January Counselling Phase Advances Across NLUs and Private Law Universities

The January counselling phase for NLUs and private law universities is in full swing. Candidates must navigate CLAT seat allotments and private university application deadlines.

The second week of January 2026 has brought significant momentum to the admission cycle for National Law Universities. Following the publication of the first provisional allotment list on January 7, the centralized portal has seen high engagement from candidates across the country. Aspirants are currently managing their profiles to decide between securing their current allocation or vying for a better rank in the second list, which is due for release on January 22. This phase is critical as it sets the baseline for the competitive landscape of the 2026-27 academic session.

• The first round of allotment includes a wide range of participating universities, from the top-tier NLSIU Bengaluru to the newly established national campuses.
• Candidates must finalize their choices on the official portal by January 15, ensuring they do not miss the window for seat confirmation.
• Reports indicate a high level of student engagement with the "Float" option, as many aim for higher-preference colleges in subsequent rounds.
• For several institutions, the opening ranks have remained stringent, reflecting a narrow range of scores among the top percentiles of law aspirants.
• The digital verification system is operating simultaneously to validate the credentials of those who have opted to "Freeze" their seats.

Private Law Universities and State CET Updates

Parallel to the NLU process, several prominent private law universities have accelerated their individual admission schedules. These institutions often provide alternative pathways for students who are looking beyond the NLU system or who prefer specialized curriculum structures. Additionally, major state-level entrance cells have activated their registration portals this week, marking a busy start to the new year for the legal education sector.

• The Maharashtra State CET Cell has officially released the schedules for both 3-year and 5-year LLB programs as of January 9.
• Many private universities are emphasizing their global exposure opportunities and interdisciplinary law courses to attract top-tier applicants during this phase.
• Aspiring lawyers are encouraged to maintain a strict exposure to different institutional deadlines to avoid missing out on scholarship opportunities.
• The January intake for international-style law tests is providing an early look at the merit pool for private law colleges in India and abroad.
• These institutional schedules are strictly enforced, with most portals closing for new registrations by the third week of the month.

Counselling Logistics and Final Formalities

As the counselling phase advances, the focus for many students has shifted toward the final onboarding procedures required to confirm their residency in the 2026 law batch. From payment of non-refundable fees to the submission of digital undertakings, the administrative workload for candidates is at its peak. Universities are providing real-time support to ensure that technical glitches do not hinder the progress of eligible students during these high-stakes days.

• The onboarding process for most NLUs involves a confirmation fee of ₹20,000, which must be remitted by January 15 at 1:00 PM.
• Universities are utilizing advanced analytics to manage seat vacancy data and predict the movement of candidates between different rounds.
• For private colleges, the initial deposit often secures a provisional seat while the student awaits the results of other national entrance exams.
• Most admission offices have deployed dedicated helpdesks to analyze the analytics of applicant queries and provide rapid resolutions for document-related issues.
• Success in this phase depends on a candidate’s ability to multitask between different university portals while keeping a close eye on the overarching national calendar.

Conclusion

The first half of January 2026 represents a defining period for law admissions in India. With the NLU counselling rounds moving into the fee-payment stage and state-level registrations opening up, the path for future legal professionals is becoming clearer. Whether through the centralized NLU system or the flexible portals of private universities, candidates must act decisively before the mid-month deadlines. The current activity across these various platforms underscores the high demand for quality legal education as the new academic year begins to take shape.