Exam guide · Entrance Exams
AILET (All India Law Entrance Test)
National Law University Delhi does not participate in CLAT. It admits students through its own exam, AILET. The skills tested are similar to CLAT, so most law aspirants prepare for both together.
- Conducted by
- National Law University Delhi
- Leads to
- BA LLB (Hons), LLM and PhD at NLU Delhi
- Stream
- Any stream
- Held
- Once a year
About the exam
AILET is used only by NLU Delhi, one of India's leading law schools. Because seats are few, competition is intense.
The test covers English, current affairs and general knowledge, and logical reasoning. Legal reasoning is typically assessed within reasoning passages; check the current pattern notice. For the career, see Lawyer and BA LLB (Integrated Law Degree).
Who takes this exam
- Class 12 students from any stream aiming for NLU Delhi
- CLAT aspirants adding another top option
Eligibility (general)
- Class 12 or equivalent with minimum marks set by NLU Delhi
- Students appearing for Class 12 in the exam year can apply
- Reservation rules as specified by the university
Exam pattern
| Feature | In recent years |
|---|---|
| Mode | Pen-and-paper (as per recent practice) |
| Sections | English, current affairs and GK, logical reasoning |
| Question type | Objective, mostly passage-based |
| Marking | Includes a deduction for wrong answers in recent years |
Syllabus overview
There is no textbook syllabus. Reading comprehension, reasoning and awareness of current affairs are the core skills, similar to CLAT.
Want help applying this to your own situation? Career Counselling After Class 12 on the Career Captain website.
Courses and institutions it leads to
AILET scores are used for admission to NLU Delhi. A few other institutions may accept AILET scores for specific programmes; check announcements.
How the process usually works
- Apply to NLU DelhiRegister during the application window.
- Take the examAppear at the allotted centre.
- Merit listNLU Delhi publishes category-wise merit lists.
- AdmissionCounselling and fee payment as per the university's schedule.
How to prepare
- Read dailyEditorials and long-form articles build reading speed.
- Practise reasoningCritical reasoning and logic passages every week.
- Current affairsKeep monthly notes.
- Take joint mock testsPrepare for CLAT and AILET together, then practise AILET-specific papers.
After the result
AILET usually falls close to CLAT in the calendar. Keep both processes active until you confirm a seat.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Preparing for AILET alone without CLAT as a backup
- Neglecting current affairs
- Random guessing despite negative marking
Alternatives and backup options
- CLAT
- State LAWCETs
- University law tests
- Three-year LLB after graduation — see LLB (Three-Year Law Degree)
Frequently asked questions
Is NLU Delhi part of CLAT?
No. NLU Delhi admits through AILET.
Can I prepare for CLAT and AILET together?
Yes. The skills overlap heavily; practise each exam's pattern separately in the final months.
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