CLAT 2026 Counselling Registration, Fee Payment, Documents - Complete Guide

The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) has officially released the CLAT 2026 counselling schedule. Candidates who have qualified in the CLAT 2026 undergraduate and postgraduate entrance examinations can now apply for the counselling process through the official website consortiumofnlus.ac.in.

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Registration for CLAT 2026 counselling commenced on December 17, 2025, at 6:00 PM. This is a crucial step for all candidates aspiring to gain admission to the 24 National Law Universities across India. The last date to complete the registration is December 27, 2025, at 10:00 PM.

Candidates should note that the counselling registration window is open for only 10 days. During this period, you must complete two important tasks – updating your NLU preferences and paying the counselling registration fee. Missing this deadline means losing the opportunity to participate in the seat allocation process.

To register for CLAT 2026 counselling, candidates need to log in to their CLAT account. If you are eligible for counselling, you will see the "Update NLU Preferences" button on your dashboard. Click on this button to enter your preferred NLUs in order of preference. Ensure you fill in at least 15 preferences for undergraduate programs and 5 preferences for postgraduate programs.

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The Consortium will conduct five rounds of counselling for admissions to CLAT 2026. The first allocation list will be released on January 7, 2026. Based on your rank and preferences, you will be allocated a seat in one of the National Law Universities (NLUs). After seat allocation, you can choose one of the options: Freeze, Float, or Exit.

This article provides all the information related to CLAT 2026 counselling – registration process, fee payment, required documents, counselling schedule, freeze/float/exit options, refund policy, and important instructions. Read the complete guide to streamline the admission process.

CLAT 2026 Counselling Registration Process

Eligible candidates will be invited to participate in the counselling process based on their rank and the admission matrix provided by each NLU. Here's how the invitation process works:

How Will You Receive the Invitation?

• Email invitation at your registered email address
• SMS at your registered mobile number
• Notification on your CLAT 2026 portal

Important: The Consortium won't be responsible for undelivered emails or SMSs. Candidates must log in to their CLAT account to verify their eligibility for counselling.

👉 CLAT 2026 Counselling Official Notification PDF

👉 CLAT 2026 Admission Instructions PDF

CLAT 2026 Counselling Registration Dates

How to Register for CLAT 2026 Counselling?

To complete your registration, you need to follow two steps:

Step 1: Update NLU Preferences

1. Log in to your CLAT account on the official website
2. If you're eligible for counselling, you'll see an "Update NLU Preferences" button
3. Click on the button and enter your NLU choices in order of preference
4. Save your preferences

Important Points About NLU Preferences:

• You can add more preferences if you want.
• You'll only be considered for NLUs that you've listed in your preferences.
• You can update your preferences multiple times until the registration closes.
• You can only move up to higher preferences, not down.
• Requests for preference changes after the deadline won't be accepted.

Step 2: Pay Counselling Registration Fee

After updating your preferences, complete the fee payment:

1. Click the "Make Payment" button (visible only if you're eligible)
2. Pay the fee online through the CLAT portal
3. Wait until you see the "Payment Successful" message
4. Save the payment confirmation for future reference

CLAT 2026 Counselling Registration Fee

Important Notes:

• The counselling registration fee is refundable (conditions apply).
• Payment can only be made online through the CLAT portal.
• Don't wait until the last minute to avoid payment issues.
• Requests to pay after the deadline won't be accepted.
• The Consortium won't be responsible for payment-related issues.

CLAT 2026 Counselling Options: Freeze, Float & Exit

After seat allotment, candidates can choose from three options:

1. Freeze Option

Choose this option if you're satisfied with the allotted NLU and don't want to participate in further rounds.

Key Points:

• Once you freeze, you won't be considered in subsequent rounds.
• Confirmation Fee is non-refundable.
• University Fee is calculated after adjusting Counselling Registration Fee and Confirmation Fee.

2. Float Option

Choose this option if you want to try for a better NLU in the next round while keeping your current seat.

Key Points:

• You must pay the Confirmation Fee to exercise the Float option.
• If you get a higher preference NLU in the next round, you'll automatically move to that NLU.
• Once moved to a higher preference, you can't go back to the previous NLU.
• In Round 5, you must choose either Freeze or Exit.

3. Exit Option

Choose this option if you don't want to continue with the counselling process.

Key Points:

• If you exit after choosing Float or Freeze, your seat will be given to another candidate.
• Confirmation Fee will be forfeited.
• No seat will be allotted after choosing Exit.

What Happens If You Don't Choose Any Option?

If you don't exercise any option (Freeze, Float, or Exit) within the specified time, you'll be marked as "Not Interested." This means:

• Your candidature won't be considered for admission.
• You'll lose your currently allotted seat.
• Your name will be removed from the counselling process.
• You won't be considered in subsequent rounds.

CLAT 2026 Confirmation Fee

Note: The Confirmation Fee is non-refundable and will be adjusted against the University Fee.

CLAT 2026 Counselling Refund Policy

The Consortium has a detailed refund policy for the Counselling Registration Fee:

Full Refund Conditions

Partial Refund Conditions

No Refund Conditions

Important: Refunds will be sent to the same bank account used for payment. Keep your bank account active during the counselling and refund process.

Documents Required for CLAT 2026 Counselling

Keep the following documents ready in soft/scanned format for upload:

For UG Programme

CLAT 2026 University Fee Payment

After selecting the Freeze option, candidates must pay the University Fee:

What Happens If You Don't Pay University Fee?

• You'll be deemed to have chosen the Exit option.
• Your seat will be forfeited.
• Confirmation Fee won't be refunded.
• Counselling Registration Fee will be refunded after ₹5,000 deduction.

CLAT 2026 Counselling Complete Schedule

Important Instructions for CLAT 2026 Counselling

Here are some key points to remember:

• Complete your registration before December 27, 2025, at 10:00 PM.
• Fill at least 15 preferences for UG and 5 for PG.
• Review NLU brochures before filling preferences.
• Pay fees on time to avoid cancellation.
• Seat allotment is provisional and subject to document verification by NLU.
• After Round 5, the Consortium's central admission process will close.
• NLUs may conduct their own admission process to fill remaining vacant seats.
• If you're not allotted a seat in one round, wait for the next round.
• Round 4 and 5 will fill seats that remain vacant after April 24, 2026.

Tips for CLAT 2026 Counselling Success

• Research each NLU before filling preferences.
• Consider location, placement record, and fee structure.
• Fill preferences based on your rank and expected cut-off.
• Don't skip any preference – fill maximum options.
• Keep all documents ready in PDF format.
• Pay fees well before the deadline to avoid technical issues.
• Keep checking the official website for updates.
• Download and save all receipts and confirmations.

For any queries, visit the official website consortiumofnlus.ac.in or contact the Consortium helpline.

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