CLAT UG and AILET 2027 are two major law entrance examinations for students seeking admission to five-year integrated law programmes after Class 12. CLAT UG 2027 is scheduled for December 6, 2026, while AILET 2027 will be conducted on December 13, 2026.

The main difference between CLAT UG and AILET is the admission route, exam pattern and distribution of questions. CLAT scores are accepted by participating National Law Universities (NLUs), whereas AILET is conducted by National Law University Delhi (NLU Delhi) for admission to its law programmes.

  • CLAT UG 2027: 120 questions across five sections, including Legal Reasoning and Quantitative Techniques.
  • AILET 2027: 150 questions across three sections, with 70 questions from Logical Reasoning.
  • Exam dates: December 6 for CLAT UG and December 13 for AILET.
  • Registration deadlines: October 31 for CLAT UG and November 10 for AILET, according to the announced schedules.
  • Admission options: Candidates targeting NLU Delhi and other participating NLUs should consider applying for both examinations.

Related Links:

CLAT UG vs AILET 2027

CLAT UG vs AILET 2027: Overview

Particulars CLAT UG 2027 AILET 2027
Full form Common Law Admission Test All India Law Entrance Test
Conducting body Consortium of NLUs National Law University Delhi
Exam date December 6, 2026 December 13, 2026
Exam mode Offline Offline
Exam duration 120 minutes 120 minutes
Total questions 120 150
Total marks 120 150
Sections 5 3
Negative marking 0.25 mark per incorrect answer 0.25 mark per incorrect answer
Main admission route Participating NLUs NLU Delhi
Registration deadline October 31, 2026 November 10, 2026
Official website CLAT 2027 AILET 2027

Also Read:

CLAT UG vs AILET: Which Colleges Accept the Scores?

The main difference between CLAT UG and AILET is the range of colleges for which each score is used. Candidates should choose their examination based on their preferred law schools and programmes.

Admission Factor CLAT UG AILET
Primary admission route Participating National Law Universities National Law University Delhi
Undergraduate law programme Five-year integrated law programmes at participating NLUs BA LL.B. (Hons.) at NLU Delhi
Number of institutions Multiple participating NLUs NLU Delhi for its AILET-based admissions
Counselling Through the applicable CLAT counselling process and university admission rules Through NLU Delhi's admission process
Is the other exam accepted as a substitute? Does not replace AILET for NLU Delhi's BA LL.B. (Hons.) Does not replace CLAT for admission to participating NLUs

Check:

CLAT UG: Participating National Law Universities

  • CLAT UG scores are used for admission to participating NLUs offering five-year integrated undergraduate law programmes.
  • Candidates participate in the relevant counselling and seat-allocation process based on their rank, preferences and applicable admission rules.
  • The available courses, seat intake and eligibility requirements vary by university.
  • Candidates should check the official participating-university list before submitting their applications.

AILET: National Law University Delhi

  • AILET is conducted by NLU Delhi for admission to its BA LL.B. (Hons.) and other notified programmes.
  • NLU Delhi's BA LL.B. (Hons.) admission process is separate from the CLAT admission route.
  • Candidates must appear for AILET and satisfy NLU Delhi's eligibility and selection requirements.
  • A CLAT score cannot replace AILET for admission to NLU Delhi's BA LL.B. (Hons.) programme.

Ques. Can I get admission to NLU Delhi through CLAT UG?

Ans. No. Candidates seeking admission to NLU Delhi's BA LL.B. (Hons.) programme must appear for AILET and meet the university's admission requirements.

Ques. Can I apply for both CLAT UG and AILET 2027?

Ans. Yes. Candidates can apply for both examinations separately if they meet the eligibility criteria and complete both application processes.

CLAT UG vs AILET 2027: Exam Pattern

CLAT UG and AILET have the same examination duration but different question counts and section distributions. CLAT has 120 questions across five sections, while AILET has 150 questions across three sections.

Exam Pattern Parameter CLAT UG 2027 AILET 2027
Exam duration 120 minutes 120 minutes
Total questions 120 150
Total marks 120 150
English Language 22–26 questions 50 questions
Current Affairs and General Knowledge 28–32 questions 30 questions
Legal Reasoning 28–32 questions No separate section
Logical Reasoning 22–26 questions 70 questions
Quantitative Techniques 10–14 questions No separate section
Correct answer +1 mark +1 mark
Incorrect answer −0.25 mark −0.25 mark
Average time per question 60 seconds 48 seconds

Also Check:

Ques. Which exam has more questions, CLAT or AILET?

