2026 Merit List Dispute Remains in Limbo After HC Stay Order

The ongoing legal battle over the CLAT 2026 merit list has reached a standstill as the Allahabad High Court stayed a previous order directing a complete rank revision. Law aspirants must follow the existing merit list for upcoming seat allotment rounds while the Division Bench prepares for a final hearing on March 9, 2026.

The admission process for the National Law Universities (NLUs) has hit a significant legal speed bump. As of February 24, the dispute regarding the CLAT 2026 rankings remains unresolved following a crucial intervention by the Allahabad High Court. A Division Bench, comprising Justice Saumitra Dayal Singh and Justice Indrajeet Shukla, has officially stayed an earlier order that demanded a total revision of the merit list. This stay order was passed on February 20, providing temporary relief to the Consortium of NLUs, which argued that recalculating ranks mid-way would create chaos for thousands of students.

The controversy started when a candidate, Avneesh Gupta, challenged the final answer key. He claimed that certain objections were ignored by the oversight committee. Initially, a single judge agreed with him and ordered the Consortium to treat two options as correct for a disputed question. However, the High Court Stay has paused this command. For now, the original merit list stands, and the third allotment list, which was briefly on hold, is expected to proceed based on the old rankings until the next hearing on March 9.

1. The Legal Background of the Merit Dispute

The conflict centers on how the Consortium handles student objections and the finality of their expert committee decisions.

• Single Judge Verdict: On February 3, a single-judge bench ruled that Question 9 in the CLAT-UG paper was evaluated incorrectly and ordered a rank recalculation.
• Consortium's Appeal: The Consortium of NLUs filed a special appeal (No. 135/2026), stating that changing ranks now would unfairly affect students who have already secured seats.
• The "Stay" Impact: The current High Court Stay means the original ranks are valid again. No student's rank will change until the court gives a final judgment.
• Upcoming Hearing: The next major date for students to watch is March 9, 2026, when the court will hear detailed arguments from both sides.
• Official Source: Students can track the legal status and any formal circulars directly on the Official Consortium of NLUs Website.

2. Impact on Counselling and Seat Allotment

With the legal pause in place, the Admissions Counselling rounds are likely to resume their original schedule with slight adjustments.

• Third Allotment List: The list that was originally due on February 5 was delayed due to this case but is now moving forward under the original merit rankings.
• Freeze and Float Options: Students who have already been allotted seats in the first two rounds do not need to worry about their status being revoked for now.
• Provisional Admissions: The court has mentioned that new admissions might be "provisional," meaning they are subject to the final outcome of the court case.
• Document Verification: Candidates should keep their mark sheets and category certificates ready as per the guidelines on the CLAT 2026 Instructions Page.
• Fifth Round Status: The final round of allotment is still scheduled for May, assuming no further legal delays occur after the March hearing.

3. Advice for Aspirants in the Waiting List

The uncertainty of a High Court Stay can be stressful for students who are just a few marks away from their dream college.

• Monitor Official News: Avoid listening to rumors on social media groups; only trust PDF notifications from the official portal.
• Check Alternate Options: If your rank is on the edge, keep an eye on other law entrance exams or private universities as a backup plan.
• Stay Prepared for March 9: If the court eventually orders a revision, ranks could shift significantly. Be mentally prepared for both a "no change" and a "rank shift" scenario.
• Contact Helpdesk: For specific queries about your seat status, use the official helpdesk email provided at Consortium Contact Page.
• Fee Refunds: Remember that choosing the "Exit" option now will remove you from the process entirely, so choose your counselling options wisely.

Conclusion

The CLAT 2026 admission cycle has turned into a waiting game between the lecture hall and the courtroom. While the High Court Stay has prevented an immediate collapse of the current system, the shadow of the March 9 hearing looms large. For the typical student, the best course of action is to follow the Admissions Counselling steps as if the original list is final, while staying alert for the next legal update. The Consortium of NLUs is under pressure to finish the process before the new academic session begins in July. Until the judges give their final word, the merit list remains in a state of "limbo," leaving thousands of future lawyers waiting for clarity on their college destinations.

For regular updates follow Only Education News. For more details on law entrance exams and courses, check here: Law Exams List.