CLAT Third Allotment Candidates Proceed with University Fee Submission

Candidates featured in the CLAT 2026 third allotment list are currently finalizing their seat selections as of February 13, 2026.Following the publication of the list on February 5, aspirants have until the strict February 12 deadline to secure their positions via the official portal. The process requires a mandatory ₹20,000 confirmation fee to activate the "Freeze" or "Float" status for the upcoming academic session. Failure to complete these financial formalities within the specified window will result in the automatic forfeiture of the allotted National Law University seat.

The Consortium of National Law Universities (Consortium) has reached a critical juncture in the 2026 admission cycle as candidates from the third allotment list conclude their seat acceptance formalities today, February 13, 2026. Following the release of the third provisional merit list on February 5, the portal has been active for students to exercise their final choices. While the primary deadline for the confirmation fee of ₹20,000 was set for 1:00 PM on February 12, the administrative machinery is now moving toward the reconciliation of these payments. This phase is essential for students who wish to stabilize their academic future across the 24 participating National Law Universities. Official instructions are available on the Consortium of NLUs website.

Seat Acceptance Options and Financial Commitment

The CLAT 2026 counselling process offers three distinct pathways for candidates who have been successfully allotted a seat in the third allotment round. Each choice carries specific administrative implications for the candidate's journey toward law school enrollment.

• Freeze Option: Candidates who are satisfied with their current third allotment must choose the 'Freeze' option. This locks the seat and requires the immediate payment of the ₹20,000 confirmation fee. Once frozen, the candidate is no longer eligible for upgrades in the fourth or fifth rounds.
• Float Option: For those who have secured a seat but are still hoping for a higher-preference university, the 'Float' option is the strategic choice. This also requires the ₹20,000 payment to hold the current seat while remaining in the Common Admission Process for future rounds.
• Exit Option: Candidates who do not wish to proceed with their allotted seat can choose 'Exit'. This removes them from the 2026 admission cycle entirely, and any previously paid counselling fees are processed for a refund.
• Fee Credit: The ₹20,000 confirmation fee paid during this round is non-refundable but is fully adjusted against the final university fee balance due in April.

Documentation and University-Level Formalities

Beyond the financial commitment, the Consortium has emphasized the importance of digital document verification. Candidates must ensure that their profiles are updated with authentic credentials to prevent any last-minute admission hurdles.

• Mandatory Uploads: Students must upload scanned copies of their Class 10 and 12 marksheets, CLAT admit cards, and relevant category certificates (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD) on the dashboard.
• NLSIU Benchmark: For candidates allotted to premier institutes like NLSIU Bengaluru, the university-specific fee balance must be cleared by April 24, 2026. This dual-layered payment system ensures that only committed students occupy the limited 300-seat intake.
• Verification Logic: Individual NLUs will perform a rigorous audit of these documents during the transition interval between the third and fourth rounds. Any discrepancy in the category status can lead to the cancellation of the third allotment.
• Communication Channels: The Official Admission Calendar remains the sole authoritative source for deadline updates, especially following recent judicial reviews concerning the UG answer key.

CLAT 2026: Third Round and Beyond

Conclusion

The conclusion of the third allotment fee window today marks a defining moment for the 2026 CLAT batch. By completing the ₹20,000 confirmation payment, candidates have successfully bridged the gap between competitive testing and formal admission. As the Consortium prepares to update the seat matrix for the fourth round in May, the focus for 'Freeze' candidates now shifts toward preparing for their respective university calendars. Maintaining a proactive check on the NLU Consortium portal is the only way to ensure that no administrative deadline is missed. The 2026-27 batch is now one step closer to beginning their legal education in India's most prestigious institutions.

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