Tier-wise list of NLUs for CLAT 2026 Counselling

Tier-wise list of NLUs for CLAT 2026 Counselling

Isha GargUpdated on 24 Dec 2025, 09:49 AM IST

Choosing the right National Law University (NLU) is the most critical decision for law aspirants during CLAT 2026 counselling. With 26 NLUs and IIULER Goa participating, these institutions vary widely in placement records, faculty quality, infrastructure, and placements. NLUs like NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata, etc, are considered one of the premier NLUs and attract top law recruiters.

Tier-wise list of NLUs for CLAT 2026 Counselling
Tier-wise list of NLUs for CLAT 2026 Counselling

Tier 2 NLUs are well-established universities, while Tier 3 consists mostly of newer NLUs still developing alumni networks and campus facilities. This tier system, based on NIRF rankings and historical cut-offs, guides students in preference filling. CLAT counselling 2026 has begun on December 17, 2025, 6:00 pm and will end on December 27, 2025, 10:00 pm, so choose the NLU preference list wisely.

Tier 1 NLUs for CLAT 2026 Counselling

NLU


NIRF rankings 2025

Opening rank

Closing rank

NLSIU Bengaluru

1

1

112

NALSAR Hyderabad


3

17

159

WBNUJS Kolkata

4

57

327

NLU Jodhpur

6

159

367

GNLU Gandhinagar

5

236

444

NLIU Bhopal

27

257

480

Tier 2 NLUs for CLAT 2026 Counselling

NLU

NIRF rankings 2025

Opening rank

Closing rank

HNLU Raipur

-

480

827

RMLNLU Lucknow

21

461

780

RGNUL Punjab

-

565

1279

CNLU Patna (BA LLB)

17

882

1398

NUALS Kochi

-

350

1346

NLUO Odisha (BA LLB)

15

469

1013

NUSRL Ranchi

30

864

1667

MNLU Mumbai

31

443

1473

DSNLU Visakhapatnam

-

957

1682

TNNLU Tiruchirappalli

-

1231

1763

Tier 3 NLUs for CLAT 2026 Counselling

NLU

Opening rank

Closing rank

NLUJA Assam

1163

2141

MNLU Nagpur

722

1529

MNLU Aurangabad

1023

1949

HPNLU Shimla

949

2555

DNLU Jabalpur

1371

2243

DBRANLU Haryana

626

1930

NLUT Agartala

1964

2855

RPNLU Prayagraj

1446

2469

IIULER Goa (BA LLB)

1314

2784

Steps to fill NLU Preferences for CLAT 2026 Counselling

Filling NLU preferences correctly is important to secure a seat in the desired law program during CLAT 2026 counselling. Follow these clear steps to fill preferences effectively.

  • Check the registered email for the invitation to register for CLAT 2026 counselling. Log in at consortiumofnlus.ac.in using the credentials.

  • Click "Counselling Registration" after login. Pay the fee first of Rs 30,000 for General or Rs 20,000 for reserved categories via net banking or card.

  • Select "Update NLU Preferences." A list of all 26 NLUs and IIULER Goa appears with BA LLB, BBA LLB, or BSc LLB options.

  • Select NLUs in the order of preference

  • Review and double-check for errors, as this list applies to all five rounds.

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CLAT Counselling Date 2026

Event

Dates (UG)

Dates (PG)

CLAT 2026 Counselling Registration Opens

December 17, 2025 (6:00 pm)

December 17, 2025 (6:00 pm)

Deadline for CLAT 2026 Counselling Registration

December 27, 2025 (10:00 pm)

December 27, 2025 (10:00 pm)

Publication of CLAT 2026 First Allotment List

January 07, 2026 (10:00 am)

January 07, 2026 (10:00 am)

Payment of Confirmation Fee for First Allotment List

January 07, 2026 (10:00 am)- January 15, 2026 (1:00 pm)

January 07, 2026 (10:00 am)- January 15, 2026 (1:00 pm)

Publication of CLAT 2026 Second Allotment List

January 22, 2026 (10:00 am)

January 22, 2026 (10:00 am)

Payment of Confirmation Fee for Second Allotment List

January 22, 2026 (10:00 am) - January 29, 2026 (1:00 pm)

January 22, 2026 (10:00 am) - January 29, 2026 (1:00 pm)

Publication of CLAT 2026 Third Allotment List

February 05, 2026 (10:00 am)

February 05, 2026

February 05, 2026 (10:00 am)

Payment of Confirmation Fee for Third Allotment List


February 05, 2026 (10:00 am) - February 12, 2026 (1:00 pm)

February 05, 2026 (10:00 am) - February 12, 2026 (1:00 pm)

Payment of University Fee (first, second & third rounds of counselling)

April 24, 2026 (5:00 pm)

April 24, 2026 (5:00 pm)

Publication of CLAT 2026 Fourth Allotment List

May 02, 2026 (10:00 am)

May 02, 2026 (10:00 am)

Payment of Confirmation Fee for Fourth Allotment List

May 02, 2026 (10:00 am) - May 08, 2026 (1:00 pm)

May 02, 2026 (10:00 am) - May 08, 2026 (1:00 pm)

Publication of CLAT 2026 Fifth and Final Allotment List

May 15, 2026 (10:00 am)

May 15, 2026 (10:00 am)

Payment of Confirmation Fee for the Fifth and final Allotment List

May 15, 2026 (10:00 am) - May 20, 2026 (1:00 pm)

May 15, 2026 (10:00 am) - May 20, 2026 (1:00 pm)

Payment of University Fee (fourth & fifth rounds of counselling)

May 30, 2026 (5:00 pm)

May 30, 2026 (5:00 pm)

CLAT Counselling Fees 2026

Type of fee

Amount

Details

CLAT 2026 counselling registration fee

Rs. 30000 for general, Rs. 20000 for ST/ SC/ OBC/ BC/ EWS/ PWD

Fees to be paid to register for the counselling process

Confirmation fee

Rs. 20000

Fees to be paid to confirm the allotted seat

Balance university fees

Varies across NLUs

Balance 1st-semester fees to be paid after adjusting the confirmation fee.

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Questions related to CLAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CLAT ?

Hi, you can apply for admissions in Nirma University, NFSU Ahemdabad, Alliance, IPU University and affiliated instiutes (in case you are reserved category candidates), UPES Dehradun, BITS Law School etc.

Start preparing for CLAT by first understanding the exam pattern and syllabus, which includes English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. Make a simple daily routine and begin with basics read newspapers regularly for current affairs, practice comprehension passages for English and legal sections, and solve basic

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

Hello,

With AIR 10542 and OBC rank 1843, getting top NLUs is unlikely. However, you still have chances in newer or lower ranked NLUs like NLU Assam, NUSRL Ranchi, MNLU Nagpur/Mumbai, especially in later or vacancy rounds. Also consider good private law colleges as backup options.