12 Jun, 2026: CLAT 2026: 113+ LLM Seats Open in NLUs; Spot Rounds Begin More than 113 LLM seats are vacant across 13 National Law Universities after CLAT 2026 counselling concluded on May 20, 2026. Spot rounds have commenced, with individual NLUs inviting direct applications from eligible CLAT 2026 candidates. Application deadlines vary, with some extending up to June 30, 2026.
Securing a strong rank in CLAT 2026 is only the beginning of the admission journey, while the CLAT counselling process ultimately determines entry into the National Law Universities. This multi-stage process is conducted online and includes registration, fee payment, choice filling, seat allotment, and document verification across multiple rounds. Admission is allotted strictly based on merit rank, reservation policies, and candidate preferences, making careful planning essential at every stage. A clear understanding of counselling timelines, required documents, and seat allocation rules can significantly improve your chances of securing a preferred NLU. This guide explains CLAT 2026 counselling in a structured, step-by-step manner.
Table of Contents
CLAT 2026 Counselling Overview and Important Dates
CLAT 2026 counselling is the final admission stage for UG and PG law programmes in participating National Law Universities (NLUs). Admission is strictly based on CLAT All India Rank, category reservation, and NLU preferences filled during counselling registration.
The process is conducted online by the Consortium of NLUs and includes multiple rounds of seat allotment, choice filling, confirmation fee payment, and final admission reporting.
Key Highlights of CLAT 2026 Counselling
Admission based on CLAT 2026 rank and preferences
Conducted online through CLAT portal
5 rounds of seat allotment
Applicable for UG & PG programmes
Seat allocation across 26 NLUs
Freeze / Float / Exit options available
Counselling Schedule and Important Dates
The CLAT 2026 counselling schedule includes multiple rounds of seat allotment conducted between December 2025 and May 2026. Candidates must strictly follow registration deadlines, fee payment windows, and allotment timelines to avoid losing their allotted seats. Missing any key date or action step can lead to automatic cancellation of candidature from the counselling process.
Event
Date
Registration Start
17 Dec 2025 (6 PM)
Registration End
27 Dec 2025 (10 PM)
Round 1 Allotment
7 Jan 2026
Round 2 Allotment
22 Jan 2026
Round 3 Allotment
5 Feb 2026
Round 4 Allotment
2 May 2026
Round 5 Final List
15 May 2026
Final Fee Deadline
30 May 2026
CLAT 2026 Counselling Eligibility Criteria
To participate in counselling, candidates must meet CLAT qualification and cutoff criteria.
Basic Eligibility
Qualified CLAT 2026 exam
Meets NLU-wise cutoff rank
Registered on official counselling portal
Academic Requirements
Category
Minimum Marks
General / OBC / PwD
50% in qualifying exam
SC / ST
45% in qualifying exam
Seat Matrix Participation Rule
Only shortlisted candidates (based on rank list) are invited
Invitations sent via email, SMS, and portal dashboard
Approximately 5× seats worth candidates are called
CLAT 2026 Counselling Registration Process
CLAT counselling registration is mandatory for seat allotment participation.
Step-by-Step Registration Process
Login to CLAT candidate portal
Pay counselling registration fee
Fill NLU preference list (minimum required preferences)
Lock preferences before deadline
Submit confirmation
Counselling Fee Structure
Category
Fee
General / OBC / EWS
₹30,000
SC / ST / PwD
₹20,000
Mandatory Documents
CLAT 2026 admit card
CLAT scorecard
Class 10 certificate
Class 12 certificate
Category certificate (if applicable)
Identity proof (Aadhaar/PAN)
Passport-size photographs
Verification Process
Documents uploaded online
Verified by allotted NLU
Mismatch may lead to cancellation
CLAT 2026 Counselling Process
CLAT 2026 counselling is conducted entirely online by the Consortium of NLUs in multiple structured stages. Candidates must complete each step within the given deadlines to secure admission.
Step 1: Registration
Candidates must log in to the official CLAT portal and register for counselling by paying the required fee.
