Criminal Law in CLAT PG 2025 topics and questions cover an important area that you must be thorough with to lay a good foundation for understanding various legal principles in India. It’s advisable that you select only a few key topics, which include Elements of Crime, Group Liability and Offences Against The Person. These areas have always been stressed in previous exams and hence, important for your Study plan.
The number of questions involving criminal law has increased markedly in recent years. CLAT PG 2023 had about 30 questions from this subject itself. This trend means you have to be well equipped to know and handle complex queries coming from this field. Also, you will become familiar with recent amendments in criminal law, which will help you to fully understand and excel.
You should specifically read fundamental concepts like culpable homicide, murder and legal definitions such as act, omission and consent. For both multiple choice questions as well as essay type questions, these terms are very important in criminal law for CLAT PG.
For one, it will also be important to go through the Indian Penal Code (IPC). To this end, stress needs to be placed on individual sections dealing with general exceptions, offences against the state, and offences affecting life. Often these sections are the basis for exam questions.
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Criminal Law in CLAT PG 2025: Important Topics
A detailed table on Criminal Law in CLAT PG 2025 topics, subtopics, and their significance is mentioned below which now also incorporates the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Bill in the Recent Amendments:Important Topics for Criminal Law in CLAT PG 2025 | Important Subtopics for Criminal Law in CLAT PG 2025 | Significance |
|---|---|---|
Indian Penal Code (IPC) | - General Exceptions (Sections 76-106) - Culpable Homicide and Murder (Sections 299-304) - Hurt and Grievous Hurt (Sections 319-326) - Criminal Force and Assault (Sections 349-358) - Criminal Conspiracy (Section 120A-120B) | The IPC has its base and crux in the Indian criminal law system. It is important to have an understanding of definitions, exceptions and punishments for major offences. |
Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) | - Arrest, Search and Seizure - Cognizable and Non-Cognizable Offences - Bailable and Non-Bailable Offences - Anticipatory Bail | The CrPC deals with the procedure in criminal law. Knowledge of some essential provisions concerning the investigation, bail and trials is essential. |
Landmark Judgments | - Nandini Satpathy vs P.L. Dani (Right to Silence) - Selvi vs State of Karnataka (Narco Analysis, Polygraph, and Brain Mapping Tests) - Shreya Singhal vs Union of India (Section 66A of IT Act) | Familiarity with landmark Supreme Court decisions that shaped criminal law is helpful in its application. |
Recent Amendments | - Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 (Nirbhaya Act) - Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 (Death Penalty for Rape of Girls below 12 years) - Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023 (BNS2) - New offences such as organised crime, terrorism, and group murder based on identity markers are introduced. - Sedition is repealed, replaced with a new offence for acts endangering national integrity. | It is important to keep abreast with recent changes as some questions may be drawn from these amendments, especially the BNS2 which proposes to transform current criminal laws. |
Specific Laws | - Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act - Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act - Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act | For adequate preparation in criminal law, it is essential to know and appreciate the provisions and consequences under these special laws. |
Criminal Law in CLAT PG 2025: Important Questions
Here are 20 important multiple-choice questions (MCQs) from Criminal Law that are important for your CLAT PG preparation, along with their answers:Which of the following is not a valid defence under the Indian Penal Code?
a) Insanity
b) Intoxication
c) Mistake of fact
d) Necessity
Answer: d) Necessity
What is the minimum age of criminal responsibility in India?
a) 7 years
b) 12 years
c) 14 years
d) 18 years
Answer: a) 7 years
Which of the following is not a form of criminal conspiracy in India?
a) Abetment
b) Attempt
c) Facilitation
d) Instigation
Answer: c) Facilitation
What is the maximum punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder in India?
a) 10 years imprisonment
b) 14 years imprisonment
c) Life imprisonment
d) Death penalty
Answer: c) Life imprisonment
Which of the following is not a ground for granting bail under the Code of Criminal Procedure?
a) Illness
b) Pregnancy
c) Reasonable apprehension of witness tampering
d) Reasonable apprehension of witness intimidation
Answer: a) Illness
What is the minimum sentence for rape under the Indian Penal Code?
