Law Admission Counselling Advances Nationwide Across NLUs and Private Universities

As of February 5, 2026, law admission counselling is progressing rapidly across India. National Law Universities have released the CLAT third allotment list, while premier private institutions like Jindal Global and NMIMS keep their application portals active. Stay updated on the latest seat allotment trends, fee payment deadlines, and institutional selection criteria for the 2026 academic session.

The landscape of legal education in India is witnessing a flurry of activity today, February 5, 2026, as counselling for the 2026-27 academic session enters a critical phase. While the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) has reached its third major milestone with the latest seat allotment list, top-tier private universities are simultaneously aggressively pursuing top talent through their independent portals. This dual-track admission system provides a comprehensive safety net for students, ensuring that those who do not secure a spot in the highly competitive public sector have robust alternatives in the private sphere.

National Law Universities: Round 3 and Beyond

The release of the third provisional allotment list has brought clarity to thousands of students vying for the 4,500 seats across the 24 NLUs. This round is traditionally where the most movement occurs for middle-rank holders.

• Consortium Deadlines: Candidates have until February 12 to finalize their status by paying the non-refundable confirmation fee.
• Strategic Choices: The 'Freeze' and 'Float' options allow students to either lock their current university or wait for potential upgrades in the subsequent fourth and fifth rounds scheduled for May.
• Document Scrutiny: Individual NLUs have begun the digital verification of certificates for those who have opted to 'Freeze' their seats in this round.
• NLU Delhi Updates: Parallel to the CLAT process, NLU Delhi has activated its fee window for the third merit list of the AILET 2026, maintaining its independent identity.

Private University Portals: A Vital Alternative

As the public sector seats begin to saturate, premier private law schools are keeping their registration windows open to capture high-performing students. These institutions often offer specialized curriculums and global exposure that rival the traditional NLU experience.

• Active Portals: Jindal Global Law School continues to accept applications based on LSAT—India scores, with its early admission round concluding on February 28.
• Entrance Modalities: Universities like NMIMS and UPES Dehradun are conducting their own entrance tests (NMIMS-LAT and ULSAT) to evaluate candidates beyond national rank lists.
• Integrated Programs: The focus remains on 5-year integrated B.A. LL.B. and B.B.A. LL.B. programs, which are seeing record enrollment numbers this year.
• Direct Admission: Several colleges are offering direct admission to students who have achieved high percentiles in CLAT but missed out on the top five NLUs.

Comparative Trends in Legal Education 2026

The 2026 cycle shows a distinct shift toward holistic evaluation, especially in private institutions that prioritize interview performance alongside test scores. The following table provides a snapshot of the admission landscape as it stands in early February.

Conclusion

The simultaneous progression of counselling at the national level and the independent intake at private universities ensures a dynamic environment for law aspirants. While the NLUs represent the pinnacle of public legal education, the efficiency and specialized tracks offered by private institutions are becoming increasingly attractive. As the February deadlines approach, students are encouraged to finalize their enrollment decisions and complete all necessary financial formalities to avoid the late-stage rush. The coming weeks will be decisive in determining the final allotment patterns for the 2026-27 session, setting the stage for a new generation of legal professionals to begin their journey in July.