CLAT 2026 Post-Round-3 Admission Processing Begins After Confirmation Window Closure
The Consortium of National Law Universities has officially commenced the post-Round-3 admission processing as of February 13, 2026.Following the closure of the confirmation window, the focus has shifted to reconciling vacant seats across the 24 participating National Law Universities. Candidates who secured their seats through the freeze or float options are now undergoing final document verification at their respective institutes. The administrative transition is a prerequisite for the release of the Fourth Merit List, which is expected to address the remaining vacancies in the 2026-27 academic session.

The Consortium of National Law Universities (Consortium) has moved into the final stages of the 2026 academic admission cycle today, February 13, 2026. Following the strict closure of the Round-3 payment and confirmation window yesterday, the centralized processing of candidate data is now underway. This phase is critical for determining the final occupancy status across the various undergraduate and postgraduate programs offered by the National Law Universities (NLUs). The administrative machinery is currently focused on identifying candidates who failed to complete their fee formalities, thereby releasing those slots for the upcoming fourth round of the Common Admission Process. Official updates and individual allotment status can be monitored on the Consortium of NLUs portal.
Post-Allotment Reconciliation and Verification
The admission cycle for the 2026-27 session has entered a reconciliation phase where the Consortium verifies the "Freeze" and "Float" choices made by thousands of aspirants. This processing ensures that the merit-based integrity of the law entrance remains intact as students transition to their allotted campuses.
- Fee Reconciliation: The Consortium's Finance Wing is currently cross-referencing bank transaction logs to confirm the ₹20,000 confirmation fee paid by newly allotted candidates. Only those with verified payments will be considered for the final admission roster.
- Document Audit: Participating NLUs, including NLSIU Bengaluru and NALSAR Hyderabad, have initiated the digital audit of documents uploaded by students. This includes the Class 12 marksheet, character certificates, and valid category proofs.
- Vacancy Mapping: Any seat that remains unconfirmed after the Round-3 window will be marked as "Vacant" in the centralized database. This processing is essential for the generation of the Fourth Merit List scheduled for later this month.
- Exit Option Logistics: Candidates who chose to withdraw during the Round-3 window are currently being processed for fee refunds, as per the Official CLAT 2026 Refund Policy.
Transition Toward the Fourth Merit List and Final Rounds
As the Round-3 processing concludes, the Consortium is preparing to release the subsequent list to fill the gaps in the institutional seat matrix. The 2026 cycle has seen a high retention rate in the top five NLUs, making the fourth and fifth rounds highly competitive for waitlisted students.
- Expected Fourth List: The Fourth Merit List is tentatively scheduled for release in the third week of February. This list will cater primarily to the vacancies created by candidates who opted for "Float" to a higher preference or withdrew from the admission cycle entirely.
- Institutional Reporting: NLUs have issued advisories for candidates who have "Frozen" their seats to prepare for physical reporting in late June. The Academic Calendars of individual universities are being synchronized with the national processing timeline.
- NLU Preference Logic: The automated system is currently recalculating ranks for the next round, ensuring that the Common Admission Process adheres to the horizontal and vertical reservation mandates of each state.
- Helpdesk Support: For candidates facing issues with their admission status or fee receipts, the Consortium has kept its technical helpdesk active for immediate grievance redressal.
CLAT 2026: Post-Round-3 Counselling Schedule
| Event Description | Key Date (2026) | Status |
| Round-3 Confirmation Deadline | February 12 | Concluded |
| Post-Allotment Processing | Feb 13 – Feb 15 | Active Today |
| Fourth Merit List Release | February 20 | Upcoming |
| Fifth Merit List Release | March 5 | Upcoming |
| Final Institutional Reporting | June 2026 | Scheduled |
Conclusion
The commencement of the post-Round-3 processing today signifies the beginning of the end for the CLAT 2026 admission journey. By meticulously reconciling the seat matrix and verifying candidate credentials, the Consortium ensures a seamless transition for the future legal professionals of India. As the academic world shifts its gaze toward the Fourth Merit List, the focus remains on filling every available seat through the transparent Common Admission Process. Aspirants are encouraged to maintain their documentation and keep a close watch on the Consortium's news section for immediate announcements. The successful completion of these rounds will officially finalize the 2026-27 law school rosters.
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