As of January 27, 2026, the Consortium of NLUs is urging all CLAT 2026 applicants in the second allotment list to complete their fee payments. With the confirmation window set to close on January 29, candidates must ensure all mandatory documents are uploaded to the portal for verification. Failure to submit the non-refundable confirmation fee or provide valid academic certificates will result in the immediate forfeiture of the allotted seat. The third merit list is expected to be released on February 5, 2026, based on the vacancies remaining after this crucial deadline.

The Consortium of National Law Universities has issued a critical advisory for all candidates featured in the second provisional allotment list. As of today, January 27, 2026, many applicants have yet to finalize their seat status for the upcoming academic session. The deadline for completing the fee payment and exercising the 'Freeze' or 'Float' options is strictly set for January 29, 2026, at 1:00 PM. All applicants must log in to their registered accounts to ensure that the confirmation fee of ₹20,000 has been successfully processed, as this amount is mandatory to retain any seat allotted across the 25 participating NLUs.

Mandatory Document Upload Guidelines

In addition to the financial requirements, the counselling instructions emphasize the necessity of a complete digital dossier. The portal requires specific documents to be uploaded in a high-resolution format to facilitate the online verification process conducted by the respective universities.

• Academic Certificates: Scanned copies of Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets are essential for UG candidates, while PG students must provide their LLB degree marks.
• Identification Proof: Every applicant must upload a valid government-issued ID, such as an Aadhaar Card or Passport, to be included in their dossier.
• Category Certificates: Candidates seeking reservation must ensure their SC/ST/OBC or EWS certificates are current and issued by the competent authorities.
• Signed Admit Card: A crucial requirement often overlooked is the upload of the CLAT 2026 admit card, specifically the one signed by the invigilator on exam day.

Financial Deadlines and Seat Forfeiture

The financial aspect of the CLAT 2026 admission process is governed by strict timelines that determine a candidate's eligibility for subsequent rounds. If the payment is not reflected in the system by the January 29 cutoff, the seat will be automatically reassigned in the third round.

• Confirmation Fee: This ₹20,000 payment is non-refundable and will be adjusted later against the total university tuition fees.
• Counselling Fee: Most candidates have already paid the initial registration fee (₹30,000 for General; ₹20,000 for Reserved) which remains a prerequisite for staying in the allotment pool.
• Refund Rules: The consortium has clarified that if a candidate exits the process after the specified deadline, a portion of the fee may be forfeited according to the official refund policy.

Upcoming Timeline for Round 3

Following the closure of the current window, the Consortium will begin the reconciliation of seats for the next phase of admissions.

Conclusion

The current window for the second allotment represents a final opportunity for many to secure their place in a National Law University before the third list is generated. Applicants are strongly encouraged to avoid last-minute technical glitches by completing their payment well before the January 29 deadline. Maintaining a complete and accurate dossier on the official portal is the only way to ensure that the provisional admission is confirmed by the host institute. As the consortium prepares for the February 5 release, the focus remains on the timely execution of these administrative formalities by all law aspirants.