The Consortium of National Law Universities released the CLAT 2026 fifth and final seat allotment list on 20 May 2026 at 10:00 AM on its official portal consortiumofnlus.ac.in. This is the last centralised round — every candidate who has been allotted a seat must accept and pay the confirmation fee between 20 May (10:00 AM) and 25 May 2026 (2:00 PM), or the seat is permanently cancelled with no appeal. If you are in this list, the next 96 hours are the most important of your law-admission cycle. This guide walks you through every clock, every choice, and exactly what to do tonight.
What the 5th Allotment List Means
The 5th list is prepared after adjusting all vacancies arising from exits, withdrawals, and non-confirmations in the previous four rounds. Because it is the final centralised round, two things are different from earlier lists:
- No Float option. Only “Freeze” or “Exit” buttons are active. There is no further upgrade after this round.
- No spot round at the Consortium level. Any vacancies after 25 May will be filled by individual NLUs through their own institutional processes, which vary widely.
The fourth merit list went live on 9 May 2026 at 2:00 PM, and the fifth on 20 May 2026 at 10:00 AM — together filling vacancies that opened after April 24, 2026 (Bar and Bench).
Deadline Timeline at a Glance
| Activity | Deadline |
|---|---|
| 5th allotment list released | 20 May 2026, 10:00 AM |
| Confirmation fee payment window | 20 May (10:00 AM) – 25 May 2026 (2:00 PM) |
| University fee deadline (Round 4 / 5 freeze candidates) | 30 May 2026 |
| Centralised counselling closes | 25 May 2026 |
Freeze vs Exit: How to Decide
Freeze means you accept the seat as final and stop the counselling cycle for yourself. Your seat is locked. You then have until 30 May 2026 to pay the balance university fee to the allotted NLU directly.
Exit means you withdraw entirely from CLAT 2026 admissions. Your confirmation fee (where already paid) is refundable as per Consortium rules, but you forfeit any further claim on a CLAT 2026 NLU seat.
For a decision framework that fits your CLAT 2026 rank, NLU preferences, and family budget, talk to a senior CLAT mentor at our helpline 7033005444 — calls are answered between 9 AM and 9 PM, including weekends, through 25 May.
What Happens if You Miss the 25 May Deadline?
Any failure to act or pay the required fee within the deadline leads to permanent cancellation of the seat. The Consortium is unambiguous: the system auto-closes at 14:00 IST on 25 May, no extension requests are entertained, and the seat is released back to the participating NLU. If that NLU chooses to fill it via an institutional spot round, you would need to apply separately — there is no automatic carry-over.
If You Exit or Were Not Allotted: Your Backup Plan
The 5th round is not the end of your law-admission journey. Time-sensitive backup routes still open:
- LSAT India 2026 — exam on 26 May 2026, accepted by 50+ private law colleges.
- MH CET 3-year LLB — answer key just released 1 May 2026; final results imminent.
- State LLB CETs — TS LAWCET concluded 18 May; AP LAWCET, KSLU, and CG LAWCET windows still open.
- CLAT 2027 prep — registration starts August 2026, exam 6 December 2026. A drop year with the right plan beats a non-NLU seat for most aspirants.
Read our CLAT FAQ for cycle-level questions, and explore the CLAT Complete Study Kit if you are pivoting to CLAT 2027.
Documents to Keep Ready Before Freezing
- CLAT 2026 admit card and result PDF
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (originals + 2 photocopies)
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwD) issued in 2026 format
- Domicile/state-of-origin certificate where the allotted NLU has reserved-domicile quota
- Passport-size photographs (8) and aadhaar copy
- Bank challan / online payment receipt of confirmation fee
Quick Quiz: Test Your 5th-Round Awareness
Practice Quiz — 10 CLAT-Style Questions
Click an option to reveal the answer and explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is there any extension after 25 May 2026?
No. The Consortium has stated the centralised window auto-closes at 14:00 IST on 25 May. No extension requests are accepted.
Q2. Can I take admission in an NLU after 25 May if I missed the deadline?
Only if that NLU runs an institutional spot round on its own portal. The Consortium will no longer be involved. Check the individual NLU website directly after 26 May.
Q3. If I freeze in Round 5, can I still appear for LSAT India on 26 May?
Yes — appearing for LSAT does not violate your CLAT seat acceptance. But you cannot accept a fresh admission elsewhere without first formally withdrawing from your CLAT-allotted NLU.
Sources: consortiumofnlus.ac.in, Bar and Bench, LiveLaw.
Need a one-on-one decision call before 25 May? Reach the CLAT Gurukul admissions desk on 7033005444 (9 AM – 9 PM IST, all days).
