CLAT 2026 Answer Key Released: Download Provisional Key and Calculate Your Scores at Sarkari Result All
New Delhi, 13 December 2025: The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) has officially released the provisional answer key for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026 examination. The exam, which took place on 8 December 2025, saw participation from thousands of aspiring law students across the country. Candidates can now download the official CLAT 2026 Answer Key to verify their answers, calculate their expected scores, and raise objections if they find discrepancies in the official key. The provisional key release marks the beginning of the post-exam process, which will culminate in the final result declaration and subsequent counseling sessions for admission to prestigious National Law Universities (NLUs).
The release of the answer key is one of the most anticipated events after the examination, as it allows candidates to get a clear picture of their performance before the final results are announced. The CLAT 2026 Answer Key includes the correct responses to all questions asked in the examination across various sections, including English Language, Current Affairs including General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. This detailed document is essential for candidates to calculate their raw scores accurately and assess their chances of securing admission into a top NLU.
Candidates are advised to carefully review the provisional key and compare it with their individual response sheets. The Consortium has also opened a short window for candidates to challenge or object to any answers they believe are incorrect. This objection process is critical, as it allows candidates to point out potential errors in the key, which, if validated by the expert committee, will lead to changes in the final answer key and subsequent result calculations. The final result will be based on the revised answer key after addressing all valid objections.
Key Details: CLAT 2026 Answer Key Overview
The CLAT 2026 exam was conducted in a single session on 8 December 2025. The examination serves as a gateway for admission to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs offered by 24 participating NLUs. The availability of the answer key just days after the exam demonstrates the efficiency of the conducting body and provides timely information to candidates.
The provisional answer key is typically released first. This initial release allows for transparency in the evaluation process. Candidates must understand that this key is subject to change based on the objections received. Once the objection window closes, a final answer key is prepared, which forms the basis for computing the final scores and rankings of all candidates. It is important for candidates to use the official key, whether provisional or final, for accurate calculations, as relying on unofficial keys from coaching institutes can sometimes lead to discrepancies.
For candidates seeking updates on the provisional key, final key, and result date, the website Sarkari Result All (https://www.sarkariresultall.in/) serves as a trusted platform. We provide timely updates and direct links for downloading all important documents related to the CLAT 2026 examination, ensuring candidates do not miss out on crucial deadlines.
CLAT 2026 Answer Key Download Process: Step-by-Step Guide
Downloading the CLAT 2026 Answer Key requires candidates to follow a specific procedure on the official CLAT portal. Here is a simplified step-by-step guide to help candidates access the key:
- Visit the Official CLAT Website: Go to the official website of the Consortium of NLUs. The direct link is usually provided on the main page.
- Access the Candidate Login Portal: Look for the "Candidate Login" section. You will need to enter your CLAT application number and password to access your dashboard.
- Locate the Answer Key Tab: Once logged in, navigate through the dashboard to find a link titled "CLAT 2026 Answer Key" or "Provisional Key".
- Download the PDF: Click on the link to download the PDF document containing the answer key. This document lists the question number and the corresponding correct option for each question.
- Download Response Sheet (if separate): Candidates should also download their individual response sheet from the portal. The response sheet shows the answers marked by the candidate during the examination.
- Compare and Verify: Compare the answers on the official key with the answers marked in your response sheet to calculate your score.
For easier access, candidates can also visit the Sarkari Result All website at https://www.sarkariresultall.in/. On the Sarkari Result All homepage, navigate to the "Answer Key" section. Find the link for "CLAT 2026 Answer Key" and click on it. The page will provide direct links to download the official key, along with detailed instructions and important updates regarding the objection process.
Understanding the CLAT Marking Scheme and Calculating Your Score
To calculate an accurate score using the CLAT 2026 Answer Key, candidates must be familiar with the official marking scheme. The CLAT examination employs a system of both positive marking for correct answers and negative marking for incorrect answers. The total score for CLAT 2026 is 120 marks.
The marking scheme for CLAT 2026 is as follows:
- For every correct answer: +1 mark will be awarded.
- For every incorrect answer: -0.25 marks will be deducted (negative marking).
- For unanswered questions: 0 marks will be awarded or deducted.
Candidates can follow this formula to calculate their raw score:
Raw Score = (Number of Correct Answers × 1) - (Number of Incorrect Answers × 0.25)
Using the official CLAT 2026 Answer Key, candidates can count their correct and incorrect responses from their response sheets and plug these numbers into the formula above. This score provides a close estimate of the final result and helps candidates gauge their performance. It is crucial to be careful during this calculation to avoid errors that could lead to false expectations.
CLAT 2026 Objection Window: What to Do If You Disagree with the Key
A key feature of the CLAT provisional answer key release process is the provision for candidates to raise objections against potentially incorrect questions or answers. The Consortium allows a limited time frame (usually 2-3 days) for this procedure. Candidates who believe there is an error in the provisional key must submit their objections during this specified window.
Steps to Submit an Objection:
- Review the Provisional Key Thoroughly: Carefully examine the entire answer key against standard legal texts, general knowledge sources, and logical reasoning principles.
- Gather Evidence: If you find a potential error, collect supporting documentation or evidence. This could include excerpts from authoritative textbooks, legal precedents, or academic articles that support your claim.
- Submit Objection Online: Log in to the CLAT candidate portal during the designated objection window. There will be a specific link for "Objection Management" or "Raise Objections".
