What After CLAT 2026? Here are Some Important Things to Do

Following the completion of the CLAT 2026 exam, each applicant experiences a moment of transition characterized by curiosity, anxiety, and anticipation. What comes next is the first question that comes to mind. The post-CLAT period should not be spent doing nothing, regardless of how sure you are about your performance or how uncertain you are about the result. Instead, it is the time to make decisions, explore parallel opportunities, and prepare for the admission process that follows. Since CLAT is just one step towards developing a legal career, understanding what to do after the exam helps you remain ahead of thousands of hopefuls waiting for results.

Once CLAT 2026 is conducted, the next milestone will be the release of the answer key, result, and merit list, followed by centralized counselling. During this period, candidates should carefully assess their projected scores, compare them with previous cut-offs of NLUs, and have papers ready for admission counselling. Being proactive guarantees that you do not miss opportunities due to delayed decisions or missing paperwork. Candidates have the opportunity to investigate law schools outside of the NLU system at this phase, including prestigious private and state law schools that either administer their own entrance exams or accept CLAT scores.

Important Dates After CLAT 2026

To understand the CLAT events, candidates need to check out the important dates after CLAT 2026 has been concluded:

CLAT 2026 Counselling Registration

The CLAT 2026 counselling process begins immediately after the declaration of the result. Candidates whose names appear on the CLAT merit list are sent an email by the Consortium of the NLUs to take part in the counselling round. After the counselling dates are released, candidates are updated with the events. Eligible candidates have to register themselves to take part in the counselling process. They have to log into their CLAT account and confirm that they have been invited to CLAT counselling at each round. While registering for CLAT Counselling Process, candidates need to update their preferences for five NLUs. The seat allotment list is based on merit-cum-preference. Candidates are advised to select their preferred NLUs only after they have gathered all the information about the NLUs, their course fees, courses offered, number of seats, etc. The seats are allotted to candidates based on their preferences.

In order to complete the CLAT counselling registration, candidates have to pay a counselling fee by the time fixed by the Consortium. Candidates belonging to the General Category have to pay INR 30,000, while those from the ST/ SC/ OBC/ BC/ EWS/ PWD categories need to submit INR 20,000 as the CLAT counselling fee. Only those who have successfully completed the counselling registration are considered for the seat allotment round. Candidates must know that registration does not guarantee admission to any of the NLUs.

CLAT 2026 Seat Allotment Lists

Add CollegeDekho as a Trusted Source

The CLAT 2026 seat allotment lists are released in 5 rounds and candidates whose names are there in the first, second and third lists need to freeze their seats or opt for a choice upgrade. The seat allotment lists are described below for different rounds:

CLAT First Seat Allotment List

Only candidates who have enrolled themselves for the CLAT counselling process will be taken into consideration for the first CLAT seat allotment list. The CLAT 1st seat allotment list can be checked from the official website of the Consortium of the NLUs. Candidates whose names are not there on the first seat allotment list can expect their names in the upcoming lists of the following rounds. Students who have made it to the 1st seat allotment list can do the following things:

• They can accept or lock the allotted seat, submit the documents and pay the fees of the NLU.
• Or, they can choose to upgrade their seat, submit the relevant documents and pay the NLU fee.
• Candidates also have the option to leave the admission process.
• Those who accept the seat will not be considered for further seat allotment process.
• Candidates in the first list who accept their seat need to contact the allotted NLU and submit all the documents to complete the admission formalities.
• Candidates will be only considered for admission if they have paid the course fee to the allotted NLU. A part of the course fee will be adjusted with the CLAT counselling registration fee.

CLAT Second Seat Allotment List

Candidates whose names will appear on the CLAT second seat allotment list have to follow the same instructions that are given above for admission through the first seat allotment. Those who acknowledge their seat or want to apply for an upgrade have to submit their documents and pay the course fees. Respective NLUs will conduct the document verification and then update candidates' admission status.

CLAT Third Seat Allotment List

Like the previous rounds, candidates have to exercise their seat options in the third CLAT seat allotment round. Students who accept their seat allotment need to submit their documents and pay the course fee. The respective NLUs have to verify the documents and update the admission status of the candidates.

CLAT Fourth and Fifth (Final) Seat Allotment List

Candidates whose names will be there in the 4th seat allotment list of CLAT have to select the Freeze or the Float option. In the fifth or final round, candidates can accept the seat or withdraw from the process. The CLAT counselling registration fee will be returned in full if a candidate is not assigned a seat by the Consortium of the NLUs at the end of the Fifth round of the CLAT Counselling Process. Students who do not select the Freeze or Float option and exit the Counselling Process will also be refunded their counselling fee.

Also Read: CLAT 2026: Eligibility Criteria, Preparation Tips, Syllabus, Pattern, Result

CLAT 2026 Seat Matrix

Given below is the list of NLUs that offer 5-year LL.B and LL.M courses along with the number of seats that they are offering through CLAT 2026. By looking at the CLAT 2026 Seat Matrix, candidates will have an idea of their scope of getting into their preferred NLU.

Also Read: CLAT 2026 Counselling Process Dos and Don'ts

In a nutshell, we have covered all that candidates have to do after CLAT 2026.

With the help of application and exam dates, candidates can mark their calendars and avoid missing important deadlines. They can also call on our toll-free student helpline number 1800-572-9877 or fill out the Common Application Form (CAF) for any admission-related query. Drop your queries in the QnA zone to get your doubts resolved.

Stay tuned to CollegeDekho for more news and updates about law careers, courses and exams!