CLAT PG 2026 tests Public International Law (PIL) as one of the highest-scoring subjects, contributing roughly 18 to 22 questions from a total of 120. Download the last 10 years CLAT PG question papers with solutions free below, then check the topic wise weightage table to see where PIL marks come from.
Official website: consortiumofnlus.ac.in
- CLAT PG 2026: Expected December 2026 | Registration: September-October 2026
- Paper format: 120 MCQs across all LLB subjects | Duration: 2 hours | Mode: online CBT
- Marking: +1 for correct | -0.25 for each wrong answer | 0 for unattempted
- Public International Law: 18-22 questions per year - sources, state responsibility, treaties, ICJ, UNCLOS
- In CLAT PG 2025, scores above 55 out of 120 generally placed students in the top 100 rank bracket
CLAT PG Public International Law Sample Papers 2026 - Download PDF
| Sample Paper | PDF Download |
|---|---|
| CLAT PG Public International Law Sample Paper 1 | Download PDF |
| CLAT PG Public International Law Sample Paper 2 | Download PDF |
| CLAT PG Public International Law Sample Paper 3 | Download PDF |
| CLAT PG Public International Law Sample Paper 4 | Download PDF |
| CLAT PG Public International Law Sample Paper 5 | Download PDF |
| CLAT PG Public International Law Sample Paper 6 | Download PDF |
| CLAT PG Public International Law Sample Paper 7 | Download PDF |
| CLAT PG Public International Law Sample Paper 8 | Download PDF |
PDFs will be updated as new papers are added. Bookmark this page.
| Year | Sets Available | Solutions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Full paper | Available | Collegedunia |
| 2024 | Full paper | Available | Collegedunia |
| 2023 | Full paper | Available | Collegedunia |
| 2022 | Full paper | Available | Collegedunia |
| 2021 | Full paper | Available | Collegedunia |
| 2020 | Full paper | Available | Collegedunia |
CLAT PG Exam Pattern and Marks Distribution 2026
CLAT PG is a 120-question mixed paper with no sectional divisions. At 2 hours, you get roughly 1 minute per question.
- Total questions: 120 MCQs, all compulsory
- Marks: +1 correct | -0.25 wrong | 0 unattempted
- Key 2025-26 trend: More fact-pattern reasoning from ICJ cases and treaty provisions, less bare definition recall
CLAT PG Public International Law Sample Papers and ICJ Case Questions - Why Post-2022 Papers Matter Most
Post-2022 PIL questions shifted to application-based problems from ICJ judgments and treaty provisions. Start with 2023 and 2024 papers to get the current style before moving to older papers.
- ICJ cases (Nicaragua, Corfu Channel, Nuclear Weapons) appear as fact patterns, not just name-the-case questions
- State responsibility questions use ILC Articles 2001 scenarios - you must identify which article applies, not just define the doctrine
CLAT PG Public International Law Topic Wise Weightage - High Scoring Topics to Focus in Sample Papers
Topic distribution below reflects CLAT PG PIL questions from 2018 to 2025.
| Topic | Questions per year | Difficulty | What to Watch For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sources of International Law (Art. 38 ICJ Statute) | 3-4 | Moderate | Jus cogens vs. erga omnes, custom formation |
| State Responsibility (ILC Articles 2001) | 3-4 | Moderate-Hard | Attribution, countermeasures, necessity |
| Treaty Law (Vienna Convention 1969) | 2-3 | Moderate | Reservations, pacta sunt servanda, Art. 53 |
| Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) | 2-3 | Moderate | Zone breadths, transit passage, EEZ rights |
| International Human Rights Law | 2-3 | Easy-Moderate | Derogable vs. non-derogable rights, ICCPR |
| ICJ Jurisdiction and Procedure | 2-3 | Hard | Compulsory jurisdiction, advisory opinions |
| International Humanitarian Law | 1-2 | Moderate | Geneva Conventions, distinction principle |
| Diplomatic and Consular Law | 1-2 | Easy-Moderate | Inviolability, persona non grata |
| Recognition of States and Governments | 1-2 | Easy | Constitutive vs. declaratory, de facto vs. de jure |
| International Criminal Law (ICC) | 1-2 | Moderate | ICC jurisdiction, crimes against humanity |
Do not skip Recognition of States and Diplomatic Law. They carry 1-2 questions each and are among the fastest to answer in the PIL section.
