The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) has officially released the CLAT third merit list on February 25, 2026, at 10:00 AM. This announcement brings much-needed clarity for thousands of law aspirants following a brief period of uncertainty due to legal proceedings in the Allahabad High Court.
With the Round 3 allotment now live, candidates can log in to the official portal at consortiumofnlus.ac.in to view their status. This CLAT third merit list covers both Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) programs across the 24 participating NLUs.
Live Updates: CLAT Third Merit List 2026 Allotment Trends
The release of the CLAT Third Merit List 2026 was previously postponed from February 5 due to a court order regarding result revision. However, a stay by a Division Bench has allowed the current merit list to proceed.
Current Trends in Round 3:
- Top-Tier Stability: Cut-offs for NLSIU Bangalore and NALSAR Hyderabad remain extremely high, with minimal movement in the General category.
- Meaningful Shifts: Significant movement has been observed in newer NLUs like NLU Tripura and RPNLUP Prayagraj, where ranks between 2,500 and 3,500 are seeing new allotments.
- Category Movement: Horizontal reservations and SC/ST categories in mid-tier NLUs like WBNUJS Kolkata are showing more volatility compared to Round 2.
NLU-Wise CLAT Third Merit List Cut-offs 2026 (Expected Closing Ranks)
To rank for “NLU-wise cut-off” queries, refer to the trend-based closing ranks below. (Note: These are based on initial candidate feedback and are being updated live).
| NLU Name | General (Closing Rank) | SC/ST (Closing Rank) | Domicile/Horizontal |
| NLSIU Bangalore | ~110 | ~3,200 | ~150-200 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | ~175 | ~4,500 | ~250 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | ~260 | ~5,800 | ~400 |
| NLU Tripura | ~3,400 | ~14,000+ | ~4,000+ |
| RPNLUP Prayagraj | ~3,500 | ~15,000+ | ~4,200 |
Key Dates: Round 3 Admission Timeline
| Event | Date & Time |
| Publication of CLAT Third Merit List | February 25, 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Fee Payment Window (Freeze/Float) | Feb 25 – March 6, 2026 (1:00 PM) |
| Deadline for NLU Document Verification | March 6, 2026 |
| Final University Fee Payment (Rounds 1-3) | April 24, 2026 (5:00 PM) |
How to Exercise Freeze, Float, or Exit Options
After checking the CLAT Third Merit List 2026, candidates must select one of the following mandatory options before March 6 to stay in the race.
Freeze Option
Select this if you are satisfied with your allotted seat in the CLAT Third Merit List. By “Freezing,” you secure your seat and withdraw from Rounds 4 and 5 upgrades.
Float Option
Choose this if you have a seat but want to wait for a higher-preference NLU in the next round.
Important: You must pay the ₹20,000 confirmation fee to maintain this status; otherwise, your seat will be forfeited.
Exit Option
Use this if you no longer wish to participate in the 2026 NLU admission process.
Documents Required for Post-Allotment Verification
If you “Freeze” your seat in the CLAT Third Merit List 2026, you must upload high-quality scans of the following:
- CLAT 2026 Admit Card & Scorecard
- Class 10 & 12 Marksheets (Provisional accepted)
- Character & Transfer Certificates
- Caste/Domicile Certificates (If applicable for quota seats)
What’s Next After the CLAT Third Merit List?
The next major milestone is the Fourth Allotment List, scheduled for May 2, 2026. If you did not receive a seat in the CLAT Third Merit List, remain patient. Historically, the final two rounds see meaningful movement as candidates opt for other professional courses or fail to clear document verification.
To understand the broader impact of legal rulings on these lists, explore our coverage of national legal developments that continue to shape the 2026 admission cycle.