Quick answer: The 3 year law CET in Maharashtra is MH CET Law, run by the State Common Entrance Test Cell. It has 120 multiple choice questions for 120 marks in 2 hours, with no negative marking. Get the syllabus PDF from the official cell, not unofficial sites.
Many students planning a 3 year LLB start by searching for a 3 year law CET syllabus PDF download. That is a sensible first step, but the file you download matters as much as the search itself. This guide explains where to get the official syllabus, what the MH CET Law exam pattern looks like, and how the main law entrance options compare, so you can choose before you spend months preparing for the wrong test.
3 Year Law CET Syllabus PDF Download: Where to Get the Official File
Download the syllabus only from the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra. Unofficial PDF sites often carry old or incorrect content, and a syllabus from the wrong year can send you to the wrong topics. More on this is on our page on CLAT Syllabus 2027: Subjects, Weightage & Free PDF | Clat Coaching.
Search for the State Common Entrance Test Cell's notice for MH CET Law and look for the syllabus or pattern document attached to the current cycle. Check the year printed on the file and the date of the notice. If they are older than the current cycle, look for a newer one.
This guide does not reproduce the syllabus text. Its job is to help you find the right official source and understand the exam format. Confirm the topics, and any changes to them, directly on the official notice before you build your study plan.
How This List Was Chosen
Each option on this list is a real law entrance route with a named official conductor, so you can verify it yourself. Nothing here is included on the basis of popularity alone.
Each option was judged on four points. First, whether it matches a 3 year or a 5 year law degree. Second, how clearly its exam pattern is documented. Third, whether its dates are confirmed or only expected. Fourth, the honest drawback that comes with it.
No option is presented as the best for everyone. The right choice depends on the degree length you want and the places you are willing to study.
Option 1: MH CET Law for 3 Year and 5 Year LLB
What it is: MH CET Law, also called MAH-LLB, is the state entrance exam for Maharashtra. The State Common Entrance Test Cell conducts it for admission to 3 year LLB and 5 year integrated LLB programmes. Its score is used for admission to more than 140 law colleges across the state.
Who it suits: Students who want a 3 year LLB or a 5 year LLB in Maharashtra, and who prefer a computer based test with no negative marking. The paper has 120 multiple choice questions for 120 marks, and runs for 2 hours.
Honest drawback: Admission through this exam is limited to colleges in Maharashtra. It is a poor fit for students who want a choice across several states.
Option 2: CLAT for 5 Year Integrated LLB
What it is: CLAT is the national entrance exam conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities. It is used for five year integrated LLB and LLM programmes.
Who it suits: Students who want a five year course at a National Law University and who are aiming at the top national law colleges. Most of the top law colleges admit through CLAT. NIRF 2025 ranked NLSIU Bengaluru first among law colleges with a score of 82.97, which is one reason many students aim for it.
If you are building a CLAT plan, the CLAT Coaching Delhi archive of past papers is a useful place to see how the paper has changed in format over the years.
Honest drawback: CLAT offers only the five year route. A student who wants a 3 year LLB cannot use it, and the competition for top seats is intense.
Option 3: AILET for NLU Delhi
What it is: AILET is the entrance used by National Law University Delhi. NLU Delhi admits through AILET rather than CLAT.
Who it suits: Students who have set their heart on NLU Delhi specifically and are ready to prepare for a separate exam on top of their CLAT preparation, if they plan to take both.
If you are considering this route, the guide to AILET previous year papers with answers shows the format of past papers, which is a practical way to judge the difficulty before you commit.
Honest drawback: AILET is an entrance for one university. It gives you fewer options than CLAT or MH CET Law, so it works best as a targeted choice rather than a main plan.
Quick Comparison Table
The table below matches each exam to the degree it serves. Use it to find your route before you search for any syllabus.
| Exam | Conducted by | Degree it serves | Format | Main limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MH CET Law (MAH-LLB) | State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra | 3 year LLB and 5 year integrated LLB | 120 MCQs, 120 marks, 2 hours, computer based, no negative marking | Admission limited to Maharashtra colleges |
| CLAT | Consortium of National Law Universities | 5 year integrated LLB and LLM | National entrance test for NLUs and top national colleges | No 3 year LLB route |
| AILET | National Law University Delhi | Admission to NLU Delhi | Separate exam for one university | Fewer options than CLAT or MH CET Law |
How to Pick the Right Option
Start with the degree length. A 3 year LLB points you to MH CET Law. A 5 year integrated LLB points you to CLAT or AILET. This single decision removes most of the options before you look at anything else.
Then check the official notice. Once you know your exam, find its notice on the official site and download the syllabus or pattern document from there. Compare the year and the date on the file with the current cycle.
Treat expected dates as estimates. For the 2027 MH CET Law cycle, registration is expected to open around December 2026, with the exam expected in April 2027 for the 3 year LLB and May 2027 for the 5 year LLB. These are expected months, not confirmed dates. Confirm them on the official notice before you plan around them.
