The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) has released the first merit list for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026 counselling. Students who applied for CLAT 2026 and registered for counselling can now check their seat allotment. This list was announced on January 7, 2026. Students must visit the official website, consortiumofnlus.ac.in, to see if they have been allotted a seat.
If you have received a seat, you need to take action by January 15, 2026. You must choose to 'freeze' your seat, 'float' it, or 'withdraw' from the counselling process. You also need to pay a seat confirmation fee.
What is CLAT?
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national-level entrance exam. It is for students who want to study law in India. Top law universities, called National Law Universities (NLUs), use CLAT scores to admit students to their undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programmes. Getting a good rank in CLAT helps students secure a seat in one of these prestigious institutions.
How to Check the CLAT 2026 First Merit List
Follow these simple steps to check your seat allotment result:
- Go to the official CLAT 2026 website: consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
- Look for the link that says "CLAT 2026 First Allotment List" or "CLAT 2026 First Merit List".
- Click on the link.
- You may need to log in using your CLAT application number and password.
- Once logged in, your seat allotment status will be displayed.
- Download and print your allotment letter for future use.
Important Dates for CLAT 2026 Round 1 Counselling
Here are the key dates for the first round of CLAT 2026 counselling:
| Event | Dates |
| CLAT First Allotment List 2026 released | January 7, 2026 |
| Payment of Confirmation Fee (for Freeze and Float options) and Admission by NLUs | January 7, 2026 to January 15, 2026 |
Understanding Your Seat Allotment Options
After checking the first merit list, candidates have three main options to choose from:
1. Freeze Option
If you are happy with the seat you have been offered and do not wish to be considered for a better seat in later rounds, you should choose the 'Freeze' option. By selecting this, you accept the allotted seat. You must pay the seat confirmation fee to finalize your admission to that specific NLU. After freezing, your seat is secure, and you will not participate in further counselling rounds.
2. Float Option
If you are happy with getting a seat but hope to get a better seat in another NLU or another programme in the same NLU in later counselling rounds, you should choose the 'Float' option. If you choose 'Float', you must still pay the seat confirmation fee to keep your current seat. This ensures that you hold your current seat while also being considered for upgrades in upcoming rounds. If you get a better seat later, your current seat will be automatically cancelled. If you don't get an upgrade, your currently held seat remains confirmed.
3. Withdraw Option
If you are not satisfied with the allotted seat and do not want to participate in any further CLAT counselling rounds, you can choose the 'Withdraw' option. If you withdraw, your allotted seat will be cancelled, and you will not be considered for any future seat allotments in CLAT 2026 counselling. A refund of the counselling fee (if applicable) may be processed as per the CLAT rules.
Seat Confirmation Fee
Whether you choose to 'Freeze' or 'Float' your seat, you must pay the seat confirmation fee. This fee ensures that your decision is recorded and your seat is held. The payment window for this fee is from January 7 to January 15, 2026. Make sure to complete this payment before the deadline to avoid losing your allotted seat.
Documents Required for CLAT 2026 Counselling
Students must keep the following documents ready for the counselling process. These documents will be needed for verification:
- Scanned copy of Class 10th marksheet (for age proof).
- CLAT 2026 admit card.
- Class 12th marksheet.
- LLB/equivalent degree marksheet (only for PG candidates).
- Character certificate.
- Transfer/migration certificate.
- Caste certificate (if applicable, for reserved categories).
- PwD/SAP certificate (if applicable, for Persons with Disabilities/Special Abilities).
- Any other necessary supporting documents mentioned by your NLU.
What Happens Next?
After the first round, the Consortium of NLUs will announce more merit lists. These lists will fill up any remaining seats or seats that become available due to students withdrawing or floating. Keep checking the official website for updates on future counselling rounds and new merit lists. It is very important to meet all deadlines for fee payment and document submission.
