Before applying for AILET exam, candidates should carefully check the AILET eligibility criteria, which include academic qualifications, age limits, and reservation policies. Keep in mind that the criteria vary depending on the program, such as BA LLB (Hons) and LLM have distinct eligibility criteria. Make sure to refer to the specific guidelines relevant to your chosen course.
National Law University, Delhi revised the AILET eligibility criteria for the LLM program in the previous academic year. The minimum qualifying marks for AILET LLM were lowered from 55% to 50%. AILET 2026 serves as the entrance test for admission into BA LLB (Hons), LLM, and PhD programs. To apply for BA LLB (Hons), candidates must have completed their 12th-grade education, whereas LLM applicants are required to hold an LLB or an equivalent law degree. Refer to the detailed eligibility criteria for AILET 2026 before applying.
AILET Eligibility Criteria 2026 for BA LLB (Hons)
The eligibility criteria for AILET 2026 BA LLB (Hons.) program are detailed below:
| Particulars | Details |
| Educational Qualification | Candidates should have passed the 10+2 or an equivalent examination. |
| Minimum Marks Requirement | 45% marks for those in the General category, 42% for OBC candidates, and 40% for individuals belonging to SC, ST, or Persons with Disabilities categories. |
| Age Limit Criteria | There are no upper age limit criteria to appear for the exam. |
| Final Year Candidates | Candidates who are currently appearing for or awaiting the results of their final qualifying examination are also eligible to apply. |
AILET Eligibility Criteria 2026 for LLM
Check out the table below for AILET eligibility for the LLM program:
| Particulars | Details |
| Educational Qualification | For admission into the LL.M program, candidates must hold an LL.B or an equivalent law degree of three or five years. |
| Minimum Marks Requirement | They must have secured a minimum aggregate score of 50% from a recognized university. For candidates belonging to reserved categories such as SC, ST, or Persons with Disabilities (PWD), the required minimum is 45%. |
| Age Limit Criteria | There are no upper age limit criteria to appear for the exam. |
AILET Eligibility Criteria 2026 for PhD
To be eligible for AILET 2026 Ph.D. programs at NLU Delhi, candidates must hold a relevant postgraduate degree with a minimum of 55% marks or equivalent grade. Check out the table below for the eligibility criteria for PhD program:
| Particulars | Details |
| Educational Qualification | Must have a Master's degree in Law or a professional degree equivalent to a Master's in relevant discipline as recognized by a statutory regulatory body. |
| Minimum Marks Requirement | Minimum of 55% aggregate marks or equivalent grade (Grade "B"' on the UGC 7-point scale) |
| Age Limit Criteria | There are no upper age limit criteria |
NLU Delhi Eligibility Criteria 2026 for Foreign Nationals
Candidates applying under the Foreign Nationals or NRI category are exempt from appearing for AILET 2026. However, they are required to meet the specified eligibility criteria outlined below:
- Individuals holding citizenship from countries outside India are eligible to apply under the Foreign Nationals category.
- Foreign national applicants must ensure they meet the minimum academic requirements specified by NLU Delhi for their category.
- Foreign national candidates are exempt from taking AILET 2026, as their admission will be determined by the scores secured in their qualifying examination.
- Candidates holding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) or Person of Indian Origin (PIO) status can choose to apply either under the OCI/PIO category or as Indian nationals. Those opting for the Indian category are required to take the AILET 2026 exam.
- Selection of candidates applying under the Foreign National and OCI/PIO categories will be determined by the percentage of marks secured in their qualifying examination.
- To qualify under the Foreign Nationals category, applicants must have secured at least 65% marks in their Class 12 or an equivalent examination.
- Vacant seats in the Foreign Nationals or OCI/PIO category will be reallocated to the General category and filled based on AILET merit rankings.
AILET 2026 Seat Matrix & Reservation Criteria
Seat allocation at NLU Delhi will follow the established reservation guidelines. Candidates seeking admission under reserved categories must ensure they meet the AILET 2026 eligibility criteria specific to their category. They must hold valid documentation to support their claim for reservation benefits. The detailed category-wise reservation breakdown for AILET 2026 is outlined below.
Seat Matrix & Reservation for AILET 2026 BBA LLB
Admission to the BBA LL.B. (Hons.) program at NLU Delhi through AILET 2026 is governed by a structured seat matrix and reservation policy. These guidelines ensure fair representation across various categories, including General, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Persons with Disabilities, and others.
| Categories | Total Seats | Horizontal Reservation for PwD | Seats under Respective Categories after excluding PwD Seats |
| General | 50 | 3 | 47 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBCs): Non-Creamy Layer (22%) | 24 | 1 | 23 |
| Scheduled Castes (15%) | 17 | 1 | 16 |
| Scheduled Tribes (7.5%) | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| Economically Weaker Section (10%) | 11 | 1 | 10 |
| Sub Total | 110 | 6 | 104 |
| Foreign Nationals (seats: 5) & OCI/PIO (seats: 5) | 10 | - | - |
| Grand Total | 120 | - | - |
Note: A horizontal reservation of 5% is allocated for candidates belonging to the PwD category, applicable across all categories.
Seat Matrix & Reservation for AILET 2026 LLM
Admission to the LL.M. program at NLU Delhi through AILET 2026 follows a structured seat allocation system, guided by the university's reservation policy. The table below shows the seat matrix and reservation criteria for the L.L.M. program:
| Categories | Total Seats | Horizontal Reservation for PwD | Seats under Respective Categories after excluding PwD Seats |
| General | 32 | 2 | 30 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBCs): Non-Creamy Layer (22%) | 15 | 1 | 14 |
| Scheduled Castes (15%) | 11 | 1 | 10 |
| Scheduled Tribes (7.5%) | 5 | - | 5 |
| Economically Weaker Section (10%) | 7 | - | 7 |
| Sub Total | 70 | 4 | 66 |
| Supernumerary Kashmiri Migrants | 1 | - | - |
| Foreign Nationals (seats: 5) & OCI/PIO (seats: 5) | 10 | - | - |
| Grand Total | 81 | - | - |
Note: A horizontal reservation of 5% is extended to candidates under the PwD category, applicable across all admission categories.
AILET Registration 2026
NLU Delhi has started the AILET registration 2026 from August 7, 2025. Eligible candidates can access and complete the application form through the university's official website. The process involves registration, form submission, document upload, and payment of the application fee.
For more details, check AILET Registration 2026
Key Takeaways for AILET Candidates
- Check Qualifying Exam Status: If you're appearing or awaiting results in 2026, you're eligible. Just ensure final marks are submitted by the notified deadline.
- No AILET for Foreign Nationals: Admission is based on qualifying exam scores, not the entrance test.
- PwD Reservation Applies Across Categories: A 5% horizontal reservation is available for PwD candidates in all categories.
- Vacant Reserved Seats Shift to General: Unfilled seats in Foreign/OCI/PIO categories will be reallocated to General category based on AILET merit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Ans: No, foreign nationals do not need to appear for the AILET exam. Their admission to NLU Delhi is based on performance in their qualifying examination (such as Class 12 or equivalent), not on the entrance test. However, they must meet the minimum marks requirement and submit valid documentation proving their foreign national status.
Ans: No, you cannot apply under a reserved category without valid documentation. To claim benefits like seat reservation or marks relaxation, you must provide official certificates that prove your eligibility for the category, such as SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD. These documents are essential during the admission process and must meet the format and authority requirements set by NLU Delhi.
Ans: Yes, gap-year students are eligible to apply for AILET 2026. Taking a year off after your last qualifying exam does not affect your eligibility. As long as you meet the academic requirements for the program you can apply for the AILET exam.
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