Delhi University LLB Admission to be Based on CLAT Scores from 2026

In a major shift for legal education, Delhi University has announced that law admission for its LLB programs will now be based on CLAT scores instead of the DUET exam. This landmark decision will significantly impact thousands of law aspirants aiming for a prestigious legal career. Learn about the new admission policy, its implications for students, and what this means for your CLAT preparation strategy to secure a seat at one of the country's top law colleges.

In a move that is set to reshape the landscape of legal education in the capital, Delhi University has announced a landmark decision to scrap its own entrance examination (DUET) for the 3-year LLB program and instead adopt CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) scores for law admission from the 2026 academic year. This major policy shift, confirmed through an official notification from the university, aims to streamline the law admission process and align with the national standard set by NLUs. For thousands of law aspirants who have been preparing for the separate DUET exam, this change necessitates an immediate re-evaluation of their exam preparation strategy. The decision is being widely seen as a step towards making the admission process more transparent and accessible to a wider pool of talent, offering a single window for a legal career at both NLUs and one of the most sought-after central universities. Only Education believes this move will significantly reduce the burden on students who had to prepare for multiple law entrance exams.

Understanding the New Delhi University Law Admission Policy

The notification, released on August 15, 2025, details the new admission policy for Delhi University’s Faculty of Law. This change is effective for law admission to the 2026-27 academic session.

• Adoption of CLAT Scores: As per the new directive, law admission to the 3-year LLB and LLM programs at Delhi University will be based exclusively on the merit of CLAT scores. Previously, the university conducted its own entrance test, the DUET (Delhi University Entrance Test), which required a separate application and exam preparation strategy. The move to a single national-level test simplifies the process for law aspirants and allows them to focus their efforts on a single, comprehensive law entrance exam. This decision brings Delhi University in line with many other prestigious law colleges across the nation that now accept CLAT scores.
• Impact on DUET Exam: With this announcement, the DUET exam for the LLB program will be discontinued from the 2026 admission cycle onwards. Students who were preparing for the DUET must now pivot their exam preparation to focus on the CLAT syllabus. The decision reflects a growing trend in legal education to standardize entrance criteria and reduce the multiplicity of exams that students have to take. This is a positive development for those law aspirants who were previously caught between preparing for two different exams with varying patterns.
• Eligibility and Seat Availability: The eligibility criteria for law admission to DU’s LLB program remain unchanged. Candidates must hold a graduate degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for OBC and 40% for SC/ST). While the number of seats remains the same, the competition is expected to intensify as thousands more law aspirants who appear for CLAT will now have an opportunity to compete for a spot in one of Delhi University's law colleges. This expanded pool of candidates will likely influence the cut-off marks, making a strong CLAT score more crucial than ever for a successful legal career.

Strategic Preparation for CLAT-based DU Admission

For law aspirants targeting Delhi University, the new admission policy calls for a revised exam preparation strategy. The focus must now be entirely on the CLAT exam, which is a key to a successful law admission and a fruitful career in law.

• Focus on CLAT Preparation: Students should double down on their CLAT preparation, with a special emphasis on the analytical and logical reasoning sections that are core to the CLAT syllabus. The CLAT exam is known for testing comprehension and critical thinking, skills that are fundamental to a legal career. Aspiring students should make sure their exam preparation is robust and comprehensive. They should attempt mock tests regularly to get accustomed to the CLAT exam pattern and improve their time management skills.
• Stay Updated with CLAT Counselling: While a strong CLAT score is the primary requirement, students must also stay updated with the CLAT counselling process. This includes understanding the seat allotment rounds and the specific requirements for Delhi University's law admission. The university will announce its separate counselling process for CLAT-qualified candidates, and students must follow the official DU website for these updates. Navigating the law admission process successfully requires both a high score and being well-informed.
• Explore Other Law Courses: This change also provides an opportunity for students to explore other law courses offered by top law colleges that accept CLAT scores. Having a good score in the CLAT exam will open doors to a wide range of legal education institutions, giving them more options for a legal career. The new policy streamlines the path for thousands of aspirants and provides them with a single entrance test to qualify for both NLUs and Delhi University's prestigious law programs.

In conclusion, Delhi University's decision to adopt CLAT scores for law admission is a game-changer for legal education. This progressive move will simplify the admission process for thousands of law aspirants and ensure that a merit-based approach is at the forefront of the selection process. For those dreaming of a legal career, the message is clear: focus on your CLAT preparation, as a strong score is now the single most important factor for securing a seat at one of the country's most respected law colleges.

For more on law courses and other law entrance exams, visit: https://www.onlyeducation.in/exams-list/law