Difference Between CLAT and AILET: Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Eligibility, Accepting Colleges, Seats

AILET vs CLAT Overview

Infographics - AILET vs CLAT

What is the difference between CLAT and AILET?

The main difference between CLAT and AILET is in the colleges into which one can be admitted after appearing for these two law entrance exams. In CLAT 2026, there are 24 participating NLUs and 65 participating institutes which are part of the examination. Through CLAT, candidates will be admitted into various five-year integrated law courses and LLM. On the other hand, through AILET 2026 candidates will get admission into BA LLB and LLM courses of NLU Delhi. NLU Meghalaya is the only other remaining NLU that conducts its own entrance exam to admit students.

AILET Vs CLAT Exam Pattern

Another difference between AILET and CLAT lies in the examination pattern of both exams. The Consortium of National Law Universities and NLU Delhi had revised the exam pattern of their law entrance examinations to make the exam more student-friendly. In the CLAT exam pattern, the consortium reduced the number of questions to 120 in the UG paper. On the other hand, the AILET exam pattern now gives candidates more time than earlier to solve the same number of questions. The time duration has also now been increased to 120 minutes.

There is no change in the exam pattern of the CLAT PG exam. However, the AILET LLM will only have objective questions from different areas of law as the descriptive section has been removed. The time duration of AILET LLM has been increased to 120 minutes.

CLAT Vs AILET - Exam Pattern Overview

CLAT and AILET Section-Wise Exam Pattern

The two tables below provide the section-wise exam pattern for CLAT 2026 and AILET 2026.

CLAT 2026 Section Wise Pattern

AILET 2026 Section Wise Pattern

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AILET Vs CLAT Syllabus

In the CLAT vs AILET comparison, an important element to focus on is the syllabus of both the law entrance exams. One major difference between CLAT 2026 syllabus and AILET 2026 syllabus is the presence of maths in CLAT. The CLAT UG syllabus has more sections and includes a quantitative techniques section which is not present in AILET. The syllabus of the PG exams for both the law entrance exams is more or less the same with the difference being only in the number of questions and time duration.

CLAT UG Syllabus 2026

AILET UG Syllabus 2026

CLAT 2026 Syllabus PG

AILET LLM 2026 Syllabus

CLAT Vs AILET Eligibility Difference

The eligibility criteria for CLAT and AILET exam are similar in many aspects, be it academic requirement or age limit. The difference between CLAT and AILET eligibility lies in the minimum marks requirement in the qualifying exam.

To be eligible in CLAT, general category students need to have secured at least 50% marks in the qualifying exam, and 45% marks for reserved categories. Whereas, for AILET exam, general category students need 45% marks and reserved category students require 40% marks in the qualifying exam.

AILET vs CLAT Subjects

When it comes to the subjects students can choose for CLAT and AILET exam, the exam subjects remain almost the same including subjects like Legal reasoning, current affairs, logical reasoning and more.

However, the main difference between CLAT and AILET subjects are that AILET does not include mathematics.

CLAT Vs AILET : Which is better?

Both CLAT and AILET are hugely popular among law aspirants. The colleges that candidates can get into through these exams are frequently ranked among the top law colleges in NIRF law college rankings. NLU Delhi, NLSIU Bengaluru, and NALSAR Hyderabad usually bag the top 3 places in the NIRF rankings for law. However, the answer to the question of CLAT or AILET- which is better, will also depend on individual perceptions of the candidate about the college. It is always advised to prepare and appear for both exams to improve one’s chances of getting into a good law college.

Is AILET tougher than CLAT?

CLAT is usually considered very tough due to its length and complexity. It is reading intensive and one of the lengthiest law entrance exams. CLAT has 5 sections while AILET has three sections. CLAT also requires the candidates to prepare for Mathematics, a section not present in AILET, which candidates may find difficult. However, it must be said that In the debate over which is tougher among AILET and CLAT, both exams are equally complex and difficult. The difficulty level of both the exams also move in sync.

The Consortium of National Law Universities revised the syllabus of CLAT by reducing the number of questions from 150 to 120 for CLAT UG exam. It was with the intention of making the exam more student-friendly.

This was followed by NLU Delhi revising its own exam pattern for both the AILET UG and AILET LLM. It has increased the time duration by a further 30 minutes for UG. While for AILET LLM, it has done away with the descriptive section of LLM and kept only MCQs about different areas of law.

AILET vs CLAT NLUs Participating in the Admission Process

From CLAT 2025 towards, RPNLU Prayagraj and IIULER Goa will conduct their admissions through the CLAT counselling process. Earlier, both universities conducted their admissions separately. For AILET, NLU Delhi is the only participating university.

CLAT Vs AILET: Similarities

The CLAT and AILET exam are similar in many ways. The points given below illustrate the convergences between the two exams -

• Both exams have objective questions that are based on a particular passage/statement preceding them.

• Both exams are a test of a candidate’s ability to read and comprehend quickly, as both exams are reading intensive.

• Even though CLAT has a mathematics section, it has a lesser weightage with more importance being given to the reasoning, English and GK sections which are also present in AILET.

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