1. NLU Delhi — Why It's Different from All Other NLUs
National Law University Delhi (NLU Delhi / NLUD), established in 2008 and located at Sector 14, Dwarka, New Delhi, is widely regarded as one of India's top three law schools. Ranked #7 by NIRF 2025 and among the best in India for constitutional law, criminal law, and intellectual property law, NLU Delhi holds a unique position in Indian legal education for one critical reason: it is the only NLU that does NOT accept CLAT scores and does NOT participate in the Consortium of National Law Universities.
Instead, NLU Delhi conducts its own entrance examination — the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) — for admission to its BA LLB (Hons.), LLM, and PhD programmes. This makes AILET a completely separate exam from CLAT, with its own registration, exam pattern, result, counselling process, and cutoff. Every candidate who wants to study at NLU Delhi must appear for AILET specifically.
NLU Delhi also stands apart in another important way: unlike most NLUs which reserve a substantial portion of seats for home-state (domicile) candidates, NLU Delhi has NO state domicile quota. All seats are filled on All India merit within each reserved category, making competition genuinely national and cutoffs among the tightest in the country.
2. Courses Offered & Seat Intake 2026
NLU Delhi offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes in law. All are entrance-based. Here is a summary of programmes available for admission in 2026–27:
| Programme | Duration | Total Seats | Entrance | Annual Fee (Tuition) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA LLB (Hons.) | 5 Years | 120 (Indian) + 10 (Foreign/OCI) | AILET UG | ₹1,47,000 – ₹1,56,000 |
| LLM (One-Year, Non-Residential) | 1 Year | 81 (Indian) + 10 (Foreign/OCI/Supernumerary) | AILET PG | ₹1,49,000 |
| LLM in Intellectual Property (IP) Law & Management (Joint Masters) | 1 Year | Part of LLM intake | AILET PG | Separate notification |
| PhD in Law | 3–5 Years | 25+ seats | AILET PhD / UGC-JRF | As per university norms |
| PhD in Social Sciences | 3–5 Years | 4 seats | AIET 2026 | As per university norms |
The flagship programme is the 5-year integrated BA LLB (Hons.) which combines a bachelor's degree in arts/social sciences with a law degree. It is among the most coveted UG law programmes in India, with only 50 General category seats available to All India applicants.
For detailed information on fees for each year and semester, visit the NLU Delhi Fees page →
3. Eligibility Criteria — Course-wise
The BA LLB (Hons.) is NLU Delhi's 5-year integrated undergraduate law programme. To be eligible for AILET 2026 and admission to this programme, candidates must satisfy all of the following conditions:
| Criterion | General | OBC (Non-Creamy) | SC / ST / PwD | Foreign Nationals / OCI/PIO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifying Exam | Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent from a recognised board | Higher Secondary (10+2) or equivalent | ||
| Minimum Marks | 45% aggregate | 42% aggregate | 40% aggregate | 65% aggregate |
| Appearing Candidates | Students appearing in Class 12 exams in 2026 can apply provisionally | |||
| Age Limit | No upper age limit for BA LLB admission at NLU Delhi | |||
| Nationality | Indian citizens (including Kashmiri Migrants) | Foreign nationals, OCI, PIO card holders | ||
| Entrance Required | AILET UG 2026 (mandatory) | Exempt from AILET — admitted on academic merit + documentation | ||
If you are a Class 12 appearing student who applied provisionally, you must ensure your final Class 12 marksheet shows the required minimum aggregate (45%/42%/40%) by June 1, 2026. Failing to meet this condition after the AILET result will lead to cancellation of candidature even if you scored well in AILET.
