CLAT Counselling

CLAT Counselling 2026

The Consortium of NLUs plans to tentatively begin CLAT counselling in May 2026. CLAT 2026 counselling will start after the Common Law Admission Test is over in December 2025. The registration process for CLAT 2025 counselling is likely to begin from the second week of December 2025. The CLAT 2026 merit list will be announced before the counselling process begins in 2026.

There will be five rounds to it. For CLAT counselling registration, candidates in the general category must pay a price of Rs. 30,000, while candidates in the reserved categories must pay a charge of Rs. 20,000. The only applicants whose names are on the invite list can attend CLAT counselling 2026.

An online, consolidated system will be used for the CLAT counselling process in 2026. For UG and PG programs, it is held individually. All procedures will be carried out per the CLAT 2026 counselling dates that the consortium has published. The consortium will make available the seat allotment for each National Law University taking part in the admissions process following each round. The CLAT 2026 exam is set to take place on 7 December 2025, tentatively. Read the full article to learn more about the CLAT 2026 counselling procedure, the necessary documentation, registration fees, and other topics.

CLAT Counselling 2026 Important Dates

Adding NLU’s Preferences for CLAT 2026

Incorporating NLU preferences is a crucial component of CLAT counselling in 2026. Candidates are required to indicate their preferences for NLUs when completing the CLAT 2026 application form. Students can fill out and change their NLU preferences before the end of the last date. It should be emphasized that only those NLUs where candidates added preferences during the designated period will be considered for admission.

Candidates should add a minimum of five NLU preferences after logging into their CLAT accounts. There are no limitations on how many NLU preferences one can add.

How can NLU preferences be added to CLAT 2026?

• Visit the NLU website and log into your CLAT account.
• Click the dashboard's "update preferences" tab.
• Please fill up the preferences as per your choices.

CLAT 2026 Counselling Process

The following is a detailed CLAT counselling Process in 2026:

• Declaration of Result: The announcement of the CLAT 2026 result is the first stage in the counselling process. Applicants who pass the exam will be able to take part in the counselling session.
• Payment of Counselling Registration Fees: Candidates must pay the counselling registration fees following the announcement of the results to proceed with the CLAT counselling process. For candidates belonging to the general category, the counselling registration fee is Rs. 30,000, while those in the SC/ST category must pay Rs. 20,000.
• Registration: Candidates must register by giving their contact information, educational background, and other relevant details to participate in the counselling process.
• Seat Distribution: The candidates' choices and rank will be taken into consideration during the seat distribution process. There will be several rounds for seat allocation.
• Verification of Documents: Candidates must submit their documents for verification at the designated college following the seat assignment.
• Payment of the Admission Fees: Candidates must pay the admission fees following the document verification process to be admitted to NLUs.
• Reporting to the institution: Candidates must report to the designated institution to finish the admissions process.

Registration for CLAT Counselling 2026

Online registration will be available for CLAT counselling in 2026. Applicants who will take the CLAT exam will need to register for counselling by signing up on the consortium of NLUs' official website. This is the detailed procedure for registering for CLAT counselling.

1. Register for a CLAT account: Candidates must access their CLAT account to register for the CLAT counselling session.
2. Payment of CLAT Counselling Fees: Candidates must pay the counselling registration fee by using the "Make Payment" button upon logging in. For candidates belonging to the general category, the counselling registration fee is Rs. 30,000, while those in the SC/ST category must pay Rs. 20,000.
3. Finalize CLAT Counselling Registration: Applicants must finish the counselling registration process following payment of the counselling fees.
4. Complete the Details: Applicants must provide their contact information, educational background, and any other relevant details.
5. Download CLAT Application Form: Candidates must save the application form for records after completing the registration process.

CLAT Counselling 2026: The Process of Seat Allocation

Seats will be allocated to candidates during CLAT 2026. Applicants will be able to participate in the CLAT 2026 seat allocation procedure if they complete the counselling registration. The table below provides candidates with more information regarding the CLAT seat allocation process in 2026.

What are the options for Freeze, Float, and Exit in CLAT Counselling 2026?

Candidates have three options to select from during CLAT counselling: freeze, float, and exit.

Freeze Option: A candidate may select this option if they are happy with the seat they have been given and do not want to take part in any more counselling sessions. This option allows candidate to forfeit anyconsideration for subsequent counselling rounds and confirms their seat at the designated National Law University (NLU).

Float Option: A candidate may select the float option if they would like to take part in more rounds of counselling and are dissatisfied with their assigned seat. By choosing this option, the candidate can accept the seat that has been assigned to them while simultaneously expressing their desire to take part in additional counselling sessions to obtain a better seat. The seat awarded in the previous round will be forfeited if a candidate chooses the float option and is given a seat in a later round.

Exit Option: A candidate may select the exit option if they choose not to continue with counselling at any time during the process. This option allows applicant to end the counselling process and have their name removed from consideration for any more counselling sessions.

