CLAT vs AILET – The All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) and the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) are two of India’s most prominent national-level entrance exams for aspiring law students. Both serve as gateways to prestigious National Law Universities (NLUs) but differ in their scope and structure.
AILET, conducted exclusively by National Law University, Delhi (NLU Delhi), is held annually for admission to its B.A. LL.B (Hons.), LL.M., and Ph.D. programs. Since NLU Delhi does not accept CLAT scores, AILET exam is the only route for candidates seeking admission there. On the other hand, CLAT is organized by the Consortium of NLUs and is accepted by 26 NLUs across India (excluding NLU Delhi). It covers both undergraduate and postgraduate law programs and is also widely accepted by several private universities.
In essence, while CLAT exam has a wider reach, AILET exam is specialized, catering solely to one premier institution.
Here we discuss in detail the differences between CLAT and AILET, explaining the key differences, and also the nuances. So, keep reading.
Latest Updates:
Table of Contents
CLAT Vs AILET – Key Features
| Feature | CLAT | AILET |
| Exam conducting body | NLU Consortium | NLU Delhi |
| Application fee | Open – INR 4000 SC, ST, PwD, BPL – INR 3500 | Open – INR 3000 SC, ST, PwD – INR 1000 SC/ST and Women candidates who are Below Poverty Line (BPL) only – Fee exempted |
| Participating Institute | CLAT 2026 participating institute includes 26 colleges. Additionally, many private law institutes consider CLAT for admission purposes. | NLU Delhi is the sole participating institute. Additionally, a few private colleges also accept AILET scores. |
| Exam pattern (UG) | English LanguageCurrent Affairs, including GKLegal ReasoningLogical ReasoningQuantitative Techniques | English Language, Current Affairs & GK, and Logical Reasoning |
| Test Duration | 120 minutes | 120 minutes |
| No. of Questions | 120 multiple choice questions of 1 mark | 150 multiple choice questions of 1 mark each So, you have less time per question. |
| Competition and seats | CLAT participating colleges offer around 4,092 UG seats and 1,599 PG seats. Considering high seat intake, competition is lower. | NLU Delhi seat intake: BA LLB (Hons.) seats – 120 LLM seats – 81 With very limited seats on offer, the competition is high, which can mean higher cut-offs. |
| How to prepare | To get a good score, you need to focus on all subjects. | Reasoning and English can be a make-or-break |
Also Read:
- CLAT Books 2026 – Best Study Material to Prepare for Law Entrance Exam
- CLAT Question Paper 2026 – Download Previous Years’ Papers, QP with Answers
- AIBE Exam 2025 – Notification, Application & Exam Date to be OUT Soon, Pattern, Syllabus, CoP
What is CLAT?
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) for admission to undergraduate (BA LLB) and postgraduate (LLM) law programs offered by 26 NLUs across India (or CLAT participating institutes), except NLU Delhi. It tests candidates on English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques.
Key Difference: CLAT is a common test accepted by almost all NLUs except NLU Delhi, making it the broader gateway to national law universities.
What is AILET?
The All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) is an independent entrance exam conducted by National Law University, Delhi (NLU Delhi) exclusively for admission to its BA LLB (Hons.), LLM, and PhD programs. AILET primarily evaluates candidates’ proficiency in English, Current Affairs, and Logical Reasoning.
Key Difference: Unlike CLAT, AILET is meant solely for NLU Delhi, making it a highly focused and competitive single-institution exam.
CLAT vs AILET – Admission Calendar
| Event | CLAT 2026 | AILET 2026 |
| Application form START Date | August 1, 2025 | August 7, 2025 |
| Last date to apply | November 7, 2025 | November 10, 2025 |
| Exam date | December 7, 2025 | December 14, 2025 |
| Declaration of results | To be notified | To be notified |
CLAT vs AILET 2026 – Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG)
Before applying for either law entrance exam, candidates must understand the basic eligibility conditions such as educational qualifications, minimum marks, and age requirements. While CLAT serves as the gateway to 24 National Law Universities across India, AILET is conducted exclusively by NLU Delhi. Both exams follow similar academic prerequisites but differ slightly in category-wise marks and provisions for foreign nationals. The tables below present a clear comparison of the UG and PG eligibility criteria for CLAT and AILET.
CLAT vs AILET Eligibility Criteria – UG (Undergraduate) Program
| Exam | Qualification Required | Minimum Marks | Age Limit | Notes |
| CLAT UG | 10+2 or equivalent | 45% for general; 40% for SC/ST/PwD. | No upper age limit. | Candidates appearing in the qualifying exam (March/April 2026) are eligible. |
| AILET UG | Higher Secondary (10+2) or equivalent | 45% for general; 42% for OBC; 40% for SC/ST/PwD. | Not explicitly mentioned for Indian nationals. | Foreign Nationals require 65% in 10+2. |
CLAT vs AILET Eligibility Criteria – PG (Postgraduate) Program
| Exam | Qualification Required | Minimum Marks | Age Limit | Notes |
| CLAT PG | LL.B. (or equivalent) | 50% for general; 45% for SC/ST/PwD. | No upper age limit. | Candidates appearing in the qualifying exam (March/April 2026) are also eligible. |
| AILET PG (LL.M) | LL.B. (or equivalent) | 50% for general; 45% for SC/ST/PwD. | Not explicitly mentioned for Indian nationals. | For Foreign Nationals: 55% required along with interview/English aptitude. |
Key Take-aways
- Both exams do not impose an upper age limit (at least explicitly for CLAT; for AILET Indian nationals, age limit isn’t specified).
- The minimum qualifying marks are very similar (45% general for UG at both, 50% general for PG at both) with slight differences for reserved categories or foreign nationals.
- AILET adds extra provisions for Foreign Nationals and OCI/PIO categories that CLAT does not specify in the same way.
- CLAT allows candidates yet to pass the qualifying exam (10+2 or LL.B.) to apply, provided they produce proof by a later date. The same is also allowed in AILET for UG/PG levels.
CLAT vs AILET – Which to choose and why?
CLAT – If you want to have multiple NLU or college options, then CLAT is the best fit.
AILET – If you are only interested in admission to NLU Delhi, take the AILET exam.
Both – The best option, however, is to take both the exams. If you are preparing for the CLAT, you will only need to make a few adjustments and prepare a few extra topics to get ready for the AILET exam as well. Note that at the foundation level, both AILET and CLAT will cover more or less the same topics.