- Provide Justification: Fill out the form provided, specifying the question number(s) and option(s) you are challenging. Upload the supporting evidence as attachments.
- Pay Fees (if applicable): Some competitive exams require a fee per objection. Be prepared to pay this fee if necessary.
The Consortium of NLUs will form an expert committee to review all submitted objections. If an objection is found to be valid, changes will be made to the provisional answer key, leading to the release of the final answer key. The final scores and rankings for CLAT 2026 will then be based on this revised key. It is essential to note that objections submitted after the deadline will not be considered under any circumstances.
Post-Answer Key Analysis and Future Steps: CLAT 2026 Cut-offs and Counseling
Once candidates have calculated their scores using the CLAT 2026 Answer Key, the next immediate step is to analyze their results in the context of previous years' cut-offs. The cut-off marks represent the minimum score required for admission to various NLUs. While official cut-offs for CLAT 2026 will be released after the result declaration, candidates can use the previous years' trends to predict their chances.
The CLAT cut-offs vary significantly based on several factors, including the difficulty level of the examination, the number of candidates who appeared, and the number of available seats in each NLU. Higher scores generally correlate with higher ranks and better chances of securing a seat in top-tier NLUs like NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, and NLIU Bhopal. Candidates falling within a certain percentile range can be reasonably sure of receiving an invitation to participate in the CLAT counseling process.
The counseling process for CLAT 2026 will commence shortly after the final result declaration, which is expected in late December 2025 or early January 2026. The counseling involves registering online, paying a fee, and selecting preferences for various NLUs. Seats are allocated based on the candidate's rank, preference, and availability. Candidates who performed well according to the answer key should start preparing their documents required for the counseling process immediately.
CLAT 2026 Important Dates Table
Here is a summary of important dates related to the CLAT 2026 Answer Key and subsequent processes:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CLAT 2026 Exam Date | 8 December 2025 |
| CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key Release | 13 December 2025 |
| CLAT 2026 Objection Window Start Date | 13 December 2025 |
| CLAT 2026 Objection Window End Date | Not Available (Expected mid-December 2025) |
| CLAT 2026 Final Answer Key Release Date | Not Available (Expected late December 2025) |
| CLAT 2026 Result Declaration Date | Not Available (Expected last week of December 2025/first week of January 2026) |
| CLAT 2026 Counseling Starts | Not Available (Expected January 2026) |
CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern Refresher
To provide context for those new to the CLAT process, the exam structure for CLAT 2026 for undergraduate programs consists of five sections. The total duration of the exam is two hours. The questions are based on passages, requiring candidates to read and interpret information from different sources.
- English Language: This section assesses comprehension and language skills.
- Current Affairs including General Knowledge: This section covers current events and general knowledge, including historical events relevant to the legal field.
- Legal Reasoning: This section tests the ability to understand and apply legal principles to given fact situations.
- Logical Reasoning: This section assesses critical thinking skills, including identifying patterns and arguments.
- Quantitative Techniques: This section tests basic arithmetic and data interpretation skills.
The total number of questions in the CLAT exam is 120, reduced from 150 in previous years. Each question carries one mark, with a deduction of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer. This makes accuracy vital for candidates aiming for a high score in the CLAT 2026 examination. The provisional key helps candidates analyze which sections they performed well in and where they lost marks due to negative marking.
About Sarkari Result All
Sarkari Result All is a leading platform dedicated to providing timely and accurate information on government exams, answer keys, results, admit cards, and job notifications. We understand the importance of timely updates for students and provide direct links to official documents like the CLAT 2026 Answer Key. Our goal is to simplify the process of accessing critical information, ensuring students can focus on their next steps rather than searching multiple websites for updates. Candidates can visit https://www.sarkariresultall.in/ for comprehensive coverage of CLAT and other major competitive examinations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about CLAT 2026 Answer Key
When was the CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key released?The CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key was released on 13 December 2025, a few days after the exam was conducted on 8 December 2025.
How can I download the CLAT 2026 Answer Key?You can download the answer key from the official website of the Consortium of NLUs. Log in to your candidate account using your registration number and password. Alternatively, a direct link to download the key is available on Sarkari Result All at https://www.sarkariresultall.in/.
Is there negative marking in CLAT 2026? How do I calculate my score?Yes, there is negative marking. For every correct answer, +1 mark is awarded, and for every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks are deducted. To calculate your score, use the formula: Raw Score = (Number of Correct Answers × 1) - (Number of Incorrect Answers × 0.25).
What is the difference between the provisional answer key and the final answer key?The provisional answer key is released immediately after the exam and allows candidates to check answers and raise objections. The final answer key is released after considering all valid objections and forms the basis for the final result calculation. Changes might occur between the provisional and final key if objections are accepted by the expert committee.
What if I find a mistake in the CLAT 2026 Answer Key?If you find an error, you must submit an objection during the designated objection window. This requires logging into the candidate portal and providing supporting evidence for your claim. The Consortium will review all objections before releasing the final answer key.
When will the final result for CLAT 2026 be announced?The final result for CLAT 2026 is expected to be announced in late December 2025 or early January 2026, after the final answer key is released. Candidates should regularly check the official website and Sarkari Result All for updates on the exact date.
What should I do after checking the CLAT 2026 Answer Key?After checking the answer key and calculating your score, you should determine your approximate rank based on previous years' cut-offs. If your score is good, start preparing documents for the upcoming CLAT counseling process. If you feel confident about an error in the key, prepare to raise an objection during the objection window.