• Updated on 16 Dec, 2025 by Amrita Das
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CLAT 2026 Answer Key: The Consortium of National Law Universities has released the CLAT 2026 final answer key for both UG and PG programmes on December 16, 2025. The CLAT Result 2026 will be announced on December 17, 2025. The Consortium released the CLAT 2026 response sheet along with the provisional answer key. The objection fee for raising challenges to the UG and PG provisional answer keys has now been reduced to INR 500 per question. Earlier, candidates had to pay INR 1,000 for each objection.
The objection window for the candidates to challenge the answer has closed on December 12, 2025. Now, the Consortium will evaluate all the challenges. If any correction is required, it will get reflected in the CLAT 2026 final answer key. The CLAT 2026 exam was held on December 07, 2026, and the provisional answer key has been released on December 10, 2026.
In this article, candidates can know more about the CLAT 2026 answer key, the date of release, downloading procedure, answer key types, the procedure of objection, marking scheme, expected cut-offs, and so much more.
Table of Contents
- What is the CLAT Answer Key?
- CLAT Answer Key 2026 Important Dates
- Types of Answer Keys for CLAT 2026
- How to Download the CLAT Answer Key 2026?
- CLAT 2026 Response Sheet: What It Is and Why It Matters?
- How to Calculate Scores Using the CLAT Answer Key 2026?
- How to Challenge the CLAT Provisional Answer Key 2026?
- Why is the CLAT Answer Key 2026 Important?
- How Should Students Use the Answer Key Strategically?
- CLAT Answer Key 2026 PDF: What Does It Contain?
- CLAT 2026 Answer Key FAQs
What is the CLAT Answer Key?
The CLAT Answer Key is an official document uploaded by the Consortium that contains the correct answers to all questions asked in the exam. It allows candidates to:
- Evaluate their performance
- Calculate probable scores
- Compare answers with the official key
- Challenge incorrect answers (if any)
- Predict expected ranks and admission chances
The provisional key is open for challenges, and the final key is released after resolving objections. The answer key is typically released in two phases:
- Provisional Answer Key
- Final Answer Key
CLAT Answer Key 2026 Important Dates
The CLAT Provisional Answer Key 2026 was released on December 10, 2025. The CLAT 2026 result will be announced on December 17, 2025 after the final key is posted on the official site. The schedule of CLAT 2026 events relative to the answer key is as follows:
Types of Answer Keys for CLAT 2026
The CLAT Exam 2026 Answer Key was published in two forms, which include the Provisional Answer Key and Final Answer Key. The provisional key itself is published shortly after the exam and gives the candidates a chance to verify their answers and object to it in case a mistake has been identified.The Final Answer Key, the corrected answers, is published by the Consortium after all of the objections have been reviewed, and is incorporated in the calculation of the official results.After the release of the last key, no other obstacles are permitted.
1. Provisional Answer Key
- Released immediately after the exam
- Candidates can compare their responses
- Mistakes in the key can be challenged
- Serves as a temporary draft answer sheet
2. Final Answer Key
- Released after examining all objections
- Contains corrected answers (if errors were found)
- No further challenges allowed
- Used for calculating final scores and results
How to Download the CLAT Answer Key 2026?
CLAT 2026 Final Answer Key has been published on December 16, 2025. The CLAT 2026 provisional answer key was released on December 10, 2025, and the objection window was open from December 10 to December 12, 2025. In order to check their response, go to consortiumofnlus.ac.in and by clicking on the answer key link, choose UG or PG and download the PDF to get the CLAT Answer Key 2026. The final answer key to CLAT 2026 will be made available to the candidates in the following ways:
- Website of the official Consortium: consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
- Click on the Notifications section.
- Click CLAT 2026 Answer Key (Provisional/Final).
- Choose the UG or PG answer key.
- The answer key PDF will open.
- Click Download and save in reference.
The answer key will be provided in a PDF format and will include:
- Question numbers
- Correct options
- Section-wise breakdown
CLAT 2026 Response Sheet: What It Is and Why It Matters?
The response sheet can enable comparison of the answers of the candidates with the official answer key and score calculation with accuracy.In addition to the answer key, the Consortium also issues the CLAT response sheet, which is a personalised document that includes:
- Candidate’s marked answers
- Section-wise responses
- Question paper code
- Listed options that were provided during the test.
How to Calculate Scores Using the CLAT Answer Key 2026?
The marking scheme in CLAT 2026 is very precise and allows the participants to determine the estimated marks even before the announcement of the outcome.The table on how to compute the scores using the CLAT Answer Key 2026 in the official marking scheme is given below in an understandable form.
How to Calculate Scores Using the CLAT Answer Key 2026?
Candidates have to match their responses and the official key to compute the scores using the CLAT Answer Key 2026. Each correct response is awarded +1 mark, and each false response is awarded -0.25 marks and no mark on questions not attempted.Add them together to obtain their rating.
Also Check: CLAT 2026 Cutoff
How to Challenge the CLAT Provisional Answer Key 2026?
Final Answer Key of CLAT 2026 has been released on December 16, 2025. Candidates could check their provisional answer key on December 10, 2025, and they could raise objections to their answer key from December 10 to December 12, 2025. In order to file a challenge to the CLAT exam 2026 Provisional Answer Key, the applicants would need to go to their account on consortiumofnlus.ac.in, choose the objection link, select the question they wish to challenge, provide valid proof, and file the objection within the allotted time. In case the applicants believe that an answer to a question is wrong or vague, they may file objections with the Consortium.
