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

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

Ongoing Event

CLAT Application Date:01 Aug' 25 - 31 Oct' 25

Sumeet SudarshanUpdated on 21 May 2025, 06:14 PM IST

The two most important exams to consider to gain admission into a National Law University are AILET and CLAT. An evaluation of CLAT vs AILET can be done using various parameters. The main difference between CLAT and AILET exam is that the Common Law Admission Test is conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities to admit students into NLUs that participate in the CLAT admission process. On the other hand, the All India Law Entrance Test is conducted by NLU Delhi to admit students into its law programmes. The other university that is not part of the Consortium of NLUs is NLU Meghalaya. It conducts its entrance exams separately.

This Story also Contains

  1. AILET vs CLAT Overview
  2. What is the difference between CLAT and AILET?
  3. AILET Vs CLAT Exam Pattern
  4. AILET Vs CLAT Syllabus
  5. CLAT Vs AILET : Which is better?
  6. Is AILET tougher than CLAT?
  7. AILET vs CLAT NLUs Participating in the Admission Process
  8. CLAT Vs AILET: Similarities
Difference Between CLAT and AILET: Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Eligibility, Accepting Colleges, Seats
Image source: Image by benzoix on Freepik

The difference between CLAT and AILET also exists in their mark distribution, time duration, and syllabus. Candidates can gain admission into five-year LLB and LLM courses through these two law entrance exams. Read the full article to learn everything about the AILET vs CLAT comparison.

AILET vs CLAT Overview

ParticularsCLATAILET

Conducting Body

Consortium of National Law Universities

NLU Delhi

Exam Level

National Level

National level

Frequency of Exams

Once a year

Once a year

Participating Institutes

24 NLUs and 65 participating institutes

NLU Delhi

Law Programmes Offered

5 Year LLB, LLM

BA LLB, LLM

Infographics - AILET vs CLAT

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

ParticularsCLAT 2026AILET 2026CLAT PGAILET LLM

Mode of Exam

Offline

Offline

Offline

Offline

Duration

2 hours

2 hours

2 hours

2 hours

Type of Questions

Objective

Objective

Objective

Objective

Number of Questions

120

150

120

100

Total Marks

120

150

120

100

Negative Marking

0.25 mark per question

0.25 mark per question

0.25 mark per question

0.25 mark per question

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

SectionsNo. of questionsTime

English

22-26

120 Minutes

Current Affairs including GK

28-32

Legal Reasoning

28-32

Logical Reasoning

22-26

Quantitative Techniques

10-14

AILET 2026 Section Wise Pattern

SectionNumber of questionsTime

English

50

120 Minutes

Current Affairs

30

Logical Reasoning

70

Total

150

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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

SectionsTopics

English

Grammar, reading comprehension, vocabulary, fill in the blanks

Current Affairs, including GK

National and international events in the field of sports, economy, politics, arts and culture.

Legal Reasoning

Current legal affairs, important judgements, constitution, law of torts, family law

Logical Reasoning

Drawing inferences and conclusions from given arguments, puzzles and seating arrangements, series and sequences

Quantitative Techniques

Basic arithmetic, mensuration, ratio and proportion, profit and loss, time and work.

AILET UG Syllabus 2026

SectionsTopics

English

Comprehension, grammar, sentence correction and vocabulary

Current Affairs

Recent national and international events of significance from various fields such as politics, business, sports, awards, arts and culture.

Logical Reasoning

Logical and analytical reasoning skills

CLAT 2026 Syllabus PG

Constitutional Law

Law of Torts

Administrative law

Criminal Law

Family law

Labour and industrial law

Property law

Public international law

Jurisprudence

Company law

Intellectual Property Law

International Law

Tax law

Law of Contracts


AILET LLM 2026 Syllabus

Subjects

Different areas of law: (Constitutional law, Jurisprudence, Administrative Law, Law of Contract, Torts, Family Law, Criminal Law, Property Law, Company Law, Public International Law, Tax Law, Environmental Law, and Labour & Industrial Law)


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.

CLAT Sample Paper 2026 with Answer Key- Careers360
Download the CLAT Sample Paper 2026 PDF featuring the latest exam pattern with descriptive-type questions for effective preparation.
Download EBook

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is there any age limit for appearing in CLAT?
A:

No, there is no age limit for appearing in CLAT.

Q: How many NLUs are participating in CLAT 2026?
A:

24 NLUs are participating in CLAT 2026.

Q: Which is better CLAT or AILET?
A:

Both the exams are popular among law aspirants. It depends on the personal preference and convenience of the candidate.

Q: Does AILET and CLAT have same syllabus?
A:

No, the syllabus of both the exams are different. CLAT has five sections and also has a maths section

Q: Who conducts the AILET?
A:

The AILET is conducted by NLU Delhi.

Q: AILET is conducted for admission into which courses?
A:

AILET is conducted to admit candidates into the BA LLB and LLM courses.

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Questions related to CLAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CLAT ?

Hello Mujahideen

Around 75,000 - 80,000 students have registered for CLAT examination this year. There are approximately 3,700 seat available in all NLUs through CLAT 2025.

In NLSIU Bengaluru, total 300 UG seats are available while in TNNLU Trichy, 180 are available.

Hope this answer helps! Thank You!!!

Hello,

If you want to prepare for the CLAT 2026 LLM exam. You should first understand the CLAT PG exam's syllabus, exam pattern, and weightage of sections like constitutional law and jurisprudence. Also, after that, create a structured study plan with good time management, and focus on your weak areas to improve yourself for the exam. You can also prepare with PYQ and mock tests.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Yes, the School of Excellence in Law (SOEL) accepts CLAT scores for admissions, and there are cutoffs for different categories. SOEL, part of TNDALU, offers BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), and BCA LLB (Hons) programs. The cutoffs vary based on the category and program.

For the OC category, the cutoff for BA LLB/BBA LLB was 97.750, and for BCA LLB, it was 96.5.

The cutoff can fluctuate based on the number of applicants, the difficulty of the exam, and the number of seats available

Hello

Yes, scholarships are available for CLAT merit holders. Many law schools, including some top institutions, offer financial assistance based on CLAT scores. For example, National Law Universities (NLUs) often offer merit-cum-means scholarships to students who excel in the exam. Additionally, some private organizations and law firms also offer scholarships to top CLAT scorers. The amount and criteria for these scholarships vary, but they usually cover tuition fees or provide financial support for study materials and other expenses.

Hello,

Here is the link where you can access Free Mock tests : CLAT Mock Test 2026

Hope it helps !