First law entrance allotment list out for 2026 admissions; freeze, float, exit choices open

New Delhi: The Consortium of National Law Universities on Wednesday released the first provisional allotment list for CLAT 2026, initiating the counselling process for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programmes offered by participating NLUs.

Candidates whose names feature in the first allotment list are required to exercise one of three options, freeze, float, or exit, within the stipulated deadline. Failure to respond within the given time frame will result in forfeiture of the allotted seat.

Those opting for the freeze option confirm acceptance of the seat allotted in the current round and will not be considered for further rounds of counselling. Such candidates must complete the admission formalities at the allotted NLU as per the schedule.

Candidates who choose the float option accept the currently allotted seat but indicate their willingness to be considered for a higher preference NLU in subsequent rounds. If a higher preference is allotted later, the earlier seat will be automatically released.

The exit option allows candidates to withdraw from the counselling process altogether. Candidates selecting this option will not be considered for further rounds, and their seats will be made available to others in the next allotment list.

The consortium has clarified that candidates must pay the prescribed confirmation fee after seat allotment to remain in the counselling process. Those who do not complete the payment or fail to exercise any option within the deadline will lose their provisional allotment.

CLAT 2026 counselling will be conducted in multiple rounds, with subsequent allotment lists released based on seat availability, candidate preferences, and category wise merit. Admissions will be finalised only after document verification and completion of institutional requirements at the respective NLUs.

Candidates have been advised to carefully assess their options before making a choice, as each decision carries implications for their participation in future rounds of counselling and final seat allocation.