The Consortium of NLUs has released the CLAT 2026 Answer Key today, 10 December 2025. Candidates can submit objections until 12 December, up to 5:00 PM.
The CLAT UG 2026 exam was held on 7 December 2025 across 156 centres in 93 cities spanning 25 states and 4 Union Territories.
Additionally, RPNLU Prayagraj joined the list of NLUs and will participate in CLAT admissions from the 2026–27 academic year, expanding the opportunities for law aspirants.
Direct link to download CLAT Answer Key
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This year, the CLAT exam recorded an increase of over 17% in applications.
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The overall turnout of undergraduate candidates stood at 96.83%.
About CLAT 2026
The Common Law Admission Test 2026 is an all-India entrance examination conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities for admission into undergraduate (BA LL.B.) and postgraduate (LL.M.) courses. The scores of CLAT 2026 will be accepted by 24 NLUs and over 60 private law colleges.
| Key Summary - CLAT 2026 registration opens on August 1, 2025, and closes on October 31, 2025, and the exam is scheduled on December 7, 2025.
- The fee for registration is ₹4,000 for General, OBC, NRI, PIO, and OCI candidates, whereas SC, ST, and BPL candidates have to pay ₹3,500.
- For UG, candidates should have passed Class 12 with a minimum of 45% marks (40% for SC/ST), whereas for PG, an LL.B. degree with 50% marks (45% for SC/ST) is required, and there is no age restriction for both.
- The UG exam will consist of 120 questions to be answered in two hours on English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques.
- There will be approximately 2,860 UG seats available across 24 NLUs, with NLSIU Bengaluru providing the most seats at 180.
- A targeted three-month preparation strategy must involve concept establishment during the first month, practice during the second month, and extensive mock test-based revision during the third month.
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CLAT 2026 Important Date
This table summarises the critical CLAT 2026 important dates like start date, last date, admit-card window, exam date and tentative result/counselling windows.
| Event | Date |
| Exam Date — CLAT 2026 | 7 December 2025 (Sunday), 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM |
| Provisional Answer Key | 10 December 2025 (Released) |
| Objection Window for Answer Key | 10–12 December 2025 |
| Final Answer Key & Result Declaration | Tentatively Mid to Late December 2025 |
| Start of Counselling / Seat Allotment Process | To be notified (likely soon after the result) |
Ques. When will CLAT 2026 registration begin?
Ans. CLAT 2026 registration began officially on August 1, 2025, on the Consortium of National Law Universities' official website. From this date, all concerned candidates can complete the online application form by submitting personal, academic, and communication information, uploading documents, if any, and paying the requisite fee. It is better to register in advance to prevent last-minute dash or server problems towards the deadline.
Ques. What is the last date for application to CLAT 2026?
Ans. The last date to submit the CLAT 2026 application form is October 31, 2025. No new applications will be accepted after this date. Candidates should ensure that all information required is filled in correctly, documents are uploaded in the format as specified, and the application fee payment is successfully completed prior to the deadline. As the Consortium hardly ever extends the deadline, it is advisable to apply well in advance of October 31 in order to steer clear of technical issues on the last day.
Ques. Is it possible for me to modify my CLAT 2026 application form?
Ans. Yes. Consortium of NLUs will release a correction window post-application deadline, where candidates can make changes to some of the fields in their CLAT 2026 form. You can normally change fields like personal details (name, date of birth), academic details, preference of test city, and documents uploaded. But all sections are not editable such as the registered mobile number or email ID of the candidate, which is mostly not allowed to be changed. The window for correction will stay open for a few days only, so candidates need to carefully refer to the official timetable and make required corrections as early as possible. Any such errors if not corrected can affect your eligibility or the examination procedure.
CLAT 2026 Registration
To register for CLAT 2026, the applicants should approach the official CLAT website and register with their personal mobile number and email ID. OTP sent to the registered mobile number will authenticate the account. After authentication, applicants will be able to log in with their mobile number and password and access the CLAT 2026 application form. The applicants are required to provide personal, educational, and contact information carefully, so that their name and those of their parents are entered in the form exactly as is present on documents such as certificates, mark sheets, or government-issued identity proofs. Any variation can lead to disqualification. Following this, the candidates need to pay the application fee online before submitting the form.
| Step | Action |
| 1 | Visit the official CLAT 2026 website |
| 2 | Register with personal mobile number & email ID |
| 3 | Verify mobile number via OTP |
| 4 | Log in using mobile number & password |
| 5 | Fill the CLAT 2026 application form with accurate details |
| 6 | Upload required documents |
| 7 | Pay the application fee online |
| 8 | Submit the form and save confirmation |
CLAT 2026 Application Fee
The CLAT 2026 application fee is ₹4,000 for General/OBC/NRI/PIO/OCI candidates and ₹3,500 for SC/ST/BPL candidates. Applicants can also purchase previous year papers for an additional ₹500.
| Category | Fees |
| General / OBC / NRI / PIO / OCI | ₹4,000 |
| SC / ST / BPL | ₹3,500 |
| Previous Year Papers (Optional) | ₹500 |
Ques. What is the CLAT 2026 fee for the General category?
