Is CLAT only for NLU?

No, CLAT is primarily for National Law Universities (NLUs), but its scores are also accepted by many other private and government law colleges across India, making it a gateway to over 60 non-NLU institutions as well, though NLU Delhi conducts its own exam (AILET). So, while NLUs are the main focus, CLAT opens doors to many other good law school alternatives if you don't get into an NLU.

Can I get admission in NLU without CLAT?

It does not accept CLAT scores for admission. Instead, it conducts its own entrance exam called the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET). In this blog, we will explore why NLU Delhi does not participate in CLAT, the significance of AILET, and how you can secure admission to this prestigious institution.

What is the purpose of the CLAT exam?

The purpose of the CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is to provide a standardized, merit-based entrance exam for admission into undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs at India's prestigious National Law Universities (NLUs), assessing candidates' legal aptitude, reasoning, general knowledge, and language skills for quality legal education. It acts as a unified gateway, simplifying admissions and identifying talented individuals for careers in law by evaluating their readiness for rigorous legal studies.
 

Why doesn't NLU Delhi accept CLAT?

While most National Law Universities use CLAT for admissions, NLU Delhi is an outlier, as it conducts the AILET (All India Law Entrance Test) exclusively.

Can I get into NLU with CLAT?

Admission to the B.A., LL.B. (Hons.) programme is purely on the basis of merit as assessed through the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) administered by the Consortium of NLUs.

Law as a CAREER | Myth vs Reality

Can I get into NLU Delhi without AILET?

Admission to NLU Delhi happens only through the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET), not CLAT. For AILET 2026, applications opened on August 7, 2025, and closed on November 13, 2025. The exam will be conducted on December 14, 2025, in an offline format from 2 PM to 4 PM.

What job can I get after CLAT?

Let's take a look at the top 7 careers after the CLAT 2026 exam so that you can determine which one is most appealing to you.

• Corporate Lawyer. ...
• Litigation Lawyer. ...
• Judiciary Services. ...
• Law Firms & Legal Consultancy. ...
• Academics & Research. ...
• Public Sector & Government Jobs. ...
• NGOs and Human Rights.

What is a good score in CLAT?

A good CLAT score depends on your target NLU and category, but generally, 90+ marks are needed for top-tier NLUs (like NLSIU, NALSAR) for the General Category, while 80-90+ is good for mid-tier NLUs, and scores around 60-70+ can secure spots in lower-tier NLUs or for Reserved Categories (SC/ST/OBC), with specific cutoffs varying yearly. Aiming for 90+ is a strong goal for top choices, but scores in the 80s can still get you into reputable NLUs, especially if you're not in the General Category, say sources like Careers360 and Law Prep Tutorial. 

How many NLU are there in India?

Currently, there are total 27 NLUs in India, including NLU Delhi, which admits students through the AILET exam, while the remaining 26 participate in CLAT.

Is 3000 a good rank in CLAT for NLU?

A rank between 3000 to 3500 is a good rank and gets students admission to some top NLUs. Candidates in this CLAT rank range can go through the complete article to check out the top NLUs offering admissions in a CLAT rank range from 3000-3500. CLAT 2026 is being conducted on December 7, 2025.

Which are the top 3 NLU in India?

The top 3 National Law Universities (NLUs) in India are NLSIU Bangalore, NLU Delhi, and NALSAR Hyderabad. These three law schools form the elite tier of legal education in India. They consistently lead in academics, placements, research output, and national perception.

Which college is best for law without CLAT?

Top 10 Best Law Colleges in India Without CLAT 2025

• Government Law College (GLC), Mumbai. ...
• ILS Law College, Pune. ...
• Army Institute of Law (AIL), Mohali. ...
• Amity Law School, Noida. ...
• KLE Society's Law College, Bangalore. ...
• UPES School of Law, Dehradun. ...
• Rajasthan University, Jaipur (ULET/RULET) ...
• Graphic Era University, Dehradun.

How do 98% of graduates fail to get into India's top law firm?

Internships and mock trials are helpful, but many graduates lack enough true exposure to the daily working of a top firm. Understanding firm culture, managing client expectations, and handling high-pressure situations – these are things one learns by doing, not just by reading.

Is getting into NLU hard?

Rigorous Entrance Exams (CLAT and AILET): Admission to NLUs is highly competitive, with students vying for seats through CLAT. NLU Delhi conducts its own exam, AILET, adding to the difficulty of securing a spot.

Will CLAT 2025 be easy?

The NEET 2025 exam is sure to be challenging but not impossible to overcome. NEET 2025 difficulty level can range from easy to tough and varies each year, making it unpredictable. As a NEET aspirant, it's unproductive to worry about the difficulty level during preparation.

Can I get NLU in 60 marks?

At around 60 marks, candidates from the General category are unlikely to secure admission to any NLU. The cut-offs for this category remain comparatively higher. For NLSIU Bengaluru, candidates will need a score close to 100 to get admitted.

What LSAT score do I need for Harvard?

To get into Harvard Law, you need an exceptional LSAT score, ideally above 174 (the median), with most admitted students scoring between 171 and 176, though scores in the mid-160s can be considered with extraordinary GPA or other factors, as Harvard uses a holistic review process, but a score of 170+ significantly improves your chances. 

Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?

Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially partners in large firms, top corporate attorneys, and successful specialists in high-value areas like M&A or IP, while elite personal injury and criminal defense lawyers also reach these levels; however, this is not typical for all lawyers, as the median salary is significantly lower, with the top earners achieving this through experience, specialization, location, and strong business development. 

Which is the best college after CLAT?

Top NLUs You Should Consider After CLAT

• NLSIU Bangalore. Often ranked #1 in India, NLSIU is known for: Stellar placements. ...
• NALSAR Hyderabad. Known for: Top-tier faculty. ...
• WBNUJS Kolkata. Highly preferred because of: Outstanding placement records. ...
• NLU Jodhpur. Offers: Strong corporate placements. ...
• GNLU Gandhinagar. Boosted by:

Which LLB has the highest salary?

List of Highest Paying Law Firms In India in 2024

• Khaitan & Co. Starting Salary: ₹16-17 LPA. ...
• Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (SAM) Starting Salary: ₹16 LPA. ...
• Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM) Starting Salary: ₹16 LPA. ...
• S&R Associates. ...
• Luthra & Luthra Law Offices. ...
• Trilegal. ...
• AZB & Partners. ...
• J Sagar Associates (JSA)

Why does NLU Delhi not accept CLAT?

NLU Delhi believes that its entrance exam, AILET, is a more rigorous and comprehensive assessment of candidates' legal aptitude than CLAT. To preserve its unique identity. NLU Delhi is a highly selective university with a strong focus on research and social justice.

Is nlu free or paid?

To get admission to any of the NLUs it is mandatory to pay admission fee. The fee for undergraduate courses at NLUs ranges from INR 5 Lakh to INR 5.6 Lakh, and for postgraduate courses, the fee can same.

Is du llb under cuet?

DU LLB Entrance Exam 2025 - Introduction

The DU LLB entrance exam is now administered through CUET PG 2025.