Step 2: Preference Filling
Applicants must select and prioritize NLUs based on their rank, category, and interest.
Step 3: Seat Allotment Rounds
Seats are allotted in five rounds based on merit rank, reservation, and availability.
Step 4: Freeze / Float / Exit Option
Candidates must choose:
Freeze: Accept allotted seat
Float: Upgrade option
Exit: Leave counselling
Step 5: Fee Payment
Candidates must pay confirmation fee and later university admission fees.
Step 6: Document Verification
NLUs verify uploaded documents before final admission confirmation.
Step 7: Final Admission
After verification and fee payment, admission is confirmed at the allotted NLU.
CLAT 2026 Counselling Fee Payment and Admission Rules
After each seat allotment round, candidates must choose one of three options that determine their admission status in the counselling process.
Freeze Option
Candidates accept the allotted seat and confirm admission. They will not participate in further rounds.
Float Option
Candidates accept the current seat but remain eligible for an upgrade in higher-preference NLUs in upcoming rounds.
Exit Option
Candidates reject the allotted seat and withdraw from the counselling process entirely.
These options are crucial as they directly affect seat movement across rounds and overall admission chances in NLUs.
CLAT 2026 Seat Allotment Process (Merit List System)
Seat allotment is conducted in multiple rounds based on merit rank and preference order.
Basis of Seat Allotment
All India Rank (AIR)
Category reservation
NLU preference order
Seat availability
Round-wise Process
Round
Activity
Round 1
Initial seat allotment (highest cutoff)
Round 2
Movement due to Float/Exit
Round 3
Major reshuffling of seats
Round 4
Limited but steady movement
Round 5
Final leftover seats allocation
CLAT 2026 Cutoff Trends and Seat Movement
Cutoffs vary significantly across NLUs and categories.
Key Cutoff Insights
Round 1 has highest cutoff (top NLUs close early)
Round 2–3 sees maximum movement
Reserved categories get later-round opportunities
Final round has minimal seat availability
Example Category Cutoff Snapshot
Category
AIR Cutoff
General
~100
EWS
~700
OBC
~1000
SC
~3000+
ST
~5000+
CLAT 2026 Participating NLUs and Seat Allocation Overview
CLAT 2026 counselling is conducted for admission to 26 National Law Universities (NLUs) across India. Seat allocation is based on All India Rank, category reservation, and NLU preference order filled by candidates.
Key Points:
26 NLUs participate in CLAT counselling
Seats are divided across UG and PG programmes
Each NLU follows category-based reservation policy
Seat availability varies by institute and category
Top NLUs like NLSIU Bengaluru close admissions in Round 1 or 2
Understanding NLU-wise seat availability is essential for effective preference filling during counselling registration.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is CLAT counselling and why is it important for admissions?
CLAT counselling is a centralized admission process conducted after the CLAT results to allocate seats in participating National Law Universities (NLUs). It is important because admission to NLUs is strictly based on this process, and candidates must participate to secure a law seat based on their rank and preferences.
What is the step-by-step process for participating in CLAT counselling?
The CLAT counselling process includes registration on the official portal, filling and locking NLU preferences, participating in multiple rounds of seat allotment, choosing Freeze/Float/Exit options, and completing document verification. Final admission is confirmed after successful verification and fee payment.
When does CLAT counselling registration open and what is the timeline?
CLAT counselling registration usually opens shortly after the declaration of results and remains active for a limited time window. The complete admission process is conducted in multiple rounds, each with specific deadlines for seat allotment, confirmation fee payment, and upgradation options.
What happens after CLAT counselling and what are the next steps?
After counselling, candidates are allotted NLUs based on their CLAT rank, category, and filled preferences. Those allotted seats must complete the required fee payment and document verification process to secure admission. Failure to complete these steps may result in seat cancellation.
What is the difference between provisional and final admission in CLAT counselling?
Provisional admission refers to the initial seat allotment offered based on CLAT rank and preferences. Final admission is granted only after the allotted NLU verifies all documents and confirms eligibility along with successful fee payment.