Steps to Raise Objections
- Log in at consortiumofnlus.ac.in
- Click on Submit Objections
- Select the question number
- Upload supporting documents
- Pay the required fee (if applicable)
- Submit the objection
Documents To Be Submitted
- Textbook references
- Online study material screenshots
- Coaching institute explanations
- Standard legal dictionaries (for legal reasoning questions)
Why is the CLAT Answer Key 2026 Important?
The CLAT Answer Key 2026 holds significant importance as it enables the aspirants to roughly calculate their marks, point out the mistakes in the preliminary key, foresee their possibility of admission into NLUs, and maintain the honesty of the grading process by opening the door for students to check and dispute answers before the announcement of final results. The answer key is a very important tool for students who are preparing for admissions:
- Helps calculate expected marks: Students want a quick assessment of their performance. The answer key adds clarity to the process.
- Helps predict ranks: Students can identify their rank range depending on past cut-offs and the level of competition.
- Helps plan for admissions: If scores seem low, students may explore:
- Private law colleges
- State-level law entrance exams
- Backup options
- Ensures transparency: The answer key system ensures fairness and accountability from the examination authority.
How Should Students Use the Answer Key Strategically?
The students need to apply the CLAT exam 2026 answer key in a strategic manner, which involves the process of comparing their answers to the official key with great care, coming up with the estimated score, and judging the chances of getting admission by looking at the cut-offs of previous years. Doubtful answers, if any, should be objected to with proper evidence. Besides, the students can plan for CLAT Counselling based on their estimated score, consider alternative law colleges, and prepare the required documents for the next steps. Below, we’ve described how the applicants can get the maximum benefit from the answer key:
1. Calculate Accurate Score Early: Don’t wait for the results and just use the provisional key.
2. Compare With Earlier Years’ Cut-Offs: This will make it easier to see their chances of getting admission.
3. Decide to Apply for Objections or Not: If candidates are completely sure that an answer is wrong, submit an objection with proof.
4. Prepare for Counselling: If their rank looks good, start getting the necessary documents ready for admission.
5. Explore Other Options: If their score is close to NLU cut-offs, start looking for private colleges early.
CLAT Answer Key 2026 PDF: What Does It Contain?
The CLAT exam 2026 Answer Key PDF is inclusive of the correct answers for each question, section-wise answer listings, question numbers, and the options marked as right by the Consortium. Besides, it might feature remarks on questions that have been altered or abolished, plus guidelines for scoring and checking one's answers against the candidates' answer sheets. Usually, an answer key PDF consists of:
- Set/Version of the question paper
- Section-wise answers
- Correct option numbers
- Important instructions
- Space for student calculations
Some versions also include:
- Deleted questions (if any)
- Corrected answers after reviewing objections
CLAT 2026 Answer Key FAQs
What does the CLAT Answer Key 2026 mean?
The CLAT Answer Key 2026 is a document published by the Consortium of NLUs that provides the correct answers to all the exam questions. This document is very beneficial for the candidates as they can ensure their performance, tally their scores, and even get an idea about their ranks before the declaration of results.
When will the Answer Key for CLAT 2026 be published?
The provisional CLAT 2026 answer key has been released on December 10, 2025. The final answer key has been announced on December 16, 2025.
What are the various kinds of CLAT exam 2026 answer keys created?
There are two kinds of answer keys: One is the provisional answer key, which is open to challenges, and the other is the final answer key, which has the correct answers and is used for determining the official results. The release of the final key marks the end of objection acceptance.
How do I download the CLAT 2026 answer key?
Check consortiumofnlus.ac.in, enter the Notifications area, press the CLAT 2026 Answer Key link, pick UG or PG, and save the file in PDF format. The answer key contains answers by section, question numbers, and reference to the correct options.
What is the method of calculating the score for the CLAT 2026?
The formula used for score calculation is: Score = (Number of Correct Answers × 1) – (Number of Incorrect Answers × 0.25). Unattempted questions will not add to the score at all. This calculation process enables the applicants to have a rough idea about their results even before the official declaration.
What is the significance of the CLAT answer key?
The CLAT Answer Key is important because it facilitates score estimation, pointing out mistakes in the provisional key, rank prediction, and admission planning. Besides, it guarantees the evaluation process's transparency and responsibility before the final results are announced.
What is the marking scheme for CLAT 2026?
The correct answer is awarded +1 mark, the wrong one -0.25 mark, and the non-attempted questions get 0 marks. The marking is done in such a way that the candidates can get a pretty good idea of their results by means of the answer key.
Where can I find official updates on the CLAT answer key?
The Consortium of NLUs' official website: consortiumofnlus.ac.in is the place where candidates can find all official updates about provisional and final answer keys, objection deadlines, and results. Candidates should check the website regularly to get the most accurate and timely information.
What is the function of the CLAT response sheet?
The CLAT response sheet is an important document that shows the answers marked by the candidate, the responses sorted into sections, and the code of the question paper. It allows the candidates to check their answers against the official answer key and also compute their estimated scores very accurately before the announcement of the results.
What is the method for candidates to dispute the provisional answer key?
Candidates must first log in to consortiumofnlus.ac.in and click on the objection link after selecting the question to be challenged. They can then upload the evidence, such as textbooks and study material, pay the corresponding fee if there is any, and finally submit their objections within the specified time limit for the Consortium's evaluation.
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