AILET (All India Law Entrance Test) is the exclusive entrance exam for National Law University (NLU) Delhi, consistently ranked among India's top 3 law schools. Unlike CLAT which is accepted by 22 NLUs, AILET is only for NLU Delhi. ExamHub brings you the complete AILET 2026 preparation guide.
AILET 2026 Exam Pattern
| Parameter | Details |
|---|
| Conducting Body | National Law University, Delhi |
| Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
| Duration | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Total Questions | 150 |
| Total Marks | 150 |
| Marking | +1 for correct, -0.25 for wrong |
| Question Type | MCQ (standalone, not passage-based like CLAT) |
| Programs | BA LLB (5-year), LLM, PhD |
Section-wise Breakdown
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|
| English (including Comprehension) | 35 | 35 |
| General Knowledge & Current Affairs | 35 | 35 |
| Legal Aptitude | 35 | 35 |
| Logical Reasoning | 35 | 35 |
| Mathematics | 10 | 10 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
AILET vs CLAT — Key Differences
| Aspect | AILET | CLAT |
|---|
| For | Only NLU Delhi | 22 NLUs |
| Duration | 1.5 hours | 2 hours |
| Time per question | 36 seconds | 48 seconds |
| Question style | Standalone (direct) | Passage-based (comprehension) |
| GK difficulty | Higher (static + current) | Moderate (current affairs focused) |
| Legal Aptitude | Tests legal knowledge directly | Tests legal reasoning from passages |
| Preparation overlap | ~70% with CLAT | ~70% with AILET |
The biggest difference is that AILET questions are standalone (not passage-based), and AILET has significantly less time per question — only 36 seconds versus 48 seconds in CLAT.
Section-wise Strategy
English (35 marks)
| Topic | Question Type | Approx. Questions |
|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Passage-based MCQs | 10-12 |
| Vocabulary | Synonyms, Antonyms, Analogies | 6-8 |
| Grammar | Error spotting, Sentence correction | 5-7 |
| Fill in the blanks | Contextual word usage | 3-5 |
| Idioms & Phrases | Meaning and usage | 3-4 |
Strategy:
- AILET English is more direct than CLAT — it tests vocabulary and grammar explicitly
- Build vocabulary actively — learn 10 new words daily with context
- Practice RC at speed — you have barely 4-5 minutes per passage
- Master common idioms and phrasal verbs
- Daily reading of English newspapers improves speed and comprehension
General Knowledge & Current Affairs (35 marks)
AILET GK is notoriously difficult, covering both static GK and current affairs.
| Area | Coverage |
|---|
| Static GK | History, Geography, Polity, Science, Economy basics |
| Current Affairs | Last 12-18 months national and international events |
| Legal GK | Recent judgments, new laws, constitutional amendments |
| Sports | Major tournaments, records, personalities |
| Awards | Nobel, Booker, Padma, national awards |
| International | UN, WHO, treaties, geopolitical events |
Strategy:
- This is the toughest section to prepare — start early and be consistent
- Read The Hindu / Indian Express daily (30-40 minutes)
- Maintain a GK notebook divided by topics (Polity, Economy, Science, etc.)
- Cover static GK using Lucent's GK (or equivalent free online resources)
- Review monthly current affairs compilations — organize using MyPDF
Legal Aptitude (35 marks)
Unlike CLAT where legal reasoning is passage-based, AILET tests direct legal knowledge.
