CLAT 2026 First Merit List (OUT) @consortiumofnlus.ac.in Live Updates: NLU Cutoff, Category-wise 1st Seat Allotment List

Suppose there are still vacant seats for CLAT 2026 admission after completing the initial five rounds of seat allotment. In that case, the consortium will organize a mop-up round to fill the remaining positions. Candidates unable to secure admission in the initial five rounds of CLAT 2026 seat allotment are eligible to apply for the mop-up round of CLAT 2026.

In addition to submitting the aforementioned documents, candidates must also remit the stipulated fee for the allotted NLU during the CLAT seat allotment 2026. The NLU Fee structure 2026 will be outlined by the institutes individually. Candidates who have successfully paid the required fee and uploaded the specified documents will be eligible for admission. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in candidates not being considered for admission in the allocated NLU.

To fulfill admission requirements and secure a spot in the allotted NLU, candidates must upload the following documents:

• A copy of the CLAT 2026 application form
• CLAT scorecard
• CLAT admit card 2026
• Class 10th mark sheet
• Class 12th mark sheet
• Caste certificate (if applicable)
• Specially-abled certificate (if applicable)
• NRI certificate (if applicable)
• Sponsored NRI certificate (if applicable)
• Domicile certificate (if applicable)
• Call letter issued by CLAT authority
• Recent passport-size photographs

The CLAT 2026 counselling unfolds through multiple stages, spanning several rounds. Initiated after the declaration of CLAT 2026 result, the process concludes with candidates reporting to their assigned colleges.

Result Announcement: The CLAT counselling process commences following the release of CLAT 2026 results. Only shortlisted candidates, identified in the invite list, are eligible to partake in the CLAT counselling.

Registration: Candidates must register for the counselling process by furnishing essential details, including educational qualifications and pertinent information.

Counselling Fee Payment: Successful completion of CLAT 2026 counselling registration necessitates the payment of counselling fees. General category candidates are required to pay INR 30,000, while SC/ST candidates are to remit INR 20,000.

Seat Allotment: The CLAT seat allotment unfolds based on candidates' ranks and their submitted choices. This process is conducted in multiple rounds.

Admission Fee Payment: Following document verification, candidates must remit the admission fee to confirm their acceptance of the allotted seat.

Reporting to the College: The final step requires candidates to report to the designated college, completing admission formalities, including document verification and other essential processes

The CLAT 2026 seat allotment list will include the following details:

• Name of the candidate selected for admission
• All India Rank (AIR) of the selected candidates
• Category of the candidates—both vertical and horizontal classifications
• Admit card number and application number of the selected candidates

The admission process for CLAT is distinct for both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programs. Following each round of CLAT counselling, the consortium will release the seat allotment details for each participating National Law University (NLU) involved in the admission process. Candidates preparing for CLAT 2026 were mandated to indicate their NLU preferences while completing the CLAT 2026 application form. The Common Law Admission Test, conducted by the Consortium, took place on December 7, 2025.

Applicants who participated in CLAT counselling 2026 and did not secure an allotted seat will be eligible for a full refund of the registration fee. Key details regarding the CLAT counselling fee refund are outlined below:

1. Candidates without any allotted seat in the counselling process will receive a 100 per cent fee refund.

2. Candidates who were initially allotted seats but opted to exit the counselling by rejecting the allotment will also receive a refund, with certain deductions from the refund amount.

3. If candidates are deemed ineligible for admission, they will receive a refund after a deduction of INR 5000.

If there are still vacant seats available for admission after the completion of the initial five rounds of seat allotment in CLAT 2026, the consortium will initiate an extra round, known as the mop-up round, to allocate the remaining seats. Candidates who were unable to secure admission in the initial five rounds of CLAT 2026 seat allotment can participate in the mop-up round by submitting their applications.

To finalize admission formalities and secure admission in the allocated National Law University (NLU), candidates are required to upload the following documents:

• Copy of CLAT 2026 application form
• CLAT scorecard
• CLAT admit card 2026
• Class 10th Marks-sheet
• Class 12th Marks-sheet
• Caste Certificate (if applicable)
• Specially-Abled Certificate (if applicable)
• NRI Certificate (if applicable)
• Sponsored NRI Certificate (if applicable)
• Domicile Certificate (if applicable)
• Call Letter issued by CLAT authority
• Recent passport-size photographs

Candidates can download the CLAT NLSIU Bengaluru First Merit List for BA LLB Courses here

Candidates must note that CLAT 2026 Second Allotment List will be released by the consortium on January 22, 2026. Candidates will be able to check the same on the official website; i.e. consortiumofnlus.ac.in. 