Ans. For candidates from the General, OBC, NRI, PIO, and OCI categories, the application fee for CLAT 2026 is ₹4,000. This includes the cost of registration, administrative charges, and access to the official CLAT question papers of previous years (if availed, at an additional cost). The payment must be made online using net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI through the payment gateway enabled by the application portal. Additional bank transaction fees, if any, may be applicable based on the mode of payment.
Ques. Can the CLAT 2026 fee be refunded?
Ans. No. The fee for CLAT 2026 registration is non-transferable and non-refundable, irrespective of whether the candidate shows up for the test or withdraws the application subsequently. After successful payment, it cannot be refunded at all, including withdrawal, ineligibility, or multiple applications. Hence, candidates should carefully read the eligibility conditions and check all the details prior to payment.
CLAT 2026 Eligibility
Clat 2026 eligibility requires qualifications, minimum marks, and the ‘no upper age limit’ policy so aspirants can check if they meet admission criteria.
| Program | Educational Qualification | Minimum Marks Requirement | Age Limit | Additional Notes |
| UG Program | Passed Class 12 or equivalent from a recognised board | 45% (General/OBC/PwD) 40% (SC/ST) | No age limit | Students appearing in Class 12 in 2026 are also eligible |
| PG Program | LL.B. degree from a recognised university | 50% (General/OBC/PwD) 45% (SC/ST) | No age limit | Final-year LL.B. students can also apply |
Also Read: Consortium of NLUs releases CLAT 2026 Eligibility
Ques. What is the eligibility for CLAT 2026 UG?
Ans. To be considered eligible for the CLAT 2026 Undergraduate (UG) course, the candidates should have passed their Class 12 (or equivalent) exam from a recognized institution or board. They should have obtained at least 45% marks in aggregate (for General/OBC/PwD/NRI/PIO/OCI category candidates) and at least 40% marks in aggregate (for SC/ST category candidates). Applicants who are going to appear for their Class 12 board exam in the year 2026 can also apply, as long as they show evidence of passing the exam while submitting their admission forms.
Ques. Is there any age limit for CLAT 2026?
Ans. No, candidates of any age can apply to either the CLAT UG or PG course. This implies that any candidates above a certain specified age who have the required educational qualifications can sit for the exam. By this policy, even those who have had a break from studies or done something else in their career can also apply for admissions to law courses by CLAT.
CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The CLAT 2026 UG exam tests skills in English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and basic Maths. Questions are multiple-choice, with +1 for correct answers and –0.25 for wrong ones. Each section has a set weightage to assess comprehension, awareness, reasoning, and numerical ability.
CLAT 2026 UG Exam Structure
| Feature | Details |
| Total Questions | 120 |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for correct answer, −0.25 for incorrect answer |
Also Check: CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern Official Link
Ques. How many questions are there in CLAT 2026?
Ans. The CLAT 2026 Undergraduate (UG) question paper will have 120 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). One mark will be awarded for each question, and 0.25 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer according to the negative marking policy. The questions will be distributed over different sections like English Language, Current Affairs including General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. The entire exam will have a total duration of two hours.
CLAT 2026 Syllabus & Weightage
The CLAT 2026 syllabus for the UG program is designed to assess candidates’ aptitude in language proficiency, legal reasoning, analytical skills, and general awareness. The exam consists of five sections, each carrying a different weightage.
| Section | Topics Covered | Weightage |
| English Language | Vocabulary, grammar, comprehension | ~20% |
| Current Affairs & GK | National & international news, static GK | ~25% |
| Legal Reasoning | Principles, facts, case-based questions | ~25% |
| Logical Reasoning | Arguments, puzzles, inferences | ~20% |
| Quantitative Techniques | Arithmetic, data interpretation | ~10% |
Also Check: CLAT 2026 Complete Guide to Syllabus
Ques. Is Maths mandatory for CLAT 2026?
Ans. Yes, Mathematics is a part of the CLAT 2026 syllabus, but only at the level of basic arithmetic. The Quantitative Techniques section in the test examines subjects usually taught up to Class 10 like ratios, percentages, profit and loss, averages, time-speed-distance, and simple data interpretation. Higher math (such as calculus or trigonometry) is not in the syllabus. Although this section has lesser marks than others, doing well may boost your overall percentage and score. Non-maths students need not worry, as the difficulty level is elementary and practice-based.
