CLAT 2027 and AILET 2027 are India’s two most important law entrance exams — CLAT opens seats at 24 National Law Universities while AILET gives access exclusively to NLU Delhi.
Both exams share five subjects but differ sharply in section weightage, total questions, time pressure and which colleges accept each score. Students aiming at top NLUs should understand these differences before deciding how much time to invest in each exam.
- CLAT 2027 is conducted by the Consortium of NLUs and is accepted at 24 participating NLUs including NLSIU Bangalore and NALSAR Hyderabad.
- AILET 2027 is conducted by NLU Delhi and grants admission only to NLU Delhi — ranked among India’s top two law schools.
- CLAT 2027 has 120 questions in 120 minutes; AILET 2027 has 150 questions in 90 minutes, giving you just 36 seconds per question in AILET versus 60 seconds in CLAT.
- Legal Reasoning carries around 33% of AILET’s paper; in CLAT it carries roughly 25% and is fully passage-based with no prior legal knowledge required.
- NLU Delhi does not accept CLAT scores; all other 24 NLUs do not accept AILET scores — appearing in both is the only way to keep all top NLU options open.
| Direct Link — CLAT 2027 Official Website (Active) |
CLAT 2027 vs AILET 2027 at a Glance
The table below captures the key structural differences between the two exams side by side.
| Parameter | CLAT 2027 | AILET 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Consortium of NLUs | NLU Delhi |
| Mode | Online (CBT) | Online (CBT) |
| Total Questions | 120 | 150 |
| Total Marks | 120 | 150 |
| Duration | 120 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Time Per Question | 60 seconds | 36 seconds |
| Negative Marking | −0.25 per wrong answer | −0.25 per wrong answer |
| Question Type | Passage-based MCQs throughout | Passage-based and direct MCQs |
| NLUs Covered | 24 NLUs | NLU Delhi only |
| Typical Exam Window | May | June |
Exam Pattern Comparison: Section-Wise Breakdown
Both exams test five subjects but allocate questions very differently. Legal Reasoning dominates AILET at around 50 of 150 questions, while CLAT distributes weight more evenly across Current Affairs and Legal Reasoning.
| Section | CLAT 2027 (Approx. Questions) | AILET 2027 (Approx. Questions) |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 22–26 | 30 |
| Current Affairs incl. GK | 28–32 | 30 |
| Legal Reasoning | 28–32 | 50 |
| Logical Reasoning | 22–26 | 30 |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10–14 | 10 |
| Total | 120 | 150 |
Section counts are based on recent exam patterns and are indicative; the actual distribution may vary slightly year to year. Both exams carry −0.25 marks per wrong answer; unattempted questions carry no penalty in either exam.
Syllabus Comparison: Where the Two Exams Diverge
The five subjects are shared but the depth and style of questioning differ meaningfully. The single biggest divergence is in Legal Reasoning — CLAT requires no prior legal knowledge, AILET rewards it.
| Subject | CLAT 2027 Approach | AILET 2027 Approach |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | Reading comprehension, inference and vocabulary in context — all passage-based | Grammar, vocabulary and reading comprehension — mix of direct and passage-based questions |
| Current Affairs incl. GK | Last 12 months’ events, India and world affairs — passage-based and inference-heavy | Broader scope: static GK, history, geography, polity and current events — includes direct GK questions |
| Legal Reasoning | Principle-fact application from given passages; no prior legal knowledge required | Legal aptitude including legal maxims, constitutional provisions and landmark judgements; prior legal knowledge is advantageous |
| Logical Reasoning | Argument analysis, inference and analogy — all drawn from passages | Syllogisms, critical reasoning, statement-conclusion and sequences — mix of traditional and passage-based |
| Quantitative Techniques | Data interpretation, ratios and percentages from passages — Class 10 level | Arithmetic, data interpretation and basic mathematics — Class 10 level |
Key takeaway: CLAT’s fully passage-based format rewards reading speed and inference. AILET’s Legal Reasoning section rewards students who invest dedicated time studying legal principles and case law independently. This is the most important preparation difference between the two exams.
NLU Acceptance: Which Exam Opens Which Doors
This is the most decisive practical difference between CLAT and AILET — your score in one exam is worthless for the colleges that accept only the other.
