The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026, conducted on December 7, 2025, has drawn significant attention from aspirants aiming for admission to India’s prestigious National Law Universities. With nearly 92,344 candidates registered, marking a 17% increase from the previous year, the exam continues to be one of the most competitive gateways to legal education in the country.
The Consortium of NLUs has officially announced that the provisional answer key will be published on December 10, 2025 at 5 PM. This key will allow candidates to cross-check their responses, estimate scores, and assess their chances of securing admission. Following the release, an objection window will remain open until December 12, 2025 at 5 PM, enabling candidates to challenge any discrepancies. After reviewing objections, the final answer key will be issued, paving the way for the declaration of results.
In the meantime, several educational portals and subject experts have already released unofficial answer keys and solved papers for all sets (A, B, C, and D). These resources provide immediate relief to anxious candidates, helping them calculate approximate scores out of 120 and predict ranks even before the official key is available.
How to Download the CLAT 2026 Answer Key:
Candidates can access the official answer key by visiting the Consortium’s website (consortiumofnlus.ac.in). The process involves:
- Clicking on the CLAT 2026 answer key link for UG or PG programmes.
- Selecting the relevant question paper set (A, B, C, or D).
- Downloading the PDF and saving it for reference.
The answer key is a crucial document, not only for calculating scores but also for ensuring transparency in the evaluation process. It empowers candidates to verify their performance and raise valid objections if needed.
Exam Difficulty Analysis:
According to early reviews, the English language and Current Affairs sections were relatively easy, while Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques were rated moderately difficult. This balance suggests that while the paper was accessible, it demanded strong analytical skills and time management.
Risks and Considerations:
- Unofficial answer keys are helpful but may contain errors; rely on the official key for final calculations.
- The objection process is time-bound, so candidates must act quickly if they spot discrepancies.
- Performance predictions based on answer keys are indicative, not definitive, until results are declared.
The release of the CLAT 2026 answer key marks a crucial step in the admission process for thousands of aspirants across India. By providing transparency and an opportunity to raise objections, the Consortium of NLUs ensures fairness in evaluation and confidence among candidates. While unofficial answer keys offer early insights, the official key remains the definitive source for score calculation and rank prediction. As the objection window closes and the final key is published, students will move one step closer to realizing their dream of entering India’s premier law universities. The journey from exam day to result declaration is filled with anticipation, but the answer key serves as a guiding light, helping candidates assess their performance and prepare for the next stage of their academic future.