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CLAT 2026 Counselling: Freeze vs Float – What Works Best?
The Consortium of National Law Universities closed the CLAT 2026 counselling registration window on December 27, 2025. Now, the first round of CLAT 2026 seat allotment will be published on January 7, 2026 on the official website. Candidates who are allotted seats will have three options, i.e., Float, Freeze, and Exit. Any candidate who does not wish to participate in the CLAT counselling can select the ‘Exit’ option and leave the admission process. There will be a total of five rounds of CLAT counselling 2026. On the other hand, any candidate who is satisfied with their seat allotment or has got the seat in their preferred NLU can select the ‘Freeze’ option to confirm their seat in the respective NLU. Any candidate who selects the freeze option in the first, or second, third, or fourth round will not be considered for further rounds of counselling.
Those unsatisfied with their allotted seat and want to be considered for CLAT 2026 NLU with better preference, can choose the ‘Float’ option. It is really important to note that the float option is available only till the fourth round of counselling. Candidates must pay the non-refundable CLAT 2026 confirmation fee regardless of whether they choose Freeze or Float. The confirmation fee of Rs. 20,000 has to be paid only once, even if you float and freeze later.
CLAT 2026 Counselling Schedule
Event | Date |
Counselling registration window | December 16, 2025 - December 27, 2025 |
January 07, 2026 | |
Confirmation fee payment & admission (Round 1) | January 07, 2026 – January 15, 2026 |
January 22, 2026 | |
Confirmation fee payment & admission (Round 2) | January 22, 2026 – January 29, 2026 |
CLAT 2026 third merit list | February 05, 2026 |
Confirmation fee payment & admission (Round 3) | February 05, 2026 – February 12, 2026 |
Last date to pay university fee (Rounds 1–3 freeze candidates) | April 24, 2026 |
May 02, 2026 | |
Confirmation fee payment & admission (Round 4) | May 02, 2026 – May 08, 2026 |
May 15, 2026 | |
Confirmation fee payment & admission (Final round) | May 15, 2026 – May 20, 2026 |
Last date to pay university fee (Rounds 4 & 5 freeze candidates) | May 30, 2026 |
CLAT 2026 Freeze vs FLoat: Which One To Choose
The Consortium of NLUs will publish the first CLAT 2026 seat allotment on January 7, 2026. Satisfied candidates can immediately apply for the Freeze option. On the other hand, any other candidate who has been allotted an NLU which they are not satisfied with can select the Float option. One selecting the Float option must remember that the seat allotment is based on their CLAT score and the NLU preference selected by them. If any candidate has been allotted an NLU which was in their top five preference during counselling registration, then it is highly recommended to freeze it later.
CLAT 2026 Refund Policy
Scenario | Refund Outcome |
Not allotted seat after all rounds | Full refund |
Exits before 1:00 PM on May 8, 2026 | Full refund |
Exits after 1:00 PM on May 8, 2026 | Rs. 5,000 deducted |
Found ineligible by NLU | Rs. 5,000 deducted |
Forfeiting the seat after accepting | Confirmation fee not refunded |
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Have a question related to CLAT ?
SASTRA Deemed University accepts CLAT scores for admission. They admit students based on CLAT scores as well as class 12 marks, with an aggregate score of 50% in English. Based on these scores, a merit list is published by the university.
SASTRA Deemed University accepts CLAT scores for admission. The eligibility criteria require class 12 marks, with an aggregate score of 50% in English, CLAT scores, and a maximum age limit of 19 years as of August 1, 2025.
With a rank of 3917 in CLAT PG, your best options for an LLM include top private universities that accept CLAT scores, along with CUETPG opportunities. Some of the best non-NLU options are BHU, LPU Jalandhar, UPES Dehradun, etc.
Hello Santosh,
Domicile cut-offs are unpredictable. You can apply and get a seat only if the domicile category is selected. You can apply, but the chances of getting either of them are rare.
CLAT is an entrance examination conducted for admissions into law colleges. The qualifying marks vary with the colleges. You should check the details on the website to get a clear idea regarding cut offs for the colleges. You will also get the exam pattern through the article shared.
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