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CLAT Answer Key 2026 PDF Download Now [CLAT Provisional Key & Final Answer Key]

Author : Samriddhi Pandey

December 16, 2025

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Reader's Digest: Appeared for CLAT 2026 and want to know where you stand? On this page, you can download the official CLAT Answer Key 2026 (Provisional & Final), check your marks using the CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key PDF, understand the objection process, and plan your NLU options with data-backed clarity.

This guide is based on the official CLAT Answer Key released by the Consortium of NLUs on 10 December 2025, along with expert inputs from the LegalEdge faculty team.

CLAT Answer Key 2026: Highlights

The CLAT 2026 Answer Key is released in two stages by the Consortium of NLUs:
1️⃣ the CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key, and
2️⃣ the CLAT 2026 Final Answer Key after objections are reviewed.

Here are the key points you should know right now:

  • The CLAT 2026 Entrance Exam was conducted on 7 December 2025 in offline mode.

  • The CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key (UG & PG) has been released on the official website: consortiumofnlus.ac.in.

  • You can use the CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key to:

    • verify each response,

    • calculate your tentative score, and

    • decide which questions to challenge.

  • The portal to raise objections to the CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key will remain open for a limited window, and you must pay ₹ 500 per question (refundable if your objection is accepted).

  • After evaluating all objections, the Consortium will publish the CLAT 2026 Final Answer Key, which will be used to prepare the CLAT 2026 result and rank list.

LegalEdge CLAT Answer Key 2026 PDFs:

Key Thing to note:

  • 1 Question has been withdrawn
  • The Objection Fee per question has been reduced from 1000 to 500.

What is the CLAT Answer Key 2026?

The CLAT 2026 Answer Key is an official document released by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) that provides the correct answers to all questions asked in the CLAT examination. It serves as a reference for candidates to assess their performance by comparing their responses with the correct answers.

CLAT Answer Key 2026 Release Dates

Keep an eye on these important dates related to the CLAT Answer Key 2026. The provisional key, objection window, and final key all follow a tight timeline.

CLAT Answer Key 2026 Event Date & Time
CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key Release Date 10th December 2025
Inviting Objections to the Question Paper & Answer Key 12 December 2025
CLAT 2026 Final Answer Key Release Date 16 December 2025
CLAT 2026 Results Release Date 16 December 2025

What is the CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key?

The CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key is the first official answer key released by the Consortium of NLUs a few days after the exam. It contains the official question numbers and their corresponding correct options for all question booklet sets. Using the CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key, you can match your responses, calculate an estimated score, and identify any questions where you genuinely feel the official answer may be incorrect.

This provisional key is not final. It is released specifically so that students, teachers, and institutes like LegalEdge can scrutinise it and point out possible errors before the final CLAT 2026 answer key is published.

Why is the CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key Important?

The CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key plays a crucial role in your post-exam strategy:

  • It gives you an early idea of your score even before the result is out.

  • It helps you decide whether to start preparing for the next stage (counselling, college research, backup plans, etc.).

  • It offers a transparent mechanism to question any doubtful answer or ambiguous question.

  • It becomes the base document for raising objections, which can directly impact the final key and, eventually, the cut-offs.

For many aspirants, this is the first reality check of where they stand after CLAT 2026.

How to Use the CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key to Calculate Your Score

Follow these steps to make the most of the CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key:

  1. Keep your CLAT 2026 response sheet or OMR snapshot handy.

  2. Download the CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key for your exact question booklet set.

  3. For each question:

    • Award +1 mark for every correctly matched response.

    • Deduct 0.25 mark for every incorrect response.

    • Give 0 mark for unattempted questions.

  4. Use the formula:
    Estimated Score = (Number of Correct Answers × 1) – (Number of Incorrect Answers × 0.25)

  5. Repeat this process section-wise (English, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, GK, and Quantitative Techniques) to analyse which sections helped or hurt your overall score.

You can then compare this estimated score with CLAT previous years’ cut-offs and expert predictions to understand your chances of getting into your target NLUs.

When Should You Raise an Objection to the CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key?

Not every minor doubt needs an objection. You should consider challenging the CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key when:

  • You have strong conceptual or legal backing to prove that the official answer may be incorrect.

  • Standard reference books, case laws, or authoritative sources support a different correct option.

  • A question appears to be ambiguous, has multiple possible correct answers, or is factually outdated/incorrect.

While submitting objections, ensure you:

  • Select the correct question number and booklet set.

  • Clearly mention the reason and explanation for your objection.

  • Upload or cite reliable sources (books, judgments, reports, etc.) where applicable.

Genuine and well-reasoned objections increase the chances of corrections in the final key and can positively impact the marks of thousands of students.

CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key vs Final Answer Key

To avoid confusion, remember the difference:

  • The CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key is open for review and objections.

  • The final CLAT answer key is released after the objection window closes and is non-negotiable.

  • Your CLAT 2026 result and rank will be calculated strictly on the basis of the final answer key, not the provisional one.