| Topic | Coverage |
|---|
| Indian Constitution | Fundamental Rights, DPSP, Amendment procedures |
| Legal Maxims | Latin terms and their meanings |
| Landmark Judgments | Famous Supreme Court decisions |
| Legal Terminology | Common legal terms and concepts |
| Legal Reasoning | Principle-fact based questions |
| Current Legal Affairs | New laws, recent verdicts |
Strategy:
- Learn the Indian Constitution — Articles 1-50 are most frequently tested
- Memorize 50-60 common legal maxims with meanings
- Study 30-40 landmark Supreme Court judgments
- Follow legal news — LiveLaw, Bar and Bench (free online)
- Practice legal reasoning questions from previous years
Logical Reasoning (35 marks)
| Topic | Question Type |
|---|
| Arrangements | Linear, circular seating |
| Blood Relations | Family tree problems |
| Coding-Decoding | Letter/number substitution |
| Syllogisms | Deductive reasoning |
| Series | Number, letter, figure series |
| Analogies | Word and figure relationships |
| Direction & Distance | Map-based problems |
| Critical Reasoning | Strengthen, weaken, assumption |
Strategy:
- AILET LR is more traditional than CLAT — practice standard LR question types
- Speed is critical — spend no more than 30-40 seconds per question
- Master arrangement problems — they carry 8-10 marks typically
- Use shortcuts for syllogisms (Venn diagrams) and blood relations (family trees)
- Practice previous year AILET papers to understand the difficulty level
Mathematics (10 marks)
| Topic | Level |
|---|
| Percentages | Class 8-10 |
| Profit & Loss | Class 8-10 |
| Averages | Class 8-10 |
| Ratios | Class 8-10 |
| Time, Speed, Distance | Class 8-10 |
| Data Interpretation | Basic tables and graphs |
Strategy:
- Math is only 10 marks — do not over-invest time
- Practice Class 8-10 level arithmetic for speed
- Memorize percentage-fraction equivalents (1/8 = 12.5%, 1/6 = 16.67%)
- Use CalcHub to verify calculations during practice
AILET Cut-off Trends
| Year | General Cut-off (approx.) | OBC | SC | ST |
|---|
| 2024 | 85-90 | 70-75 | 55-60 | 45-50 |
| 2023 | 80-85 | 68-72 | 52-58 | 42-48 |
| 2022 | 82-88 | 70-74 | 54-59 | 44-49 |
Note: Cut-offs vary by year based on difficulty and number of applicants.
Preparation Timeline (6 months)
| Month | Focus Areas |
|---|
| Month 1 | Start daily newspaper reading, basic GK, legal terminology |
| Month 2 | RC practice, vocabulary building, Indian Constitution |
| Month 3 | Legal maxims, landmark judgments, logical reasoning practice |
| Month 4 | Current affairs compilation, advanced LR, math shortcuts |
| Month 5 | Sectional mocks, GK revision, legal aptitude practice sets |
| Month 6 | Full AILET mocks (daily in last 2 weeks), final revision |
Can You Prepare for CLAT and AILET Together?
Yes, with some adjustments:
- 70% overlap — English, logical reasoning, current affairs, and legal basics are common
- CLAT-specific prep — Practice passage-based questions (critical reasoning from passages)
- AILET-specific prep — Memorize legal maxims, static GK, direct vocabulary
- Time management — AILET's 36 seconds per question needs dedicated speed practice
- Study plan — Use CLAT as the base and add AILET-specific topics on top
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AILET harder than CLAT?
AILET is considered harder in terms of GK and legal aptitude because it tests direct knowledge rather than comprehension. However, CLAT's passage-based format requires different skills — analytical reading under time pressure. Most aspirants prepare for both simultaneously.
How many seats does NLU Delhi offer?
NLU Delhi offers approximately 110-120 seats for BA LLB (UG program) and around 70 seats for LLM (PG program). Given that around 25,000-30,000 students take AILET, the competition is intense.
Is AILET coaching necessary?
No. AILET can be cracked with self-study using free resources — newspapers for GK and English, free online legal resources for legal aptitude, and previous year papers for practice. The key is consistency and a structured study plan. See how to study without coaching.
What is the career scope after NLU Delhi?
NLU Delhi is among the top 3 law schools in India. Graduates receive placements at tier-1 law firms with starting salaries of INR 15-30 LPA. Many alumni are in the judiciary, civil services, corporate legal departments, and international organizations.
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