• Mark sheet of 10th or its equivalent
• Mark sheet of 12th or its equivalent
• Character certificate
• Transfer / Migration Certificate
• Caste Certificate (if applicable for SC/ST/OBC, etc.)
• PWD Certificate (if applicable)
• Domicile/residence certificate (if applying under the domicile category)

Applicants who participated in CLAT counselling 2026 and did not secure any allocated seat are eligible for a full 100% refund of the registration fee. Here are essential details regarding the CLAT counselling fee refund:

• Candidates not assigned any seat during the counselling process will receive a complete 100 per cent fee refund.
• Candidates who were allocated seats but chose to exit the counselling after rejecting the allotment will also receive a refund. However, there will be deductions from the refund amount.
• If candidates are deemed ineligible for admission, they will be eligible for a refund after deducting INR 5000.

Candidates wanting to withdraw from the counseling process at any point can do so by selecting the exit option. This withdrawal means the candidate is no longer part of the CLAT 2026 counseling process, and their name won't be considered for subsequent rounds.

If a candidate is dissatisfied with the allocated seat and wishes to participate in additional CLAT counseling 2026 rounds, they can opt for the float option. This allows candidates to accept the assigned seat while expressing readiness to participate in more counseling rounds to secure a better seat. Choosing to float and receiving a seat in a subsequent round will nullify the previous allocation.

Candidates satisfied with their assigned seat and not interested in further counseling rounds can choose to freeze their seat. This confirms their seat at the designated National Law University (NLU), and they will not be considered for subsequent CLAT 2026 counseling rounds.

Candidates can follow simple steps given below to check CLAT first allotment list 2026:

1. Visit the official website at consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
2. Navigate to the CLAT 2026 first allotment list.
3. Log in with your credentials.
4. The CLAT 2026 counseling first allotment list will be displayed on your screen.
5. Check and download CLAT 2026 first allotment list for future reference.

Candidates can check CLAT Merit List 2026 Dates below:

The steps to check the CLAT cut-off are listed below.

•  Visit consortiumofnlus.ac.in, the official website.  
• Press the CLAT 2026 tab to access the notification area.  
• For each round, click on the CLAT preliminary allotment list.  
• Choose the NLU that requires the CLAT cutoff.  
• The screen will show the CLAT cut-off 2026 pdf.  
• Save the PDF to your computer for later use.

Following the CLAT seat allotment, candidates are required to fulfill the NLU admission process to secure their admission. While the process may slightly differ among various NLUs, it generally encompasses the following steps:

1. Payment of Admission Fee: Candidates receiving seats in NLUs must remit the admission fee to confirm their admission. The fee amount and payment mode can vary among NLUs.

2. Document Verification: Candidates are obligated to present their original documents for verification at the NLU. Typically, these documents include the CLAT scorecard, CLAT admit card, class 10th and 12th mark sheets, category certificate (if applicable), and other pertinent documents.

3. Seat Confirmation: Following document verification, candidates are required to confirm their seats by submitting the necessary documents and settling any outstanding fees.

4. Orientation and Induction Program: NLUs generally conduct an orientation and induction program for newly admitted students. This program offers insights into the academic curriculum, rules and regulations, and other crucial information.

CLAT 2026 First Seat Allotment List is now out.

Candidates can choose to "freeze" their seat in CLAT counselling 2026 if they are happy with the seat they were assigned. These applicants won't be taken into consideration for subsequent counselling sessions. In addition, they must pay the remaining university fees as well as the confirmation cost.

If a candidate chooses not to proceed with the counselling process, they may use the Exit option. Once a candidate choose the exit option, they will not be assigned a seat. The designated seat will be redistributed if the candidate decides to leave after selecting the freeze or float option. In addition, the confirmation fee would be lost.

The consortium has announced that it will conduct five rounds of CLAT counselling 2026.

Candidates must note that CLAT 2026 Counselling is completely online. CLAT 2026 First allotment list will be released on consortiumofnlus.ac.in. and the participating NLUs website.

The Consortium of NLUs will release the CLAT First Merit List 2026 today; i.e. January 7, 2026 by 10 am. Candidates will be able to check the CLAT Seat Allotment 2026 PDF on consortiumofnlus.ac.in.

The Consortium will release the CLAT Second Merit List 2026 on January 22, 2026.

