In this article, we will discuss about different Law Entrance exams in India, their exam pattern, eligibility, and the important dates.
Law as a career is one of the growing interests of aspirants in India today. A degree in Law is very prestigious for an individual’s profile also opening various creative career opportunities for them.
To succeed in a legal career, one must dedicate effort and time to excel in the Entrance Exams. In India, you can appear for different National and state-level Law entrances like CLAT, AILET, SLAT, LSAT, MHCET, NLAT, etc.
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Top Law Exams in India
In India, both government and private law institutes conduct dedicated Entrance Tests at both the National and state levels.
| Law Entrance Exam | Application Start Date | Application End Date | Tentative Exam Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Law Entrance Test (CLAT) | July 2024 | November 2024 | December 2024 |
| All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) | August 2024 | November 2024 | December 2024 |
| Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHCET-Law) | February 2024 | April 2024 | May 2024 |
| Law School Admission Test (LSAT) | August 2023 | January 10, 2024 (January Session) May 02, 2024 (May session) | Jan 20 to 21, 2024 May 16 to 19, 2024 |
| Symbiosis Law Aptitude Test (SLAT) | December 2023 | April 2024 | May 2024 |
These Law Entrances can broadly be divided into two categories; National Level Entrance Test and State-Level Entrance Test each having distinct Exam Patterns and Syllabus. Let’s delve into the details.
Visit Top CLAT Colleges, to know about the top colleges participating in the CLAT exam.
Here are the 5 Top Law Entrance Exams in India with registration details and much more:
1. CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)– India’s Top Law Entrance Test
The Consortium of National Law Universities conducts CLAT every year for students aspiring for law education. It is by far the most famous and looked-after National Entrance Test for UG, PG, and Ph.D. Law Courses. The CLAT Exam is accepted by 24 Participating NLUs and by other esteemed law schools in India. CLAT is considered to be one of the toughest Law Entrance exams in India.
Let us delve into the CLAT Exam more briefly.
CLAT UG Entrance Exam Eligibility Criteria
Minimum marks required in 10+2 or appearing:
- 45% marks or its equivalent for the General/OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI category students.
- 40% marks or equivalent for the SC/ST Category students.
- Graduation candidates can also write CLAT UG.
- No upper age limit to appear for CLAT.
Visit CLAT Eligibility Criteria to know in detail about the CLAT’s Eligibility Criteria
CLAT Exam Pattern
| Overview | Details |
|---|---|
| CLAT Exam Duration | 2 hours |
| No. of Questions | 120 Questions |
| CLAT Exam Sections | English Language (22-26 ques.) |
| Current Affairs/ GK (28-32 ques.) | |
| Legal Reasoning(28-32 ques.) | |
| Logical Reasoning (22-26 ques.) | |
| Quantitative Techniques (10-14 ques.) | |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for every correct -0.25 for every incorrect |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
Further, read the Detailed CLAT 2025 Syllabus.
2. AILET (All India Law Entrance Test)
Another National-level Law Entrance Exam that you can go for is AILET. The National Law University, Delhi (NLU, Delhi) conducts AILET which offers 5-year integrated BA LLB, one-year LLM, and PhD programs. Despite being an NLU, National Law University, Delhi solely accepts the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) Scores only for its Law Admissions.
In recent years AILET has also seen a change in its exam pattern. Below mentioned is the updated AILET Exam Pattern and Eligibility for 2025.
AILET UG Eligibility Criteria
Minimum marks required in 10+2 or appearing:
- 45% marks or its equivalent for the General/OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI category students.
- 40% marks or equivalent for the SC/ST Category students.
- Graduation Candidates can also write AILET UG.
AILET Exam Pattern
Over the years the exam pattern of the AILET exam changed, the most recent exam pattern is mentioned below:-
| Overview | Old Pattern | New Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| AILET Exam Duration | 90 Minutes | 120 Minutes |
| No. of Questions | 150 Questions | 150 Questions |
| AILET Exam Sections | English Language | English Language |
| Current Affairs & General Knowledge | Current Affairs & General Knowledge | |
| Logical Reasoning | Logical Reasoning | |
| Legal Aptitude | – | |
| Elementary Mathematics (Numerical Ability) | – |
Important Points:
- +1 Marks is rewarded for every correct answer and 0.25 Marks is deducted for every incorrect answer.
- The AILET Exam Mode is Offline.
For more insights into choosing between CLAT and AILET, Watch this video.
Visit CLAT Preparation Strategy to learn about the best preparation strategy for CLAT.
