CLAT 2026 Spot Round Admissions - These NLUs Will Have the Most Vacant Seats

CLAT 2026 Vacant Seats - NLU-wise Expected List Based on Past Year Trends

Candidates who could not secure a seat in the five rounds of CLAT counselling can give another shot at admissions in the spot rounds for individual NLUs. While there is no guarantee of admission in the spot rounds, each year, there are many surprising trends noticed based on the vacancies in each NLU. This is the time when candidates need to visit the website of each NLU and look for vacancies and the admission process. Candidates must apply separately for vacant seats in NLUs 2026 at each institute through the specified application process.

Last year, Maharashtra National Law University Nagpur had 43 allotments in the fifth round, yet it still had more than 40 vacancies in the spot round admissions. Similarly, Himachal Pradesh National Law University Shimla had 77 allotments in Round 3 of CLAT counselling, but still had 35 vacancies in the vacant seats round. Dr Rajendra Prasad National Law University Prayagraj had 30 vacancies despite 19 allotments in the last round of CLAT counselling. Likewise, India International University of Legal Education and Research Goa had the maximum number of allotments in the last round of CLAT counselling, but still recorded a significant number of vacancies. Candidates can estimate this year’s NLU 2026 vacant seats based on past-year trends. The tables below show the estimated number of CLAT 2026 spot round vacancies across all NLUs, based on past-year analysis and this year’s final round allotments.

CLAT 2026 Spot Round Admissions - NLUs with High Vacancies

CLAT 2026 Spot Round Admissions - NLUs with Medium Vacancies

CLAT 2026 Spot Round Admissions - NLUs with Zero to Few Vacancies

CLAT 2026 Spot Round Admission Process

Admissions to vacant seats in NLUs after CLAT fifth merit list 2026 will be carried out independently by the institutes. Below is an explainer on how to get admissions through CLAT 2026 spot counselling rounds by NLUs:

• Check vacant seats notifications: The very first step of admissions is having correct information about vacant seats in each NLU. Candidates must visit the official website of each NLU for the seat vacancies.

• Apply separately for NLU vacancies 2026: In the vacant seats notification, the NLUs will detail out the application process. Apply for admissions as per the process specified in the notification separately for each NLU. Candidates must make sure they pay the spot round registration fee.

• Check merit list and allotments: There are multiple rounds of spot counselling in NLUs. After each round, NLUs publish the merit and allotment lists. Candidates must keep checking the official website for allotments.

• Attend counselling and allotment: While most NLUs have online spot round allotments, some might also ask candidates to report to the college. For the online ones too, candidates will be required to report to the allotted NLUs for document verification, etc.

• Pay admission fee: Candidates who have been allotted seats must complete the due admission process and pay the seat confirmation and tuition fee within the stipulated time to secure admission