CLAT 2026 Seat Matrix (UG)
The table lists CLAT 2026 UG seat intake for each NLU and the total seats.
| NLU | UG Seats |
| NLSIU Bengaluru | 180 |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 132 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | 132 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 120 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | 172 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | 169 |
| RGNLU Patiala | 180 |
| CNLU Patna | 138 |
| NUALS Kochi | 60 |
| NLUO Cuttack | 180 |
| NUSRL Ranchi | 120 |
| NLUJA Assam | 60 |
| DSNLU Vizag | 120 |
| TNNLU Tiruchirappalli | 120 |
| MNLU Mumbai | 150 |
| MNLU Nagpur | 240 |
| MNLU Aurangabad | 60 |
| HPNLU Shimla | 120 |
| DNLU Jabalpur | 120 |
| DBRANLU Haryana | 120 |
| GNLU Silvassa | 66 |
| NLU Tripura | 60 |
| NLU Sonepat | 120 |
| NLU Meghalaya | 60 |
Total UG Seats: ~2,860
CLAT 2026 Preparation Tips for Last 3 Months
A focused three-month study plan can help candidates systematically cover the syllabus, strengthen weak areas, and boost exam performance. The strategy begins with building strong conceptual foundations, moves on to consistent practice, and ends with intensive mock simulations to improve speed, accuracy, and confidence.
| Month | Focus Area | Key Activities |
| Month 1 – Concept Formation | Strengthen basics in core areas | Re-learn fundamentals of Legal Reasoning, Grammar, and Mathematics; develop a daily reading habit of newspapers for Current Affairs & GK. |
| Month 2 – Practice | Regular practice & analysis | Attempt at least 2 mock tests per week; identify and work on weak areas; revise concepts that need improvement. |
| Month 3 – Mock Simulation | Exam-like practice & revision | Attempt full-length mocks every alternate day; focus on mental speed and accuracy; revise Current Affairs of the past 12 months thoroughly. |
CLAT Previous Year Statistics
This table shows the statistics of CLAT participation over recent years.
| Year | Registered | Appeared |
| 2021 | 70,277 | 62,107 |
| 2022 | 60,895 | 56,472 |
| 2023 | 60,000 | 51,469 |
| 2024 | 71,243 | 68,786 |
| 2025 | 70,000 | 70,000 |
FAQs
Ques. Approximately how many students are likely to take CLAT 2026?
Ans. Going by last year trends, CLAT typically gets 55,000–60,000 students for the UG paper only. With admissions commencing from August 1, 2025, the Consortium anticipates a minor rise in the number of applicants for CLAT 2026 as awareness about law careers has increased and new tie-ups for law colleges have been formed. In 2023, more than 60,000 applicants registered, with approximately 2,860 UG seats available — i.e., the accept rate was below 5%.
Ques. What is the most time-consuming section of CLAT 2026?
Ans. To the majority of applicants, Legal Reasoning would be the most time-consuming because of its very long comprehension passages and the need to apply principles to fact-based situations. Candidates with poor arithmetic skills would find Quantitative Techniques equally problematic if they do not prepare well. Time management in mocks is critical — ideally, Legal Reasoning need not exceed 35–38 minutes.
Ques. What are the recent differences in CLAT 2026 compared to past years?
Ans. Though the exam pattern for CLAT 2026 is still 120 MCQs, the Consortium has stressed comprehension-based testing even further in the sections on English and Legal Reasoning. Moreover, the CLAT 2026 notification has specified that questions will not test purely static GK but rather current-affairs-related facts. This implies newspaper-based preparation will be more essential than memorizing past GK lists.
Ques. Which months' current affairs do I need to cover for CLAT 2026?
Ans. For CLAT 2026 (December test), candidates need to pay attention from September 2024 to November 2025. This 14-month period matches trends over previous years when most questions were from the 8–12 months prior to the test date, some from earlier for context.
Ques. Is early application for CLAT 2026 beneficial?
Ans. Yes. Although CLAT does not offer tiered fees, early application makes you secure your desired exam centre before it is full. Well before the last date in past years, popular centres in metro cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru were filled to capacity.
Ques. What is the trend for the difficulty level of CLAT in the past three years?
Ans. CLAT 2023 was moderately rated, with Legal Reasoning being just a little more difficult. CLAT 2024 (as per early student reviews) was skewed slightly towards a balanced test with no extremely difficult section. CLAT 2025 difficulty trends haven't been analyzed yet, but test-takers can look forward to CLAT 2026 to have a moderate difficulty level, honoring solid understanding and analysis skills over memorization.