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CLAT 2026 Final Answer Key (Out): Download Official PDF

Download the CLAT 2026 Final answer key PDF and learn to check answers, calculate scores, and understand cut-off trends.

Last Updated on 04 Jul 2026

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CLAT 2026 Answer Key

The final answer key of CLAT 2026 is out now.

Important note: “There is no change in the provisional answer key or to any question published on 10th December 2025. Therefore, the provisional answer key published is considered as final. Accordingly, the evaluation of candidates for the CLAT 2026 UG shall be out of 119 marks.”

The CLAT 2026 provisional answer key was officially released on 10 December 2025 at 5:00 PM, marking the start of the post-exam verification phase for aspirants. With the objection window now closed, the focus has shifted to the final answer key of CLAT 2026 and result declaration, which are expected very soon.

Initial analysis shows that only 1–3 objections appeared to be genuinely valid, and the Consortium has already withdrawn one question (in provisional answer key), indicating limited changes ahead. 

Based on past trends, where the Consortium released the final answer key and results on the same day, aspirants can expect the CLAT 2026 final answer key between 13 December and 16 December 2025. 

This page is updated live with all official developments, expert insights, and next steps.

Table of Contents

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Law Prep Expert CLAT 2026 Answer Key

The Law Prep Expert Answer Key is available now, released right after the exam to give you the earliest and most reliable CLAT 2026 solutions. Use it to instantly check your responses, estimate your score, and understand where you stand before the official key arrives.

Download Answer Key PDF

CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key

The official Provisional Answer Key of CLAT 2026 was released on 10 December 2025 at 5 PM. This key lets you verify every answer officially and submit objections if needed. It helps you ensure fairness and accuracy before the final marking is completed.

Download Provisional Answer Key PDF

CLAT 2026 Final Answer Key

The CLAT 2026 final answer key will be released after the Consortium evaluates all objections received during the challenge window. It is expected between 13 to 16 December 2025.

Download Final Answer Key PDF

CLAT 2026 Answer Key Release Date

The final answer key of CLAT 2026 is expected to be out between 13 to 16 December 2025:

Event Date & Time
CLAT 2026 Exam Date 7 December 2025
Law Prep Expert Answer Key 7 December 2025, 6:00 PM
CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key 10 December 2025, 5:00 PM
Objection Window Opened 10 December 2025, 5:00 PM
Objection Window Closed 12 December 2025, 5:00 PM
CLAT 2026 Final Answer Key 16 December 2025 (Out)
CLAT 2026 Result 16-17 December 2025 (Expected)

Plan your CLAT preparation with this CLAT Study Planner tool.

What Should Aspirants Do Now After CLAT Answer Key 2026?

With the objection window closed and only limited corrections expected, aspirants should now:

  • Use the provisional answer key to lock in their estimated score
  • Check how the withdrawn question impacts their total marks
  • Use the CLAT Rank Predictor to understand realistic NLU options
  • Prepare documents and preferences for CLAT 2026 counselling and allotment
  • Avoid panic-driven recalculations unless the final key changes answers

At this stage, preparation should shift from answers to admission strategy.

How to Calculate Your Score Using the CLAT 2026 Answer Key?

1. Match each answer with the answer key

Go through each question one by one and compare your marked response with the correct answer to determine which ones are right or wrong.

2. Count the total number of correct answers

Every correct response adds +1 mark to your score. Note this number carefully, as it forms the core of your final calculation.

3. Count all incorrect answers

Each wrong answer carries a penalty of –0.25 marks, so calculate how many of your attempts fall under this category.

4. Apply the CLAT marking formula

Use the formula:

Total Score = (Correct Answers × 1) – (Incorrect Answers × 0.25).

This gives your estimated raw score.

5. Use the rank predictor for better accuracy

Once you calculate your score, enter it into the CLAT 2026 Rank Predictor to estimate your AIR based on competition trends and cut-off patterns.

Free CLAT 2026 Rank Predictor by Law Prep Tutorial

The CLAT 2026 Rank Predictor by Law Prep helps you instantly estimate your AIR based on your score and the exam’s difficulty level. It uses real-time student data and past-year trends to give highly accurate predictions. Try it now to understand your NLU admission chances with confidence.

Predict My CLAT Rank

How to Challenge CLAT 2026 Answer Key?

The CLAT 2026 objection window is now closed. It was open from 10 December 2025, 5:00 PM to 12 December 2025, 5:00 PM. During this period, aspirants were allowed to challenge answers they believed were incorrect in the provisional answer key.

