Common Law Admission Test Overview 2026
Common Law Admission Test Overview
CLAT 2026 Second Merit List Released
The National Law Universities (NLUs) released the CLAT 2026 Second Merit List on 22nd January 2026. Candidates on this list can pay the confirmation fee for "Freeze" and "Float" options until 29th January 2026.
The third merit list will be released by 5th February. The fourth and fifth allotment lists are expected on 2 May and 15 May 2026, respectively.
- Admissions in CLAT 2026 are conducted for 25 participating NLUs.
- These NLUs offer 3,000 to 3,200 undergraduate (UG) seats in total.
- In Round 1, around 100% of the available seats are open for allotment.
- Other rounds will involve seat upgrades, withdrawals, and distribution of vacant seats.
Candidates with All India Rank (AIR) 1 to 100 secured seats in the 1st Round. AIR under 500 got seats in Tier 1 NLUs, whereas AIR 500 to 1500 are expected to get seats in Round 2 to 3.
By CLAT 2026, around 3,500+ seats will be offered in 24 participating NLUs. As per the previous year's trends, the top 5 NLUs will close the rank between the top 200 and 500.
CLAT Counselling Schedule (Out)
The CLAT Counselling Process will begin today at 6 P.M. The authorities have released instructions on CLAT counselling.
| Schedule | Particulars |
|---|---|
| 06 pm, December 17, 2025 to 10 pm, December 27, 2025 | Registration for admissions counselling (including payment of counselling registration fee) |
| January 7, 2026, at 10 am | Publication of the first allotment list (first round begins) |
| January 7, 2026 (10 am) to January 15, 2026 (1 pm) | Payment of the confirmation fee and admission by NLUs for the first allotment list |
| January 22, 2026, at 10 am | Publication of the second allotment list (second round begins) |
| January 22, 2026 (10 am) to January 29, 2026 (1 pm) | Payment of the confirmation fee and admission by NLUs for the second allotment list |
| February 5, 2026, at 10 am | Publication of the third allotment list (third round begins) |
| February 5, 2026 (10 am) to February 12, 2026 (1 pm) | Payment of the confirmation fee and admission by NLUs for the third allotment list |
| April 24, 2026, by 5 pm | Payment of university fees by candidates who chose the Freeze option in the first three rounds |
| May 2, 2026, at 10 am | Publication of the fourth allotment list (fourth round begins) |
| May 2, 2026 (10 am) to May 8, 2026 (1 pm) | Payment of the confirmation fee and admission by NLUs for the fourth allotment list |
| May 15, 2026, at 10 am | Publication of the fifth and final allotment list (fifth round begins) |
| May 15, 2026 (10 am) to May 20, 2026 (1 pm) | Payment of the confirmation fee and admission by NLUs for the fifth allotment list |
| As notified by the respective NLUs | Payment of university fees by candidates who chose the Freeze option in the fourth and fifth rounds |
CLAT 2026 Question Paper with Answer Key and Solution PDF
| CLAT Paper | Download PDF | Detailed Solution |
|---|---|---|
| CLAT 2026 Question Paper with Answer Key Set A | Download | Check Solution |
| CLAT 2026 Question Paper with Answer Key Set B | Download | Check Solution |
| CLAT 2026 Question Paper with Answer Key Set C | Download | Check Solution |
| CLAT 2026 Question Paper with Answer Key Set D | Download | Check Solution |
What is the CLAT Exam 2026?
CLAT 2026 is a national-level entrance examination conducted every year. It is held for admission into UG (5-Year LLB) and PG (LLM) programs offered by 24 NLUs in India.
- Around 1 lakh candidates appear every year for 3,000 to 3,500 NLU seats.
- Career options after CLAT include corporate law, litigation, judiciary, civil services, legal policy and global law firms.
- A single counselling process is followed for seat allotment as per AIR and category reservation.
CLAT 2026 Paper Analysis and Expected Cutoff
If you appeared for CLAT 2026, a video by @LegalEdgeCLATCoachingby Toprankers provides complete paper analysis and expected cutoff. The video is available for viewing on the page.
Some states and private law entrance exams allow admission into 5-Year Law programs without CLAT.
Alternative Exams are:
- AILET (NLU Delhi)
- SLAT (Symbiosis)
- LSAT—India (Private Universities)
- MHCET Law (Maharashtra Gov Colleges)
Answer Key Release Timeline
The CLAT Provisional Answer key is generally released 2-3 days after the exam. The final answer key is released after objections are reviewed.
| Stage | Expected Timeline |
|---|---|
| Provisional Answer Key | Within 72 hours post-exam |
| Final Answer Key | After the review of objections |
| Score Basis | Final key only |
CLAT 2026 Result Date
The CLAT Results are usually released after 7-10 days of exams and will be released online.
- It will be downloaded online from the official website.
- Includes AIR+Scorecard.
- It is mandatory for participation in counselling.
- No separate category-wise scorecard is required.
CLAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key
The Release of the CLAT Provisional Answer Key is the first step after the CLAT Exam. The CLAT Answer Key includes the correct response for all the questions, which helps candidates cross-check their attempts.
You can estimate your score and expected ranking before the official results.
