CLAT Counselling 2026, Process, Fee, Seat Allotment

Consortium of NLUs will commence the CLAT counselling 2026 soon. The CLAT 2026 exam is scheduled for 07 December, 2025 in a single session. Candidates who qualify for the written exam will be called to appear for the CLAT 2026 counselling. One has to complete the CLAT registration on time and complete all the formalities to get admission to the allotted NLU or CLU.

The authorities are yet to release the CLAT counselling 2026 dates. Candidates can go through the table below to get event wise CLAT 2026 dates:

CLAT Counselling Process 2026 allows qualified candidates to secure seats in various NLUs through a structured, merit-based system. After the results are announced, students must register, fill in their preferences, and participate in multiple allocation rounds.

Step 1. Register for CLAT Counselling on the Consortium Portal

Once the results are announced, log in to the CLAT portal with your registered details. Check your information, read the instructions, and complete the counselling registration form within the given time.

Step 2. Pay the CLAT Counselling Fee

Pay the counselling fee online after completing the CLAT counselling registration process. Your registration is considered complete only after the payment goes through. This makes you eligible for all rounds of seat allotment.

Step 3. Select and Lock Your NLU Preferences

Choose the NLUs in the exact order you prefer them. You must consider ranking, course fee and also the placement statistics. Lock your final college list to get your seat allotment. 

Step 4. Check the First Seat Allotment List

Log in to see which NLU you have been provisionally allotted once the first allotment list is out. This allotment is based on your rank, category, and chosen preferences.

Step 5. Pick Freeze, Float, or Exit

• Select freeze if you are happy with the NLU.

• Choose float if you want to try for a better college preference

• Choose exit to leave the counselling process if you do not want to continue

Step 6. Upload Your Documents

After choosing Freeze or Float, upload clear scanned copies of your documents, marksheets, certificates, ID proof, and other required files. Properly uploaded documents help avoid verification issues later.

Step 7: Pay the NLU Admission or Confirmation Fee

Pay the admission or confirmation fee relevant to the college and your category. Paying fee ensures that you want to keep the allotted seat. 

Step 8. Report to the Allotted NLU for Final Verification

Finally, visit the allotted NLU on the scheduled dates. The university will check your original documents and complete the admission process.

The candidates are required to pay CLAT counselling fee 2026 during online registration. The authorities have prescribed the fee based on student’s category. Refer to the table below to know about the category wise CLAT 2026 counselling fee.

The candidates have to submit a list of documents during the CLAT counselling 2026 round. The authorities will cross verify these documents to ensure that candidates have the prescribed eligibility criteria. 

• CLAT 2026 Scorecard

• Class 10 Marksheet

• Class 12 Marksheet

• Transfer Certificate (TC)

• Migration Certificate

• Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC)

• EWS Certificate

• PwD Certificate

• Domicile Certificate

• Photo ID Proof

• Recent Passport Size Photos

• NRI/NRI-Sponsored Documents

The CLAT Counselling Process 2026 is the gateway for candidates to secure a seat in the top National Law Universities (NLUs) across India. Through registration, document verification, and preference selection, candidates are allotted seats based on merit and rank. 

1. Seats Allotment Based on Rank and Category Merit

The system arranges all candidates according to their All India Rank within their respective categories (General, SC, ST, EWS, PwD, etc.). The candidates who score high ranks will get allotment first to ensure that seat allotment is done based on merit. 

2. NLU Preferences 

When your CLAT 2026 rank is processed, the system checks your NLU preferences one by one. If a seat is available in your first preferred NLU under your category, you get it immediately. If not, the system moves to the next preference.

3. Reservation, Domicile, and Seat Availability Affect Allotment

CLAT Seat allocation also depends on category-wise seat availability, reservation rules, and domicile quotas set by individual NLUs. A candidate with a lower rank in a reserved category may get a seat because of this. While a higher-ranked general-category candidate may not.

4. Vacant Seats Move to the Next Rounds

Seats become vacant when candidates withdraw, do not pay fees on time, or upgrade through the Float option. These vacant seats are then offered in the following round. Floating candidates keep their already allotted seat while being considered for a better one, which creates movement across all rounds.

CLAT Counselling Process 2026 helps candidates secure seats in participating NLUs based on their exam ranks and preferences. Through registration, choice filling, fee payment, and document verification, students move step-by-step toward admission. 

1. Freeze Option

Selecting Freeze means you accept the allotted NLU and do not want any further upgrades. You have to upload the required documents and pay the confirmation fee on time. Choose Freeze when you are satisfied with the allotted NLU.

2. Float Option

If you choose the float option, then this means that you accept your seat allotment. However, you still want to try for a higher NLU. The system will keep checking and allot you a new seat if there is one available.

3. Exit Option

Choosing Exit means you withdraw completely from CLAT counselling. You will not be considered for any seat in the remaining rounds. Use this option only if you no longer want admission through CLAT.

CLAT 2026 counselling will also have five rounds of counselling, similar to last year. The candidates have to complete each round to get admission to the allotted college. 

Round 1 – Initial Allotment

The candidates receive their provisional NLU based on their rank and preferences in the first round. Candidates will then get the option to freeze, float or exit, followed by the upload document option. 

Round 2 – Upgradation & New Allotments

In the second round, candidates who chose Float will be upgraded to new seats. Candidates who did not receive a seat earlier may also get allotted in this round. Candidates have to pay their CLAT counselling confirmation fee within the given time.

Round 3 – Final Round Before the Break

The third round allows another round of seat allocation. Candidates must again choose Freeze or Float after checking their CLAT seat allotment. After this round, the counselling process pauses for some time due to the academic schedule of NLUs.

Round 4 – Allotment After University Fee Stage

In the fourth round, CLAT seats are allotted based on vacancies that appear after candidates complete the university fee payment. Floating candidates may also receive upgrades if seats open up.

Round 5 – Final Allotment Round

The fifth and final round closes the CLAT counselling process. All seats are finalised, and candidates must pay the remaining university fee to complete their admission.