CLAT Answer Key 2026: PDF Download, Objection Window — Explained

The CLAT 2026 Answer Key is the primary document used by law aspirants to verify their performance and estimate their All India Rank (AIR) before the official results. The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) typically releases the provisional answer key within 24 hours of the exam completion. This document contains the correct answers to all 120 questions asked in the Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) entrance tests. Candidates must download the PDF to cross-check their responses and identify any discrepancies that require a formal challenge during the objection window.

CLAT 2026 Answer Key: Quick Overview

Feature	Details
Exam Name	Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026
Conducting Body	Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs)
Answer Key Status	Provisional Key (Awaited) / Final Key (Awaited)
Total Questions	120 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Marking Scheme	+1 for Correct | -0.25 for Incorrect
Official Website	consortiumofnlus.ac.in

How to Download CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key PDF?

Candidates can access the answer key directly from the official portal of the Consortium of NLUs. Follow these steps to ensure you download the correct set corresponding to your question booklet.

1. Visit the official website at consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
2. Click on the 'CLAT 2026' tab located on the top right of the homepage.
3. Navigate to the 'Notifications' or 'Downloads' section.
4. Look for the link titled "CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key" for your respective course (UG or PG).
5. The PDF will open in a new tab; click the download icon to save it to your device.
6. Match the answers with your question paper code (Set A, B, C, or D).

It is recommended to print a copy of the answer key and your response sheet to facilitate a side-by-side comparison. If you find any mismatch between the official key and your verified sources, you must prepare to raise an objection within the stipulated timeframe.

How to Calculate Your Score Using CLAT 2026 Answer Key?

Calculating your raw score is essential to understand where you stand in the competition for the top 24 NLUs. The CLAT 2026 exam follows a specific negative marking pattern. Use the formula below to arrive at your final score.

Score Calculation Formula: (Number of Correct Answers × 1) - (Number of Incorrect Answers × 0.25) = Total Raw Marks.

Legal Reasoning

Section	Total Questions	Your Correct Answers	Your Incorrect Answers	Sectional Score
English Language	~24	-	-	-
Current Affairs & GK	~28	-	-	-
~32	-	-	-
Logical Reasoning	~24	-	-	-
Quantitative Techniques	~12	-	-	-
Total	120	-	-	-

Do not count questions that you left unattempted. There is zero negative marking for unattempted questions. Ensure you are using the provisional key released for the year 2026 specifically, as patterns and question IDs change annually.

Step-by-Step Guide to Raise Objections Against CLAT Answer Key

The Consortium provides a window, usually lasting 24 to 48 hours, for candidates to challenge any answer they believe is incorrect. This process is entirely online and requires a non-refundable fee for every objection raised.

1. Log in to your CLAT account using your Mobile Number and Password.
2. Click on the 'Submit Objections' button.
3. Select the 'Type of Objection' (Question-related or Answer Key-related).
4. Enter the Question Number and the relevant details of your objection.
5. Upload supporting evidence, such as scanned pages from standard textbooks or official journals.
6. Submit the objection and proceed to the payment gateway.

Based on previous trends, the objection fee is ₹1,000 per question. If the objection is found to be valid by the expert committee, the fee is typically refunded to the original payment source. However, if the challenge is rejected, the fee is forfeited.

What is the Difference Between Provisional and Final Answer Key?

The Provisional Answer Key is the first draft released by the exam authorities. It is open to public scrutiny and challenges. Its primary purpose is to maintain transparency in the examination process, allowing students to point out potential errors in the question paper or the marking key.

The Final Answer Key is released after a subject expert committee reviews all objections submitted by candidates. If an objection is accepted, the Consortium may either change the correct option or withdraw the question entirely. If a question is withdrawn, the total marks for the exam are adjusted accordingly (e.g., if 2 questions are withdrawn, the result is calculated out of 118 marks). No further challenges are entertained once the final key is published.

Tie-Breaking Rules in CLAT 2026 Results

When two or more candidates secure the same raw score after the final answer key evaluation, the Consortium applies specific tie-breaking rules to determine the merit rank. This is crucial because even a single mark can result in a rank difference of hundreds.

