CLAT 2026 Third Merit List Released: Candidates Can Choose Options Until February 12
The Consortium of National Law Universities has officially released the third merit list for CLAT 2026 today, February 5, 2026. Students who participated in the CLAT counseling process can now check the results of the third round. The outcome is available on the official website of the consortium.
This latest list includes the names of candidates who have been allocated seats at various National Law Universities in the third phase of counseling. Those who appear on this list are required to make a decision regarding their allotted seat before the specified deadline.
Key Dates and Deadlines
The CLAT 2026 examination was conducted on December 7, 2025. Candidates whose names appear in the rank list must finalize their seat-related decisions within the given timeframe. The deadline for choosing among the available options in the third phase is February 12, 2026, until 1:00 PM.
Upcoming Counseling Schedule
- Fourth Seat Allocation List (Round 4): May 2, 2026, at 10:00 AM
- Seat Confirmation and Admission (Round 4 – Freeze/Float): May 2 to May 8, 2026
- Fifth and Final Seat Allocation List: May 15, 2026
- Seat Confirmation and Admission Fee (Round 5): May 15 to May 20, 2026
- Final Deadline for University Fee Payment (Float – Rounds 4 to 5): May 30, 2026, until 5:00 PM
Understanding the Available Options
Selected candidates have three distinct choices when responding to their seat allocation. Each option serves a different purpose depending on the candidate’s preferences and future aspirations.
Freeze Option
Candidates who are satisfied with the college they have been allotted can choose to freeze their seat. By selecting this option, the seat is confirmed, and the candidate will not participate in any further rounds of counseling. This is the right choice for those who are content with their current allocation and wish to secure it immediately.
Float Option
This option suits candidates who are willing to accept the currently allotted seat but still hold hope for admission to a higher-preferred institution. By choosing float, the candidate retains their current seat while remaining eligible for consideration in subsequent allocation lists. If a better option becomes available in the next round, they may be upgraded to a college they ranked higher in their preferences.
Exit Option
Candidates who no longer wish to continue with the CLAT counseling process can select the exit option. This choice withdraws them from the entire counseling procedure, and they will not be considered for any future seat allocations. This is appropriate for those who have decided to pursue alternative academic paths or have secured admission elsewhere.
All candidates are advised to carefully evaluate their preferences and make timely decisions before the February 12 deadline. The official website remains the only authentic source for checking results and completing the necessary formalities related to seat acceptance.