You can also cross-check the CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key with LegalEdge’s detailed solutions and analysis to get a clearer idea of tricky questions, debatable options, and expected impact on cut-offs.

Aspect CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key CLAT 2026 Final Answer Key
Release Timing Shortly after the exam After reviewing objections to the provisional key
Purpose To allow candidates to verify answers and identify errors To provide the final, verified answers for scoring
Objection Process Candidates can raise objections within a set timeframe No objections allowed after release
Correction Opportunity Open to revisions based on valid objections Finalized and binding; no further changes
Use for Scoring Not used for calculating final scores Officially used for calculating final scores
Transparency Offers transparency by allowing candidate feedback Ensures fairness with a conclusive answer set

This table highlights how the provisional key is a preliminary version open to candidate review, while the final key is definitive and used in official score calculations.

Components of CLAT Answer Key 2026

The CLAT Answer Key 2026 is the official document released by the Consortium that lists the correct answers for every question asked in the exam. When you download the CLAT Answer Key 2026 PDF, you will typically see:

  1. Question numbers
    A serial list of all questions asked in the CLAT 2026 paper.

  2. Correct options
    The officially correct option (A/B/C/D or similar) for each question.

  3. Booklet / set code details
    Information indicating which booklet code or set the answer key corresponds to, so you can match it with your own question paper.

  4. Course-wise segregation (UG / PG)
    Separate CLAT 2026 Answer Key PDFs for the UG (BA LLB) and PG (LLM) exams, wherever applicable.

Along with the official key, you should also use:

  • Your response sheet / OMR – to see which options you marked for each question.

  • Section-wise breakdowns and solution discussions by LegalEdge – to understand why a particular answer is correct, which topics the question belongs to, and whether there is any valid ground for objection.

Together, these components help you evaluate your performance accurately, calculate your CLAT 2026 score and decide whether you need to challenge any question in the CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key.

Direct Link to Download Official CLAT 2026 Answer Key PDF

The Consortium of National Law Universities has released the CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key for the UG (BA LLB) exam on 10th DECEMBER 2025. You don’t need to hunt through multiple pages on the Consortium website—use the direct links below to download the CLAT Answer Key PDF for your booklet code.

Official Link: https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/

How to Download Official CLAT Answer Key 2026 PDF?

You can check the answer key only through online mode. CLAT answer key 2026 PDF download steps are mentioned below:

  • Visit the official website of CLAT Consortium, i.e., consortiumofnlus.ac.in
  • Click on the "CLAT 2026 Answer Key" tab.
  • Under the notification tab, you can find the UG and PG answer key PDF
  • Click on the course and enter login details like registration ID and password
  • The CLAT answer key PDF will be displayed on the screen
  • Download the answer key and save it for future reference.

How to Raise Objections Against CLAT Provisional Answer Key 2026?

You can raise objections if you find any discrepancy in the CLAT answer key 2026. You can file complaints within the window period and only through online mode.

You can follow the below steps to raise objections against the CLAT answer key 2026:

  • Visit the official website of the CLAT Consortium 2026.
  • Login to your CLAT account at https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/clat-2026/ using your registration number and password.
  • Click on the "Submit Objection" link.
  • Select the Question Booklet set and the type of objection.
  • Select the question number, and enter your objection and proof of objection (if any).
  • Finally, click on the submit button to submit your objection.
  • Pay the amount online to raise objections.

Note - No other way of filing objections will be entertained by the Consortium.

Check: CLAT LLM Answer Key

Objection Submission Fee for CLAT Answer Key 2026

For those wondering about the fee for submitting objections to the CLAT 2026 Answer Key, the Consortium charges a sum of Rs. 1000 for each objection put forth by the candidates.

It's important to know that objections raised without the prescribed fee will not be considered.

However, there's a silver lining – if your objection is upheld, the Consortium will refund the fee, and the refund will be credited to the same account from which the payment was made.

Purpose of CLAT Answer Key 2026

The CLAT 2026 Answer Key serves the following purposes:

  • Self-Assessment: Allows candidates to estimate their scores by comparing their answers.
  • Transparency: Ensures fairness by providing an official answer reference.
  • Error Resolution: Offers a process for candidates to raise objections to provisional answers.
  • Score Calculation: Final answer key is used for official scoring and ranking.
  • Preparation Aid: Helps candidates understand areas for improvement and exam patterns.

This key is essential for accurate evaluation, transparency, and final scoring.

Marks Calculation Process for CLAT Answer Key 2026

As tabulated below, you can calculate the expected marks using the CLAT final answer key 2026 and marking scheme.

Only those who will score above the CLAT 2026 Cut Off are eligible for the admission process. Use the formula provided below to calculate the score.