Ans. AILET has 150 questions, which is 30 more than CLAT UG's 120 questions. Both examinations have a duration of two hours.

CLAT UG vs AILET 2027: Syllabus Comparison

Both examinations test English, current affairs and reasoning. However, CLAT includes separate Legal Reasoning and Quantitative Techniques sections, whereas AILET places greater emphasis on its Logical Reasoning section.

Subject CLAT UG AILET
English Reading comprehension, inference and passage analysis English comprehension and language skills
Current Affairs and GK Contemporary events and general knowledge, including passage-based questions Current affairs and general knowledge
Legal Reasoning Separate section No separate Legal Reasoning section
Logical Reasoning Separate section 70 questions
Mathematics Quantitative Techniques section No separate Mathematics section in the current UG pattern

Also Check:

What Should Candidates Prepare for Each Exam?

  • English: Practise comprehension, inference, vocabulary and identifying the central argument of a passage.
  • Current affairs: Follow national and international developments and revise important background information.
  • Legal Reasoning: CLAT candidates should practise applying legal principles to fact situations and interpreting legal passages.
  • Logical Reasoning: AILET candidates should devote substantial practice time to analytical and logical questions because this section contains 70 questions.
  • Quantitative Techniques: CLAT candidates should practise basic mathematical concepts, calculations and data interpretation.

Ques. Is the CLAT syllabus the same as the AILET syllabus?

Ans. No. Both examinations include English, current affairs and reasoning, but CLAT has separate Legal Reasoning and Quantitative Techniques sections, while AILET has three sections.

CLAT UG vs AILET 2027: Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must meet the qualifying examination and minimum marks requirements specified in the respective admission notifications.

Eligibility Parameter CLAT UG 2027 AILET 2027
Qualifying examination Class 12 or equivalent Class 12 or equivalent
General category minimum marks 45% 45%
SC/ST minimum marks 40% 40%
Class 12 appearing candidates Eligible, subject to final admission requirements Eligible, subject to final admission requirements
Upper age limit No upper age limit specified Check the official notification for applicable conditions

Check:

Ques. Can a Class 12 student apply for both CLAT and AILET?

Ans. Yes. Students appearing for their Class 12 examinations can apply for both, subject to the eligibility conditions and final admission requirements of each university.

CLAT UG vs AILET 2027: Registration Dates and Application Fees

Candidates must submit separate applications for CLAT UG and AILET. Their registration windows and application fees differ.

Event CLAT UG 2027 AILET 2027
Registration started August 3, 2026 August 7, 2026
Last date to apply October 31, 2026 November 10, 2026
Examination date December 6, 2026 December 13, 2026
General category application fee ₹4,000 ₹3,500
SC/ST/PwD application fee ₹3,500 ₹1,500
Application portal CLAT official website AILET official website

AILET's reported fee is ₹3,500 for General, OBC, EWS and foreign national candidates and ₹1,500 for SC, ST and PwD candidates. Eligible SC/ST candidates belonging to BPL families may be exempt from the fee under the applicable conditions.

For CLAT, candidates should confirm the applicable category fee and payment charges on the official registration portal before submitting payment.

Read:

CLAT UG vs AILET 2027: Which Exam Is More Difficult?

Neither examination is automatically more difficult for every candidate. Their question counts, subject distribution and time requirements provide a more useful comparison.

Difficulty Factor CLAT UG 2027 AILET 2027
Total questions 120 150
Time available 120 minutes 120 minutes
Average time per question 60 seconds 48 seconds
Number of sections 5 3
Dedicated Legal Reasoning section Yes No
Dedicated Quantitative Techniques section Yes No
Logical Reasoning questions Approximately 22–26 70
Main preparation challenge Managing five sections and passage-based questions Maintaining speed and accuracy across 150 questions

Why Can AILET Feel More Time-Pressured?

  • More questions: AILET has 150 questions compared with CLAT's 120, a difference of 25%.
  • Less time per question: The average available time is 48 seconds in AILET versus 60 seconds in CLAT.
  • Reasoning-heavy paper: Logical Reasoning accounts for approximately 46.7% of AILET's questions.
  • Different preparation requirements: CLAT candidates must also prepare for Legal Reasoning and Quantitative Techniques as separate sections.