The Consortium this year will end the counselling process with three rounds. Until last year, the Consortium conducted five rounds to complete the counselling process. The last and final merit list will be released on May 15, 2026.

If you’ve got a seat at any NLU based on your preferences in the first three rounds of CLAT 2026 counselling, then you’ll need to pay a confirmation fee. Before you go ahead and pick the ‘freeze’ or ‘float’ option, make sure to pay INR 20,000 as the confirmation amount. Without doing this step, you won’t be able to lock in or move your seat. It’s kinda like saying “yes” to the offer before you decide to stay or explore better options later.

Yep, the counselling fee for CLAT 2026 can be refunded, but there are some conditions attached. It’s not always a full refund, and it kinda depends on where you are in the process.

You’ll get a full refund if:

• You didn’t get any seat in any of the counselling rounds
• Or you decided to exit the counselling without locking any seat (that’s before clicking 'freeze' or 'float')

You won't get the fee back if:

• You confirmed (froze) your seat and didn’t take admission
• Or you selected float and later dropped out
• Or you just missed out on deadlines and didn’t act on your allotment

Candidates can check seat allotment for Top 10 NLUs below:

Candidates in the general category must pay INR 30,000 for CLAT 2026 counselling, while those in the reserved categories must pay INR 20,000.  A small administrative fee (often around INR 5,000) will be subtracted from the refund if the candidate decides to withdraw from the admissions process or is not given a seat in any round.  After the counselling rounds are over, the reimbursement procedure usually starts and could take a few weeks.  Candidates must formally withdraw from the procedure via the CLAT portal by the specified deadlines in order to guarantee a prompt reimbursement.  You might no longer be eligible for a fee refund if you don't.

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

Payment of Admission price: To be confirmed as admitted, candidates who have been given seats in NLUs must pay the admission price. Each NLU has a different charge 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 pertinent documents are usually included in the package.

Seat Confirmation: Following document verification, candidates must submit the necessary paperwork and pay any outstanding fees to confirm their seats.

Programme for Orientation and Induction: Newly admitted students are usually given a programme for orientation and induction by NLUs. An outline of the academic curriculum, guidelines, and other pertinent information are provided by the programme.

Candidates can check the list of documents required for CLAT 2026 Counselling below:

• 10th or equivalent mark sheet
• 12th or equivalent mark sheet
• Graduation certificate (for CLAT PG counselling)
• Character certificate
• Transfer / Migration Certificate
• Caste Certificate (SC/ST/OBC etc.) if applicable
• PWD Certificate (If applicable)
• Domicile/residence certificate (If applying under the domicile category)

So if you’ve made it to the counselling round in CLAT 2026 it is important to understand what these options basically mean in normal language:

Freeze

This one's for you if you’re happy with the NLU that you’ve been offered and you don’t wanna try for anything better. You basically say, “Yes, I’ll take this seat, don’t move me anywhere else.” Once you freeze, your seat is locked. You won’t be part of further rounds. Only do this if you're totally sure you like the college and course you got.

Float
Okay so maybe you didn’t get your dream NLU, but you don’t wanna lose your current seat either. Float lets you “hold on to this one, but keep me in the running in case something better opens up.” You still have your seat, but if you’re lucky, you might get upgraded. Good option if your rank is borderline and your higher-preference colleges haven’t filled up yet.

Exit
This one’s for candidates who either didn’t like the seat they got, or maybe changed plans. You’re saying “No thanks, I’m not joining any NLU through this counselling.” Be 100% sure before doing this because once you exit, there’s no coming back into the counselling process. You also lose the seat that was allotted to you (if any).

Seats will be distributed to candidates during CLAT 2026. Applicants will be able to participate in the CLAT 2026 seat allocation procedure if they successfully completed the counselling registration. Below is the procedure for assigning seats:

• Initially, an NLU seat would be assigned by the exam authorities in accordance with the candidates' NLU preferences and rank.
• Once the admission fee for the relevant NLU has been paid, the candidates have the option to accept the seat and proceed with the admission process
• Alternatively, candidates could choose to upgrade. With this choice, they can keep the seat that has already been assigned to them while also having the chance to be assigned to an NLU that is higher on their list of preferences
• Candidates have the option to withdraw from the CLAT seat allocation procedure.