3. MHCET- LAW
Maharashtra Common Law Entrance Test is a state-level entrance exam for admission into LLB courses in participating colleges in Maharashtra. Conducted by the CET (Common Entrance Test) Cell for participating universities, MHCET-LAW has specific eligibility criteria and an exam pattern.
MHCET- LAW 5 Year LLB Eligibility Criteria
The Eligibility Criteria for MHCET-Law are as follows, the aspiring candidates should score/had scored the following in their class 12th:-
- 45% in aggregate for General/SEBC/EWS Category candidates and all India candidates.
- 40% in aggregate for candidates belonging to the SC/ST category from Maharashtra state.
- 42% in aggregate for candidates belonging to the VJNT/SBC/OBC category from Maharashtra.
MAH LLB 5-Year Exam Pattern
Like the CLAT exam, The MHCET exam also has 5 sections in its exam. The following is the exam pattern of the MHCET-Law exam:-
| Overview | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Duration | 2 hours |
| No. of Questions | 150 Questions |
| Exam Sections | English Language |
|  | Current Affairs/ GK |
|  | Legal Aptitude and Legal Reasoning |
|  | Logical and Analytical Reasoning |
|  | Mathematical Aptitude |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for every correct answer and no negative marking |
| Exam Mode | Online/ CBT (Computer Based Test) |
Colleges accepting MHCET-LAW Scores:
The following are the colleges that accept the scores of MHCET-Law:
- Government Law College (GLC), Mumbai
- SVKM’a Pravin Gandhi College of Law, Mumbai
- Rizvi Law College, Mumbai
- Indian Law Society (ILS), Pune
- D.E.S. Navalmal Firodia Law College, Pune
- New Law College, BVP
- Dr. Ambedkar College, Department of Law, Nagpur
- Navjeevan Law College, Nashik
- Panjabrao Deshmukh College of Law, Amravati
- Central India College of Law, Nagpur
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4. LSAT- India (Law School Admission Test)
The Law School Admission Council (LSAC Global) and Petsonal VUE conduct LSAT-India. LSAT is one of the popular Law Entrance Exams in India The LSAC is a non-profit organization that assists aspirants with admissions to India’s Top Law Colleges. The LSAC has many global and national alliances with Indian Law Schools.
LSAT is designed to test aspirants’ skills in advanced reading, critical thinking, and informal and deductive reasoning. It is conducted twice a year- January and June.
LSAT- India Exam Pattern
| Overview | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Duration | 2 Hours 20 Minutes |
| No. of Questions | 92 Questions |
| Exam Sections | Reading Comprehension |
|  | Analytical Reasoning |
|  | Logical Reasoning |
| Marking Scheme | +1-3 for every correct answer and no negative marking |
Colleges accepting LSAT-India Scores
The following colleges accept the scores of the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) exam:-
- BITS Law School
- Alliance University
- Asian Law College, Noida
- BML Munjal University
- Chanakya University
- CMR University, School of Legal Studies
- LLOYD Law College
- Vinayaka Mission’s Law School
- OP Jindal Global University
- IFIM Law School
5. SLAT (Symbiosis Law Aptitude Test)
The Symbiosis International University (SIU), Pune conducts SLAT for admissions to UG Law Courses at Symbiosis Law Schools (SLS). Currently, four SLSs accept SLAT scores which are Pune, Nagpur, Hyderabad, and Noida. SLAT offers admissions to only Undergraduate 3 and 5-year LLB Courses.
SLS Pune is considered the best out of four Symbiosis Law Schools accepting SLAT as the law entrance.
SLAT Exam Pattern
| Overview | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Duration | 1 Hour |
| No. of Questions | 60 Questions |
| Exam Sections | Reading Comprehension |
| General Knowledge | |
|  | Legal Reasoning |
| Analytical Reasoning | |
|  | Logical Reasoning |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for every correct answer and no negative marking |
| Exam Mode | Online/ CBT (Computer Based Test) |
Other Law Entrances
Other than the above mentioned exams there are a few more law entrance exams in India that students go for, those are:-
- NMIMS-LAT or NLAT
- AIBE
- CUET for 5 and 3-year LLB
- DU LLB
- TS LAWSET
- AP LAWSET and more.
Law Entrance Tests Preparation
Given the vastness and difficulty of Law Entrance Tests, dedicated preparation is very crucial for an aspirant. Explore iQuanta’s CLAT UG Course with the best mentorship and training in CLAT Coaching.
Wishing you all the best in your law entrance journey!
