CLAT 2026 Third Merit List Released; Consortium of NLUs Announces Round 3 Counselling Schedule
The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) has officially published the CLAT 2026 Third Merit List today. Candidates who participated in the Common Law Admission Test for the five-year integrated LL.B. and one-year LL.M. programs can now verify their allotment status on the official portal, consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
Candidates who participated in the Common Law Admission Test for the five-year integrated LL.B. and one-year LL.M. programs can now verify their allotment status on the official portal, consortiumofnlus.ac.in. This round is vital for those who opted for the "Float" or "Slide" options in previous rounds, as well as for waitlisted candidates who have been eagerly anticipating a seat in one of the 24 participating NLUs. With the release of this list, the Consortium has also issued a strict timeline for fee payment and document verification.
To stay updated on the "Fourth Merit List" vacancy status and NLU-wise closing ranks, follow Only Education News.
CLAT 2026 Round 3: Key Counselling Dates
Aspirants must strictly adhere to the following schedule to ensure their seat is not forfeited.
| Event | Date / Deadline |
|---|---|
| Release of Third Merit List | February 26, 2026 (Live Now) |
| Payment of Allotment Fee (Confirmation) | Feb 26 – Feb 28, 2026 |
| Online Document Upload & Verification | Feb 26 – March 01, 2026 |
| Round 4 List Release (If Vacancies Persist) | Second Week of March 2026 |
Understanding Your Allotment Options: Freeze, Float, or Slide
Candidates in the Third Round have three primary choices to make within their login portal:
- Freeze: If you are satisfied with the NLU currently allotted to you and do not wish to participate in further rounds, select "Freeze." You must then pay the full admission fee of the respective university.
- Float: If you accept the seat but want to keep the option open for a higher-preference NLU in the next round, choose "Float."
- Slide: If you accept the seat in a particular NLU but wish to change the course (e.g., from B.B.A. LL.B. to B.A. LL.B.) within the same university, select "Slide."
Mandatory Documentation for NLU Admissions
The Consortium has emphasized that even a single missing document can lead to the cancellation of the allotment. Candidates must ensure the digital scans of the following are ready:
- CLAT 2026 Admit Card and Scorecard.
- Class 10 & 12 Marksheets (Provisional certificate is allowed if the final result is awaited).
- Character Certificate & Transfer/Migration Certificate from the last attended school.
- Caste Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS): This must be in the central format or the specific state format mentioned in the NLU’s brochure.
- Domicile Certificate: Critical for those claiming seats under the state-quota reservation.
What After the Third List?
Once the document verification is completed by the allotted NLU, candidates will receive a confirmation email. If a candidate fails to pay the confirmation fee or upload documents by the February 28 deadline, their current seat will be cancelled, and they will be exited from the counselling process. For those who did not receive an allotment in this round, the focus remains on the Fourth Merit List, which will depend on the vacancy created by students who withdraw or fail to complete their formalities in Round 3.
For a specialized list of "Placement Packages at Top 10 NLUs for the 2025 Graduating Batch," follow Only Education News.