For law aspirants aiming for postgraduate studies or a 3-year LL.B., three prominent national-level exams dominate the landscape: CUET PG DU LLB 2026, CLAT PG, and AILET PG. Each exam caters to different academic objectives and eligibility backgrounds. This guide offers an in-depth comparison to help you choose the exam that aligns with your career goals.
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The CUET PG DU LLB 2026 exam, administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA), serves as the entrance test for the 3-year LL.B. program at the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi. It is designed for students from any academic discipline who hold a bachelor's degree.
Eligibility:
Bachelor's degree in any discipline
Minimum marks: 50% for General/OBC/EWS, 45% for SC/ST/PwD
Exam Format:
Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Duration: 105 minutes
Questions: 75 multiple-choice questions
Marking: +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect
Medium: English and Hindi
Application Code: COQP11 (General Test Paper)
Syllabus:
English Comprehension
General Knowledge
Logical Reasoning
General Aptitude
Computer Basics
Inclusive Entry: No legal background required; open to graduates from all streams.
Affordability: Offers a cost-effective legal education compared to private institutions.
Location Advantage: Being in Delhi, students gain proximity to the Supreme Court, High Court, law firms, NGOs, and tribunals.
Legacy: The Faculty of Law has a strong reputation, with alumni in the judiciary, legal practice, and public service.
Ideal Candidate Profile:
Graduates who did not study law at the undergraduate level but wish to pursue a legal career through the LL.B. route.
The Common Law Admission Test for Postgraduate programs (CLAT PG) is a centralized national-level exam conducted by the Consortium of NLUs. It facilitates admission to the one-year LLM programs offered by 24 NLUs in India.
Eligibility:
LL.B. or equivalent degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST)
No upper age limit
Exam Format:
Mode: Pen-and-paper (Offline)
Duration: 2 hours
Questions: 120 MCQs
Marking: +1 for correct, -0.25 for incorrect
Syllabus and Focus Areas:
Constitutional Law (approximately 50–60% of the paper)
Jurisprudence
Criminal Law
Torts
Contracts
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
Legal comprehension and analysis based on judgments and legal passages
Widespread Reach: Accepted by all participating NLUs offering LLM programs.
Diverse Subjects: Covers a wide range of legal areas.
Research-Oriented: Emphasizes comprehension, analysis, and interpretation of legal texts and case law.
Strong Career Outcomes: Successful candidates often pursue roles in academia, research, litigation, policy, or corporate law.
Ideal Candidate Profile:
Law graduates aiming for an LLM from top-tier national law universities or considering academic and research careers.
AILET PG is the entrance examination conducted by National Law University (NLU) Delhi for admission to its LLM program. Unlike CLAT PG, AILET PG is used solely for admission to NLU Delhi, one of India’s premier legal institutions.
Eligibility:
LL.B. or equivalent degree with 55% marks (General/OBC/Kashmiri Migrants), 50% (SC/ST/PwD)
Final-year law students are eligible
No upper age limit
Exam Format:
Mode: OMR-based Offline Test
Duration: 120 minutes
Questions: 100 MCQs
Marking: +1 for correct, -0.25 for incorrect
Syllabus Coverage:
Jurisprudence
Constitutional Law
Criminal Law
Torts
Contracts
Intellectual Property Rights
Family Law
Property Law
International Law
Focused Admission: Sole gateway to a highly selective and reputed LLM program at NLU Delhi.
Smaller Batch Size: Ensures personalized academic mentoring and peer learning.
Strong Faculty: Renowned legal scholars and industry professionals.
Placement and Research: Notable for research opportunities and placements in international organizations, academia, and litigation.
Ideal Candidate Profile:
Law graduates targeting elite, research-focused legal education in a tightly curated academic setting.
Selecting the right entrance exam depends on your academic background and career aspirations. CUET PG DU LLB 2026 is best suited for graduates from non-law disciplines looking to begin a legal career through the LL.B. route.
CLAT PG is ideal for law graduates seeking diverse LLM options across India's top NLUs. AILET PG is the right fit for aspirants focused exclusively on joining NLU Delhi’s esteemed LLM program.
Evaluate your goals, strengths, and preferred academic environment before deciding. A well-informed choice can set the foundation for a successful legal career.