CLAT 2026 Exam Dates (Out): Complete Schedule for Registration, Admit Card, Result and Counselling

CLAT 2026 Important Dates and Complete Exam Schedule

The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) has announced the key dates for CLAT 2026, covering every stage of the admission process from application registration to counselling. Candidates should keep track of these dates to ensure timely completion of registration, admit card download, examination, and counselling formalities.

The CLAT 2026 examination will be conducted in offline mode for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programmes offered by participating National Law Universities and other affiliated institutions. Candidates are advised to complete all admission-related activities within the prescribed deadlines, as late submissions are generally not accepted.

CLAT 2026 Exam Day Schedule and Timings

The CLAT 2026 examination will be conducted on Sunday, 7 December 2025, in offline mode across designated test centres in India. Candidates should report to their allotted centres well before the gate closing time, as late entry is generally not permitted.

Candidates must carry a printed copy of their admit card along with a valid photo identity proof to gain entry to the examination centre. It is advisable to reach the venue early to complete security checks and verification procedures smoothly.

CLAT 2026 Result and Counselling Schedule

Following the examination, the Consortium of NLUs will publish the answer keys, declare results, and conduct the counselling process for seat allotment. Candidates securing valid ranks in CLAT 2026 will be eligible to participate in counselling rounds based on their preferences and merit position.

The counselling process includes multiple seat allotment rounds under the Freeze and Float options. Candidates who receive seat allotments must complete the prescribed admission formalities and fee payment within the stipulated timeline to secure their admission.

CLAT 2026 Counselling Schedule, Seat Allotment and Admission Process

The CLAT 2026 counselling process is expected to begin on 17 December 2025 following the declaration of results. Candidates who secure a valid rank in the merit list will be eligible to participate in the centralized counselling process for admission to National Law Universities and other participating institutions.

Seat allotment is conducted on the basis of CLAT rank, category, reservation criteria, and college preferences submitted by candidates during counselling registration.

CLAT 2026 Counselling Fee

Candidates who fail to complete counselling registration or confirmation fee payment within the specified deadline may lose their allotted seat and eligibility for subsequent allotment rounds.

Documents Required During CLAT Counselling

Candidates should keep the following documents ready for verification during the admission process:

• CLAT 2026 Admit Card
• CLAT 2026 Scorecard
• Class 10 Mark Sheet and Certificate
• Class 12 Mark Sheet and Certificate
• Transfer Certificate or Migration Certificate
• Character Certificate
• Category Certificate (if applicable)
• PwD Certificate (if applicable)
• Domicile Certificate (if required by the allotted NLU)
• Passport-size Photographs
• Valid Photo Identity Proof

After successful document verification and fee payment, candidates can confirm their admission to the allotted National Law University through the Freeze or Float options provided during counselling.

CLAT Exam Date Trends: 2024, 2025 and 2026

The Consortium of National Law Universities has consistently conducted the Common Law Admission Test in the first week of December. Reviewing previous years' schedules helps candidates understand the examination pattern and anticipate future timelines.

The trend indicates that CLAT continues to be conducted in December, allowing the admission process and counselling rounds to be completed before the commencement of the academic session. Candidates preparing for future CLAT examinations can expect a similar examination window unless otherwise announced by the Consortium of NLUs.