
Prof. Khaitan, who holds the Chair of Public Law at the London School of Economics, leads the Committee alongside Prof. Dev Saif Gangjee of the University of Oxford. The report highlights the disparity created by the exam’s current design, which favors candidates with access to coaching.
“Public consultations repeatedly raised the issue of access to legal education for disadvantaged candidates. While our primary focus was on improving exam quality, we found that widening access and enhancing quality could both be addressed by testing legal aptitude over acquired knowledge,” Prof. Khaitan told Bar & Bench.
Arguments for Aptitude-Based Assessment
Prof. Khaitan advocates for an aptitude-focused assessment, emphasizing that logical reasoning and critical thinking are better indicators of a candidate’s potential in legal studies than rote knowledge. “The current CLAT favors those who can afford coaching, which itself poses a barrier for less privileged students. Testing aptitude, which is harder to coach for, levels the playing field,” he shared, drawing from his personal experience of securing an NLU seat without coaching due to financial constraints.
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Enhancing Exam Administration
The Committee also stressed the need for a more professional and transparent administration of the exam. Prof. Khaitan proposed using CLAT’s revenues to improve exam infrastructure and offer scholarships. “Ensuring fairness, competence, and integrity in exam administration is crucial. By investing in reliable question-setting, internal reviews, and confidentiality, we can maintain the trust of candidates and attract the best minds from diverse backgrounds into India’s legal profession,” he stated.
