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Why is NLU Delhi not part of CLAT? - Objectives, CLAT vs AILET

Why is NLU Delhi not part of CLAT? - Objectives, CLAT vs AILET

#AILET
Shubham BhakuniUpdated on 05 Dec 2024, 04:11 PM IST

Why is NLU Delhi not part of CLAT - There are 23 National Law Universities (NLUs) currently leading the legal education in India. Some of the prominent names are National Law University Delhi (NLU Delhi), NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad and GNLU Gandhinagar. Many law aspirants must have a question that does NLU Delhi accept CLAT? Out of 23 NLUs, 22 are on one side as they conduct a Common Law Admission Test and the NLU Delhi is on another side which conducts its own All India Law Entrance Test (AILET). So what makes NLU Delhi different from other NLUs? And why NLU Delhi is not a member of CLAT Consortium despite being an NLU? Let’s understand how NLU Delhi is different from other NLUs and how AILET is different from CLAT.

National Law University Delhi - Objectives of establishment

This Story also Contains

  1. Success of AILET
  2. CLAT vs AILET
  3. Is NLU Delhi good?
  4. National Law University Delhi - Fast facts
Why is NLU Delhi not part of CLAT? - Objectives, CLAT vs AILET
Why NLU Delhi does not accept CLAT

The university was established in 2008 under the NLU Delhi Act passed by the Legislative Assembly of National Capital Territory of Delhi. The primary objective of the university is to evolve and impart comprehensive and interdisciplinary legal education that is socially relevant. The university strives to promote legal awareness in the community and to achieve political, social and economic justice.

Why is NLU Delhi not part of CLAT

  • The answer to why NLU Delhi is not part of CLAT is simple. NLUD conducts its own AILET for admissions to BA LLB, LLM and PhD programmes.
  • You must be wondering that NLU Delhi is also a National Law University then why doesn’t it accept CLAT scores. The question becomes more pronounced when all other NLUs and many other law schools of India are respectfully accepting CLAT for admissions.
  • Back in 2012, Dr Ranbir Singh, founder of NLU Delhi, who himself was very instrumental in bringing CLAT, told “Bar and Bench” that;
  • “One of the reasons was that [NLU Delhi] would be the 13th law school [in CLAT]. So when students filled in their preferences, I would be the 13th choice.”
  • The VC also cited the administrative and financial issues for NLUD as not becoming part of CLAT.
  • Today, NLUD has become one of the most reputed law schools in India and has secured #2nd rank in NIRF ranking of law schools in 2020. Not only this, but NLU Delhi is also maintaining its top position from past 3-4 years.

Success of AILET

NLU Delhi received only 4000 applications in the first year of bringing AILET. However, since then the number of applications for AILET has increased steadily. Last year (2019) more than 18,000 students appeared for NLU Delhi’s AILET. The success of AILET is also one reason why NLU Delhi would like to maintain a separate place in the hearts of law aspirants.

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CLAT vs AILET

Around 65,000 candidates appear in CLAT, while around 18,000 candidates appear in AILET. The exam pattern of CLAT has been changed in 2019, it is now a comprehension-based test conducted to test the reading and critical thinking abilities of the candidates. On the other hand, AILET is an objective type test conducted to test candidates on various topics. Below are the highlights of CLAT vs AILET.

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Is NLU Delhi good?

NLU Delhi is one of the best law colleges in India. The university clinched the second spot in the NIRF 2023 rankings for law colleges in the country. According to NIRF rankings, the university was rated 73.91 points. The university has consistently been ranked among the top law universities in India.

CLAT vs AILET - Highlights

Particulars

CLAT

AILET

Conducting body

Consortium of NLUs

NLU Delhi

Test type

Comprehension based test with MCQs

Objective type test with MCQs

Total number of questions

150

150

Participating law schools

22 national law universities plus more than 50 law schools

NLU Delhi

Total number of seats

  • Approx 2500 in UG CLAT

  • Approx 724 in PG CLAT

  • 110 seats in BA LLB

  • 70 seats in LLM

Level of competition

High

High, but CLAT is considered a tougher exam than AILET

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National Law University Delhi - Fast facts

  • NLU Delhi offers BA LLB, LLM and PhD programmes through AILET.

