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What are the Differences Between CLAT PG and AILET PG 2025?

Author : Samriddhi Pandey

November 11, 2024

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Overview: A law career is as popular as it is prestigious in India. Many colleges offer post-graduate law programs, but admission is based on entrance exam scores.

CLAT and AILET are the top law entrance exams, understanding the differences between the two is important for making the right choice for your legal career.

Read on for a complete overview of the differences between CLAT PG 2025 and AILET PG 2025!

Looking for more details on these exams? Check out CLAT PG 2025 and AILET PG 2025 articles! 

Key Contents

  1. Distinctive Features: Differences between CLAT PG and AILET PG, highlighting their impact on legal careers.
  2. Comprehensive Comparison: Detailed analysis of exam pattern, eligibility, application process, and more.
  3. Top Private Law Colleges: Information on private institutions accepting CLAT PG and AILET PG scores.
  4. Practical Insights: Overview of seat availability, exam duration, syllabus, and difficulty levels of both exams.
  5. Free Study Material: Access to downloadable resources for AILET PG exam preparation.
  6. Decision-Making Support: Guidance for making an informed choice for post-graduate legal education.
  7. NLU Placements and Recruiters: Insights into placement opportunities and recruiters for CLAT and AILET qualifiers.

Differences Between CLAT PG and AILET PG 2025

Both CLAT and AILET are national-level law entrance exams conducted to provide admission to top Law colleges in India. However, these exams differ in terms of competition, difficulty level, participating institutes, and more.

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) PG is conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) to provide admission to LLM programs at 23 NLUs. 

On the other hand, AILET PG Exam is conducted by the National Law University, Delhi, to select students for the LLM program, and it is considered only for law admissions.

Differences Between CLAT PG and AILET PG (Exam Pattern, Eligibility, Syllabus, Application, etc.)

Most of you might still be wondering which exam you can attempt after completing your degree in law to get admission into prominent PG law colleges in India.

To help clear all your doubts, we have come up with the similarities and differences between CLAT PG Exam and AILET PG Exam.

Features CLAT PG AILET PG
Conducting Body The Consortium of National Law Universities  National Law University, Delhi
Number of Participating Institutes 23 NLUs + Private Colleges NLU Delhi + Private Colleges
Number of Seats Offered Around 800 81
Educational Qualification Bachelor’s degree in law (LLB) Bachelor’s degree in law (LLB)
Application Mode Online Online
Application Fee Rs. 4000/- Rs. 3500/-
Exam mode Pen-paper mode Pen-paper mode
Exam duration 2 hours 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes)
Exam Syllabus Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, other law subjects including contemporary issues Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Law of Contract, Jurisprudence, Law of Tort and International Law
Type of Questions Objective as well as subjective Objective as well as subjective
Total Questions 120 52
Total marks 120 marks 150 marks
Negative Marking  Yes Yes
Difficulty Level Moderate Moderate-Difficult

CheckTop Law Colleges in India

NLU Placements and Recruiters: Opportunities Between CLAT and AILET

National Law Universities (NLUs) are premier destinations for law students in India. The placements and opportunities largely depend on the NLU you attend, influenced by your performance in entrance exams like CLAT and AILET.

Here’s a detailed look at the difference between CLAT PG and AILET PG in terms of placements and recruiters:

CLAT and NLU Placements

  • Top NLUs:
    • NLSIU Bangalore: Average CTC of 18 LPA, with the highest up to 50 LPA.
    • Nalsar University of Law: 100% placement rate, average package of 14 LPA, highest of 25 LPA.
    • WBNUJS: Consistently high placement rates.
  • Other NLUs:
    • NLU Odisha (NLUO): Strong placement statistics, median salary of 6-7.5 LPA.
  • Top Recruiters:
    • Khaitan & Co
    • Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
    • Trilegal
    • Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas
    • L&L Partners

AILET and NLU Delhi Placements

  • NLU Delhi:
    • 5-year Undergraduate Program: 59 out of 85 eligible students placed, median salary of Rs. 19,00,000.
    • 1-year Postgraduate Program: Median salary of Rs. 10,00,000.
  • Top Recruiters:
    • Herbert Smith Freehills
    • Linklaters
    • Luthra & Luthra
    • Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
    • AZB & Partners

Key Points to Remember

  • Comparative Advantage: The difference between CLAT PG and AILET PG shows that while both exams open doors to prestigious NLUs, top NLUs under CLAT generally offer higher placement statistics compared to NLU Delhi. However, NLU Delhi, through AILET, offers competitive packages and opportunities, often rivalling the top NLUs.
  • Sector Diversity: Both CLAT and AILET graduates have opportunities across sectors like corporate law, litigation, and legal consultancy. This diversity in recruiters highlights the wide range of career paths available.
  • Personal Preference and Goals: Aspirants should consider their career goals and preferences when choosing between CLAT and AILET. For top NLUs like NLSIU or NALSAR, CLAT is essential. For those targeting NLU Delhi, AILET is the key.