a) 7 years
b) 10 years
c) 14 years
d) Life imprisonment
Answer: b) 10 years
Which of the following is not a ground for the death penalty under the Indian Penal Code?
a) Murder
b) Waging war against the state
c) Kidnapping for ransom
d) Dacoity with murder
Answer: c) Kidnapping for ransom
What is the maximum punishment for voluntarily causing grievous hurt?
a) 3 years imprisonment
b) 7 years imprisonment
c) 10 years imprisonment
d) Life imprisonment
Answer: d) Life imprisonment
Which of the following is not a type of criminal negligence?
a) Gross negligence
b) Recklessness
c) Willful negligence
d) Vicarious negligence
Answer: d) Vicarious negligence
What is the minimum punishment for theft in India?
a) 1 year imprisonment
b) 3 years imprisonment
c) 5 years imprisonment
d) 7 years imprisonment
Answer: a) 1 year imprisonment
Which of the following is not a type of criminal misappropriation in India?
a) Conversion
b) Disposal
c) Destruction
d) Deception
Answer: d) Deception
What is the maximum punishment for criminal breach of trust in India?
a) 3 years imprisonment
b) 7 years imprisonment
c) 10 years imprisonment
d) Life imprisonment
Answer: c) 10 years imprisonment
Which of the following is not a ground for the insanity defence under the Indian Penal Code?
a) Delusion
b) Hallucination
c) Intoxication
d) Unsoundness of mind
Answer: c) Intoxication
What is the minimum punishment for kidnapping in India?
a) 7 years imprisonment
b) 10 years imprisonment
c) 14 years imprisonment
d) Life imprisonment
Answer: a) 7 years imprisonment
Which of the following is not a type of criminal trespass in India?
a) House-trespass
b) Lurking house-trespass
c) Lurking house-trespass by night
d) Trespass by night
Answer: d) Trespass by night
What is the maximum punishment for criminal intimidation in India?
a) 1 year imprisonment
b) 2 years imprisonment
c) 3 years imprisonment
d) 5 years imprisonment
Answer: b) 2 years imprisonment
Which of the following is not a type of culpable homicide in India?
a) Murder
b) Culpable homicide not amounting to murder
c) Involuntary manslaughter
d) Voluntary manslaughter
Answer: c) Involuntary manslaughter
What is the minimum punishment for robbery in India?
a) 3 years imprisonment
b) 5 years imprisonment
c) 7 years imprisonment
d) 10 years imprisonment
Answer: c) 7 years imprisonment
Which of the following is not a type of criminal force?
a) Assault
b) Battery
c) Mayhem
d) Rape
Answer: c) Mayhem
What is the maximum punishment for rioting?
a) 2 years imprisonment
b) 3 years imprisonment
c) 5 years imprisonment
d) 7 years imprisonment
Answer: a) 2 years imprisonment
These MCQs include the general principles of criminal liability, penalties, specific crimes, and criminal process. One must be well prepared in these areas to excel in the section of Criminal Law in CLAT PG 2025.
