Freeze, Float or Exit? A Rational Guide to CLAT 2026 Counselling Choices
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Freeze, Float or Exit? A Rational Guide to CLAT 2026 Counselling Choices

Sansar Singh ChhikaraUpdated on 26 Dec 2025, 11:34 AM IST

The Consortium of National Law Universities (CNLU) is currently conducting the CLAT 2026 counselling process. The CLAT 2026 counselling registration is open from December 17 to December 27, 2025, until 10 pm. The CLAT 2026 first seat allotment will be published on January 7, 2026. Once the CLAT 2026 seat allotment is announced, candidates allotted seats will have three options to exercise: Freeze, Float, and Exit. Candidates who are satisfied with their seats can choose the Freeze option, those unsatisfied with their seat but want to be considered for better seats can choose Float and those candidates who do not want to be part of the further admission process can choose the Exit option. Read the complete article for more information on CLAT 2026 counselling, seat allotment, Freeze, Float, Exit and more.

Freeze, Float or Exit? A Rational Guide to CLAT 2026 Counselling Choices
Freeze, Float or Exit? A Rational Guide to CLAT 2026 Counselling Choices

CLAT 2026 Counselling Schedule

Event

Date

Counselling registration begins

December 16, 2025

Last date for counselling registration & fee payment

December 27, 2025

First allotment list released

January 07, 2026

Confirmation fee payment & admission (Round 1)

January 07, 2026 – January 15, 2026

Second allotment list released

January 22, 2026

Confirmation fee payment & admission (Round 2)

January 22, 2026 – January 29, 2026

Third allotment list released

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

Fourth allotment list released

May 02, 2026

Confirmation fee payment & admission (Round 4)

May 02, 2026 – May 08, 2026

Fifth and final allotment list released

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 Seat Allotment - Freeze, Flotat and Exit Options

Option

What It Means

When to Choose It

Impact on Seat Allotment

Freeze

The candidate accepts the allotted NLU and course and does not wish to participate in further counselling rounds.

When you are fully satisfied with the allotted NLU and course.

Seat is confirmed and the candidate is not considered for further rounds.

Float

The candidate accepts the current seat but wishes to be considered for a higher-preferred NLU or course in the next round.

When you are satisfied with the seat but want a possible upgrade.

Current seat is retained and the candidate is considered only for higher preferences.

Exit

The candidate withdraws completely from the CLAT counselling process.

When you do not want to accept the allotted seat or continue counselling.

Seat is forfeited and the candidate is removed from all further rounds.

CLAT 2026 Seat Allotment

The Consortium of NLUs will publish the first CLAT 2026 seat allotment on January 7, 2026. Candidates who have been allotted seats will be able to exercise the above given options through their candidate login once the seat allotment results are out. Apart from exercising these options, candidates willing to take admission will be required to complete admission formalities like document verification, fee payment etc.

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Questions related to CLAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CLAT ?

Most law colleges require entrance exams like CLAT or state-level law entrance tests. Some private universities may offer direct admission. Visit the official website of the college, fill out the application form, upload required documents, pay the fee, and complete counselling if required.

With a CLAT score of 71.35, you can apply for admission to NLU for mid-to-lower-tier NLU courses, with a state rank of 69.

# NLU Admissions 2026

With a CLAT 2026 rank of 33,825, it's difficult to get a seat at GNLU Silvassa in the initial stages.

You should focus on private institutions, where a CLAT 2026 rank of 33,825 has a higher chance of admission.

For information on domicile quota seats, see this - CLAT Domicile

You can check the admission chances of your daughter at specific law colleges by using the link provided below by entering the required information.

CLAT College Predictor

With a CLAT rank of 5600, it is challenging for an outside-Delhi candidate to secure a seat at VIPS (Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies) , especially in the General category, since cutoffs for candidates from outside Delhi are generally higher for top law programmes.