CLAT, AILET, SLAT, LNAT UK: Registration Fees alone can cost a Whopping INR 23000+
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CLAT, AILET, SLAT, LNAT UK: Registration Fees alone can cost a Whopping INR 23000+

Sansar Singh ChhikaraUpdated on 26 Aug 2025, 04:31 PM IST

Legal education in India is on an upward trend with an increasing number of students enrolling for this promising career path each year. Talking of legal education in India, the National Law Universities (NLUs) take up the top spot in most charts, with NLSIU Bengaluru leading the way. After the NLUs come other private law schools like Symbiosis Law Schools, Jindal Law School etc. Just like engineering, medical and other education streams, law admissions also majorly come through entrance exams. CLAT, AILET, SLAT, LNAT UK - these are counted as some of the top law entrance exams in India. While there is so much to talk about these entrance exams, one thing that differentiates these LETs (Law Entrance Exams) from other entrance exams is the exorbitantly high registration fees.

CLAT, AILET, SLAT, LNAT UK: Registration Fees alone can cost a Whopping INR 23000+
CLAT, AILET, SLAT, LNAT UK: Registration Fees alone can cost a Whopping INR 23000+

Shockingly, just signing up for these top law entrance tests — CLAT, AILET, SLAT, and the UK’s LNAT can drain over ₹23,000 from a student’s pocket. This is just the application fee, expenses like coaching, study material, and other preparations come on top of this. It doesn’t end here, the tuition fee of NLUs, and private law schools like SLS and JGLS have been very high. In this article, we discuss in detail the high application fee for top law schools, comparison with other LETs, tuition fees and other details.

NLUs Student Bodies Demand Urgent CLAT Fee Reforms

Student Bar Associations and Marginalised Empowerment Clinics from National Law Universities (NLUs) across India recently started a petition demanding urgent reforms in CLAT fee structure. This pertained to the over the top counselling registration and application fee. These student bodies also started an e-petition to garner support from the student community. In 2024, avitribai Intersectional Study Circle at NALSAR (SISC), NALSAR Student Bar Council, NLS Savitri Phule Ambedkar Caravan (SPAC), NLS Student Bar Association, DSNLU Student Bar Association, DNLU Student Council Association, and NLIU Bhopal Savitri Phule Ambedkar Caravan (SPAC) had made a formal representation to the Consortium of NLUs regarding the unreasonable counselling registration fee. However, no action was taken by the Consortium in this matter.

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CLAT, AILET, SLAT, LNAT UK application fee vs OLETs

There is a stark difference between the application fees of these big four law entrance exams and state level and other law entrance exams. The below-given table shows a comparison between CLAT, AILET, SLAT, LNAT UK and other law entrance exams like MH CET Law, TS LAWCET, AP LAWCET

Comparison of fee - Big 4 vs OLETs

Big 4 Law Exams

OLETs

  • CLAT - General Category - Rs 4000, SC/ST/PwD - 3500
  • AILET - General Category - Rs 3000, SC/ST/PwD - Rs 1000
  • SLAT - Rs 2250 (Additional Rs 1000 for each programme)
  • LNAT UK - 120 GBP OR 14,200+ INR
  • MH CET Law - General Category - Rs 1000 SC/ST/PwD - Rs 800
  • AP LAWCET - General Category - Rs 900, BC - 850, SC/ST - Rs 800
  • TS LAWCET - General Category - Rs 900, SC/ST/PH - Rs 600
  • KLEE - General/SEBC Category - Rs 900, SC/ST - Rs 450
  • Lucknow University BA LLB - General Category - Rs 800, SC/ST/PwD - Rs 400

Law Entrance Exam Fees vs Other National Level Entrance Exams

To get a clearer picture of the high registration fee of law entrance exams it is important to pitch it against big national level entrance exams like JEE, NEET etc. The CLAT registration fee is four times that of JEE Main - the biggest engineering exam in the country. The registration fee of JEE Mains is Rs 1000 for General category, whereas the fee for CLAT exam for the same category is Rs 4000. Coming to NEET exam, the registration fee is 50% less than that of CLAT exam. The below-given table draws comparison between major law entrance exams and other national level entrance exams like JEE Main, NEET etc.