CLAT 2026 Answer Key: Release Timeline & Process
| Event | Expected / Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| Provisional Answer Key Release | 10-Dec-2025 at 5 PM |
| Objection Window Opens | 5:00 PM on 10th December 2025 |
| Last Date to Raise Objections | Usually 1–2 days after provisional key release — e.g. till 12-Dec-2025 (5 PM) as per recent announcements. |
| Final Answer Key Release | 5:00 PM on 12th December 2025. |
| Result Declaration | Shortly after the final answer key — expected by mid-December 2025 |
How to Access & Challenge CLAT 2026 Answer Key
After the release of the CLAT Provisional Answer key, download the PDF from the official website and compare your responses. If there are any discrepancies, raise the objections online.
By using the answer key properly, candidates can estimate their score before the release of the CLAT Result.
CLAT 2026: Answer Key Download & Objection Process
| Action | Details |
|---|---|
| Where to download | Official website Consortium of National Law Universities (consortiumofnlus.ac.in), under “CLAT 2026 → Answer Key / Question Paper” section |
| Format | PDF — set-wise (Set A / B / C / D) with question paper and correct answers |
| Compare & Calculate Score | Use official marking scheme: +1 for correct, 0.25 for wrong, 0 for unanswered |
| Objection Method | Via online portal — login, select “Submit Objection,” choose question number/booklet set, provide reason & supporting doc (if any) |
| Objection Fee | ₹ 1,000 per question challenged (refundable if objection is upheld) |
| Final Answer Key | Released after consideration of objections; final evaluation & result is based on it |
CLAT 2026: Initial Paper Analysis
The CLAT 2026 Exam has been conducted successfully. As per candidates, the exam was moderate to difficult, with a major focus on comprehension and real-world reasoning questions.
CLAT 2026 Exam Analysis: Section-Wise Breakdown
The CLAT 2026 exam had five sections. The table below shows the number of questions, difficulty, and good attempts for each section.
| Section | No. of Qs | Reported Difficulty | Key Highlights | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 22–26 | Moderate | Long passages; vocabulary in context is manageable | 17–20 |
| Current Affairs & GK | 28–32 | Moderate to Tough | Heavily analytical current affairs; limited static | 18–22 |
| Legal Reasoning | 28–32 | Moderate | Principle-based scenario questions; required precision | 20–24 |
| Logical Reasoning | 22–26 | Easy to Moderate | Shorter arguments; direct reasoning | 18–21 |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10–14 | Moderate to Tough | Data-based questions; time-consuming | 6–9 |
According to many candidates, the CLAT 2026 exam was slightly different from the previous year's paper.
Attempts Needed for a High Score
To score 95 or above, you need a high number of accurate attempts. Aim for around 92 to 105 attempts with high precision to reach the top percentile rank.
| Percentile Target | Attempts | Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| 99+ | 100–105 | 90%+ |
| 95–98 | 92–98 | 85–90% |
Difficulty Trend in the Last 3 Years
You can understand the likely difficulty of this year's exam by looking at past trends. The table below shows the difficulty level and the most challenging section for the last three years.
| Year | Difficulty Level | Challenging Section |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Moderate | LR passages |
| 2023 | Mod–Hard | GK & Current Affairs |
| 2022 | Moderate | Quantual MCQs |
CLAT 2026 Marks vs Rank
The main question for candidates is what rank they will get with their score. NLU admissions are based on ranks, and a difference of a few marks can change your position in the merit list.
The expected marks vs rank for CLAT 2026 is based on the exam's difficulty and previous year's analysis.
- With a score of 98+, you can get a rank among the top 200, which increases your chances in top NLUs.
- A difference of 90 to 95 and 95-100 marks can change your rank by hundreds, making accuracy and time management important.
- A score range of 80 to 90 remains competitive for mid-level NLUs or programmes with more seats.
| Score Range (out of 120) | Estimated All-India Rank Range | Admission Chances / Tier of NLUs |
|---|---|---|
| 98 – 120 | Top 1–200 | Very strong — likely top NLUs (e.g. NLSIU Bengaluru / NALSAR Hyderabad / WBNUJS Kolkata) |
| 92 – 97 | 200–500 | Competitive — good shot at top 5–6 NLUs or high-demand programmes |
| 85 – 91 | 500–2,500 | Good — solid chances at mid-to-high NLUs or good branches in top NLUs |
| 80 – 84 | 2,500–4,500 | Decent — may get into mid-tier or lower-tier NLUs, depending on seat availability & category |
| 70 – 79 | 4,500–9,500+ | Marginal — likely lower-tier NLUs or state universities; top NLUs unlikely for the General category |
| 60 – 69 | 10,000–20,000+ | Limited — admission to non-NLU law colleges or the least preferred NLUs, especially for reserved categories |
| Below 60 | 20,000+ | Unlikely to secure a seat in major NLUs; options limited to local/state colleges or private universities |
CLAT 2026 Score Calculation Process
The CLAT exam follows a negative marking system. Each correct answer gives you 1 mark, and every incorrect answer deducts 0.25 marks.
CLAT uses a single raw scoring model. The final answer key can be directly determined using AIR Rank without a normalisation process.
