The registration process for **CLAT 2026 Counselling** has now started. Students who have passed the **CLAT Exam 2026** can apply for admission to top National Law Universities (NLUs) across India. The last day to register for counselling is **December 27, 2025**. Interested candidates must visit the official website, **consortiumofnlus.ac.in**, to complete their registration. The first list of selected candidates, known as the **CLAT 2026 First Merit List**, will be announced on **January 7, 2026**.
CLAT, which stands for Common Law Admission Test, is an important entrance exam for students who wish to study law after class 12. It helps them get into undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law courses in the National Law Universities. The counselling process is the next step after the exam results are declared. It involves several stages where students confirm their interest, choose colleges, and secure their seats.
How to Register for CLAT 2026 Counselling
The counselling process for CLAT 2026 is simple and includes a few key steps:
- Step 1: Registration: Candidates must first register online on the official website. This involves providing necessary details and logging in with their CLAT application number and password.
- Step 2: Participating in Counselling: After registration, candidates wait for the merit lists. Based on their CLAT rank, they will be allotted seats in different NLUs.
- Step 3: Paying Fees: If a candidate is offered a seat, they need to pay a confirmation fee to show they accept the seat. This fee helps hold their chosen seat.
- Step 4: Securing the Seat: After paying the fee, candidates choose one of three options: Accept (Freeze), Apply for Upgrade (Float), or Withdraw.
Let's understand these options clearly:
- Accept (Freeze): If you are happy with the college and course offered, you can choose 'Freeze'. This means you accept the seat and do not want to be considered for any other colleges in later rounds. You must pay the fee and complete the admission process at the allotted NLU.
- Apply for Upgrade (Float): If you want to accept the current seat but also wish to be considered for a better college or course in the next counselling rounds, you can choose 'Float'. You still need to pay the confirmation fee to keep your current seat while hoping for an upgrade.
- Withdraw: If you do not want to take the offered seat or do not wish to continue in the counselling process, you can choose 'Withdraw'. After withdrawing, you will not be considered for any future seat allotments.
The entire admission process for CLAT 2026 will happen over **five rounds** of counselling. This gives candidates multiple chances to get into their preferred National Law University.
Important Dates for CLAT 2026 Counselling
Here is a detailed schedule for the **CLAT 2026 counselling and admission process**:
| Event | Dates |
| CLAT 2026 Counselling Registration Begins | December 16, 2025 |
| CLAT 2026 Counselling Registration Ends | December 27, 2025 |
| CLAT First Allotment List 2026 | January 7, 2026 |
| Payment of Confirmation Fee (First List: Freeze and Float options) | January 7, 2026, to January 15, 2026 |
| CLAT Second Allotment List 2026 | January 22, 2026 |
| Payment of Confirmation Fee (Second List: Freeze and Float options) | January 22, 2026, to January 29, 2026 |
| CLAT Third Allotment List 2026 | February 5, 2026 |
| Payment of Confirmation Fee (Third List: Freeze and Float options) | February 5, 2026, to February 12, 2026 |
| Payment of University Fee | April 24, 2026 |
Candidates must make sure to follow these dates carefully. Missing any deadline could mean losing a chance for admission. The final payment of the university fee, which confirms the admission, is due by **April 24, 2026**. Keep visiting the official website **consortiumofnlus.ac.in** for the latest updates and detailed instructions.