Below is the official objection process that applied during the challenge window.

Step 1: Understand the objection window and eligibility

Only objections submitted within the official window were considered by the Consortium. Late submissions or informal representations sent via email or social media are not accepted.

Step 2: Identify questions with strong academic backing

Aspirants were expected to shortlist only those questions where:

  • The provisional answer contradicted standard textbooks, statutes, case law, or official sources
  • Expert answer keys and authoritative references supported the challenge
  • Raising speculative or unsupported objections generally leads to rejection.

Step 3: Log in to the Consortium’s objection portal

Candidates had to log in to the official CLAT portal using their registered mobile number and password and access the dedicated objection/representation link for CLAT 2026.

Step 4: Submit question details with supporting evidence

For each challenged question, aspirants were required to:

  • Select the question number
  • Choose the disputed option
  • Upload supporting documents (PDF format)
  • Provide a clear, concise justification citing reliable sources
  • Only well-documented objections were evaluated.

Step 5: Pay the objection fee

Each objection required an online payment of ₹5,00 per question, which is refundable if the objection is accepted. Payment confirmation was mandatory for submission.

Step 6: Track changes through the final answer key

After evaluating all objections, the Consortium will reflect accepted changes—such as answer corrections or withdrawn questions—in the CLAT 2026 final answer key, which will be used for result calculation.

To upgrade your CLAT Preparation – Join our online CLAT coaching program

Number of CLAT 2026 Applicants

On 7th December evening, Consortium of NLUs released a press release and shared these details:

Category Details
Total Applicants 92,344 (17% increase from last year)
UG Applicants 75,009
PG Applicants 17,335
UG Attendance 96.83%
PG Attendance 92.45%
PwD Candidates Appeared 548
CLAT Exam Centres 156 centres, 93 cities, 25 States, 4 UTs
Exam Conduct Smooth, secure, no disruptions reported

Important Resources After CLAT Exam:

CLAT Allotment List CLAT Counselling
CLAT Toppers CLAT College Predictor
CLAT Cut Off  

Section-Wise Analysis of CLAT 2026

Based on the CLAT 2026 question paper analyzed by the experts at Law Prep Tutorial, find the exam analysis:

English Language Analysis

English was easy–moderate, mostly fact-based with predictable vocab and comprehension. Students who read regularly found it scoring.

Parameter Details
Number of Questions 24
Difficulty Level Easy to Moderate
Good Attempts 20
Good Score 16–18

The English section was straightforward, with passages sourced from contemporary themes and editorial-style writing. Vocabulary was moderate, with most questions focusing on contextual meanings, inference, and main-idea extraction. 

No unfamiliar or tricky question formatting appeared this year. Students who maintained accuracy and speed could easily score above 16. Since the passages were short and direct, most aspirants saved time for tougher LR and Legal Reasoning sets.

General Knowledge & Current Affairs Analysis

Parameter Details
Number of Questions 28
Difficulty Level Moderate
Good Attempts 25
Good Score 23–24

GK was dominated by CLAT current affairs for the last 8–10 months, with a mix of India-specific and international news items. 

Most questions were direct and fact-based, covering government schemes, global reports, awards, sports, and major appointments. Students who followed monthly CA or used structured resources found this section scoring. Static GK was minimal. A few international events required deeper recall, but overall, the section favoured well-prepared aspirants.

Legal Reasoning Analysis

Parameter Details
Number of Questions 30
Difficulty Level Moderate
Good Attempts 28
Good Score 24–26

Legal Reasoning required close reading and logical application. The principles were straightforward, but options were close, making accuracy crucial. Themes included contracts, torts, criminal law, and constitutional law.

Case-based passages were not lengthy, but the reasoning required precision. Students who practiced enough CLAT mock tests could eliminate wrong choices quickly. Compared to the 2025 paper, this section felt slightly lengthier but still manageable within time.

Logical Reasoning Analysis

Parameter Details
Number of Questions 26
Difficulty Level Moderate
Good Attempts 20
Good Score 16–18

The Logical Reasoning section surprised many students this year. Instead of the expected balance between Critical Reasoning (CR) and Analytical Reasoning (AR), the section was dominated by Analytical Reasoning, with very few CR questions. 

This led to disappointment among aspirants because CR is usually one of the most challenging components, and students dedicate significant preparation time to it. 

However, the AR-based sets required structured thinking rather than extensive reading, making the section manageable for those comfortable with patterns and logical deductions. 

