CLAT 2027 Registration Portal & NLU Preference Order Guide

The Consortium of National Law Universities opened the CLAT 2027 registration window on 3 August 2026, with applications closing on 31 October 2026, ahead of the exam on 6 December 2026. Whether you’re just starting your application or planning your NLU choices, this guide covers the official registration process, a practical NLU preference order strategy, and the exact document upload rules for category and domicile certificates.

CLAT 2027 Registration Portal: Key Dates & Overview

All CLAT 2027 applications must be submitted exclusively through consortiumofnlus.ac.in. No third-party website is authorised to accept CLAT forms — treat any other “registration link” as unofficial.

The exam stays offline, pen-and-paper, single shift, and there is no upper age limit for either the UG or PG programme.

How to Register on the CLAT 2027 Portal

1. Visit consortiumofnlus.ac.in and click New Registration.
2. Enter your mobile number and email ID, then verify with the OTP sent to both.
3. Log in and complete the form — personal details, academic history, and category.
4. Choose three test-city preferences, ranked by priority.
5. Upload the required documents (checklist below).
6. Pay the application fee and submit.
7. Download and save the confirmation page.

The form can be saved mid-way and resumed later, but avoid the final week — server load typically spikes closer to 31 October.

CLAT 2027 Application Fee

• General / OBC / PWD / NRI / OCI: ₹4,000
• SC / ST / BPL: ₹3,500

Payment is accepted online only (UPI, debit/credit card, net banking), and the fee is strictly non-refundable once paid.

Top 26 NLUs Preference List Order Strategy for CLAT 2027

CLAT 2027 scores are accepted by 26 National Law Universities, along with IIULER Goa, offering roughly 4,000 combined UG seats. Since NLU counselling allotment runs on rank plus preference order, how you sequence your list matters almost as much as your score itself.

Factors That Should Shape Your Order

• NIRF ranking and academic reputation — NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, WBNUJS Kolkata, NLU Jodhpur, and GNLU Gandhinagar have consistently held the top law rankings.
• Placement consistency — compare 3-year average packages and recruiter profiles, not a single standout batch.
• Domicile/state quota — a home-state NLU can effectively outrank a “bigger name” once state-quota seats are added to the calculation.
• Specialisation strength — GNLU and NALSAR for IP/corporate law, WBNUJS for human rights, NLU Jodhpur for insurance and trade law.
• Fee structure and campus location — this is a five-year commitment, so weigh cost of living and campus environment too.

Sample Tier-Wise Preference Framework

A pattern many candidates broadly follow — adapt it to your own rank expectations and check the latest cut-off trends before locking your list:

• Tier 1: NLSIU Bengaluru → NALSAR Hyderabad → WBNUJS Kolkata → NLU Jodhpur → GNLU Gandhinagar
• Tier 2: RGNUL Patiala → HNLU Raipur → NLIU Bhopal → RMLNLU Lucknow → CNLU Patna
• Tier 3: NLUO Odisha → NUALS Kochi → MNLU Mumbai → TNNLU Tiruchirappalli → remaining NLUs, ordered by domicile fit or specialisation

Important: NLU Delhi is not on this list. It admits solely through AILET, its own separate exam, and does not accept CLAT scores.

List every NLU you would genuinely join, in honest preference order. A shorter “safe” list only narrows your options in later counselling rounds — it never improves your rank.

Document Upload Requirements: Category & Domicile Certificate Rules

Incorrect document uploads are among the most common reasons CLAT applications get flagged at verification. Keep scanned copies ready before starting the form.

Mandatory Documents Checklist

Category Certificate Rules

• SC/ST/OBC/EWS candidates must upload a valid certificate issued by a competent authority in the prescribed central or state format.
• The certificate should be current; several NLUs specify a validity window, so avoid uploading an old copy.
• Category selection generally cannot be changed once the correction window closes, so confirm the certificate type before you upload it.

Domicile Certificate Rules for State Quota

• Most NLUs, except NLU Jodhpur, reserve a share of seats for candidates domiciled in their host state.
• The certificate must be issued by the competent revenue or district authority of the state being claimed, uploaded strictly in PDF format.
• Domicile criteria vary by university — some accept a parent’s domicile, others require the candidate’s own long-term residence — so verify each NLU’s brochure on the Consortium portal before claiming this benefit.
• Claiming domicile reservation without a valid certificate can lead to rejection at verification, even after a seat is provisionally allotted.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Entering a name that doesn’t match the Class 10 certificate.
• Selecting the wrong category, or skipping a domicile claim you’re actually eligible for.
• Uploading blurred, oversized, or wrong-format scans.
• Submitting without checking the preview page.
• Finalising the NLU preference list at the last minute, without comparing NIRF data, fees, and placement trends.

FAQ ?

Q1. What is the last date for CLAT 2027 registration? 31 October 2026, on consortiumofnlus.ac.in.

Q2. How many NLUs accept CLAT 2027 scores? 26 National Law Universities, plus IIULER Goa. NLU Delhi is excluded, since it uses AILET instead.

Q3. Is a domicile certificate compulsory for every applicant? No — only for candidates claiming state-quota reservation at a specific NLU.

Q4. Can the NLU preference order be changed after submission? Preference details are usually finalised at the counselling stage, not at registration, so check the official counselling notice each round before confirming.