Criminal Law for CLAT PG 2025 Preparation Tips
Here are some of the most effective preparation tips for criminal law in CLAT PG 2025:Preparation Strategies for Criminal Law in CLAT PG 2025 | Details |
|---|---|
Understand the Syllabus and Weightage | - Acquaint yourself with the course structure which includes areas of IPC, CrPC and Indian Evidence Act. - Observe that Criminal Law contributes approximately 10 to 30 questions to the examination. |
Focus on Key Sections and Provisions | - The important sections from IPC (for example General Exceptions, Offences against the State, Offences affecting Life) should be prioritised. - Concentrate on sections of CrPC that describe arrest, bailing, and trial processes. - Read specific chapters of the Indian Evidence Act. |
Master the Bare Acts | - It is necessary to read the Bare Acts of IPC, CrPC and Indian Evidence Act to learn their contents. - Instead of memorising sections of the language and principles, it would be strategic to focus on comprehending the same. - The provisions should then be introduced in legal matters as a practice. |
Analyse Landmark Judgments | - Review significant judgments that have shaped the understanding of criminal law in India. - Figure out the important concerns, principles, and regulations of these cases. - Be ready to analyse and apply the learnings on questions that are based on application. |
Practise MCQs and Mock Tests | - Concentrate more on the practice of MCQ-type questions as often as possible. - It is also advised to solve sample questions, previous year papers, and mock tests to gain better clarity. - Examine mock tests’ performances and check for the major gaps that have to be addressed. |
Stay Updated with Current Affairs | - Be updated with changes, revisions, and milestones in criminal law. - Sift through today’s newspapers and legal magazines to find some of the more current and legal topic questions. - Expect questions in criminal law based on current affairs during the examination. |
Develop a Revision Strategy | - Develop a study schedule that incorporates a daily or weekly pattern for the reviewing of certain topics. - Take brief notes of key issues, judicial decisions, and legal sections. - It is recommended to use flashcards concerning the critical definitions and principles. - Schedule a few more revision sessions just before the set exam date to reinforce concepts. |
Here are some more crucial preparation tips for criminal law in CLAT PG 2025:
Analyse Case Studies
- As part of your Criminal Law preparation strategy, you should also try to memorise some of the important case laws that relate to this subject.
- This will assist you in grasping the practicality of these laws in real life, which will prove useful in the exam as you will be in a position to solve applied questions.
For example: As you get familiar with some of the leading Indian cases like K. D. Gaur v. State (NCT of Delhi) that deal with the applicability of the ’common intention’ under IPC in criminal law, you can enhance your skill to solve application-based questions on the CLAT PG examination.
Understand the Fundamentals
- Attempt to understand the fundamentals of criminal law. This includes having knowledge about the structure and workings of the criminal justice system of India.
- Get to learn the punishment that is related to each type of crime. This entails identifying which deeds attract a fine, imprisonment, or both and the specified durations of the penalties.
For instance, knowing that ‘murder’ under Section 300 IPC is a ’cognizable’ as well as ‘non-bailable’ offence places you in a position to understand the extent and seriousness of this crime in Indian law.
Also Read: Best Study Plan for CLAT 2025
Important Sections and Provisions to Study for Criminal Law in CLAT PG 2025
When preparing for the exam using Bare Acts, it is essential to focus on certain critical sections and provisions that are often addressed in the exam from Criminal Law subject as mentioned below:
The Indian Penal Code (IPC)
- General Exceptions (Sections 76 to 106): Such sections involve many defences to criminal responsibility such as the act of a child, the act of an insane person, necessity, etc.
- Offences Against the State (Sections 121 to 130): These sections include grave offences like waging war against the Government of India, sedition, etc.
- Offences Relating to Religion (Sections 295 to 298): These provisions are highly significant in light of today’s socio-political environment.
- Offences Affecting Life (Sections 299 to 311): This ranges from murder to culpable homicide, suicide, and much more.
- Criminal Conspiracy (Sections 120A and 120B): The above sections give meaning and penalty for criminal conspiracy.
The Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC)
- Maintenance of Wives, Children, and Parents (Section 125): This section enables a quick and effective remedy for neglected persons to seek maintenance.
- Anticipatory Bail (Section 438): This is a very essential clause that gives a person the right to approach the court to seek a bond in preparation for arrest on charges of having committed a bailable offence.
- Powers of Police to Investigate (Sections 154 to 176): These sections give the procedure for the filing of FIRs and the procedure for investigations amongst others.
- Procedure of Trial (Sections 238 to 250): These sections give details on how trials should be done in session courts of law.
The Indian Evidence Act
- Admission and Confession (Sections 17 to 31): These sections concern the role of admission and confession in criminal trials.
- Expert Opinions (Sections 45 to 50): These sections state under which circumstances the opinions of experts can be admissible in a process.
- Character as Corroborative Evidence (Sections 53 to 55): These sections narrate the circumstances under which the character of a person assumes importance.
- Documentary Evidence (Sections 61 to 90): These sections contain provisions relating to the relevance and admissibility of documents.
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