Thousands of law aspirants are concluding the document upload and fee payment process for the CLAT 2026 second allotment round.Candidates must submit their academic mark sheets and category certificates via the official Consortium of NLUs portal before the 1:00 PM deadline on January 29.The current phase requires a mandatory seat confirmation fee of ₹20,000 for those choosing 'Freeze' or 'Float' to retain their spot in the national law universities Following the completion of this round, the third merit list is scheduled for release on February 5, 2026, marking another milestone in the law admission cycle.

As of January 29, 2026, the Consortium of National Law Universities is witnessing a surge in portal activity as the second round of the admission cycle draws to a close. Thousands of applicants who secured a place in the second merit list have spent the week finalizing their digital dossiers to ensure their candidacy remains valid. The process involves a two-step verification of academic credentials and the mandatory submission of identity proofs. According to the official counseling guidelines, every candidate must ensure that their Class 10 and 12 mark sheets are legible and properly formatted to avoid technical rejection during the final scrutiny.

Document Submission and Portal Requirements

The Consortium of NLUs has streamlined the digital interface for the 2026 session to handle the high volume of uploads from law aspirants across the country.

• Mandatory Paperwork: Applicants are required to upload their CLAT scorecard, admit card, and relevant category certificates (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) if they are claiming reservation benefits.
• File Specifications: The portal accepts PDF and JPEG formats, with a strict requirement that all documents undergo automated verification for clarity and authenticity before the final submission is recorded.
• Identity Proof: A valid government-issued ID, such as an Aadhaar card or Passport, must be linked to the profile to complete the institutional reporting requirements.

Fee Payment and Seat Security

To move beyond the documentation stage, each candidate is required to satisfy the financial obligations of the second allotment round by 1:00 PM today.

• Confirmation Fee: A non-refundable amount of ₹20,000 must be paid online to secure the provisionally allotted seat, whether the student chooses to 'Freeze' or 'Float' for the 2026 academic year.
• Payment Gateways: The Consortium has integrated multiple secure payment options, though students are advised to check their transaction status immediately to confirm that the seat has been successfully locked.
• Balance Fees: While the confirmation fee is paid to the central body, the remaining university tuition will only be due later in the year, as per the individual NLU's 2026-27 fee structure.

Looking Ahead to the Third Allotment

As the window for the second round closes, the focus for many aspirants shifts toward the vacancy reports and the next phase of seat distribution.

• Seat Reconciliation: Once today’s deadline passes, the Consortium will analyze the data to determine which seats remain unoccupied due to non-payment or document verification failures.
• Third List Timeline: The third provisional merit list is slated for publication on February 5, 2026, which will likely see more movement in the cutoff ranks for the top-tier National Law Universities.
• Float Limit: Candidates are reminded that the 'Float' option is typically available only until the fourth round, making the current round a critical junction for strategic seat planning.

Conclusion

The completion of fee payments and document uploads by CLAT 2026 applicants marks a significant milestone in the national law admission process. By adhering to the strict verification protocols and meeting the January 29 deadline, candidates ensure their eligibility for some of the most prestigious legal institutions in India. As the Consortium of NLUs prepares to transition into the third round of counseling, the precision of these early administrative steps remains the foundation for a successful admission. Students are encouraged to maintain copies of their payment receipts and allotment letters as they await the next major update on February 5.