CLAT 2026 Round 1 seat allotment decisions are due by January 15. Learn the difference between Freeze and Float options and how to secure your NLU admission.

The admission landscape for the National Law Universities (NLUs) has entered its most decisive week as candidates from the first merit list finalize their choices. Following the publication of the Round 1 seat allotment by the Consortium of NLUs on January 7, thousands of law aspirants are currently logged into the official portal to exercise their options. With the deadline of January 15 fast approaching, students must decide whether to secure their current seat or gamble on a potential upgrade in the subsequent rounds of the 2026 counselling cycle.

Navigating the Freeze and Float Framework

The current counselling process offers a structured "merit-cum-preference" system where every decision has long-term implications for the student's legal education. Candidates are presented with three distinct pathways, but the majority are currently oscillating between the 'Freeze' and 'Float' choices to maintain their standing in the merit list.

• The Freeze Selection: This is for candidates who are entirely satisfied with their current allotment. By selecting 'Freeze,' a student locks their seat at a specific NLU and voluntarily opts out of any further shifts or upgrades in the remaining four rounds.
• The Float Selection: For those who have secured a seat but still aspire for a higher-preference university, the 'Float' option acts as a safety net. It allows the candidate to hold their current allotment while remaining eligible for a better seat if vacancies arise in the next list.
• Mandatory Payment: Regardless of choosing to freeze or float, candidates must pay a non-refundable confirmation fee of ₹20,000. Failure to complete this transaction by the January 15 cutoff results in the immediate cancellation of the seat.
• Top-Preference Rule: It is important to note that if a candidate is allotted their first-choice NLU in Round 1, the 'Float' option is disabled; they must either freeze the seat or exit the process entirely.

NLU Round 1 Cutoff and Allotment Trends

The first round has set a high benchmark for the 2026 academic year, with NLSIU Bengaluru and NALSAR Hyderabad closing their general category lists at record ranks. The following table summarizes the opening and closing ranks for the top-tier NLUs in this initial allotment phase:

Verification and Final Admission Milestones

Securing a seat through the digital portal is only the beginning of the journey. Once the choices are locked and the confirmation fee is paid, the focus shifts to the rigorous document verification process conducted by the respective law schools.

• Digital Document Upload: Allotted candidates must upload clear, scanned copies of their Class 10 and 12 mark sheets, CLAT 2026 admit cards, and relevant reservation certificates. Any discrepancy found during verification can lead to the seat being re-offered to the next person on the merit list.
• University Fee Settlement: For those who choose the 'Freeze' option in the first three rounds, the deadline to pay the remaining balance of the first-semester university fee is April 24, 2026.
• The Exit Clause: Candidates who find their allotment unsatisfactory and do not wish to participate further can choose the 'Exit' option. While this forfeits the current seat, it ensures a refund of the initial registration fee (minus administrative charges).
• Waiting for Round 2: For many who choose to 'Float,' the wait continues until January 22, 2026, when the second provisional list will be released, potentially reshuffling the choices of hundreds of students.

Conclusion

The mid-January window represents a critical juncture for the CLAT 2026 batch. As candidates finalize their choices, the movement within the counselling ranks will start to slow down, specifically for the top five NLUs. With strict penalties for missing deadlines, including a ₹5,000 deduction for late withdrawals, the emphasis for every allotted student remains on timely action and careful preference management. The outcome of these decisions will be reflected in the second merit list, which will further clarify the vacancy status across the 24 participating National Law Universities.

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