Fee Confirmation: Candidates must pay the confirmation fee after seats are assigned. There is a 20,000 INR non-refundable confirmation fee. Payment for the confirmation charge is required before selecting the Freeze or Float option. Throughout the counselling process, there is only one confirmation fee to pay.

It is significant to remember that these options may not be available in all NLUs or counselling sessions. It is recommended that candidates seek further details from the official CLAT website or the website of the relevant NLU.

Documents Required for CLAT 2026 Counselling

How Can I Verify the CLAT 2026 Merit List?

Candidates can use the procedures listed below to view the NLU-by-CLAT merit list:

• Step 1: Enter the URL of the official CLAT website.
• Step 2: Click on the "Notifications" tab.
• Step 3: Select the link labelled "CLAT 2026 First Allotment List."
• Step 4: See and get the 2026 CLAT first allocation list.

NLU Admission Procedure Following CLAT Seat Allocation 2026

Candidates must finish the admissions process after their CLAT seat is allotted to be admitted to NLU. Although the admissions procedure varies significantly between NLUs, it usually entails the following steps:

Payment of Admission Fees: Candidates who have been given seats in NLUs must pay the admission fee to confirm their admission. Each NLU has a different fee and payment method.

Verification of Documents: Applicants must bring original documentation to the NLU for verification. The CLAT scorecard, CLAT admit card, mark sheets for classes 10 and 12, category certificate (if applicable), and other relevant documents are usually included in the documentation process.

Seat Confirmation:Candidates must submit the necessary documents and pay any outstanding fees to confirm their seats following document verification.

Program for Orientation and Induction: NLUs generally conduct an orientation and induction program for newly admitted students. The program offers an outline of the academic curriculum, guidelines, and other relevant information.

When does the 2026 CLAT counselling session start?

The CLAT counselling procedure 2026 is anticipated to start by the second week of December 2025, and candidates must register online for it. The dates for the announcement of the merit list for each round will soon be announced by the consortium. Candidates will be able to secure their assigned seats by paying the fee by the deadline if the previous year's patterns are followed. The merit list for the first round of seat allocation will be announced in January.

Will there be an online or offline CLAT counselling process in 2026?

Online CLAT counselling for 2026 will be provided by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs). For CLAT, the entire counselling procedure is done online. Candidates must register online to take part in the CLAT counselling. Those who meet the requirements and pass the exam can register for counselling on the official website. They must pay a fee to finish the CLAT Counselling registration process. Candidates must indicate which college and courses they want to be admitted following the registration.

CLAT 2026 Counselling Registration Fees

The following lists the categories for the CLAT counselling registration fees.

Note: There will be no reimbursement of the counselling fee after the final day to withdraw from the admissions process.

Refund of CLAT Counselling Fees for 2026

Applicants who submitted an application for CLAT counselling in 2026 but were not assigned a seat are eligible to get a 100% reimbursement of their fees. The following are some crucial points about the reimbursement of the CLAT counselling fee:

• Candidates will be eligible for a 100% refund of their fees if they are not given a seat during the counselling process.
• Refunds will also be given to candidates who were assigned seats but left the counselling after rejecting their seat assignment; however, the refund amount will be reduced in some cases.
• Candidates will receive a refund after certain deductions if it is determined that they are not qualified for admission.

Participating Institutes for CLAT 2026

The CLAT 2026 Results are accepted for admission to law courses by many institutions, including NLUs.

The list of National Law Universities that are taking part is provided below:

Previous Year’s CLAT Seat Distribution

NLU CLAT UG 2025 Seat Intake and Courses Offered

CLAT 2025 PG Seat Intake and Courses

FAQs for CLAT Counselling 2026

Q1. How will the CLAT counselling for 2026 be conducted?

CLAT counselling will only be available online in 2026.

Q2. What is the date for the CLAT counselling for 2026?

CLAT Counselling for 2026 is scheduled to take place on 11th December 2023.

Q3. What is the CLAT counselling fee in 2026?

A fee of INR 30,000 will be charged to candidates registering for CLAT counselling 2026. The application fee for SC/ST candidates is INR 20,000.

Q4. How many NLUs will take part in CLAT counsellingin 2026?

Twenty-three NLUs will take part in CLAT counsellingin 2026.

Q5. Who can receive counselling through CLAT?

Candidates are called to counselling if their scores are higher than the cut-off points set by the relevant NLUs.

Q6. How does CLAT handle counselling?

CLAT conducts counselling in online mode after creating a list of applicants to invite and phoning them to participate in the CLAT counselling process.

Q7. How many counselling rounds are in the CLAT?

Depending on the number of open seats and the NLUs' reservation policy, there will be several rounds of counselling in CLAT.

Q8. How can I apply for CLAT Counselling 2026?

Applicants must register for the counselling procedure by giving their basic information, proof of schooling, and any other relevant data.