CLAT 2026 Second Allotment Published on January 22

The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) is set to publish the CLAT 2026 second allotment list on 22 Jan at 10:00 AM. Aspirants who participated in the first round of counseling or used the 'Float' option can check their updated seat status on the official portal. The release of this list marks the second phase of the centralized admission process for undergraduate and postgraduate law programs. Selected candidates will have until January 29, 2026, to choose between 'Freeze', 'Float', or 'Exit' and complete the necessary confirmation fee payments.

The administrative body has finalized the data after accounting for the exits and non-confirmations from the first round. Tomorrow's publication serves as a vital transition point in the five-stage counseling process, ensuring that vacant seats in the country's top law schools are filled based on merit and preference.

Navigating Allotment Options and Confirmation

Once the second allotment is live, candidates must act promptly to secure their interests. The process involves selecting one of the three standard options provided by the Consortium to manage the seat allocation effectively.

• Freeze and Float Options: Students satisfied with their allotted NLU can 'Freeze' their seat, while those hoping for a better option in the third list should select 'Float'. Both choices require the payment of a non-refundable confirmation fee by January 29.
• Upgradation Status: Aspirants who were already holding a seat from the first round will see if their preference has been upgraded; if so, their previous seat is automatically reallocated to another candidate.
• Action Deadline: The window for exercising these options and completing the publication of payment receipts on the portal will remain open until 1:00 PM on January 29, 2026.

Strategic Importance of the Second Merit List

The second round of allotment is often where the most significant movement in ranks occurs for mid-tier NLUs. Tomorrow's publication will reveal the updated closing ranks for both the 5-year Integrated LLB and the LLM programs.

• Vacancy Reallocation: The process ensures that seats vacated by students moving to other professional courses are offered to the next eligible aspirants on the merit list.
• Tier-1 Stability: While cutoffs for institutes like NLSIU and NALSAR remain competitive, the second round provides a second chance for those who missed the initial cutoff by a narrow margin.
• Institutional PDFs: In addition to the individual dashboard, the Consortium will release NLU-wise list files, allowing for a transparent view of the remaining vacancies across all 26 participating universities.

Conclusion

With the second allotment publication scheduled for tomorrow morning, the 2026 CLAT admission cycle moves into its next intensive phase. The Consortium has optimized its digital process to handle the influx of aspirants checking their results at 10:00 AM. By adhering to the January 29 deadline for fee payment, students can ensure their place in the legal fraternity for the upcoming year. For many, tomorrow's list will be the deciding factor in their academic journey, highlighting the competitive yet structured nature of law admissions in India.