While the overall difficulty remained moderate, the shift in question distribution was unexpected compared to previous years.

Quantitative Techniques Analysis

Parameter Details
Number of Questions 12
Difficulty Level Easy to Moderate
Good Attempts 10
Good Score 6–8

QT was simpler this year, with accessible data sets and chart-based questions. A few required multi-step arithmetic reasoning but were still manageable. 

Students generally found this section predictable, and it offered scoring opportunities for those who remain calm under pressure. Compared to last year, QT was easier and shorter, allowing aspirants to boost their overall score.

Must Know for Every CLAT Aspirant:

CLAT Syllabus Best Books for CLAT
CLAT Eligibility Criteria CLAT Exam Pattern
CLAT Age Limit CLAT Marking Scheme
How to Prepare for CLAT?  

CLAT 2026 Complete Exam Analysis Video

CLAT 2026 Exam Analysis: Overview

Section No. of Questions Good Attempt Good Score
English Language 24 20 16–18
General Knowledge 28 25 23–24
Legal Reasoning 30 28 24–26
Logical Reasoning 26 20 16–18
Quantitative Techniques 12 10 6–8
TOTAL 120 100 85–94

Check the detailed CLAT 2026 exam analysis.

CLAT 2026 Cut-Off (Expected)

Category Expected Marks
General 87–98
OBC 83–95
SC 74–90
ST 70–86
EWS 85–96
PwD 65–80

Check the detailed and NLU-wise CLAT cut-off 2026.

Importance of Reviewing CLAT 2026 Answer Key

  • Helps you verify every response and understand where marks are gained or lost.
  • Allows you to calculate your estimated score before results are declared.
  • Gives clarity on your expected rank using the rank predictor.
  • Shows which sections were strong and which need improvement.
  • Helps identify repeated mistakes in reading, logic, or interpretation.
  • Provides insight into which topics the Consortium is prioritising.
  • Prepares you better for counselling by understanding your actual standing.
  • Builds confidence by reducing post-exam uncertainty and anxiety.
  • Supports future preparation if you plan to reattempt CLAT Exam.
  • Ensures transparency by letting you analyse answers before objections close.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Using CLAT Answer Key

  • Counting skipped questions as incorrect and miscalculating the score.
  • Ignoring the negative marking while estimating total marks.
  • Misreading passage-based questions and assuming contextual answers.
  • Depending only on the memory-based key without checking the official key later.
  • Forgetting to verify multi-step Quant answers carefully.
  • Overestimating accuracy due to exam pressure or recall errors.
  • Not using proper sources while challenging the provisional key.
  • Comparing scores with others instead of focusing on performance analysis.
  • Calculating final scores before checking all sections completely.
  • Failing to cross-check options carefully while matching answers.

Know more about Law Universities in India:

List of NLUs in India NLU Delhi
NLIU Bhopal NLSIU Bangalore
WBNUJS Kolkata NALSAR Hyderabad
GNLU Gujarat RMNLU Lucknow
NLU Jodhpur IIULER Goa
NLU Ranchi MNLU Nagpur
RPNLUP Prayagraj CNLU Patna
NLU Shimla  

FAQs About CLAT Answer Key 2026

The CLAT 2026 provisional answer key was released on 10 December 2025 at 5:00 PM by the Consortium of NLUs on its official website.

No. The objection window opened on 10 December 2025 at 5:00 PM and closed on 12 December 2025 at 5:00 PM. No objections can be submitted now.

Yes. The Consortium has officially withdrawn one question, which will be accounted for in the final evaluation and score calculation.

There are no changes in the final answer key. It is the same as provisional answer key.

The final answer key is out now on 16 December 2025.

Yes, based on past trends, the Consortium usually releases the final answer key and results on the same day, and the same is expected for CLAT 2026.

For CLAT 2025, the final answer key and results were released within 7 days of the exam, making a similar timeline likely for CLAT 2026.

Only the final answer key will be used to calculate your final score, rank, and NLU allotment. The provisional key is for verification only.

Yes, but changes are expected to be minimal, limited to the withdrawn question or any accepted objections reflected in the final key.

The withdrawn question will be handled uniformly for all candidates, so overall cut-off trends are unlikely to change significantly.
Virendra Soni
Virendra Soni

SEO Head

Virendra heads SEO & Content at LPT. A writer at heart, he focuses on building exam-focused content that informs, guides, and supports aspirants in their preparation journey.

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