Understanding the difference between CLAT PG and AILET PG can significantly impact your career decisions and help you choose the right path for your legal education and career goals.

Differences between CLAT PG and AILET PG: Which Institutions Accept Which Scores? 

Top Private Law Colleges Accepting CLAT PG Score

Check out the table below to know the list of top colleges in India that accept CLAT PG scores, apart from the National Law Universities.

Name of the Institute Location
Amity University Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Shobhit University Meerut, Uttar Pradesh
ISBR Law College Bangalore, Karnataka
Law College Dehradun, Uttaranchal University Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Indore Institute of Law Indore, Madhya Pradesh
Lloyd Law College Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Alliance School of Law, Alliance University Bangalore, Karnataka
Xavier Law School, Xavier University Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies New Delhi, Delhi
ICFAI Law School, ICFAI University Dehradun, Uttarakhand

Read Also: How to Prepare for CLAT PG 2025

Top Private Law Colleges Accepting AILET PG Score

Apart from NLU Delhi, many other private colleges accept AILET PG scores to provide LLM program admission.

Check out the table below to know some of the private colleges that accept the AILET PG exam scores.

Name of the Institute Location
Faculty of Law, SRM University Sonepat, Haryana
International School of Management Excellence (ISME) Law College Bangalore, Karnataka
Xavier Law School, Xavier University Bhubaneswar, Odisha
School of Law, The Northcap University Gurugram, Haryana
Ansal University Gurgaon, Haryana

Read More: How To Prepare For AILET PG 2025?

6-Month Prep Guide for CLAT and AILET: Strategies, Tips, and Study Resources 

Why Choose Both CLAT PG and AILET PG?

Instead of choosing between CLAT PG and AILET PG, why not prepare for both? With a strategic approach, you can tackle both exams effectively in six months.

Month-by-Month Strategy

Month 1: Foundation Building

  • Understand Exam Patterns and Syllabus: Familiarize yourself with the exam patterns and syllabus of both CLAT PG 2025 and AILET PG 2025.
  • Gather Study Materials: Collect textbooks, online resources, and previous years' question papers.
  • Set Clear Study Goals: Create a study schedule to build a strong foundation in all sections of the exams.

Download Previous Year's Question Papers for FREE!

Month 2: Study General Knowledge and Legal Aptitude

  • General Knowledge: Focus on history, science, UN, and international organizations. Stay updated with current affairs through newspapers and magazines.
  • Legal Aptitude: Learn legal jargon, maxims, the law of tort, and other relevant concepts. Practice questions and quizzes to strengthen your understanding.

Month 3: Focus on Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning

  • Verbal Ability: Improve reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and direct/indirect speech skills.
  • Logical Reasoning: Solve questions related to blood relations, analogies, direction problems, logical puzzles, inference, and judgment.

Month 4: Consolidation and Continuous Practice

  • Revisit Previous Topics: Consolidate your knowledge in previously studied sections while continuing with verbal ability and logical reasoning.
  • Regular Revision: Revise GK topics and legal concepts regularly to reinforce your understanding.
  • Practice: Solve various questions from each section to enhance speed and accuracy.

Month 5: Intensive Revision and Mock Tests

  • Mock Tests: Begin solving mock tests regularly to assess your progress and familiarize yourself with the exam format.
  • Analyze Performance: Identify strengths and weaknesses by analyzing mock test results.
  • Revise Key Areas: Allocate time to revise GK and legal aptitude sections, ensuring memorization of important concepts.

Take Legal Edge After College Mocks for Free!

- CLAT PG 2025 Mock Tests -

- AILET PG 2025 Mock Tests -

Month 6: Final Push and Focus on Weak Areas

  • Intense Mock Test Practice: Attempt at least two mock tests daily to build speed and accuracy.
  • Target Weak Areas: Improve areas where you struggle by revisiting relevant concepts and targeted exercises.
  • Stay Motivated: Maintain a positive mindset and take care of your physical and mental well-being.

Additional Tips and Strategies

  • Simultaneous Preparation: Since the syllabus for AILET closely resembles that of CLAT, focusing on common sections can help excel in both exams.
  • Subject-wise Strategy: Tailor your approach for each subject. For instance, enhance language skills for English and focus on problem-solving techniques for Quantitative Techniques.
  • Time Management: Develop strategies to handle different question types effectively and manage time during the exam.
  • Health and Well-being: Remember to take breaks and maintain a balanced lifestyle to ensure peak mental performance.

