NLU Students Demand CLAT 2026 Fee Reform Ahead of October 31 Deadline

Student representatives from National Law Universities (NLUs) across India have renewed calls for a review of the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) fee policy. With the CLAT 2026 registration window closing on October 31, the pressure is mounting on the Consortium of National Law Universities (CLAT Consortium) to take prompt action. The CLAT 2026 entrance examination is scheduled to be held on December 7, 2025, from 2 PM to 4 PM.

Student Groups Seek Fee Reduction and Transparency

Under the Cross-NLU Initiative, a student-led network connecting multiple NLU student unions, several representations have been made to the Consortium seeking reforms in the existing fee structure. These include requests for reduced application and counselling charges, as well as the introduction of need-based waivers for students from economically weaker backgrounds.

According to the collective statement released by the Cross-NLU group, three formal representations were submitted to the Consortium, yet no official acknowledgment or response has been received so far. Student leaders expressed disappointment, noting that their appeals—focused on making CLAT more inclusive and affordable—have not elicited any communication from the authorities.

Timeline of Representations and Student Concerns

The first representation, dated November 16, 2024, raised concerns about the steep counselling and confirmation fees required after the examination. Under the current system, aspirants are mandated to pay a non-refundable confirmation charge of ₹20,000, along with a counselling fee of ₹30,000 (₹20,000 for reserved category students). Student representatives stated that these costs act as a financial deterrent for many potential applicants, especially those from underprivileged communities.

On July 28, 2025, the Cross-NLU group submitted a petition with over 1,800 signatures, demanding the introduction of need-based financial waivers and a review of the application fees, which presently stand at ₹4,000 for general category and ₹3,500 for reserved category candidates. Despite repeated efforts, the Consortium has not responded to requests for consultation or dialogue.

Students Urge Immediate Action Before Deadline

With the registration deadline just days away, the Cross-NLU Initiative has intensified its appeal, urging the Consortium to formally acknowledge pending submissions and initiate a consultative process to revise the fee structure. Student groups argue that the current costs create unnecessary barriers to access and go against the principle of equal opportunity that NLUs aim to uphold.

Representatives emphasized that while maintaining procedural efficiency is important, financial accessibility must remain a central consideration. The initiative advocates for a model that ensures transparency, fairness, and affordability throughout the examination and admission stages.

CLAT 2026 Exam Schedule and Details

The CLAT 2026 will be conducted on December 7, 2025, in a two-hour pen-and-paper format from 2 PM to 4 PM. The test serves as the gateway to undergraduate (LLB) and postgraduate (LLM) law programmes across 24 National Law Universities in India.