Protesting college-level admission exam fees: NLU students voice discontent over CLAT application and counselling costs
In a recent development, students from India's top law universities have launched an online petition, urging the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) to revise the fee structure for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). The petition, which has garnered support from several student councils and associations, argues that the current fee structure acts as a financial and structural barrier for students from socially and economically disadvantaged groups.
The petitioners have specifically urged the Consortium to revise the application fee of ₹4,000 (₹3,500 for SC/ST applicants) and the counselling and confirmation fee of ₹50,000 (₹40,000 for reserved categories). They have suggested that the combined fee of ₹50,000 be reduced to a one-time payment. Moreover, the petition asks for the counselling and confirmation fee to be refundable for candidates who withdraw from the admission process.
The petitioners claim that financial institutions only release educational loans after admissions, exacerbating the problem for students who secure a seat in the CLAT counselling rounds. This issue, they argue, is exclusionary and unaffordable, contradicting the principles of inclusivity outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP).
The petitioners' concerns have not fallen on deaf ears. Three CLAT 2025 candidates have filed a petition challenging the fees before the Kerala High Court, assisted by the Legal Collective for Students' Rights (LCSR). Another CLAT 2025 candidate has also petitioned before the Delhi High Court.
As of now, no confirmed updates or decisions on CLAT fee reform requests by India’s top law universities have been found in the available information. The fees for application and counselling remain as last reported for CLAT 2025, with similar structures anticipated for 2026. However, the Kerala High Court has listed the matter for hearing on July 31, and the Delhi High Court has listed the case for hearing on September 9.
The current CLAT counselling fee structure for 2023 requires a confirmation fee of ₹20,000 and a counselling fee of ₹30,000, making a total of ₹50,000. With a lack of financial aid infrastructure to support the upfront counselling fees, students who secure a seat in the CLAT counselling rounds face difficulty in retaining it.
The petitioners maintain that the current fee structure is exclusionary and inconsistent with the NEP in terms of inclusivity. They hope that their efforts will lead to a more accessible and equitable CLAT fee structure, providing opportunities for all deserving students, regardless of their financial background.
References:
[1] CLAT 2025 Counselling Fee Structure: https://www.clat.ac.in/counselling-fee-structure-for-clat-2025/
[2] CLAT 2025 Application Fee: https://www.clat.ac.in/clat-2025-application-fee/
[3] CLAT 2026 Expected Fee Structure: https://www.clat.ac.in/expected-clat-2026-fee-structure/
- The petitioners aim to revise the current CLAT fee structure, arguing that it is a financial and structural barrier for students from disadvantaged groups, and are advocating for a reduction in the application fee, counselling fee, and making the counselling fee refundable, as part of their education-and-self-development efforts.
- Seeking a more accessible and equitable CLAT fee structure, the petitioners have stated that the current structure contradicts the principles of inclusivity outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP), expressing their hopes that their efforts will provide opportunities for all deserving students, regardless of their financial background, thereby promoting education-and-self-development.
