The registration for CLAT 2026 Round 1 counselling has now closed. The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) Consortium concluded this important step on December 27, 2025 . Only students who had qualified in CLAT 2026 and received an official invitation from the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) were able to register for this round. These students are now waiting for the first list that shows which college seats have been allotted to them.
This first seat allotment list for CLAT 2026 counselling will be released very soon. Students should mark their calendars for the official release date and time.
CLAT 2026 First Allotment Release Date
The CLAT Consortium will publish the first seat allotment list on the official website. Here are the key details:
| Event | Date and Time |
| CLAT 2026 First Allotment Release | January 7, 2026 , at 10 AM |
Students must check the official CLAT website at the scheduled time to view their results. This list will show which NLU seat has been offered to each registered candidate based on their rank and preferences.
What Happens After the First Allotment?
Once the CLAT 2026 First Allotment list is published on January 7, 2026 , students must take action. They need to choose one of three options on the official Consortium of NLUs portal. These choices are important for securing a seat or trying for a better one.
Freeze Option
If you are happy with the NLU seat offered to you, you should choose the 'Freeze' option. By selecting 'Freeze', you confirm that you accept this specific college seat. This means you will not be considered for any other NLU in later rounds of counselling. Your admission to the allotted NLU becomes final, provided you complete the payment and other necessary steps. This choice secures your admission to the college shown in the first allotment list.
Float Option
If you accept the NLU seat given to you, but you also wish to be considered for an NLU that you ranked higher in your preference list, you should choose the 'Float' option. This means you are accepting the current seat for now, but you are also showing interest in moving to a college you preferred more. The system will automatically try to upgrade you to a higher-preference NLU if a seat becomes available in later rounds. If no such seat becomes free, your currently allotted seat will remain yours. This option allows you to keep your current seat while hoping for an upgrade.
Exit Option
If you decide that you no longer wish to continue with the CLAT counselling process, you can choose the 'Exit' option. By selecting 'Exit', you withdraw completely from the CLAT 2026 counselling. This means you will give up any seat offered to you, and you will not be considered for any future rounds of counselling. This choice is final and means you will not secure an NLU seat through CLAT 2026 admissions.
Important Dates and Fees for Accepted Seats
If you choose either the 'Freeze' or 'Float' option, you must pay a confirmation fee. This fee is INR 20,000 . It is a non-refundable amount that must be paid online to secure your seat or keep your option for an upgrade open.
The payment window for this confirmation fee is from January 7, 2026 , to January 15, 2026 . It is crucial to complete this payment within these dates. Failing to pay the fee by the deadline will result in the loss of your allotted seat, and you will be removed from the counselling process. Students are advised to complete all steps carefully and on time to ensure their admission process goes smoothly.
