The Consortium of National Law Universities is anticipated to release the CLAT 2026 second merit list in the coming days, marking the next key step in the counselling process for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programmes. Candidates who participated in earlier rounds of counselling are advised to stay alert for the official announcement of the release date and time.
What the Second Merit List Signifies?
The second merit list for CLAT 2026 represents an updated ranking of candidates based on their performance in the Common Law Admission Test and their participation in the counselling process. It generally includes:
- Candidates who were not allotted seats in the first list but have become eligible due to seat availability.
- Students moving up in preference where higher choices have become available due to withdrawals or reallocations.
- New candidates who may have met additional eligibility or score criteria after the first round.
This list essentially determines which candidates will be considered for seat allotment in National Law Universities during this phase of the admission cycle.
Expected Timeline and Counselling Steps
Although the Consortium has not confirmed the exact release date and time yet, the second merit list typically follows swiftly after the first round. Once published:
- Candidates should check their status on the official portal using their registration details.
- Successful candidates will be able to view seat allotment information including the law school and programme assigned.
- Candidates must review and adhere to the reporting and document verification schedule for the allotted seat.
The counselling process usually continues with further rounds if seats remain vacant after the second list.
How Candidates Can Check Their Merit Status?
Once the CLAT 2026 second merit list is released:
- Candidates should visit the official counselling portal and navigate to the merit list section.
- Enter application credentials such as registration number and date of birth.
- View the result to see if they have been included in the second merit list.
- Download and save the allotment status letter for future reference.
Using accurate credentials is essential to avoid errors while checking the merit list status.
Next Steps After the Second Merit List
Candidates whose names appear on the second merit list will need to:
- Accept the allotted seat within the specified timeframe.
- Report to the allotted law university with required academic and identity documents.
- Complete document verification and fee payment to confirm the admission.
- Participate in subsequent rounds of counselling if applicable.
Failing to complete these procedures within the deadlines may result in forfeiture of the allotted seat.
Importance of Merit Lists for Law Aspirants
The CLAT merit lists are critical for admission into prestigious law programmes, including BA LLB and LLM courses offered by National Law Universities across India. The second merit list provides an additional opportunity for candidates to secure seats if they missed out or seek better preferences. Candidates are encouraged to prepare their documents and follow official updates closely to ensure smooth participation in the counselling process.