Every serious law aspirant in India faces this question — should I prepare for CLAT, AILET, or both? The answer is almost always both — but understanding the differences helps you allocate your preparation time correctly and set realistic targets. This guide gives you a complete, honest comparison so you can decide with clarity.
💡 My recommendation for 95% of students: Appear for both CLAT and AILET. The syllabus overlap is 80-85%. Preparing well for one effectively prepares you for the other — with just minor adjustments for AILET's heavier Logical Reasoning focus.
CLAT 2027
26 NLUs | 120 Questions | All India
AILET 2027
NLU Delhi Only | 150 Questions | 110 Seats
CLAT vs AILET — Quick Snapshot
| Parameter | CLAT 2027 | AILET 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Conducted By | Consortium of NLUs | NLU Delhi |
| Colleges | 26 NLUs + affiliated institutes | NLU Delhi only |
| Total Questions | 120 | 150 |
| Total Marks | 120 | 150 |
| Duration | 2 Hours | 2 Hours |
| Mode | Offline (OMR) | Offline (OMR) |
| Negative Marking | -0.25 per wrong | -0.25 per wrong |
| Question Style | Passage-based throughout | Mix of direct + passage |
| Quantitative Section | Yes (10-14 questions) | No |
| Application Fee | ₹4,000 (General) | ₹3,000 (General) |
| BA LLB Seats (Top) | 60+ at NLSIU Bangalore | 110 at NLU Delhi |
| Exam Month | December (CLAT 2027) | May-June (AILET 2027) |
Syllabus Comparison — Section by Section
🔴 CLAT 2027 Sections
- English Language — 22-26 Qs (20%)
- Current Affairs + GK — 28-32 Qs (25%)
- Legal Reasoning — 28-32 Qs (25%)
- Logical Reasoning — 22-26 Qs (20%)
- Quantitative Techniques — 10-14 Qs (10%)
🔵 AILET 2027 Sections
- English Language — 50 Qs (33%)
- Current Affairs + GK — 30 Qs (20%)
- Logical Reasoning — 70 Qs (47%)
- No Legal Reasoning section
- No Quantitative section
ℹ️ Critical difference: AILET gives 47% weightage to Logical Reasoning — more than double CLAT's 20%. If you are strong in analytical reasoning and weak in Legal Reasoning, AILET may actually suit you better than CLAT.
Difficulty Level — Which is Harder?
AILET is not harder in terms of question difficulty — it is harder in terms of competition. Here is the real picture:
| Difficulty Factor | CLAT 2027 | AILET 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Paper Difficulty | Moderate — passage analysis | Moderate-High — dense logic |
| Competition | ~75,000 applicants, 4,000+ seats | ~60,000 applicants, 110 seats |
| Competition Ratio | ~18:1 for top NLUs | ~545:1 for NLU Delhi |
| Time Pressure | 60 sec/question average | 48 sec/question average |
| Reading Load | High — all passage-based | Very High — longer passages |
Cut-off Comparison — What Rank Do You Need?
| Exam / NLU | General closing rank, CLAT 2026 final list | CLAT 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| CLAT — NLSIU Bangalore | 120 | 112 |
| CLAT — NALSAR Hyderabad | 168 | 162 |
| CLAT — NLU Jodhpur | 364 | 367 |
| AILET — NLU Delhi | Separate exam with far fewer seats; admission goes by AILET rank (see the AILET 2027 guide) | |
CLAT 2026: Consortium of NLUs, 5th (final) allotment list, 20 May 2026; CLAT 2025: Careers360. The Consortium does not publish marks for a rank, so marks are not shown. Full list for all NLUs: CLAT cut-off 2026.
NLU Delhi vs NLSIU Bangalore — Which is Better?
| Factor | NLSIU Bangalore (CLAT) | NLU Delhi (AILET) |
|---|---|---|
| NIRF Ranking 2025 | #1 Law | #2-3 Law |
| Avg Placement | ₹16-18 LPA | ₹15-17 LPA |
| Top Placement | ₹22-24 LPA | ₹20-22 LPA |
| Location Advantage | Bangalore — startup + MNC hub | Delhi — Supreme Court + top firms |
| International Exposure | Very High | High |
| Moot Court Reputation | Excellent | Excellent |
Who Should Target What — Expert Verdict
If you are a first-time aspirant
CLAT gives 26 NLU options. One exam, maximum options. Focus 100% on CLAT if you are appearing for the first time and are not specifically targeting NLU Delhi.
If you are a serious aspirant aiming Tier 1
Appear for both — 80-85% syllabus overlaps. Add extra Logical Reasoning practice for AILET. Two attempts, two chances at India's top 2 law schools. Zero reason to skip either.
If Logical Reasoning is your strength
AILET's 47% Logical Reasoning weightage makes it a better exam for students who excel at analytical reasoning but struggle with Legal Reasoning passages in CLAT.
If Legal Reasoning is your strength
CLAT gives 25% to Legal Reasoning — AILET has zero. If you love applying legal principles and are weak in pure logic puzzles, CLAT gives you a bigger advantage.
Can You Prepare for Both Together?
Absolutely yes — and here is exactly how to split your time:
- Shared preparation (80% time): English, Current Affairs + GK, Logical Reasoning basics, Legal Reasoning (CLAT-focused)
- AILET-specific (15% time): Advanced Logical Reasoning — syllogisms, critical reasoning, analytical puzzles at higher difficulty
- CLAT-specific (5% time): Quantitative Aptitude — basic maths, percentages, ratios (not in AILET, 10% of CLAT)
💡 SLA Student Experience: Students who score 100+ in CLAT at Surya Law Academy typically score 130+ in AILET with just 3-4 weeks of additional focused Logical Reasoning practice. The base is the same — only the weightage shifts.
Prepare for CLAT + AILET 2027 Together
Surya Law Academy's CLAT coaching covers both exams in one integrated programme. AIR 1 Army Institute of Law, NLSIU selections, AIR 17 CLAT — join the proven system.