  • The university offers 110 seats in BA LLB programmes through AILET while 10 seats are filled by foreign nationals on merit basis.

  • Under LLM programme, NLUD offers 70 seats through AILET and 10 seats to foreign nationals on direct admission basis. 8 seats are offered in PhD programmes through AILET.

Also, Read:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is NLU Delhi included in CLAT?
A:

No, National Law University, Delhi is not part of CLAT.

Q: Can we take admission in NLU Delhi without CLAT?
A:

Yes, NLU Delhi conducts  its own entrance exam for admissions i.e. AILET.

Q: Can I get direct admission in NLU without CLAT?
A:

Yes, candidates can get admission at NLU Delhi without CLAT, but they will have to mandatorily appear for the AILET exam.

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Have a question related to AILET ?
2025 me ailet cut off kitna gya tha

The AILET (All India Law Entrance Test) 2025 Cutoff is typically released in terms of the Closing Rank achieved by the last admitted candidate in each round of counseling for the BA LLB (Honours) program at NLU Delhi.access cut off from here https://law.careers360.com/articles/ailet-cutoff

Read Complete Answer
S
Sakshi
15 Dec'25
I have got only 43 marks in my clat 2026. I am totally demotivated and traumatised. i have one more chance(ailet) to correct my mistake but i confused how to prepare for ailet and what i have to study specially in Static Gk, current affairs, which date name and place. Plzzz guide me

Hello aspirant,

Getting 43 in CLAT can feel disappointing, but it doesn't define your ability. You still have AILET, and many students improve sharply in their second attempt. For AILET, focus more on English, logical reasoning and GK. In static GK, study important books, monuments, national parks, constitutional facts and major awards. For current affairs, revise the last 6-8 months covering national events, government schemes, appointments, sports and major international news. Make short notes and revise daily. With a clear plan and claim mind, you can perform much better in AILET.

FOR GUIDANCE : https://law.careers360.com/articles/ailet-preparation-tips

THANK YOU

Read Complete Answer
S
Sachin Saravanan
8 Dec'25
Greetings...I wanted to enquire if the admission for BALLB is based on 12th board merit or any other national level entrance exams like CLAT, AILET etc...and if any entrance test is conducted what is the it based on?

Good Morning, Candidate,

It entirely depends on the university whether the admission for the BA LLB will be based on the 12th board or the national-level entrance exam, or both. The admission exams are below

1. Common Law Admission Test

2. All India Law Entrance Test

3. Symbiosis Law Admission Test

4. Common University Entrance Test

Thank you. Hope this information helps you.

Read Complete Answer
S
SUANGANA ROY
6 Dec'25
Where to find mock test for ailet 2026?

You can find AILET 2026 mock tests on most major law-entrance preparation platforms, coaching institutes and test-series providers. Many of them offer free sample mocks along with full-length paid test series that follow the latest AILET pattern. You can also check previous years’ question papers, sectional tests and model papers provided by offline coaching centres, bookstores and competitive exam publishers. These resources will help you practice the new pattern, improve speed and understand the difficulty level. Try attempting at least one mock every week and gradually increase frequency as the exam approaches. Consistent practice will strengthen your accuracy and confidence before the final exam. All the best.


Read Complete Answer
A
Ayshwarya Mahadevan
16 Dec'25
Is ailet pg question paper will be paragraph based questions

Hello aspirant,

AILET PG question is exclusively multiple choice questions or MCQ based . You do not need to write any paragraph based questions. The exam will have 100 MCQs, each worth one mark, covering various branches of law. There is also a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answers.

Good luck!

Read Complete Answer
R
Rupsa Banerjee
11 Jul'25
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