CLAT 2026 Answer Key & Exam Analysis: Complete Breakdown of the Exam
The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) is set to publish the CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key on December 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM. The entrance test for law aspirants was held on December 7, 2025 in offline mode from 2 PM to 4 PM. With the release of the answer key PDF, candidates will be able to verify their marked responses and estimate their probable scores.
Release Schedule for CLAT 2026 Answer Key
The provisional answer key will be uploaded on the official platform consortiumofnlus.ac.in. After this, candidates will have a limited duration to raise objections. Once the review of objections is completed, the revised CLAT 2026 Final Answer Key will be issued, which will be used to prepare the results.
The objection window is typically available for 2–3 days, during which candidates can submit their challenges with valid proof.
Steps to Download the CLAT 2026 Answer Key PDF
- Open the official website: consortiumofnlus.ac.in
- Select the CLAT 2026 option
- Log in using your registered mobile number or application ID
- Find and click on the CLAT 2026 Answer Key PDF link
- Download the file and keep it for future reference
CLAT 2026 Answer Key – Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CLAT 2026 Exam Date | 07-Dec-2025 |
| Provisional Answer Key Release | 10-Dec-2025 |
| Final Answer Key Release | December 2025 |
| CLAT 2026 Result Announcement | December 2025 |
| CLAT Counselling 2026 | January 2026 |
CLAT 2026 Exam Analysis: Overall Impression
According to student reactions, the difficulty level of CLAT 2026 was moderate. The exam followed a familiar structure, similar to the previous two years, with a clear focus on comprehension and reasoning ability.
- English, GK, and Legal Reasoning were manageable for well-prepared students.
- Logical Reasoning required more time due to multi-layered arguments.
- Quantitative Techniques included standard arithmetic and DI-based questions.
Students who practiced mock tests regularly found the paper aligned with their preparation and could attempt a good number of questions with accuracy.
CLAT 2026: Key Highlights
| Aspect | Insight | Impact on Students |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Difficulty | Moderate | Students with consistent practice found it manageable. |
| Sectional Difficulty | Easy to Moderate | Some sections were faster to solve, some required more time. |
| Question Format | 120 MCQs | Same pattern as last year, mostly passage-based. |
| Expected Cut-off | Slightly higher | Easier sections may push cut-offs upward. |
CLAT 2026 Question Paper Structure
| Total Questions | 120 |
| Duration | 2 Hours |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for correct, –0.25 for wrong |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Type of Questions | Passage-based MCQs |
Section-Wise CLAT 2026 Analysis
1. English Language
The English section featured straightforward passages with balanced vocabulary. Inference questions dominated, but overall the level remained within reach for most aspirants.
| Number of Questions | 24 |
| Difficulty | Easy–Moderate |
| Good Attempts | 16–18 |
| Good Score | 20 |
2. Current Affairs & General Knowledge
GK was one of the most scoring sections. Questions focused on recent events, international summits, government schemes, and major national developments.
| Number of Questions | 28 |
| Difficulty | Easy–Moderate |
| Good Attempts | 23–24 |
| Good Score | 25 |
3. Legal Reasoning
Legal passages emphasised understanding of principles rather than prior legal knowledge. The structure was predictable, helping students maintain accuracy.
| Number of Questions | 30 |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Good Attempts | 24–26 |
| Good Score | 28 |
4. Logical Reasoning
Logical Reasoning required more time as passages included multi-step conclusions and detailed arguments. Students with strong analytical skills performed well.
| Number of Questions | 26 |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Good Attempts | 16–18 |
| Good Score | 20 |
5. Quantitative Techniques
Quant questions were moderate in level, featuring DI sets and arithmetic-based problems. Time management played a crucial role here.
| Number of Questions | 12 |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Good Attempts | 6–8 |
| Good Score | 10 |
Expected Cut-Off for CLAT 2026
| Category | Expected Cut-Off |
|---|---|
| General | 87–98 |
| OBC | 83–95 |
| SC | 74–90 |
| ST | 70–86 |
| EWS | 85–96 |
| PWD | 65–80 |
CLAT 2026 Marks vs Rank (Estimated)
| Marks | Rank Range | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 95+ | AIR 1–50 | Excellent chances for top NLUs |
| 90–95 | AIR 50–500 | Highly competitive |
| 85–90 | AIR 500–1500 | Strong position |
| 80–85 | AIR 1500–3000 | Mid-tier NLUs possible |
| 75–80 | AIR 3000–5000 | Newer NLUs |
| 70–75 | AIR 5000–7000 | Low-tier options |
| Below 60 | AIR 12000+ | Consider private universities |
What Toppers Did Right in CLAT 2026
- Chose passages wisely to maximise scoring potential
- Avoided over-attempting and focused on accuracy
- Gave regular mock tests to understand exam patterns
- Maintained strong reading habits to improve comprehension
- Stayed calm even during lengthy sections
What CLAT 2026 Analysis Means for CLAT 2027 Aspirants
- Start reading newspapers and articles daily
- Focus more on understanding passages than memorising facts
- Practice at least 40–50 full-length CLAT mocks
- Analyze mistakes deeply for improvement
- Track yearly trends to understand changing exam patterns
FAQs About CLAT 2026 Exam Analysis
1. How difficult was CLAT 2026?
The difficulty level was moderate, with LR and QT taking slightly more time.
2. Which section was easiest?
GK was the easiest and most scoring for most aspirants.
3. Did CLAT 2026 follow the previous year's format?
Yes, the exam continued with 120 passage-based MCQs.
4. What is considered a good attempt?
Around 90–105 questions with high accuracy is considered a good attempt.
This rewritten version of the CLAT 2026 Answer Key and Exam Analysis offers a fresh, plagiarism-free perspective ideal for website publishing.