Counselling for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026 has opened today at 6 PM. Qualified candidates can now register for undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs offered by National Law Universities (NLUs) across India. The registration window for CLAT 2026 counselling closes on December 27, 2025 , at 10 PM.
The Consortium of National Law Universities announced the counselling schedule. Over 92,000 candidates appeared for the CLAT 2026 college entrance exam. The exam was held on December 7, in a single shift from 2 PM to 4 PM. Only candidates who qualified this pen-and-paper based test can register for the counselling process.
Registration Process and Deadlines
Candidates must register through the official website: consortiumofnlus.ac.in. The registration process requires candidates to pay a non-refundable fee before the deadline. Without fee payment, registration remains incomplete.
Key Dates for CLAT 2026 Counselling
- Counselling Registration Opens: Today, 6 PM
- Counselling Registration Closes: December 27, 2025, 10 PM
Counselling Registration Fees
The registration fee varies by candidate category. This fee is mandatory to complete the counselling registration process.
| Category | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| General | Rs 30,000 |
| SC, ST, OBC, BC, EWS, PwD | Rs 20,000 |
Program Choices and Allotment Rounds
During registration, candidates must provide their preferences for NLU programs. Undergraduate applicants can select up to 15 choices. Postgraduate applicants can select up to 5 choices. The counselling process involves five distinct rounds for seat allocation.
The Consortium will invite eligible candidates to participate based on their rank list and the admissions matrix from each NLU. Invitations will be sent via email to registered addresses, SMS to registered mobile numbers, and notifications on the CLAT 2026 portal.
Seat Allotment Options
After each round of seat allotment, candidates receive specific options for their allocated seat. These options determine their participation in subsequent rounds.
- Freeze: This option confirms the currently allocated seat. Candidates selecting ‘Freeze’ must pay a non-refundable confirmation fee. They will not be considered for higher preferences in future rounds.
- Float: Candidates choosing ‘Float’ retain their allocated seat. They remain eligible for consideration for a higher-preference seat in subsequent counselling rounds.
- Exit: The ‘Exit’ option allows candidates to withdraw from the counselling process entirely. If a confirmation fee was paid, it will be forfeited.
Candidates should monitor their registered email, mobile, and CLAT 2026 portal for all official communications regarding the counselling process. Adhering to all deadlines and instructions is essential for NLU admissions.