AILET 2026 Post–Third Merit List Admission Processing Continues
National Law University (NLU) Delhi has successfully progressed into the post–third merit list admission phase for the AILET 2026 session. While the primary deadline for the provisional admission fee expired on February 10, the university continues to process document uploads and verify signed undertakings. Shortlisted candidates who secured their spots in this round are now preparing for the final balance fee payment due in late April.This administrative interval is essential for stabilizing the BA LLB and LLM cohorts before the fourth merit list is officially released in May 2026.

The National Law University (NLU) Delhi has transitioned into the subsequent processing phase following the release of the third provisional merit list for the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) 2026. This administrative milestone marks the end of the immediate seat-locking window for candidates selected in the third round. As of today, the university's admission office is focusing on the final verification of submitted documents and the formalization of provisional admission letters for the BA LLB (Hons.) and LLM programs.
Conclusion of the Provisional Fee Window
The most critical administrative gatekeeper for the third round concluded on February 10, 2026. According to the Official AILET 2026 Counselling Schedule, candidates featured in the third list were required to deposit a provisional admission confirmation fee of ₹50,000 by 11:00 AM. This fee, coupled with the initial counselling registration amount, serves to lock the candidate's seat for the 2026-27 academic year.
- Automatic Cancellations: The university has begun identifying seats where the payment was not completed by the deadline. These "unsecured" seats will now be moved into the vacancy pool for the upcoming fourth round.
- Fee Adjustment: The ₹50,000 deposit is strictly an advance payment that will be adjusted against the total university fees during the final enrollment phase.
- Document Status: Candidates who have paid the fee must ensure that their signed "Provisional Admission Offer Letter" and the mandatory parental undertaking are correctly uploaded to their AILET-2026 dashboard.
Balance Fee Payment and Academic Readiness
With the third-round provisional processing largely complete, the university has turned its attention to the final financial deadline. All students provisionally admitted in Rounds 1, 2, and 3 must clear the remaining balance of their university fees by April 30, 2026. This period of the admission processing allows students a significant interval to manage their financial planning before the academic session commences in July.
| Admission Round | Provisional Fee Deadline | Final Balance Fee Deadline |
| First Merit List | January 14, 2026 | April 30, 2026 |
| Second Merit List | January 27, 2026 | April 30, 2026 |
| Third Merit List | February 10, 2026 | April 30, 2026 |
| Fourth Merit List | May 9, 2026 | May 20, 2026 |
The Directorate of Higher Education guidelines ensure that this staggered payment schedule provides transparency for students. Failure to clear the balance by the April 30 cutoff will lead to the automatic forfeiture of the seat and the previously paid counselling registration fee.
Preparation for the Fourth Merit List
The NLU Delhi administration is currently reconciling the vacancies created by non-joining or withdrawals from the first three rounds. This updated data will form the basis for the Fourth Provisional Merit List, which is scheduled for release on May 5, 2026. Aspirants on the waitlist are advised to keep their documentation ready, as the turnaround time for the fourth round is significantly shorter than the previous phases.
- Refund Initiation: For candidates who registered for counselling but did not secure a seat in the first three lists, the refund processing for the registration fee (₹30,000 for General; ₹20,000 for Reserved) will commence after March 15, 2026.
- Seat Conversion: The university may convert unfilled foreign national seats to the general category in the final rounds to ensure full capacity for the new batch.
- Contact Support: Any queries regarding the payment confirmation status should be directed to the NLU Delhi Help Desk before the system enters the next major update cycle.
Conclusion
The progression of AILET 2026 into the post–third merit list processing phase signifies the maturation of the current year's intake. By maintaining a disciplined approach to fee deadlines and document verification, NLU Delhi ensures that the 2026-27 academic session is composed of committed and verified legal scholars. As the university prepares for the final allotment round in May, the current processing provides a vital interval for admitted students to finalize their administrative requirements. The focus now remains on the April 30 balance fee cutoff, which will serve as the final confirmation for those aiming to join the prestigious legal fraternity at Dwarka. Successfully navigating this processing stage ensures that the candidates' transition from law aspirants to university students remains seamless and secure.
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