CLAT 2026 Counselling Exit Option Explained: Refund & Risks

CLAT 2026 Counselling Exit Option Explained: Refund & Risks

Isha GargUpdated on 07 Jan 2026, 10:00 AM IST

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026 first allotment list has been published on January 07, 2026. This process requires candidates to make strategic decisions regarding CLAT 2026 seat allotment through three options: Freeze, Float, and Exit. While most students focus on securing a seat, understanding the Exit option is also important for financial planning and risk management. The Exit option is the formal process of withdrawing from the CLAT admission cycle. Unlike "Float," which keeps candidates in the race for a better college, "Exit" is a one-way door.

The Exit option is often chosen by students who have secured seats in private institutions, decided to take a drop year for CLAT 2027, or found their allotted NLU unsatisfactory. Once the candidates click "Exit," they cannot participate in any further rounds of CLAT 2026 counselling. Any seat currently held by the candidate is immediately vacated and offered to the next person in the merit list. Exercising this option at the wrong time can lead to a forfeiture of the counselling registration fee (Rs 30,000 for General and Rs 20,000 for reserved categories).

CLAT 2026 Counselling Exit Option Explained: Refund & Risks
CLAT 2026 Counselling Exit Option Explained: Refund & Risks

CLAT 2026 Counselling Timeline

Event

Date

CLAT 2026 First Seat Allotment

January 7, 2026

Confirmation fee payment (rounds 1-3)

Round 1: January 7-15, 2026
Round 2: January 22-29, 2026
Round 3: February 5-12, 2026

Final date to exit with a full refund

Before May 8, 2026 (1:00 PM)

Fifth and final allotment list

May 15, 2026

Final university fee payment

May 30, 2026

Refund Rules of the CLAT Counselling Registration Fee

Scenario

Refund policy

No seat allotted after the 5th (final) round

Full refund of the CLAT registration fee

Exit without ever choosing freeze/float

Full refund of the CLAT registration fee

Exit after choosing freeze/float (before May 8, 2026, 1:00 PM)

Full refund if no seat was ever accepted

Exit/late withdrawal (after May 8, 2026, 1:00 PM)

Rs 5,000 is deducted from the registration fee

First-time allotment in the 5th Round (fails to pay/exits)

Full refund of the counselling registration fee

Found ineligible during verification

Rs 5,000 is deducted, and the remaining registration fees will be refunded

Withdrawal after May 30, 2026 (after choosing freeze)

Rs. 5,000 deduction + forfeiture of confirmation fee

Key Risks of Choosing Exit in CLAT 2026 Counselling

Before opting out, candidates must realise that the “Exit" option permanently terminates their journey in the CLAT admission cycle. Here are some key risks of choosing this option:

  • Financial loss: Exiting after the specified deadline or after paying the CLAT confirmation fee results in monetary loss.

  • Loss of opportunity: Many students exit prematurely and realise later that a seat in a lower-tier NLU is better than no seat at all.

  • No "slide-back": Candidates cannot return to the counselling process once they exit, even if vacancies arise in the final rounds.

When to Choose the Exit Option?

The "Exit" option is for candidates who are certain they no longer wish to pursue a seat through the CLAT merit list. Here are some of the reasons to choose this option:

  • Better alternatives: If candidates have already paid the fees for a top private law school (e.g., Jindal, SLS) and prefer it over the allotted NLU.

  • Drop year decision: If candidates have decided to retake the CLAT 2027 exam in December 2026 for a better rank.

  • Financial constraints: If the allotted NLU's fee structure is unmanageable, and candidates do not wish to take an education loan.

Amity University-Noida Law Admissions 2026

Among top 100 Universities Globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2026

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Alternatives Options: Freeze and Float

If candidates wish to remain in the admission race, they must select either Freeze or Float to secure their spot, as explained below:

  • Freeze Option

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The Freeze option is for candidates who are completely satisfied with the National Law University (NLU) seat allotted to them in a given round. By choosing "freeze," a candidate is confirming their acceptance of the specific seat and university. This action confirms that the candidate does not wish to be considered for any higher-preference seats in further CLAT 2026 counselling rounds. To confirm this choice, the candidate must pay the non-refundable CLAT 2026 confirmation fee.

  • Float Option

The Float option is for candidates who accept the current seat but want to move to a higher-ranked NLU in later CLAT 2026 counselling rounds. With this, the candidate secures their current position by paying the non-refundable confirmation fee, but remains in the pool for potential seat changes if a vacancy opens up in one of their more preferred choices. Candidates can choose the Float option up until the specified deadline, before Round 4, after which their last allotted seat is automatically frozen.

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Questions related to CLAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CLAT ?

Hello

With an AIR of 9076 and EWS rank of 846 in CLAT 2026, getting a top NLUs is unlikely, which is why you didn’t get a seat in the first round. However, you still have some chances in lower-tier NLUs like NLU Odisha, NLU Assam, NLU Tripura, NLU Meghalaya,

Hello

With a CLAT 2026 score of 60.75, AIR 17,715, and OBC-NCL rank 3,347 as an out-of-Delhi candidate, getting a seat in the Faculty of Law, Delhi University is very unlikely. DU’s cut-offs for OBC candidates are usually much higher, even in later rounds. You should keep backup options like

Since you scored 8000 AIR in CLAT, getting into top NLUs may not be possible, so it is a good idea to look for affordable and good law colleges.


State government law colleges are usually low in fees, and have decent reputation. Some options include Government Law College, Mumbai, Faculty

Yes you can get addmission into UPES dehradun with the clat rank of 8037

Through the below college predictor you will get the list of best collges based on your rank:

CLAT College Predictor 2026 (Free) - https://law.careers360.com/clat-college-predictor

Hope it helps

With 67 marks in and SC rank 415 in CLAT, you have a very good chance of getting admission in CNLU Patna BA LLB. The SC category cut-off at Patna NLU  are usually much lower than the general category, so your rank is well within the likely range. Final admission