The LLM programme at NLU Delhi is a rigorous one-year postgraduate law degree for working legal professionals and fresh graduates seeking advanced legal research skills. Admission is via AILET PG.
| Criterion | General / OBC | SC / ST / PwD |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying Degree | LLB (3-year) or BA LLB / BBA LLB / BCom LLB (5-year) or equivalent from a BCI-recognised institution | |
| Minimum Marks in LLB | 50% aggregate | 45% aggregate |
| Final Year Students | Students in final year of LLB can apply provisionally — must submit marks by stipulated date | |
| Entrance | AILET PG 2026 (mandatory for Indian nationals) | |
| No age limit | No upper age limit for LLM | |
NLU Delhi's PhD programme is one of the country's most selective doctoral law programmes. Admission is through two distinct routes:
| Route | Requirement | AILET Required? |
|---|---|---|
| UGC-JRF Holders | Valid UGC NET-JRF score + LLM or equivalent Master's degree in Law with 55% marks | ❌ Exempt from AILET; directly called for interview + research proposal |
| Non-JRF Candidates | LLM or equivalent Master's in Law/Social Sciences with 55% marks; research proposal required | ✅ Must appear for AILET PhD exam + submit research proposal + personal interview |
| PhD Social Sciences | Master's in relevant Social Science discipline with 55% marks | AIET 2026 (separate exam) + research proposal + interview |
4. NLU Delhi Seat Matrix 2026 — Category-wise Breakdown
NLU Delhi follows the Government of India reservation policy for all its programmes. Here is the complete, official seat matrix for AILET 2026:
BA LLB (Hons.) Seat Matrix 2026
| Category | Reservation % | Total Seats | PwD (5% horizontal) | Seats After PwD | Women (30% horizontal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | — | 50 | 3 | 47 | ~15 (within Gen) |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 22% | 24 | 1 | 23 | — |
| SC | 15% | 17 | 1 | 16 | — |
| ST | 7.5% | 8 | — | 8 | — |
| EWS | 10% | 11 | 1 | 10 | — |
| Indian Nationals Sub-Total | — | 110 | 6 | 104 | — |
| Foreign Nationals | Supernumerary | 5 | — | — | — |
| OCI / PIO | Supernumerary | 5 | — | — | — |
| Grand Total | — | 120 | — | — | — |
LLM (One-Year) Seat Matrix 2026
| Category | Total Seats | PwD (5% horizontal) | Seats After PwD |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 32 | 2 | 30 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 15 | 1 | 14 |
| SC | 11 | 1 | 10 |
| ST | 5 | — | 5 |
| EWS | 7 | — | 7 |
| Indian Nationals Sub-Total | 70 | 4 | 66 |
| Foreign Nationals | 5 | — | — |
| OCI / PIO | 5 | — | — |
| Kashmiri Migrants (Supernumerary) | 1 | — | — |
| Grand Total | 81 | — | — |
- No domicile reservation: Unlike most NLUs, NLU Delhi does NOT have a state-level domicile quota. All seats are on All India merit.
- Women reservation: 30% of seats in each category are horizontally reserved for female candidates (i.e., ~15 out of 50 General seats are for women).
- PwD horizontal reservation: 5% of seats within each category are horizontally reserved for Persons with Disability.
- Unfilled seats: Vacant reserved seats may be converted to General category seats as per NLU Delhi's internal rules.
5. AILET 2026 Application Process — Step by Step
The AILET application process is conducted entirely online through the official NLU Delhi portal. Here is the complete step-by-step guide:
Visit the Official AILET Portal
Go to nationallawuniversitydelhi.in. Look for the "AILET 2027 Registration" or "Admissions" link. The AILET 2027 registration portal is expected to open in August 2026.
Create a New Account / Register
First-time applicants must register by entering their name, valid email ID, and mobile number. You will receive login credentials via email. Use these for all future logins.
Fill the Online Application Form
Log in and fill in personal details (name, date of birth, nationality, category), academic details (Class 12 marks, board, year), contact details, and select exam centre city (up to 3 preferences). Choose the programme: BA LLB / LLM / PhD.
Upload Required Documents
Upload scanned copies of: Passport-size photograph (colour, white background), Signature, Class 10 & 12 marksheets, Category certificate (if applicable), ID proof (Aadhaar preferred). Adhere strictly to size and format requirements specified on the portal.
Pay the Application Fee
For AILET 2026: ₹3,500 for General/OBC candidates and ₹1,500 for SC/ST candidates. Payment is accepted via Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI only. No offline payment accepted.