• Higher Marks in Legal Reasoning: The candidate with better marks in the Legal Reasoning section of the UG-CLAT 2026 is awarded the higher rank.
• Age Factor: If the tie persists, the older candidate is given preference in the merit list.
• Computerized Draw of Lots: If both the above criteria fail to break the tie, a computerized draw is conducted.

Understanding these rules helps candidates interpret their potential rank more accurately when comparing scores with peers using the CLAT 2026 Answer Key PDF.

Top NLUs and Expected Cutoff Trends for 2026

While the official cutoffs are only released during the counseling process, previous year trends provide a benchmark for law aspirants. The cutoff depends on the difficulty level of the paper and the performance of the top 1% of candidates.

National Law University (NLU)	Expected Cutoff (General Category)	Expected Rank Range
NLSIU Bangalore	100+ Marks	1 - 100
NALSAR Hyderabad	95+ Marks	101 - 200
WBNUJS Kolkata	92+ Marks	201 - 350
NLU Jodhpur	90+ Marks	351 - 500
GNLU Gandhinagar	88+ Marks	501 - 750

Candidates scoring above 80 marks generally have a high probability of securing a seat in one of the top 10 NLUs. Those scoring between 70 and 80 should look at newer NLUs or state-domicile quotas. You can check detailed /results-cutoffs for previous years to compare your raw scores.

What Happens After the Final Answer Key Release?

Once the Final Answer Key is published, the Consortium proceeds to announce the CLAT 2026 Results and the All India Merit List. Candidates are then invited for the Centralized Admission Process (CAP), also known as CLAT Counseling. During this phase, you must provide your NLU preferences.

The counseling process usually involves five rounds of seat allotment. To participate, candidates must pay a counseling registration fee (approximately ₹30,000 for General and ₹20,000 for reserved categories). This amount is later adjusted against the university admission fee. Missing the deadline for the counseling fee results in the forfeiture of the seat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I challenge the CLAT 2026 Final Answer Key?

No, the Consortium does not allow any challenges against the Final Answer Key. The decisions made by the expert committee after the provisional objection window are considered final and binding for the calculation of results.

Is the CLAT objection fee refundable?

The objection fee of ₹1,000 per question is only refunded if the candidate's challenge is accepted by the expert committee. If the objection is rejected, no refund is provided. Refunds are usually processed within 30 working days after the final result declaration.

What should I do if I find a mistake in my CLAT response sheet?

The response sheet is a digital record of what you marked during the exam. If there is a technical glitch where your marked answer differs from the response sheet, you must contact the Consortium helpdesk immediately at clat@consortiumofnlus.ac.in with your admit card details.

How many questions were withdrawn in previous CLAT exams?

In previous cycles, the number of withdrawn questions has varied from zero to three. When a question is withdrawn, it is removed from the total count, and marks are calculated based on the remaining questions for all candidates.

Where can I find the CLAT 2026 Question Paper?

The official question paper is usually uploaded alongside the provisional answer key on the consortiumofnlus.ac.in portal. You can download it in PDF format for all sets.

Final Action Plan for Aspirants

The release of the CLAT Answer Key 2026 is a time-sensitive event. Candidates should keep their login credentials ready and monitor the official website closely after the exam date. Ensure you have standard reference material ready if you plan to challenge any answer. Once you calculate your score, start researching the admission criteria and placement records of various NLUs to make an informed choice during the counseling registration. For the latest updates on law entrance exams and /exam-preparation tips, stay tuned to TrueJobs.co.in.

Related Resources

• SSC CGL 2026 Answer Key
• NEET UG 2026 Result
• UPSC CSE Prelims Result 2026
• RRB NTPC Answer Key
• AP EAPCET Answer Key

How to follow this exam update

The CLAT 2026 answer key is your first step to estimating your rank. Use it to verify answers and file objections promptly. Stay updated on the official website for the final results and cutoff announcements.