Law Entrance Exams vs National Level Entrance Exams

Law Entrance Exams

National Level Entrance Exams

  • CLAT - General Category - Rs 4000, SC/ST/PwD - 3500
  • AILET - General Category - Rs 3000, SC/ST/PwD - Rs 1000
  • SLAT - Rs 2250 (Additional Rs 1000 for each programme)
  • LNAT UK - 120 GBP OR 14,200+ INR

  • JEE Main - General Category - Rs 1000, Female/OBC/EWS - 800, SC/ST/PwD/Transgender
  • NEET - General Category - Rs 1700, EWS/OBC-NCL - Rs 1600, SC/ST/PwD/Third-Gender - 1000
  • VITEEE - Rs 1350
  • NIFT - General/OBC/EWS - Rs 3000, SC/ST/PwD Rs 1500
  • CUET UG - General Category - Rs 1000, OBC-NCL/EWS - RS 900, SC/ST/PwD - Rs 800
  • NCHMCT JEE - General Category/OBC-NCL - Rs 1000, EWS - 700, SC/ST/PwD/Transgender - Rs 450

Is the CLAT counselling registration fee too high?

It is not just the high registration fee of CLAT that is bothering candidates. Once the CLAT exam is over, candidates who are invited for counselling must pay an extortionate registration fee of Rs 30,000 just to sit in the admission process. ST/SC/OBC/BC/EWS/PWD candidates also need to pay Rs 20,000. The amount candidates need to pay without even a guarantee of seat confirmation may end up being too hefty. Earlier this year, the Delhi High Court also noted, “We expect that the aforesaid observations would be sufficient for the Consortium to take heed of and take appropriate steps to avoid such excessive fee in the next examinations, scheduled for the following years.” The Consortium of NLUs, however, has not made any amendments in its registration or counselling fee structure.

If the Registration Fee Hurts, the NLU Tuition Might Break You

CLAT registration is just the step one towards getting closer to securing a seat at your preferred law school. Students who are surprised by the registration fee might get further shocked after seeing the tuition fees of top NLUs. The top ranked National Law University in India - NLSIU Bengaluru will cost an astronomical amount of approximately Rs 22.75 lakhs for a 5-year LLB. Similarly, pursuing BA LLB at SLS Pune will amount to Rs 23.65 lakhs just in tuition fees. The below-give table lists down the most expensive NLUs in India:

Most Expensive NLUs (UG – BA LLB) by Full 5-Year Cost

NLU Name

Annual Fee (₹ lakh)

Total 5-Year Fee (₹ lakh)

NLSIU Bengaluru

4.55

22.75

RPNLU Prayagraj

4.53

22.65

MNLU Nagpur

3.85

19.25

NLU Delhi

3.83

19.15

MNLU Mumbai (All India)

3.62

18.10

WBNUJS Kolkata (BA LLB)

3.55

17.75

DNLU Jabalpur

3.51

17.55

NUSRL Ranchi

3.39

16.95

MNLU Aurangabad (All India)

3.22

16.10




The Price of Prestige: Are NLUs, SLSs, and JGLS Worth the Cost?

The dream of studying at the top law schools in India comes at a high cost starting from the registration fee, subtly moving to the counselling fee and eventually ending at tuition fee. It is an undeniable fact that the above-discussed law schools come with great prestige and unmatched opportunities. For students coming from mediocre to weaker financial backgrounds, it is not just about clearing the entrance exams but also managing the significant financial cost incurred during the entire process. Eventually, cost becomes a barrier for many deserving students from weaker financial backgrounds. In the end, it all falls on the student to carefully weigh their options, get an idea of the financial after-effects and then choose a wise and well-suited option. It is indeed worth asking if these costs are truly justifiable or these law schools and exam-conducting bodies should slash down the costs to make legal education accessible in India.

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Questions related to CLAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CLAT ?

With a CLAT PG rank of 1257 in the SC category and being a woman candidate with Rajasthan domicile, you do have a realistic chance of securing admission to several National Law Universities, though the top NLUs may be difficult at this rank. Admission chances depend heavily on category-wise cut-offs, domicile reservations, and how many seats are available in a given year. For top-tier NLUs like NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, or NLUD, the closing ranks for SC category usually fall much lower, so chances there are minimal. However, you should definitely consider mid- and lower-ranked NLUs where SC category cut-offs often extend beyond 1200–1500 ranks.

You should prioritise NLUs that offer domicile or state quota benefits, especially those closer to your home state or neighbouring regions. National Law University Jodhpur (if applicable under domicile or category movement), Hidayatullah National Law University Raipur, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University Lucknow, Gujarat National Law University Gandhinagar, Maharashtra National Law University (Nagpur or Aurangabad), National Law University Odisha, and Tamil Nadu National Law University are some options where candidates in the SC category with similar ranks have secured seats in previous counselling rounds. Lower-tier NLUs like Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Himachal Pradesh National Law University, and Dharmashastra National Law University can also be kept in your preference list as safer options.

