Check the detailed CLAT 2026 seat matrix for all NLUs with category-wise reservation, total intake, and state quota details. Know seat availability for General, SC, ST, OBC, and EWS categories.
The CLAT Seat Matrix will be released on the official website and this informs you how many seats are available across different NLUs, according to your desired course. Having a clear understanding of CLAT Seat Matrix can help you make better decisions during the counseling process and increase your chances of being accepted into the college of your choice.
At top NLUs there will always be tough competition so to be on the safer side you should know about lesser NLUs as it will help you have additional choices if your ranking does not place you among the top 5–6 colleges.
In an attempt to gain admission to the esteemed National Law Universities (NLUs), thousands of students appear in the CLAT exam every year. Knowing the seat matrix is one of the most crucial parts of the CLAT counseling process.
What is CLAT Seat Matrix?
The CLAT seat matrix refers to the number of seats that are available in each participating law college for admission through CLAT counselling. It is a breakdown of the maximum number of students that an NLU may admit in a given year.
The distribution of these seats is based on:
- Institute-wise availability
- Reservation categories (General, SC, ST, OBC, EWS, etc.)
- State quotas for candidates applying from the same state as the NLU
It's crucial to keep in mind that the seat matrix is dynamic. The number of seats at NLUs may be increased or revised annually based on faculty, policy, and infrastructural decisions. Thus, the counseling process is conducted upon the seat matrix. You will be assigned a seat based on your reservation type, preference list, and CLAT rating.
CLAT Seat Matrix of Participating Institutes
Seats are available for the five-year integrated LLB program at 24 NLUs in India. Seat Allotment depends on the university, certain NLUs also offer several streams, such as BA LLB, BBA LLB, B.Sc. LLB, or even B.Com. LLB.
Here is the overall expected seat intake for CLAT .
| CLAT Participating Colleges | UG Seat Intake (Expected) |
| NLSIU, Bengaluru (Karnataka) | 240 |
| WBNUJS, Kolkata (West Bengal) | 108 |
| National Law University, Jodhpur | 104 |
| Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar | 172 |
| RGNLU, Patiala (Punjab) | 175 |
| NUALS, Kochi (Kerala) | 88 |
| NUSRL, Ranchi (Jharkhand) | 120 |
| DSNLU, Visakhapatnam | 120 |
| MNLU, Mumbai | 100 |
| MNLU, Aurangabad | 60 |
| DNLU, Jabalpur | 120 |
| NALSAR, Hyderabad | 132 |
| NLIU, Bhopal | 120 |
| HNLU, Raipur | 170 |
| RMLNLU, Lucknow | 169 |
| CNLU, Patna | 138 |
| NLU Odisha, Cuttack | 180 |
| NLUJA, Assam | 60 |
| TNNLU, Tiruchirapalli | 120 |
| MNLU, Nagpur | 120 |
| NLUT, Agartala | 106 |
| GNLU, Silvassa Campus | 49 |
| HPNLU, Shimla | 180 |
| DBRANLU, Sonipat | 120 |
| Total | 3071 |
What are the Different Categories of CLAT Seats?
In addition to numbers, the CLAT seat matrix also considers who will be assigned to which seats.The seats are divided into categories to ensure representation and equal opportunity.
The main categories include:
- General (Open Category)
- Scheduled Caste (SC)
- Scheduled Tribe (ST)
- Other Backward Classes (OBC)
- Economically Weaker Section (EWS)
- State Quota (for candidates applying from the same state where the NLU is located)
- Person with Disability (PwD)
- Kashmiri Migrants
- NRI & Foreign Nationals
- North-Eastern Students (for NLUs in that region)
Related CLAT Article Links:
| Top 10 CLAT Colleges in India : Full List, Ranking, Fees | What after Clearing CLAT ? Counselling, Career, Courses |
| Which Stream is Best for CLAT ? | Important Topics to Study from CLAT Syllabus |
What is CLAT Reservation Criteria?
The CLAT reservation criteria, which will also apply in with minor updates, are as follows:
| Reservation Category | Details |
| Domicile Quota | Many NLUs reserve seats for state candidates. Example: MNLU Mumbai – ~62%. |
| EWS Quota | 10% seats reserved for candidates from Economically Weaker Section (EWS). |
| Category-based Reservation | SC: ~15–22%ST: ~7–15%OBC: Varies across NLUs. |
| PwD Reservation | 5% seats reserved for Persons with Disabilities (PwD). |
| Special Categories | Limited seats for Kashmiri migrants, NRI-sponsored students, foreign nationals. |
Are You Eligible for CLAT UG Counselling?
Candidates who meet the cut-off are permitted to sign up for the CLAT counseling process after the results are announced.
To be eligible, you only need to have taken the CLAT in and received a valid score.
- Good Score in CLAT .
- Register for counseling online using the CLAT consortium portal.
- Counseling takes place in several rounds. Every round, seats are distributed according to preferences, availability, and rank.
- To confirm participation, candidates must pay a ₹20,000 counseling fee.
What After Publication of the CLAT Allotment List?
A seat allocation list is released by the consortium following each counseling session. You have three choices if your name appears:
- Freeze: Take the designated seat and secure it. You won't be taken into account in subsequent rounds.
- Float: Take the seat, but keep your options open for a better one in the following round.
- Exit: Leave the counseling procedure now. Your fee can be forfeited, nevertheless.
Conclusion
The CLAT Seat Matrix is a guide that helps thousands of applicants land spots in India's best law schools and knowing the reservation requirements, seat distribution, and counseling procedure can significantly impact your approach.
Keep in mind the following if you want to pass CLAT , carefully review each NLU's seat matrix, recognize your position in terms of category and rank.