CLAT 2027 scores are accepted by 24 NLUs, including some of India’s most prestigious law schools:
- NLSIU Bangalore (consistently ranked No. 1 nationally)
- NALSAR Hyderabad
- NLIU Bhopal
- WBNUJS Kolkata
- NLU Jodhpur
- GNLU Gandhinagar
- HNLU Raipur
- RMLNLU Lucknow
- MNLU Mumbai, MNLU Nagpur and MNLU Aurangabad
- 15 more NLUs across India
AILET 2027 scores are accepted only by NLU Delhi. NLU Delhi is outside the Consortium of NLUs and runs its own independent admission process. It is widely considered one of India’s top two law schools alongside NLSIU Bangalore.
| College | Accepts CLAT 2027? | Accepts AILET 2027? |
|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | Yes | No |
| NLU Delhi | No | Yes |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | Yes | No |
| NLIU Bhopal | Yes | No |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | Yes | No |
| 22 other NLUs | Yes | No |
No amount of CLAT performance grants admission to NLU Delhi, and a strong AILET rank gives you no seat at any other NLU. Students who want NLU Delhi as an option must appear in AILET 2027 separately.
Which Exam Should You Prioritise for 2027
For most serious law aspirants, the right strategy is: build a strong CLAT base, then layer AILET-specific preparation on top. Here is how to decide:
- Your target is NLSIU Bangalore or multiple top NLUs: Prioritise CLAT. Its passage-based format rewards sustained reading practice, strong GK and fast inference. Every mock you take for CLAT also prepares you substantially for AILET.
- NLU Delhi is your primary goal: AILET demands an extra preparation layer — constitutional law, legal maxims, landmark judgements — on top of the CLAT base. Budget additional time specifically for Legal Reasoning depth.
- You are strong in Legal Reasoning: AILET’s high Legal Reasoning weightage (50 of 150 questions) can significantly improve your rank if this is your strongest section. This section is where you can gain the most ground relative to other students.
- Time pressure is a concern: AILET’s 36 seconds per question demands intensive timed mock practice. Build CLAT reading stamina first, then shift to AILET-speed mocks in the final two months.
- Appearing in both: The syllabus overlap is substantial. Most serious 2027 aspirants appear in both exams. The marginal extra preparation for AILET is worth the reward of keeping NLU Delhi — one of India’s top law schools — as a live option.
CLAT vs AILET 2027 FAQs
Ques. Is the syllabus for CLAT 2027 and AILET 2027 the same?
Ans. Both exams cover English Language, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Techniques. However the weightage and question style differ. AILET allocates around 50 of 150 questions to Legal Reasoning and tests legal maxims, constitutional provisions and landmark cases. CLAT’s Legal Reasoning is fully passage-based and requires no prior legal knowledge. Current Affairs in AILET has a broader static GK component compared to CLAT’s passage-driven current events approach.
Ques. Can I get into NLU Delhi using my CLAT 2027 score?
Ans. No. NLU Delhi does not participate in the Consortium of NLUs and does not accept CLAT scores under any circumstance. You must appear in AILET 2027 separately to be considered for NLU Delhi’s BA LLB, LLM and PhD programmes. These are two entirely independent admission processes with separate registrations, fees and cutoffs.
Ques. Which is harder — CLAT 2027 or AILET 2027?
Ans. AILET is generally considered harder for two reasons. First, it gives you only 36 seconds per question (90 minutes for 150 questions) versus 60 seconds in CLAT. Second, AILET’s Legal Reasoning section requires independent knowledge of legal principles, case law and constitutional provisions, not just applying principles given in a passage. CLAT’s format is more predictable once you master reading speed and inference skills.
Ques. How many NLUs accept CLAT 2027 scores?
Ans. 24 National Law Universities participate in the Consortium and accept CLAT 2027 scores. These include NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, NLIU Bhopal, WBNUJS Kolkata, NLU Jodhpur, GNLU Gandhinagar, HNLU Raipur and 17 more NLUs across India. NLU Delhi is the only top NLU that is not part of the Consortium and does not accept CLAT scores.
Ques. Should I appear in both CLAT 2027 and AILET 2027?
Ans. Yes, if keeping NLU Delhi as an option matters to you. The syllabus overlap between CLAT and AILET is very high. The extra preparation mainly involves deepening Legal Reasoning with legal maxims and case law. Most serious law aspirants appear in both exams to target all top NLUs. Both exams typically fall in different months (CLAT in May, AILET in June), so there is no scheduling conflict.
Ques. What is the negative marking in CLAT and AILET 2027?
Ans. Both CLAT 2027 and AILET 2027 carry a negative marking of −0.25 marks for every wrong answer. Each correct answer earns +1 mark. Unattempted questions carry no penalty in either exam. Judicious skipping of questions you are unsure about is a valid strategy in both exams — especially in AILET where time pressure is higher.
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