Update (22 May 2026): The CLAT 2026 admission cycle is now in its final phase. After the Fourth Merit List went live on 9 May 2026, the Consortium of NLUs has confirmed that Round 5 counselling begins on 29 May 2026 — the last chance to secure an NLU seat this cycle. With the fee deadline closing on 30 May 2026, every floating candidate must act fast.
If you missed Round 4 or chose to Float in earlier rounds, this is your final opportunity for CLAT 2026 admission. Talk to our admissions team on 7033005444 if you need help reading the cut-offs.
CLAT 2026 Counselling: Where We Stand on 22 May 2026
CLAT 2026 ran on 7 December 2025 and the Consortium of NLUs declared the result on 16 December 2025. Since then, five rounds of counselling have been scheduled. As of today, four are over and Round 5 is days away.
| Round | Allotment Released | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 13 January 2026 | Closed |
| Round 2 | 27 January 2026 | Closed |
| Round 3 | 10 February 2026 | Closed (fee deadline 24 April 2026) |
| Round 4 | 9 May 2026 (rescheduled from 2 May) | Just closed (fee deadline 14 May 2026) |
| Round 5 | 29 May 2026 | Last round — fee deadline 30 May 2026 |
Why Did Round 4 Get Delayed?
The Fourth Merit List was originally listed for 2 May 2026, 10:00 AM but the Consortium of NLUs pushed it to 9 May 2026, 2:00 PM. The reason: a pending writ petition at the Allahabad High Court that challenged the final CLAT 2026 answer key.
A single judge of the Allahabad High Court had initially passed an order interfering with the answer key. The Consortium appealed before a Division Bench, which allowed the appeal and reversed the single-judge order. With the legal obstacle cleared, the Fourth Merit List was released. This is reported in detail by Live Law and Bar and Bench.
Round 5: The Numbers You Need to Know
- Allotment date: 29 May 2026 (final round)
- Fee deadline: 30 May 2026, 2:00 PM
- Where: consortiumofnlus.ac.in (login with your CLAT registration number and password)
- Who can participate: Candidates who did not Freeze in any earlier round, who Floated, or who were never allotted a seat but remain in the merit pool
- Withdrawal window: Available right after seat allotment (specific timing on the dashboard)
Freeze, Float or Exit — Decoding Your Three Options
After Round 5 seat allotment, every candidate will see three choices on the Consortium dashboard. Choose carefully — this is the last opportunity to change your mind.
- Freeze: You accept the allotted NLU as your final admission. You will be admitted there for the next five years.
- Float: Since there are no more rounds, Float effectively becomes Freeze for Round 5. Do not be confused by the on-screen option.
- Exit/Withdrawal: You permanently leave CLAT 2026 counselling. The seat is released and you forfeit your eligibility for any future round in this cycle. Pick this only if you are sure about a backup plan (e.g., AILET seat, dropper year, or a non-NLU law college).
What Happens After 30 May 2026?
If you do not pay the balance fee by 30 May 2026 at 2:00 PM, your allotted seat is treated as forfeited. The seat then goes to the NLU’s institute-level vacancy pool. Some NLUs (e.g., RMLNLU Lucknow, NLU Patna) historically conduct an offline “spot counselling” for residual vacancies in June, but participation is NLU-specific — not Consortium-wide. Track the individual NLU’s website for any such notification.
How to Read Your Round 5 Allotment
- Log in at consortiumofnlus.ac.in using your registration number and password.
- Open the “Counselling Dashboard” tab.
- Check the NLU allotted, the seat category (UR / SC / ST / OBC / EWS / PwD / Domicile), and the balance university fee shown.
- If a seat is allotted, choose Freeze (recommended for Round 5) or Exit.
- Pay the balance fee online before 30 May 2026, 2:00 PM. Save the e-receipt.
- Wait for your respective NLU to email the admission letter and reporting schedule.
CLAT 2026 Vs CLAT 2027 — What Changes Next Year?
For candidates who do not get a seat in Round 5 and are considering a dropper year for CLAT 2027, here is what is known so far:
- CLAT 2027 notification is expected around July or August 2026. Registration window is anticipated from August to October 2026.
- CLAT 2027 is expected to be held on 6 December 2026.
- The Consortium of NLUs has set up an Expert Committee (chaired by Justice Indu Malhotra, with members from Oxford, LSE, Columbia, Cambridge and BML Munjal University) to recommend reforms to CLAT effective from 2027.
- The pattern may evolve. We are tracking the Expert Committee’s recommendations closely — see our companion explainer on CLAT 2027 reforms.
Quick Quiz — Test Your CLAT 2026 Counselling IQ
Take this 10-question quiz to make sure you have the Round 5 facts straight before you log in on 29 May.
Practice Quiz — 10 CLAT-Style Questions
Click an option to reveal the answer and explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does CLAT 2026 Round 5 counselling start?
The fifth and final round of CLAT 2026 counselling begins on 29 May 2026 with the seat-allotment list to be published on consortiumofnlus.ac.in. The balance university fee must be paid by 30 May 2026, 2:00 PM.
Can I still appear for CLAT 2026 Round 5 if I did not get a seat earlier?
Yes. As long as you appeared in CLAT 2026 and remained in the merit pool, you are eligible for Round 5. You should have either Floated in earlier rounds or never been allotted a seat. Candidates who Froze in an earlier round have already locked their seat.
What is the difference between Freeze and Float in Round 5?
For the final round, both effectively close your counselling participation. Float was meaningful for Rounds 1-4 because seat upgrades were still possible. In Round 5, since no further rounds exist, Float is treated as Freeze.
What happens if I miss the 30 May 2026 fee deadline?
Your allotted seat is forfeited and released to the institute’s vacancy pool. Some NLUs may conduct an offline spot round in June 2026; check the individual NLU’s website. The Consortium will not handle further allocations centrally.
Next Steps for CLAT 2026 Candidates & CLAT 2027 Aspirants
If you are still navigating Round 5, our admissions team can walk you through the cut-off trends and your best NLU choice based on rank, category and home-state quota. Call 7033005444.
If Round 5 does not work out and you are planning a dropper year, start your CLAT 2027 prep this week. Browse our CLAT 2027 Foundation courses built around the new pattern, or sit through a free trial via contact us. You can also see our deep-dive on the CLAT mock-test series to benchmark your readiness.