Answer Type Marking Scheme
Correct answer +1
Incorrect answer -0.25
No response 0

Read MoreCLAT 2026 Counselling Process

CLAT Scores = Total numbers of Correct options*1 - Total number of incorrect responses*0.25

For Example, If the number of correct answers is 120 and the  incorrect answers 30, then the CLAT score will be calculated as follows:

Total CLAT marks = (120*1) - (30*0.25) = 120-7.5

Then, the Total marks = 112.5

CLAT 2026 Answer Key Codes & Colour Indicators

When you log in to the Consortium portal to view your CLAT Answer Key and response sheet, you’ll see simple visual indicators that show whether your marked answer is right or wrong.

Here’s how to read them:

Symbol / Colour What It Means
✅ Tick mark in green Your selected option is correct
❌ Cross / wrong mark in red Your selected option is incorrect
No highlight/blank Question was not attempted (if shown)

These colour codes make it easier to quickly scan through the CLAT Answer Key and:

  • Spot which questions fetched you marks

  • Identify where you lost marks due to mistakes or guesswork

  • Double-check any question you may want to challenge in the CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key

Always match these visual indicators with the booklet setquestion number, and the options shown in the official CLAT Answer Key PDF before drawing final conclusions about your score.

CLAT Passing Marks Out of 120

For CLAT 2026, the Consortium of NLUs has not prescribed any official passing marks out of 120. There is no “pass or fail” benchmark in this exam. Instead, admissions are based entirely on your All India Rank, category, and the CLAT 2026 rank list generated from your score.

Rather than thinking in terms of a fixed CLAT passing mark out of 120, it’s better to focus on:

  • Your raw score (calculated using the CLAT Answer Key)

  • The overall difficulty level of the paper

  • Your category (General / OBC / SC / ST / EWS, etc.)

  • The cut-offs of individual NLUs and your preference order

With the exam pattern changing and reading-based questions dominating, the exact “safe score” for top NLUs can shift from year to year. Generally, higher scores (especially in the upper bands) improve your chances of getting into better NLUs, but final admission depends on:

  • Official CLAT 2026 Cut Offs

  • Your category-wise rank

  • Seat availability and counselling rounds

For a more practical picture of where you stand, use:

These tools, combined with the CLAT 2026 Answer Key, will give you a far clearer idea of your realistic NLU options than chasing a single “passing mark” number.

For CLAT 2026, no specific passing mark criteria are set by the Consortium of NLUs. Instead, candidates are selected purely on their CLAT rank list.

A combination of merit and your preferences determines the allotment of NLUs. It's worth noting that the exam pattern has changed this year.

In light of these changes, we can reasonably anticipate that all those who secure a score of 80 or above stand a good chance of securing a spot in their desired NLU.

CLAT Answer Key [Final]

The CLAT consortium will wait until the objection window closes before unveiling the final answer key.

Another approach they might take is to announce any modifications to the provisional answer key rather than issuing a completely new revised key.

Once all is said and done, the CLAT result will be calculated based on the candidate's scores using this final answer key.

Conclusion

The CLAT Answer Key is not just another PDF to download – it’s the bridge between your exam performance and your final CLAT 2026 result. If you use the provisional and final answer keys correctly, you can estimate your score accurately, raise valid objections on time, and plan your next steps with far more confidence.

Here’s what you should remember from this page:

  • The CLAT Answer Key is released in two phases – first, the CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key, then the CLAT 2026 Final Answer Key.

  • You can download the official CLAT answer key from the Consortium website and also access expert keys and detailed discussions by LegalEdge.

  • The CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key lets you verify answers, calculate a tentative score, and raise objections against doubtful questions within the given window.

  • An objection fee of ₹1000 per question is charged, which is refunded if your objection is accepted by the Consortium.

  • The CLAT 2026 Final Answer Key is published after all objections are reviewed and is the only key used for official scoring and rank calculation.

  • You can refer to previous years’ CLAT question papers and answer keys from this page to understand trends, difficulty levels, and question styles.

  • Your final score is calculated using the official marking scheme and compared against CLAT 2026 cut-offs and the rank list, not any fixed “passing mark”.

  • Tools like Marks vs Rank, Rank Predictor, and College Predictor (linked on this page) help you translate your score into realistic NLU options and a clear post-exam plan.

Use the CLAT Answer Key, your response sheet, and LegalEdge’s guidance together—and you’ll move from guesswork and rumours to data-backed decisions about your law school journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where to download CLAT Answer Key 2026?

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What will happen if a question given in CLAT Exam is incorrect?

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How can I object to the CLAT answer key 2026?

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What is the difference between a provisional and CLAT final answer key 2026?

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What are the details mentioned on CLAT 2026 Answer Key?

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Will I have to log in to check CLAT 2026 Answer Key?

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Can I raise Objections after the CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key is released?

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About the Author

Faculty
Samriddhi Pandey

Content Writer

A seasoned content writer with 2 years of hands-on experience in SEO content writing across diverse domains including CLAT, AILET, CLAT PG, Judiciary, AIBE, UGC NET Law, & Banking and Legal Officer Exams. Additionally, I am proficient in Technical writing, Email writing, Proofreading, and Editing.... more