Consortium Portal Remains Key Source for Upcoming CLAT Counselling Updates
The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) maintains its official digital portal as the primary gateway for all CLAT 2026 counselling and seat allotment milestones. Following the recent legal developments regarding the undergraduate merit list, the portal serves as the exclusive platform for revised rank notifications and subsequent allotment rounds. Law aspirants must utilize their registered credentials to access the candidate dashboard for real-time updates on the 2026-27 law admission session.

The official portal of the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) has reinforced its position as the critical administrative hub today, February 16, as the CLAT 2026 cycle navigates a complex phase of legal and procedural updates. Amidst the ongoing deliberations regarding the revision of the undergraduate merit list, the digital portal remains the only verified source for authentic information concerning seat allotment and institutional reporting. As the 2026-27 academic session approaches its final selection rounds, thousands of law aspirants are relying on the centralized system to manage their counselling preferences. The Consortium of NLUs website has been optimized to handle the anticipated surge in traffic as the revised undergraduate schedules are prepared for public notification.
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
| Event Description | Key Date (2026) | Status |
| Third Allotment Publication | February 5 | Completed |
| Confirmation Fee Deadline | February 12 (1 PM) | Concluded |
| Post-Allotment Reconciliation | Feb 13 – Feb 15 | Active Today |
| Final University Fee (Freeze) | April 24, 2026 | Scheduled |
| Fourth Allotment List | May 2, 2026 | Upcoming |
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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