The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026, the gateway to prestigious National Law Universities (NLUs), was successfully conducted across the country on Sunday, 7 December, 2025. The exam, organized by the Consortium of NLUs, paves the way for admissions into undergraduate (BA LLB) and postgraduate (LLM) law programmes.
Exam Day Details and Expected Answer Key Release
The national-level entrance test took place in approximately 141 cities spread over 25 states and four Union Territories. Candidates had a two-hour window from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM to attempt the paper. In a considerate provision, students under the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category were granted an additional 40 minutes to complete their test. Notably, some candidates originally assigned to a Lucknow centre were relocated to Lucknow Public College, A-Block, Rajajipuram.
Following the exam, several coaching centers and subject matter experts promptly released their paper analysis and reviews of the difficulty level. This allows aspirants to get an initial assessment of their performance. The focus now shifts to the official answer key. As per established patterns, the Consortium is expected to publish the provisional CLAT 2026 answer key by December 14, 2025.
How to Access Answer Key and Raise Objections
Once released, candidates must follow a simple online process to download the provisional answer key. They need to visit the official website of the Consortium of NLUs and locate the link for "CLAT 2026 Answer Key". Using their registered mobile number and password to log in, they can view the key on their screen. It is advisable to download and save the PDF for future reference during the objection process.
A crucial window will open after the provisional key's release, allowing students to challenge any answer they believe is incorrect. However, this comes with a fee. Last year, an objection fee of Rs 1,000 per questioned answer sparked concerns among aspirants. Reports indicate student groups have approached the Consortium regarding this matter again this year. The final answer key will be issued only after reviewing all valid objections.
Exam Pattern and Upcoming Counselling Process
The CLAT 2026 question paper consisted of 120 multiple-choice questions, with each correct answer earning one mark. The exam follows a negative marking scheme, deducting 0.25 marks for every wrong response.
Successful candidates must then navigate the counselling phase. They will be required to re-register separately for undergraduate or postgraduate counselling. During each counselling round, aspirants can submit their preferences for up to 15 programmes and NLUs.
The financial aspects remain a key point. The registration fee for the exam itself stays unchanged at Rs 4,000 for the general category and Rs 3,500 for reserved categories. For the counselling process, the fee is significantly higher: Rs 30,000 for general applicants and Rs 20,000 for students from SC, ST, OBC, and PwD categories.
With the exam now concluded, lakhs of law aspirants await the answer key to gauge their scores and prepare for the next critical steps in their journey towards a legal career.
