CLAT PG Merit List 2026 (Jan 7): Check Round-wise Merit List, Tie Breaker Rule

How to Download CLAT PG Merit List 2026?

Candidates can download the merit list of CLAT PG 2026 from the consortium’s official website. The steps to download the merit list are given below.

Steps to Download CLAT PG 2026 Merit List

• Visit the official website - consortiumofnlus.ac.in

• Click on CLAT 2026

• In the notification section, click on CLAT 2026 merit list for the desired round

• Click on the NLU for which the CLAT PG merit list is to be downloaded

• The CLAT merit list will be displayed on the screen

• Download and save the merit list for future reference

Details Mentioned in CLAT PG Merit List 2026

• Candidate’s All India rank

• Admit card number of the candidate

• Vertical reservation

• Horizontal reservation

• Admission status

Preparation of CLAT PG 2026 Merit List

The Consortium of NLUs prepares the merit list for CLAT PG 2026 based on the scores of the candidates in CLAT PG 2026 and NLU preferences. There are no qualifying marks in CLAT PG 2026. So, all candidates who have a valid score in the exam will be assigned a rank

Candidates are allowed to give NLU preferences in the order of choice during CLAT PG 2026 registration. A candidate will be included in the CLAT PG merit list 2026 of only that NLU which is part of the candidate’s preference list.

If two or more candidates obtain the same marks, then the tiebreaker rule will be applied to rank the candidates in the CLAT PG 2026 allotment list. Given below is the tie-breaker rule for CLAT PG 2026.

CLAT PG 2026 Tie Breaker Rule

• A candidate older in terms of age will be assigned a higher rank

• If the tie persists, then computerised lots will be drawn

Factors Determining the Preparation of CLAT PG Merit List

The preparation of CLAT PG 2026 allotment list is influenced by the following factors:

• Candidates score

• NLU preferences filled by the candidate

• Category of the candidate

• Age/Seniority of the candidate

What After Publication of CLAT PG 2026 Merit List?

Candidates who obtain CLAT 2026 seat allotment are required to complete certain formalities to gain admission in the allotted NLU. The candidates have to select one among freeze, float or exit options. Further, the allotted candidates who choose the freeze or float option are required to pay a non-refundable confirmation fee of Rs. 20,000.

• Freeze option: If candidates are satisfied with the allotted seat and do not want to participate anymore in the counselling process, then they can choose the freeze option.

• Float: If candidates are not satisfied with the allotted seat or did not get their first preferred NLU, they can choose the float option to be considered for further rounds of admission.

• Exit: If candidates do not want to participate in the counselling rounds and want to exit the admission process can choose the exit option.

The confirmation fee will be adjusted against the university fee payable by the candidate at the time of admission. Candidates who choose the freeze or float option during the fourth or fifth round of CLAT 2026 counselling are also required to pay the balance university fee along with the confirmation fee.

CLAT PG 2026 Cut-Off Details

The CLAT PG 2026 cut-off will be available through the CLAT PG 2026 merit list. The CLAT LLM cut-off 2026 is the rank of the last candidate included in the merit list from a particular category. The cut-off for CLAT PG 2026 will be available for each round of counselling. The cut-off details will be updated here when the CLAT PG merit list 2026 is released.

You may also check:

• CLAT PG Topics
• CLAT PG Syllabus

Importance of CLAT PG Merit List 2026

The CLAT PG merit list is an important component of the admission process for postgraduate programmes at NLU and other participating law colleges in India. Below are the key reasons why the CLAT PG merit list is important:

• Determines Admission to LLM Programmes: The merit list ranks candidates based on their performance in the CLAT PG exam, determining their eligibility for admission to top-tier LLM programmes at NLUs. Higher ranks increase the likelihood of securing a seat in preferred NLUs, such as NLSIU Bangalore or NALSAR Hyderabad, which are renowned for their academic excellence and career opportunities.
• Facilitates NLU Preference-Based Allotment: The CLAT PG merit list is prepared separately for each participating NLU, factoring in candidates’ scores and their NLU preferences submitted during the counselling process. Candidates are allotted seats in their preferred NLUs based on their rank, making the merit list crucial in aligning academic aspirations with institutional choices.
• Ensures Transparency and Fairness: The CLAT PG merit list promotes a standardised and transparent admission process by ranking candidates solely on their exam performance. Details such as All India Rank, admit card number, and reservation category are included, ensuring clarity and accountability in the selection process.
• Guides Counselling and Seat Allocation: The merit list serves as the basis for the CLAT PG counselling process, which occurs in five rounds. Candidates with higher ranks are prioritised during seat allotment, and the list dictates the order in which candidates can choose the freeze, float, or exit options for their allotted seats.
• Resolves Tie-Breaking Scenarios: In cases where candidates score the same marks, the merit list applies a tie-breaker rule (e.g., prioritising older candidates or using computerised lots). This ensures a fair and systematic approach to ranking, avoiding ambiguity in seat allocation.

NLU Ranking Analysis for Last 3 or 5 years

The National Law Universities (NLUs) in India are the top law colleges for legal education, with 26 NLUs all over India. Rankings for NLUs are primarily derived from NIRF, released annually by the Ministry of Education. NLSIU Bangalore has been ranked the top NLU in India for the past 4 years, while NLU Delhi and NLU Hyderabad are ranked second and third in the NIRF Law Ranking. In the table below, candidates can find out the list of NLUs in India rank-wise.

Top NLU List Rank Wise 2025

Understanding the CLAT PG Score Card

The CLAT PG scorecard is an official document issued by the Consortium of NLUs alongside the CLAT results. Below are the key details included in the CLAT PG scorecard.

Details mentioned in the CLAT PG Score Card

• Candidates' name and category: Lists the candidate's full name and their category (e.g. General, OBC, SC, ST).
• Father’s Name: Shows the registered name of the candidate's father.
• All India Rank (AIR): Indicates the candidate’s All India Rank across all other CLAT PG exam takers.
• Roll Number and Application Number: Unique identifiers assigned to the candidate for the CLAT exam and application.
• NRI Rank (if applicable): Indicates the candidate's rank among NRI applicants who applied under the NRI quota.
• CLAT Score: Indicates the total score secured by the candidate in the CLAT PG exam.
• NRI Sponsored Rank (if applicable): Displays the candidate's position among NRI Sponsored applicants.