CLAT vs AILET 2026 Exam Date Clash: Which Law Entrance Should You Choose?

For aspiring law students in India, the year 2026 presents a significant challenge: both the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) and the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) are scheduled to be conducted on the same day: Sunday, December 7, 2025, from 2 PM to 4 PM.

This unprecedented clash of dates creates a dilemma for many candidates who typically appear for both exams to maximize their chances of securing admission to a top National Law University (NLU).

This AUBSP article provides detailed information on the CLAT 2026 and AILET 2026 exams, their differences, and a strategic approach for candidates facing this unique situation.

CLAT 2026 and AILET 2026: Key Dates

The year 2026 is going to be unusual for students who want to study law. Both the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026 and the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) 2026 will happen on the same day — December 7, 2025. This has never happened before. Now, students will have to pick one exam, as they can’t give both. In the past, these exams were held about a week apart, so students could take both without any problem.

Both the CLAT and AILET 2026 official notifications have announced the following important dates:

• Application Registration Begins: August 1, 2025
• Application Submission Deadline: October 31, 2025 (CLAT), November 2025 (AILET – tentative)
• Exam Date: December 7, 2025 (Sunday)
• Exam Time: 2 PM to 4 PM

This direct overlap of exam dates means candidates can only appear for one of these examinations.

Understanding the Exams: CLAT vs. AILET

While both exams are highly competitive law entrance tests, they cater to different sets of institutions and have distinct nuances in their patterns and syllabi.

CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)

CLAT is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities for admissions to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs offered by 24 participating NLUs across India. It is also accepted by numerous private law colleges.

• Exam Pattern:
  • Mode: Offline (Pen and Paper)
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Total Questions: 120
  • Total Marks: 120
  • Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect answer.
  • Sections:
    • English Language (22-24 questions)
    • Current Affairs, including General Knowledge (28-30 questions)
    • Legal Reasoning (22-24 questions)
    • Logical Reasoning (28-30 questions)
    • Quantitative Techniques (10-12 questions)
• Syllabus Focus: CLAT’s General Knowledge section is typically passage-based, and its Legal Reasoning focuses on applying given legal principles to factual scenarios, testing logical application rather than prior legal knowledge.

AILET (All India Law Entrance Test)

AILET is conducted exclusively by National Law University (NLU), Delhi, for admission to its Five-Year B.A.LL.B. (Hons.), LL.M., and Ph.D. programs. NLU Delhi is one of the premier law universities in India, and admission is highly sought after.

• Exam Pattern:
  • Mode: Offline (Pen and Paper)
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Total Questions: 150
  • Total Marks: 150
  • Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect answer.
  • Sections:
    • English (50 questions)
    • Current Affairs & General Knowledge (30 questions)
    • Logical Reasoning (70 questions)
    • Note: AILET for UG programs does not have a separate Legal Aptitude or Quantitative Techniques section, unlike CLAT.
• Syllabus Focus: AILET often features more challenging questions, especially in Logical Reasoning, and its General Knowledge section includes one-liner questions alongside current affairs, requiring a broader knowledge base. Legal Reasoning for AILET can also incorporate questions on legal maxims, constitutional provisions, and legal terminology, sometimes requiring pre-existing familiarity with legal concepts.

The Dilemma: CLAT vs. AILET – What Should You Do?

With both exams scheduled for the same day, candidates must make a crucial decision. Here’s a breakdown of factors to consider:

1. Consider Your Target University

• If NLU Delhi is your primary and sole aim: Focus entirely on AILET. NLU Delhi is consistently ranked among the top law universities, and AILET is the only path to admission there.
• If you aim for other top NLUs (like NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, NLIU Bhopal, etc.) or a wider range of law schools: CLAT is the better choice as it opens doors to 24 NLUs and numerous private institutions.

2. Assess Your Strengths and Weaknesses

AILET’s Rigor: AILET is generally considered tougher than CLAT due to its higher question-to-time ratio and often more nuanced questions, particularly in Logical Reasoning and General Knowledge. If you excel under intense time pressure and have a strong grasp of analytical reasoning and broad GK, AILET might suit you.

CLAT’s Breadth: CLAT’s pattern, while still challenging, is more evenly distributed across five sections, including a Quantitative Techniques section. If you have a balanced aptitude across all subjects and prefer passage-based questions, CLAT might be a better fit.

3. Review the Syllabus and Exam Pattern Differences

Quantitative Techniques: CLAT includes a dedicated Quantitative Techniques section, while AILET does not. If Mathematics is a weak point, AILET might seem more appealing.

Legal Reasoning: While both have Legal Reasoning, AILET’s approach can sometimes delve deeper into legal concepts and maxims, whereas CLAT focuses more on applying given principles.

GK Format: CLAT uses passage-based GK, requiring strong reading comprehension, while AILET often includes one-liner GK, demanding more factual recall.

4. The Possibility of Date Revision

Historically, CLAT and AILET have often been conducted a week apart. The current simultaneous scheduling is unusual. There’s a possibility that NLU Delhi or the CLAT Consortium might revise one of the dates to avoid this direct clash, given the large number of common applicants.

Recommendation: While a date revision is possible, it’s not guaranteed. Therefore, do not rely on this happening. Make your decision based on the current announced dates. However, you can consider registering for both exams, as the registration process begins on August 1, 2025, for both. This would allow you to keep your options open if a date change occurs.

5. Strategic Preparation

If you decide to focus on one exam, tailor your preparation accordingly.

• For CLAT: Prioritize speed reading and comprehension for passage-based questions. Practice all five sections, giving adequate attention to Quantitative Techniques.
• For AILET: Focus heavily on Logical Reasoning, as it has the highest weightage. Strengthen your General Knowledge with a mix of current affairs and static GK. Practice solving more questions in less time to build efficiency.

If you decide to prepare with the hope of a date change (and thus, prepare for both):

• Identify Overlapping Areas: English, Current Affairs, and Logical Reasoning have significant overlap. Strengthen these areas first.
• Address Unique Sections: Dedicate specific time slots to CLAT’s Quantitative Techniques and AILET’s potentially deeper legal knowledge/one-liner GK.
• Mock Tests: Take both CLAT and AILET mock tests regularly to understand the nuances and time management strategies for each.

Conclusion

The CLAT and AILET 2026 exam date clash presents a challenging scenario for law aspirants. The most sensible approach is to prioritize your target university. If NLU Delhi is your dream, then AILET must be your focus. If you seek admission to a broader range of top NLUs, CLAT is your path.

While a date revision remains a possibility, it’s best to plan your strategy assuming the current dates. Begin your preparation early, understand the specific demands of your chosen exam, and execute a focused study plan. Good luck!