By following this plan, you can effectively prepare for both exams and understand the difference between CLAT PG and AILET PG.

Read More: CLAT PG Syllabus 2025

Differences between CLAT PG and AILET PG: Other Law Entrance Exams in India 

In addition to CLAT PG and AILET PG, several other prominent law entrance exams are conducted in India, offering diverse opportunities for aspiring law students:

  1. LSAT India: The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) India is conducted by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Global. It's an online test focusing on reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning. LSAT India is recognized by various law schools for admissions to their undergraduate and postgraduate law programs.

  2. MH CET Law: The Maharashtra Common Entrance Test for Law is a state-level examination for admissions to 3-year and 5-year LLB programs in Maharashtra. The test assesses legal aptitude, logical reasoning, and general awareness.

  3. SLAT (Symbiosis Law Admission Test): Conducted by Symbiosis International (Deemed University), SLAT is an entrance exam for 5-year integrated law courses offered at Symbiosis Law Schools in Pune, Noida, Hyderabad, and Nagpur.

  4. DU LLB: The Delhi University LLB Entrance Exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is for admission to the 3-year LLB program at Delhi University’s law centers.

  5. LSAT for JGLS: Jindal Global Law School accepts LSAT scores for admissions. It's known for its high-quality faculty and diverse student body.

  6. Law Entrance Test by Army Institute of Law (AIL): AIL Mohali conducts its own entrance test, primarily for wards of army personnel, but also has a limited number of seats for other students.

  7. Additional Exams: Other significant exams include CUET BA LLB, CUET LLB, TS LAWCET, AP LAWCET, KLEE, and various university-specific tests like those for NIRMA University and GGSIPU.

CheckHow To Prepare For AILET in One Month

Why Consider Multiple Exams?

Applying for multiple law entrance exams can be a smart strategy for several reasons. Here's why you should consider taking both CLAT PG and AILET PG:

  • Increased Admission Chances:

    • By filling out forms for multiple exams, you broaden your opportunities to get admitted to various prestigious law schools.
    • Different institutions might have different criteria and cutoffs, so having multiple options increases your chances of securing a seat in a top law college.
  • Reduced Anxiety:

    • Focusing on just one exam can build a lot of pressure. When you have multiple exams to aim for, it can help distribute that pressure.
    • Knowing that you have backup options can make you feel more relaxed and confident during the preparation and exam phases.
  • Diverse Opportunities:

    • Each exam opens doors to different institutions. For instance, CLAT PG offers admission to 23 National Law Universities (NLUs) and several private colleges, whereas AILET PG is primarily for NLU Delhi.
    • Understanding the difference between CLAT PG and AILET PG helps you target specific institutions that align with your career goals.
  • Enhanced Preparation:

    • Preparing for multiple exams exposes you to a variety of question formats and patterns, which can be beneficial for your overall preparation.
    • The skills and knowledge gained while studying for one exam can often be applied to others, making you a more versatile candidate.
  • Understanding Exam Formats:

    • Experiencing different exam formats helps you adapt to various testing conditions. This adaptability is crucial in high-stakes environments.
    • The difference between CLAT PG and AILET PG in terms of exam pattern, duration, and question types can help you become more proficient and confident in tackling diverse challenges.
  • Backup Plans:

    • Having multiple exam options ensures that you have a Plan B (or even a Plan C) in case one exam doesn't go as planned.
    • This safety net can significantly reduce the stress associated with the high competition in law entrance exams.

Key Takeaways 

  • Exam Focus: CLAT PG covers more NLUs and has a broader syllabus; AILET PG is specific to NLU Delhi with a slightly different syllabus focus.

  • Seat Availability: CLAT PG offers more seats, making it a viable option for a wider range of candidates.
  • Exam Structure: CLAT PG is longer in duration and has a different question pattern compared to AILET PG.
  • Difficulty Level: AILET PG is often perceived as more challenging.
  • Career Opportunities: Both exams open doors to prestigious law careers, but CLAT PG has a wider reach across multiple NLUs according to differences Between CLAT PG and AILET PG
  • Preparation Strategy: Balance your study plan to cover the overlapping syllabus areas effectively for both exams.
  • Choice Based on Goals: Select based on your target institutions and personal strengths in specific subjects after learning the differences between CLAT PG and AILET PG 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the full form of LLM?

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Is CLAT PG compulsory to pursue LLM in NLUs?

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What is the CLAT PG Exam pattern 2026?

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What is the exam pattern for AILET LLM 2025?

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Is there any negative marking for AILET LLM 2025?

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