Your strategy should be to keep a wide preference list during counselling, placing mid-ranked NLUs first and then moving to lower NLUs, rather than restricting yourself only to a few choices. Also, stay active during subsequent counselling rounds and vacancy rounds, as many seats in the SC category are filled later due to withdrawals. Overall, while top NLUs may be tough, you have a fair chance of getting into a decent NLU if you plan your preferences smartly and remain flexible.

With a CLAT PG rank of around 11,000, getting admission into the top National Law Universities (NLUs) is not likely, as their general category cut-offs usually close much earlier. However, you still have realistic chances in lower-ranked and newer NLUs, especially in the later rounds of CLAT counselling or through vacant seats.

At this rank, you may consider NLUs such as NLU Tripura, NLU Meghalaya, NLU Nagaland, NLU Sikkim, NLU Andhra Pradesh, NLU Odisha, NLU Jabalpur, and NLU Aurangabad, particularly if you belong to a reserved category like SC, ST, OBC, EWS, or have domicile or women reservation applicable. Cut-offs for these universities tend to go higher in rank compared to older NLUs, and seats often open up in subsequent counselling rounds due to withdrawals.

If you do not secure an NLU seat, you should also strongly consider reputed state and private law universities that accept CLAT PG scores or conduct their own entrance tests. Universities such as Faculty of Law, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Delhi University (DU – through CUET PG), Jamia Millia Islamia, Symbiosis Law School, Christ University, Jindal Global Law School, and Nirma University are good alternatives for LLM aspirants. Many of these institutions offer strong academic exposure, experienced faculty, and good research opportunities, sometimes even better than newer NLUs.

Overall, while a rank of 11,000 limits options in top NLUs, admission is still possible in newer NLUs or good non-NLU law universities, provided you actively participate in counselling rounds and keep backup options ready.

With a CLAT 2026 All India Rank around 2070, Telangana domicile, and holding an OBC certificate (girl candidate), your chances of getting admission into a top-tier NLU like NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, NUJS Kolkata or NLU Jodhpur are quite low, as their closing ranks are usually much higher. However, you still have realistic chances in several mid-tier and newer NLUs, especially if OBC reservation and domicile or women reservation is applicable.

Based on previous years’ counselling trends, you can reasonably expect chances in NLUs such as NLU Odisha (Cuttack), NLIU Bhopal (borderline, depending on category movement), NLU Assam (Guwahati), DSNLU Visakhapatnam, TNNLU Tiruchirappalli, HPNLU Shimla, NLU Tripura, NLU Meghalaya, NLU Sikkim, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar NLU Sonipat. Some of these universities see rank movement in later rounds and vacancies, particularly for reserved categories and women candidates.

Since you are from Telangana, you should definitely keep NALSAR Hyderabad in your preference list, but only after all higher NLUs, as the domicile quota is limited and usually closes at a much better rank. Still, it is worth trying because domicile and category together can sometimes help in spot or vacancy rounds.

Your best strategy would be to prepare a balanced preference list: first include all top NLUs, then mid-tier NLUs like NLU Odisha and NLIU Bhopal, followed by newer and lower-ranked NLUs where your rank has a stronger chance. Make sure you actively participate in all counselling rounds, including vacancies, as many seats open up after withdrawals.

Cut-offs vary every year depending on seat intake, category distribution, and counselling dynamics, so even if you miss out in early rounds, you should not lose hope. Keep your documents ready, track counselling updates closely, and stay flexible with preferences to maximize your chances of securing an NLU seat.

Hello there,

Here is a list of government and semi-government colleges that accept CLAT score:

  1. IIM Rohtak
  2. Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University
  3. National Forensic Science University
  4. CUSAT
  5. Jamia Hamdard University

However, these universities also carry out separate registration to apply using your CLAT Scorecard.

I hope this helps you.

Thankyou.

Hello,

With EWS rank 2673 in CLAT 2026, you are unlikely to get the top NLUs like NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, NLIU Bhopal, or RMLNLU Lucknow .

You have good chances for mid-tier NLUs such as:

  • DBRANLU Sonepat

  • MPDNLU Jabalpur

  • IIULER Goa

  • NUSRL Ranchi

  • DSNLU Visakhapatnam

  • CNLU Patna BBA LLB

  • RPNLU Prayagraj (in later rounds)

  • Most newer MNLUs like Mumbai, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Silvassa

Final allotment can vary depending on counselling rounds and seat availability

You can also use our CLAT College Predictor Tool to predict which colleges you can get based on your score and rank.

Hope it helps !