These figures explain why AILET may feel more time-pressured. They do not establish that it is universally more difficult: actual difficulty also depends on the questions asked and each candidate's strengths.

Ques. Which exam is easier, CLAT or AILET?

Ans. Difficulty depends on the candidate. AILET has more questions and less average time per question, while CLAT requires preparation across five sections, including Legal Reasoning and Quantitative Techniques.

CLAT UG vs AILET 2027: Which Exam Should You Choose?

The right examination depends on the law schools you want to target. Candidates interested in both NLU Delhi and other participating NLUs should consider taking both examinations.

Admission Goal Recommended Strategy
Apply to participating NLUs Appear for CLAT UG
Target NLU Delhi's BA LL.B. (Hons.) programme Appear for AILET
Keep both admission routes open Apply for both
Improve passage comprehension Practise CLAT-specific papers
Improve speed in English and reasoning Practise AILET-specific timed mocks
Prepare for both examinations Study overlapping subjects together and practise separate mock tests

CLAT is the relevant examination for candidates targeting participating NLUs, while AILET is required for NLU Delhi's BA LL.B. (Hons.) programme. Since the exams are scheduled seven days apart, candidates planning to appear for both should practise each examination's format well before December.

Check:

CLAT UG vs AILET: Seats, Competition and Cutoff

Competition is where CLAT UG and AILET differ most. AILET has far fewer seats, so the cutoff stays very high every year.

  • 72,631 candidates appeared for CLAT UG 2026. In comparison, 22,532 appeared for AILET BA LLB.
  • AILET has only 110 merit seats. That means roughly 205 candidates compete for every seat.
  • CLAT UG offers around 3,213 seats across NLUs. This puts the ratio at roughly 23 candidates per seat.
  • The AILET General closing rank stayed around AIR 60 to 71 over the last two cycles.
  • In AILET 2025, a Round 1 closing rank of 53 needed about 119 to 121 marks in the General category.
Metric CLAT UG AILET (BA LLB)
Candidates who appeared (2026 cycle) 72,631 22,532
Seats About 3,213 (5-year LLB, across NLUs) 110 merit seats (plus 10 for Foreign Nationals/OCI/PIO)
Approx. candidates per seat About 23 About 205
Top-tier benchmark NLSIU Bengaluru General closing rank 102 (2024, fourth allotment) NLU Delhi General closing AIR 60 to 71 (last two cycles)
Highest score last cycle Not available 142.5 out of 150
Note: The CLAT seat count is approximate and changes every year. Candidates per seat is our own estimate, not an official figure.

CLAT UG vs AILET 2027: Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. What is the main difference between CLAT UG and AILET?

Ans. CLAT UG is used for admission to participating NLUs, whereas AILET is conducted by NLU Delhi for its law programmes. The examinations also differ in question count and section distribution.

Ques. How many questions are there in CLAT UG and AILET 2027?

Ans. CLAT UG has 120 questions, while AILET has 150 questions. Both examinations have a duration of 120 minutes.

Ques. Can I get admission to NLU Delhi through CLAT 2027?

Ans. No. Candidates seeking admission to NLU Delhi's BA LL.B. (Hons.) programme must qualify through AILET.

Ques. Does AILET 2027 have Mathematics?

Ans. AILET's current UG pattern does not have a separate Mathematics section. CLAT UG includes Quantitative Techniques.

Ques. Which examination has more Logical Reasoning questions?

Ans. AILET has 70 Logical Reasoning questions out of 150. CLAT has a separate Logical Reasoning section with approximately 22–26 questions.

Ques. Can I prepare for CLAT and AILET together?

Ans. Yes. Candidates can prepare overlapping subjects together, but should practise separate mock tests to understand each examination's question pattern and timing.

Ques. When will CLAT UG and AILET 2027 be conducted?

Ans. CLAT UG is scheduled for December 6, 2026, and AILET is scheduled for December 13, 2026.

Ques. What are the application fees for CLAT and AILET 2027?

Ans. The reported CLAT fee is ₹4,000 for the general category and ₹3,500 for SC/ST/PwD candidates. AILET's fee is ₹3,500 for General/OBC/EWS/foreign national candidates and ₹1,500 for SC/ST/PwD candidates, subject to applicable exemptions. Check the official portals before payment.