CLAT PG Public International Law Sample Paper Video Solutions 2026 - Watch Before You Start Solving
Watching an expert work through PIL questions shows you how to connect treaty provisions to case facts - the reasoning approach that earns marks, not just the correct option.
Watch: CLAT PG 2026 Live Marathon | Complete Public International Law - Must Watch Before Exam!
How to Use CLAT PG Public International Law Sample Papers to Clear in First Attempt
Solving papers without reviewing wrong answers is why students plateau around 50-55 marks.
- Attempt first, study later: Solve a full paper unseen. Mark every PIL question you could not answer within 90 seconds.
- Classify wrong answers: Topic gap (never studied), recall gap (forgot), or reasoning gap (misread the fact pattern).
- Topic gaps: Read the primary source - ILC Articles, Vienna Convention, ICJ Statute - before your next paper.
- Recall gaps: Write a one-line flashcard for the missed rule and review before each paper.
- Reasoning gaps: Read explanations to find where your analysis broke down, not just the correct option.
- Target: 14-16 correct from 18-22 PIL questions to protect your overall score.
How to Use Treaties and Conventions in CLAT PG International Law - The Skill Most Students Ignore
PIL questions are almost always grounded in a specific treaty provision or ICJ holding.
- VCLT 1969: Know Articles 26, 31, 53, and 60 by number - these appear every year.
- UN Charter: Articles 2(4), 2(7), 51, and Chapter VII cover most use-of-force questions.
- UNCLOS: Tab Articles 3, 55, 57, and 76 for zone definitions; add Part XV for dispute settlement.
- ILC Articles: Articles 1-3 (general), 14-16 (attribution), and 40-41 (serious breaches) cover most scenarios.
- Tab by article range, not topic name - article-range tabs are faster to find during timed practice.
CLAT PG Public International Law 30 Day Preparation Plan Using Sample Papers
- Week 1: Solve the 2024 paper untimed. List every PIL question you got wrong and note the topic. Read the primary treaty text for your three weakest areas.
- Week 2: Work through topic gaps using Malcolm Shaw or Starke, then solve 2023 timed. Track time per PIL question.
- Week 3: Solve 2022 and 2021 back to back with 2-hour timers. Check if the same topics keep appearing in your wrong-answer list.
- Week 4: One full paper daily under exam timing. No new papers in the last 2 days - review flashcards and error log only.
FAQs on CLAT PG Public International Law Sample Papers 2026
Ques. How many CLAT PG sample papers are enough to score well in Public International Law?
Ans. 10 to 12 papers with a reviewed error log beats 25 papers without review. Focus on 2021 to 2025 first.
Ques. Are Public International Law questions repeated in CLAT PG papers?
Ans. Not verbatim, but the same treaty provisions recur. VCLT Articles 26 and 53, ICJ Statute Article 38, and UNCLOS zone definitions appear almost every year.
Ques. Which PIL topic should I start with for CLAT PG 2026?
Ans. Start with Sources of International Law (Article 38 ICJ Statute) - it carries 3-4 questions and connects to every other PIL topic.
Ques. Can I clear CLAT PG in 30 days focusing only on sample papers?
Ans. Yes for PIL, if you stick to the 4-5 highest-weightage topics and read the primary treaty sources alongside each paper.
Ques. Where can I download CLAT PG Public International Law sample papers with answer key PDF for free?
Ans. Download from the numbered table at the top of this page, or access previous year full papers through Collegedunia's CLAT question paper section.
Ques. Is Malcolm Shaw enough for Public International Law in CLAT PG?
Ans. Yes - focus on chapters covering sources, state responsibility, treaties, and the sea. Supplement with the ILC Articles text and ICJ Statute for direct provision questions.
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