Student representatives from various National Law Universities (NLUs) across India are demanding a formal response from the Consortium of National Law Universities (CLAT Consortium). Students seek action on long-pending proposals to revise the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) fee structure. Despite submitting multiple detailed requests over the past year, students report no official acknowledgement or communication from the Consortium. The application window for CLAT 2026 closes on October 31 .
The Cross-NLU Initiative, which represents student bodies from several NLUs, has spearheaded these efforts. The Initiative has made three distinct representations to the Consortium, aiming to address significant financial and procedural barriers faced by CLAT aspirants. These barriers disproportionately affect students from economically weaker sections.
Student Concerns on High Fees
The first detailed submission, dated November 16, 2024 , specifically highlighted the high costs associated with participating in the CLAT counselling process. Candidates who qualify for counselling must pay a non-refundable confirmation fee of Rs 20,000 . Additionally, a counselling fee of Rs 30,000 is required, which is reduced to Rs 20,000 for students in reserved categories. Students argue that these substantial fees, required upfront, act as a significant financial deterrent, preventing many eligible applicants from progressing in the admission process.
A second representation, sent on July 28, 2025 , focused on the initial application fee structure. General category candidates pay Rs 4,000 to apply, while those in reserved categories pay Rs 3,500 . This submission proposed a comprehensive review of these fees and advocated for the introduction of need-based waivers. It was not only sent to the CLAT Consortium but also to the University Grants Commission (UGC), the Bar Council of India (BCI), and the Ministry of Law and Justice. This communication was supported by an online petition, which gathered over 1,800 signatures from a broad range of stakeholders, including current students, faculty members, and alumni within the legal education sector.
Unanswered Requests for Dialogue
The third formal request was submitted on September 2, 2025 . This communication specifically sought to establish a direct dialogue with the Consortium’s Executive Body. Student representatives proposed a virtual meeting where NLU student-nominated representatives could present their reform proposals. The goal was to discuss possible alternatives to the current fee system in an open forum. However, students confirm that no such meeting has been scheduled, nor has any written response acknowledging their request been received by the Consortium to date.
Push for Fair and Accessible Admissions
The Cross-NLU Initiative asserts that their representations are made in good faith, backed by specific data and comparative analyses of other national-level entrance examinations. The core objective of these proposals is to ensure that the CLAT examination and its subsequent admission process maintain integrity through transparency, equity, and financial accessibility for all prospective law students. This approach, they state, aligns with broader educational standards.
Student representatives have reiterated their urgent call for the Consortium to formally acknowledge all pending submissions. They strongly urge the Consortium to initiate a consultative process to actively revise the fee structure. Furthermore, students advocate for the implementation of concrete mechanisms designed to reduce the financial burden on candidates, without compromising the efficiency or integrity of the admission procedures.
CLAT 2026 Key Dates
Prospective law students are reminded that the CLAT 2026 registration process is currently active. The final deadline for submitting applications is October 31 . The national-level entrance examination is scheduled for December 7 , operating in a single shift from 2 pm to 4 pm.