Submit & Download Confirmation
Review all details carefully before final submission. Once submitted, download and save the confirmation slip with your Registration Number — this will be needed for all future communications, admit card download, and counselling.
Download Admit Card
Admit cards are available approximately 2 weeks before the exam date. For AILET 2026, admit cards were released on December 1, 2025. Download from the official portal using your Registration Number and Password. Carry a printout to the exam hall along with a valid photo ID.
Appear for AILET Exam
AILET is conducted offline (pen-and-paper) in a single shift: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (120 minutes) at designated centres across India. For AILET 2026, the exam was held on December 14, 2025. Reach the centre at least 30 minutes early.
6. AILET Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2026
AILET is a separate exam from CLAT and has its own distinct pattern. Understanding the AILET exam pattern is critical for candidates preparing for NLU Delhi admission:
| Section | Questions | Marks | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section A: English Language | 50 | 50 | Comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, reading passages |
| Section B: Current Affairs & GK | 30 | 30 | National/international events, legal current affairs, GK |
| Section C: Logical Reasoning | 70 | 70 | Argument analysis, inference, deduction, analogy |
| Total | 150 | 150 | — |
AILET has 150 questions vs CLAT's 120. AILET has a standalone Logical Reasoning section with 70 questions (the tie-breaker section) which has much higher weight than in CLAT. AILET does NOT have a Quantitative Techniques section. AILET GK questions are standalone (not passage-based), unlike CLAT's passage-based format. These structural differences mean preparation strategies differ significantly.
AILET PG tests advanced legal knowledge across core subjects. Unlike AILET UG, it requires strong subject-matter expertise in law.
| Subject Area | Approx Questions |
|---|---|
| Jurisprudence & Legal Theory | 15–20 |
| Constitutional Law & Administrative Law | 20–25 |
| Contract Law, Torts & Property Law | 15–20 |
| Criminal Law (IPC / BNS, CrPC / BNSS) | 10–15 |
| International Law & Human Rights | 10–15 |
| IPR, Environmental Law, Others | 10–15 |
7. NLU Delhi Admission — Important Dates 2026
| Event | Date (AILET 2026) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| AILET 2026 Notification Released | 22 July 2025 | Done |
| Application Form Opens | 7 August 2025 | Done |
| Application Last Date | 13 November 2025 (Extended) | Done |
| Application Fee (Gen / OBC) | ₹3,500 | — |
| Application Fee (SC / ST) | ₹1,500 | — |
| Admit Card Released | 1 December 2025 | Done |
| AILET 2026 Exam Date | 14 December 2025 (2:00–4:00 PM) | Done |
| Provisional Answer Key | 14 December 2025 | Done |
| Objection Window | 14–16 December 2025 | Done |
| AILET Result Declared | 18 December 2025 (3:15 PM) | ✅ OUT |
| Counselling Registration Opens | 19 December 2025 (6:00 PM) | Done |
| Counselling Registration Closes | 27 December 2025 (11:00 AM) | Done |
| 1st Merit List | January 2026 | Done |
| Subsequent Merit Lists (2nd–7th) | January–May 2026 | Ongoing |
| AILET 2027 Registration (Expected) | August 2026 | Upcoming |
| AILET 2027 Exam (Expected) | December 2026 | Upcoming |
8. AILET Counselling 2026 — Process, Fee & Rounds
After the AILET result, NLU Delhi conducts the counselling process entirely online. AILET 2026 had up to 7 counselling rounds — significantly more than CLAT's 3–4 rounds — providing multiple opportunities for candidates on the waitlist.
AILET 2026 Counselling Timeline
AILET 2026 Counselling Fee Structure
| Category | Counselling Registration Fee | Admission Confirmation Fee | Payment Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / J&K | ₹30,000 | ₹50,000 | Online only |
| SC / ST / OBC / EWS / PwD | ₹20,000 | ₹50,000 | Online only |
The counselling registration fee (₹30,000/₹20,000) is paid to participate in the seat allotment process. This is separate from the admission confirmation fee (₹50,000) which is paid only after you receive a seat allotment to lock and confirm your specific seat. Both are mandatory. Missing either deadline means losing your admission opportunity.
