The Consortium of NLUs has released the CLAT 2026 second allotment list, with the confirmation window closing on January 29 at 1:00 PM Shortlisted candidates must choose to Freeze, Float, or Exit and pay the requisite confirmation fee of ₹20,000 to secure their seats Failure to take action within this period will result in the automatic cancellation of the allotted seat and exclusion from the 2026 counselling process. Aspirants are advised to log in to the official portal immediately to verify their status and complete the admission formalities.

The admission process for India's premier National Law Universities is reaching a critical milestone as the confirmation window for the CLAT 2026 second allotment prepares to shut. Following the release of the second merit list on January 22, thousands of undergraduate and postgraduate law aspirants have been evaluating their seat options. As of January 28, candidates have less than 24 hours remaining to finalize their decisions. The Consortium of NLUs has mandated that all necessary actions, including the selection of seat status and the payment of fees, must be completed by 1:00 PM on January 29, 2026. This deadline is absolute, and any delay will lead to the forfeiture of the provisionally allotted seat in the current counselling cycle.

Essential Actions for Allotted Candidates

For those whose names appeared in the second list, the official Consortium portal offers three distinct pathways. Each choice carries significant implications for a candidate's future in the CLAT 2026 admission journey.

• Freeze Option: This is for students who are entirely satisfied with their current NLU allotment and do not wish to participate in further rounds. Selecting this confirms the seat permanently for the 2026 session.
• Float Option: This allows a candidate to accept the currently allotted seat while remaining eligible for an upgrade to a higher-preference NLU in the third round. This is the most popular choice for those on the brink of top-tier schools.
• Exit Option: If a candidate is no longer interested in the counselling process, they must choose 'Exit' to withdraw. This results in the seat being reallocated to the next eligible person in the merit list.
• Confirmation Fee: Both 'Freeze' and 'Float' options require the payment of a non-refundable confirmation fee of ₹20,000, which is later adjusted against the university's total tuition fees.

Second Round Cut-offs and Vacancy Trends

The second allotment list has shown a slight downward movement in closing ranks compared to the first round released on January 7. The counselling data indicates that top institutes like NLSIU Bengaluru and NALSAR Hyderabad have already filled over 90% of their general category seats.

• NLU Upgradations: Many candidates who opted for 'Float' in the first round have seen successful upgrades to their preferred institutes in this list.
• New Entries: Due to withdrawals after the first round, a significant number of waitlisted students have received their first provisional offers in the CLAT 2026 second allotment.
• Seat Matrix Update: The Consortium will publish a revised vacancy matrix on January 30, once the current confirmation window closes, providing a clear picture for the upcoming third round.
• Institutional Verification: Once the fee is paid, candidates who chose 'Freeze' must prepare their digital documents for the final verification stage conducted by the respective law schools.

Preparation for the Third Merit List

As the second round concludes, the focus shifts toward the third allotment list, which is scheduled for release on February 5, 2026. This subsequent phase is often where the most significant rank shifts occur for middle-tier NLUs.

• Timeline for Round 3: The third list will be published at 10:00 AM on February 5, following the counselling data reconciliation from the second round.
• University Fee Deadline: Candidates who freeze their seats in the first three rounds must note that the final university fee payment is due by April 24, 2026.
• Refund Rules: The Consortium has clarified that candidates who exit the CLAT 2026 process after the second round may be eligible for a partial refund of the registration fee, provided they act before the May 8 deadline.
• Final Rounds: The admission cycle will continue through five rounds, concluding in late May 2026 to ensure full occupancy of the 3,000+ seats available across 26 NLUs.

Conclusion

The closing of the CLAT 2026 second allotment confirmation window on January 29 marks a point of no return for many law aspirants. Whether choosing to 'Freeze' a hard-earned seat or 'Float' in hopes of a better opportunity, the mandatory fee payment is the only way to remain active in the system. As the January 28 dateline arrives, students must ensure their internet connectivity and payment methods are ready to avoid last-minute technical glitches. This counselling phase is a vital step toward joining the 2026 legal academic cohort, and precision in these final hours is paramount for securing a future at India's top National Law Universities.