An LLM (Master of Laws) helps you learn more about law, choose a special area like business law, human rights, or criminal law, and gives you better career options in teaching, research, or senior roles in law firms. But before you can join an LLM course, you need to clear an entrance exam.
Some of the most popular LLM entrance exams include CLAT PG, LSAT India, AILET PG, CUET LLM, SLS AIAT, and TISS LLM. These exams help law graduates get admission into the best law colleges in India for their LLM.
In this blog, we will talk about the top LLM entrance exams in India, share some easy tips to prepare, and also discuss what kind of jobs you can get after LLM.
Top 5 LLM Entrance Exams in India
1. CLAT PG
CLAT PG is an entrance exam for students who want to do an LLM (Master of Laws) in India. It is organised by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) and is accepted by many top NLUs and some other law colleges too.
The exam mainly checks your understanding of the law and reading skills. It focuses on important subjects like Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, Administrative Law, and a few others.
Eligibility Criteria: |
|
Duration: | 2 Hours |
Subjects: | Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, Administrative Law, Law of Contract, Torts, Family Law, Criminal Law, Property Law, Company Law, Public International Law.
|
Total Questions: | 120 questions |
Total Marks: | 120 |
Mode: | Pen-and-paper mode |
Marking Scheme: |
|
2. LSAT India
LSAT—India is a standardised entrance test used for admission to various law courses in India, including LLM (Master of Laws) programmes.
The exam is conducted by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Instead of testing legal knowledge directly, it focuses on skills like critical thinking, logical reasoning, and reading comprehension.
Eligibility Criteria: |
|
Duration: | 2 hours, 30 minutes |
Subjects: | Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension |
Total Questions: | 90-95 MCQs |
Total Marks: | 420-480 score band and percentile |
Mode: | Computer-Based Test |
Marking Scheme: | No Negative Marking |
3. AILET PG
AILET PG is the entrance exam conducted by the National Law University, Delhi (NLU Delhi) for admission to its LLM programme.
It is a national-level exam and is the only way to get admission into the LLM course offered by NLU Delhi. The exam is held in offline mode (pen and paper-based) and usually tests your knowledge of subjects like Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, and Jurisprudence. If you want to study LLM at NLU Delhi, clearing AILET PG is a must.
Eligibility Criteria: |
|
Duration: | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
Subjects: | Jurisprudence, Law of Torts, Family Law, Criminal Law, International Law, Intellectual Property Law, Law of Contracts, and Property Law |
Total Questions: | 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) |
Total Marks: | 100 marks |
Mode: | Pen-and-paper based |
Marking Scheme: |
|
4. CUET LLM
CUET LLM is a national-level entrance exam for students who want to do an LLM from various central universities in India.
The exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It is designed to check if a candidate is ready and suitable for postgraduate legal studies. Many central universities, like Delhi University, BHU, and others, accept CUET PG LLM scores for their LLM admissions.
Eligibility Criteria: |
|
Duration: | 1 hour and 45 minutes |
Subjects: | Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, Criminal Law, Contract Law, Family Law, and more. Additionally, the exam may include questions on general knowledge, current affairs, and reasoning skills. |
Total Questions: | 75 multiple-choice questions |
Total Marks: | 300 marks |
Mode: | computer-based test |
Marking Scheme: |
|
5. SLS AIAT
SLS AIAT is the entrance exam conducted by Symbiosis International University for admission to its one-year LLM programmes offered at SLS campuses in Pune, Hyderabad, Nagpur, and Noida.
The exam checks your legal aptitude, general awareness, reasoning skills, and sometimes even your personality traits. It helps the university select students who have both knowledge of law and good analytical abilities.
Eligibility Criteria: |
|
Duration: | 1 hour and 45 minutes |
Subjects: | Research Methodology, Legal Aptitude, Legal Reasoning, Jurisprudence, Constitutional Law, Indian Penal Code, Public International Law, Human Rights, Corporate Law, Family Law, and Environmental Law |
Total Questions: | 12 questions |
Total Marks: | 100 marks |
Mode: | computer-based test |
Marking Scheme: |
|
Tips to Prepare for LLM Entrance Exams
- Know the exam pattern and syllabus:
Understand what subjects and question types are covered in each exam you plan to take. - Study important subjects thoroughly:
Focus on key areas like Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, Criminal Law, Administrative Law, and other core law subjects. - Read bare acts and landmark cases:
This helps you understand the exact language of the law and strengthens your concepts. - Practise previous years’ papers:
Solving old papers helps you get familiar with the question style and improves your speed and accuracy. - Work on writing skills:
For exams that include descriptive questions, practise writing clear, concise, and well-structured answers. - Stay updated with recent legal news:
Keep track of important judgments, amendments, and legal developments which might be asked in the exams. - Create and follow a study plan:
Make a realistic timetable that includes time for revision and regular mock tests.
Career Opportunities After LLM
- Teaching and Academia:
Become a lecturer, assistant professor, or researcher in universities and law colleges. - Corporate Legal Advisor:
Work as an in-house counsel, legal advisor, or compliance officer in corporate firms and multinational companies. - Litigation and Legal Practice:
Practice as an advocate in courts, specialising in areas like constitutional law, criminal law, family law, or commercial law. - Judicial Services:
Appear for state or central judicial service exams to become a judge or magistrate. - Law Firms:
Join national or international law firms as an associate or senior associate, often in specialised practice areas. - Legal Research and Policy:
Work with research organisations, think tanks, or NGOs focusing on policy analysis, legal reforms, and drafting. - International Organisations:
Build a career in bodies like the United Nations, World Bank, WTO, or international NGOs that need legal experts.
Check Out More Blogs
Conclusion
Doing an LLM in India is a good way to learn more about law and build a better career. To get into a good college, you need to clear entrance exams like CLAT PG, LSAT—India, AILET PG, CUET LLM, SLS AIAT, and TISS LLM Entrance. Each exam is a bit different and is accepted by different universities.
With the right preparation and regular practice, you can score well and get admission to a college you like. After LLM, you can choose from many careers, like teaching, becoming a lawyer, working in a company, joining research work, or even working with international organisations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Which entrance exam is best for LLM in India?
Ans: CLAT PG is the most popular exam for LLM and is accepted by many National Law Universities. Other good exams are AILET PG, CUET LLM, LSAT—India, SLS AIAT, and TISS LLM Entrance.
Q2. Can I do LLM after BA LLB?
Ans: Yes, you can do LLM after finishing BA LLB or any other LLB degree.
Q3. What is the duration of an LLM course in India?
Ans: Most LLM courses in India take one year. Some universities also offer two-year courses.
Q4. Is there any age limit to appear for LLM entrance exams?
Ans: No, there is no age limit. You can apply at any age after completing your LLB.
Q5. What career options do I have after LLM?
Ans: After LLM, you can become a teacher, work as a lawyer, join a law firm, work in a company as a legal advisor, do research, or even work with NGOs and international organisations.
