CLAT 2026 candidates are now progressing through NLU reporting and admission formalities following the Round 2 allotment. This guide covers the mandatory document verification, confirmation fee deadlines, and the crucial steps for securing a law seat by January 2026.

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026 admission cycle is moving at a rapid pace as the second round of seat allocation transitions into the final reporting phase. Following the release of the Second Allotment List on January 22, hundreds of law aspirants are currently engaged in completing their institutional formalities. As of January 31, the focus has shifted from the centralized portal to individual National Law Universities (NLUs), where candidates who have chosen to "Freeze" or "Float" their seats must satisfy specific administrative requirements to maintain their eligibility for the 2026-27 academic session.

Finalizing the Round 2 Confirmation Process

The Consortium of NLUs had established January 29 as the deadline for the payment of the non-refundable confirmation fee for Round 2. Today, January 31, the system is reconciling these payments to identify vacancies for the upcoming third round. For those who successfully secured a seat, the next steps involve a blend of digital uploads and preparatory physical verification.

• Confirmation Fee Reconciliation: Candidates who paid the ₹20,000 fee are officially recorded as having "Reserved" their position in the current allotment cycle.
• Freeze vs. Float Status: Those who opted for 'Freeze' are now strictly following the admission guidelines of their specific NLU, while 'Float' candidates remain eligible for better preferences in the February 5 list.
• Reporting Deadlines: While centralized, each NLU may have a specific internal window for the submission of digital dossiers via the Consortium dashboard.
• Seat Matrix Stability: The current reporting phase is crucial for the Consortium to determine the final seat matrix before moving into the high-stakes third round.

Mandatory Documentation and University Formalities

To successfully complete the admission process, every candidate is required to undergo a rigorous document verification. For the 2026 cycle, the Consortium has standardized the list of necessary certificates, but individual NLUs may request additional university-specific affidavits or medical fitness reports.

Failure to produce original documents during the reporting phase can lead to immediate cancellation of the seat. NLUs have advised students to ensure that their domicile certificates are issued by the competent authority of the state under which they have claimed reservation. For the 2026 batch, digital copies must be clear and legible to avoid rejection by the university's verification cell.

Next Phase: Transition to Round 3

As the current reporting window for the second list closes, the university administrations are preparing for the third merit list publication on February 5. This transition is a period of high anticipation for those on the waitlist, as the admission movement is expected to be more fluid following the initial round of university fee settlements.

• Third Allotment: The next list will be the primary opportunity for 'Float' candidates to see if they have moved up their preference list.
• University Fee Deadlines: Candidates who "Freeze" in Rounds 1 to 3 have a general deadline of April 24, 2026, to pay the balance university fees.
• Withdrawal and Refund: The Consortium has clarified that any exit at this stage will be subject to the published refund rules, which include a deduction for administrative costs.
• Orientation Dates: While reporting continues, some premier NLUs have already started sending preliminary orientation schedules to "Freeze" candidates.

Conclusion

The reporting phase of CLAT 2026 marks the point where rank-based competition turns into formal enrollment. With the Consortium maintaining a tight schedule, candidates must remain vigilant about their dashboard notifications. As the January 31 milestone passes, the path toward a career in law becomes clearer for the thousands of aspirants who have successfully navigated the first two rounds of admission. The coming weeks will be decisive for the remaining vacancies as the process moves toward its eventual conclusion in May.