Candidates can add NLU preference for CLAT 2026 while filling out the CLAT 2026 Application Form. Check steps below:

• Login to your CLAT account.
• Click on “update preferences” tab in the dashboard
• Fill the preferences according to your choice

One essential element of CLAT counselling 2026 is taking NLU preferences into account.  On the CLAT 2026 application form, candidates can specify which NLUs they like.  It should be underlined that candidates will only be considered for admission to NLUs where they entered preferences within the allotted time.  They will not be considered for admission to any other NLU.  Candidates had to log into their CLAT accounts and add a minimum of five NLU preferences.  There is no cap on how many NLU preferences a candidate may include.

The consortium will hold a mop-up round of seat allocation to fill any open seats if after the five rounds of seat allotment there are still CLAT 2026 openings for admission. Applicants may apply for the CLAT 2026 mop-up round if they were not selected for admission in the first five rounds of the exam.

CLAT 2026 counselling fees is INR 30,000 for general/OBC categories and INR 20,000 for SC/ST/OBC/BC/EWS/PWD categories.  For the CLAT counselling 2026, only payments made online through the official legal entrance exam website will be accepted.  Candidates must pay the CLAT Counselling Fee 2026 in order to guarantee their spot.  After this, candidates are responsible for paying the remaining course fees, which include the tuition price and any other refundable or non-refundable fees.  After they freeze or float and have already paid the counselling fee, candidates who choose to withdraw or leave their assignment will get their money back.

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

• Go to the consortiumofnlus/ac/in.
• Go to the "Notifications" area.
• Select CLAT 2026 First Allotment List tab
• See and get the 2026 CLAT first allocation list.
• Download the same

The seat matrix for CLAT 2026 admissions at NALSAR Hyderabad has been updated, affecting both undergraduate (UG) and graduate (PG) programs.

There will be three options available to candidates: freeze, float, and Exit.  Candidates can check how to opt each of the following options:

 Freeze Option: A candidate has the option to freeze their seat if they are satisfied with the one that has been assigned to them.  As a result, they will not be permitted to participate in any additional counselling sessions.  

 Float Option: A candidate may choose to participate in additional rounds of counselling if they are unhappy with the seat that has been assigned to them. This choice indicates that the applicant is willing to participate in more rounds of counselling for a better college even though they are accepting the seat that has been assigned to them.  

Exit Option: A candidate may decide to leave the counselling process if they decide they no longer wish to participate.  They will not be considered for a subsequent counselling session if they select this option.

Candidates can check the status of their CLAT Seat allotment by logging in to their CLAT Candidate Portal 2026. In case, an NLU has rejected a seat allotted to a candidate in the previous seat allotment list, the status of the same can be checked too. In case their status still shows rejected, candidates must contact the concerned NLU. Once the candidates chooses the EXIT option in the CLAT seat allotment 2026, they will not be allowed to participate in other rounds of seat allotment. 

In addition to uploading the documents, candidates must pay the fees for the NLU they have been given during CLAT seat allocation 2026. The individual institutes will specify the NLU Fee structure 2026. Applicants will only be considered for admission if they have uploaded the required documents and fees. Those who don't comply will not be considered for admission in the designated NLU.

Candidates can check the documents required for CLAT 2026 Counselling Process below:

• A copy of CLAT 2026 application form
• CLAT scorecard 2026
• CLAT admit card 2026
• Class 10th Marks-sheet
• Class 12th Marks-sheet
• Caste Certificate
• Specially-Abled Certificate 
• NRI Certificate 
• Sponsored NRI Certificate
• Domicile Certificate 
• Call Letter issued by CLAT authority
• Recent passport-size photographs

Candidates can contact the below numbers and email id in case of any grievances:

The CLAT 2026 seat allocation list will include the following information:

• Name of the applicant who made the admissions short list.
• The candidates' All India Rank who made the short list.
• Candidates' categories, both vertical and horizontal
• Application and admit card numbers for the shortlisted applicants.

Following each round, the consortium will post the CLAT allotment list on its official website. Candidates can use the procedures listed below to check their CLAT 2026 seat allotment:

• Go to the NLU consortium's official website and log in
• On the CLAT 2026 homepage, candidates can click on the allotment list
• The specifics of the seat allotment will appear on the screen after tapping the link to the allotment list
• Applicants can check their seat allotment for the course for which they have applied by downloading the allotment list

The CLAT Exam 2026 was relatively simpler than the previous year, according to the CLAT 2026 Exam Analysis.  It is expected that CLAT Cut-off 2026 will be high. Experts say that a score of 105 or more is sufficient to gain admission to one of the top 10 NLUs. But the CLAT cut-off 2026 is likely mirror those of the prior year.