For full information on annual tuition, hostel, and other charges, see the NLU Delhi Fees page →
9. Documents Required for NLU Delhi Admission 2026
Candidates must upload self-attested documents during counselling registration in PDF format (all documents in a single file). The following documents are mandatory:
Class 12 Mark Sheet
Showing min. 45% / 42% / 40% aggregate (as applicable by category) by June 1, 2026
Class 10 Mark Sheet
For date of birth verification and academic record
Character Certificate
Valid certificate from last attended institution — not more than 6 months old
AILET 2026 Scorecard
Downloaded from official portal showing rank and marks
Category Certificate
SC / ST / OBC-NCL / EWS certificate issued by competent authority
OBC Date Condition
OBC certificate must be per Delhi State OBC list notified on or after April 1, 2025
PwD Certificate
Certificate from recognised medical officer showing ≥40% disability (if applicable)
Photo ID Proof
Aadhaar card / Passport / Voter ID — any valid government photo ID
Passport-Size Photos
Recent colour photographs (white background) — minimum 6 copies
Migration Certificate
Required if you studied at a university outside your board (for LLM applicants)
Gather and self-attest all documents as soon as AILET 2026 results are declared. Create a single PDF of all documents in serial order as specified in the official notification. Keep digital copies on email and cloud storage. The counselling window opens just 1 day after results — being prepared early prevents the last-minute rush that causes candidates to miss the counselling registration deadline.
10. NLU Delhi AILET 2026 Cutoff — Category-wise
The AILET 2026 cutoff represents the All India Rank of the last candidate allotted a seat in each category in each round of counselling. Because NLU Delhi has no domicile quota, these cutoffs apply uniformly to all candidates across India within each category.
Expected AILET 2026 BA LLB Cutoff (Rank & Marks)
| Category | Expected Closing AIR | Expected Cutoff Marks (out of 150) | No. of Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | AIR ~65 | 119–121 | 50 (47 after PwD) |
| EWS | AIR ~300 | 114–117 | 11 (10 after PwD) |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | AIR ~600 | 110–114 | 24 (23 after PwD) |
| SC | AIR ~1,600 | 100–105 | 17 (16 after PwD) |
| ST | AIR ~1,800 | 100–105 | 8 |
| Expected figures based on previous year trends. Official cutoff released with each merit list. No domicile quota — All India merit only. | |||
For General category: You need to score 119+ marks out of 150 (AIR top 65) to be competitive in Round 1. A score of 110–118 may secure admission in later rounds. For OBC: 110–114 marks targets an AIR ~600. The cutoff at NLU Delhi is among the highest in India precisely because there is no domicile advantage — every seat is filled purely on All India AILET merit. 1 mark difference at the top can shift rank by 30–70 positions.
For a comparison with other NLUs and their CLAT cutoffs, visit the CLAT NLU-Wise Cutoff 2026 →
11. Foreign Nationals & OCI/PIO Admission to NLU Delhi
NLU Delhi offers a dedicated admission pathway for international students and overseas Indians, separate from the AILET process:
- Seats: 5 seats for Foreign Nationals and 5 seats for OCI/PIO candidates (supernumerary, over and above the 120 Indian national seats)
- Entrance Exam: Foreign nationals and OCI/PIO candidates are exempt from AILET
- Eligibility: Minimum 65% in Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent Higher Secondary examination
- Selection basis: Academic performance, statement of purpose, and recommendation letters
- Application: Through the official NLU Delhi portal during the designated foreign nationals application window
- Counselling fee: ₹1,00,000 (which is adjusted in the final fee payment)
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) and Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card holders apply through the Foreign Nationals window, not the Indian National AILET route. Their admission is based on academic merit of Class 12 results, not on AILET performance. Contact NLU Delhi's Admissions Office at nationallawuniversitydelhi.in for the latest notifications on the Foreign Nationals admission window.