CLAT GK Prep What to Read & Skip
CL Team August 25 2025
One of the toughest sections of CLAT is Current Affairs and GK (General Knowledge). Many students either spend too much time on it or leave it for the last minute. It is wise to know what to study and what to skip. This not only saves time but also helps you score more marks with less stress.
Why GK Matters in CLAT
- Weightage: 28-32 questions (about 25% of the paper)
- Time saver: Questions are direct - no long calculations
- High scoring: With the right preparation, you can attempt maximum questions accurately
But here’s the catch: Not everything under “GK” is important.
What to Read for CLAT GK
1. Current Affairs (Last 12 Months)
Focus on events from January of the previous year till exam month.
- National & International News (major developments only)
- National & International News (major developments only)
- Appointments, resignations, and government schemes
- Awards & honours (Booker, Nobel, Film awards, Sports awards)
- Science & Tech (new discoveries, ISRO/NASA launches, AI/space updates)
- Environment (summits, COP meetings, climate reports)
- Important days & themes (World Environment Day, Constitution Day etc.)
Pro tip: Always connect news with background. For example, if the Nobel Prize is in news -> read about the category, the winner, and their contribution.
2. Legal & Constitutional Developments
- New bills, acts, or amendments
- Supreme Court & High Court landmark judgments
- National & State level policies
3. Economy & Business News
- Union Budget highlights
- Economic surveys
- RBI policies, repo rate, inflation updates
- Mergers & acquisitions of big companies
4. Sports
- Major tournaments (Olympics, World Cups, Asian Games, Wimbledon, etc.)
- Winners & runners-up
- Records made/broken
5. Static GK (Only Linked to Current Affairs)
Instead of mugging random facts, focus on static topics connected with current events.
Example: If COP-29 is in the news -> Revise location, members of UNFCCC, previous COP meetings.
What to Skip in CLAT GK
1. Very Old Current Affairs
- Anything more than 1 year old has very low relevance.
- Example: 2019 Nobel Prize winners - not needed.
2. Irrelevant Static GK
- State capitals, national parks, books of ancient authors - not usually asked.
- Focus on application-based GK, not rote learning.
3. Random Trivia
- Bollywood gossip, minor awards, local state news not linked nationally.
- Example: Who won a local beauty pageant - skip it!
4. Deep History & Geography
- Ancient kings, river lengths, mountain heights - rarely tested.
- Stick to history & geography only when connected to current events.
How to Prepare Smartly
- Daily Newspaper (The Hindu / Indian Express) → read editorials & current affairs
- Monthly Current Affairs Magazines → for revision
- Mock Tests & Quizzes → practice speed + recall
- CL’s GK Compendium / Manthan → concise, exam-oriented source
Final Word
GK in CLAT is not about “reading everything.” It’s about reading selectively and revising smartly. Remember:
- Cover last 12 months thoroughly
- Focus on quality over quantity
- Skip irrelevant static data and old news
- If you prepare wisely, GK can become your highest scoring section and give you an edge over others.