- Accuracy matters more than the number of attempts; guessing too many can reduce your score due to negative marking.
- There is no partial marking, and all questions are single-choice objective questions.
CLAT 2026 Marking Scheme
The marking scheme is straightforward. You get one mark for a correct answer and lose a quarter of a mark for a wrong one.
CLAT Marking Scheme and Score Calculation
The CLAT exam has 120 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Each correct answer gives you +1 mark, and each wrong answer deducts 0.25 marks.
Unanswered questions do not change your score. Your raw score is the total marks you get, and this raw score is used directly for your All India Rank (AIR).
| Particulars | Details | Impact on Score |
|---|---|---|
| Total Questions | 120 (MCQs) | Determines max raw score |
| Marks for Each Correct Answer | +1 | Increases overall score |
| Penalty for Each Wrong Answer | –0.25 | Negative impact: reduces marks |
| Marks for Unanswered Questions | 0 | No change in total score |
| Score Range | 0 to 120 (raw marks) | Used directly for the AIR ranking |
| Normalization | Not Applicable | Raw marks = Final marks |
| Tie-Breaking Parameters | Legal Reasoning score → Older age → Computerised lottery | Used when the marks are the same |
CLAT Previous Year Question Paper
If you are appearing in CLAT 2026, you should solve and look through the CLAT Previous Year Question Paper. The Previous year's Question Paper for CLAT is attached below.
You can get familiar with different types of questions that can be asked.
| Year | Slot | Paper |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | A | Click Here |
| B | Click Here | |
| C | Click Here | |
| D | Click Here | |
| 2024 | A | Check Here |
| B | Check Here | |
| C | Check Here | |
| D | Check Here | |
| 2023 | Check Here | |
| 2022 | Check Here |
CLAT 2026 Cut-Off: What Rank Gets You Which NLU?
Understanding the CLAT cut-off is very important. You can now check the College Predictor to check colleges for admission.
This tool allows you to see which college you currently qualify for based on your CLAT cut-off score and helps you identify where you aspire to go.
- The expected CLAT cutoff 2026 is 90+ with a CLAT closing rank of 97 for NLU Bengaluru.
- For NALSAR Hyderabad, the expected cutoff is 90+ (158 rank), and for West Bengal NLU, the expected CLAT cutoff is 90+ (262 rank).
- For NLU Jodhpur and NLU Bhopal, the expected CLAT cutoff 2026 is 84+.
| College Name | CLAT Score | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| NLU, Bengaluru | 90+ | 1 | 97 |
| NALSAR, Hyderabad | 90+ | 6 | 158 |
| The West Bengal NLU, Kolkata | 90+ | 140 | 262 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 84+ | 170 | 341 |
| NLU, Bhopal | 84+ | 311 | 404 |
| Gujarat NLU, Gandhinagar | 84+ | 210 | 429 |
| MNLU Mumbai | 82+ | 99 | 547 |
| Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya NLU, Lucknow | 75+ | 410 | 694 |
| HNLU Raipur | 75+ | 434 | 707 |
| NLU, Odisha | 72+ | 591 | 10180 |
CLAT 2026 Result & Counselling: What Happens Now?
The CLAT 2026 Result can be released anytime in the last week of December 2025. You should follow a proper process for the result download.
The merit list will be published, and centralised counselling for proper seat allotment.
CLAT 2026 Counselling Process
The CLAT 2026 counselling process begins after the results are declared. It is a structured seat allotment process conducted by the Consortium.
The table below explains each stage of the counselling process.
| Stage | What Happens | What You Need To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Result Declaration | Scorecard released with AIR & category rank | Download scorecard & analyse rank vs expected NLU |
| Registration for Counselling | Consortium opens counselling portal | Pay the counselling fee & register |
| Choice Filling & Locking | Select and arrange NLUs in preference order | Carefully prioritise colleges based on cutoff trends |
| Seat Allotment Rounds (Round 1/2/3 etc.) | Seats allotted as per rank, category & preference | Accept seat / apply for upgrade/exit option |
| Document Upload & Verification | Verification done online by the allotted NLU | Upload the required docs within the deadline |
| Fee Payment | Final seat confirmation | Pay the admission fee to the allotted NLU |
| Upgradation Window | Option to upgrade to a better preference (if seats are available) | Continue in the system if interested |
CLAT College Predictor 2026
The CLAT College predictor uses the seat intake information along with expected competition. It helps you get an estimation of NLU, and you can aim according to your rank or score.
You can check the CLAT college predictor by MyKollege. You have to enter your rank, reservation category and state to check the college you can get after the CLAT Result is out.
Check:
- CLAT Counselling
- CLAT Merit List
CLAT 2026: List of Participating Institutes
The CLAT 2026 Exam is open for admission into integrated UG and PG Law courses across law schools in India. This includes 24 NLUs, with each offering seats based on CLAT Rank, along with other institutes accepting CLAT Scores.
Key NLUs Participating in CLAT 2026 (UG Seat Intake)
| NLU / University | Approx. UG Seats (5-Year Law via CLAT) |
|---|---|
| NLSIU Bengaluru | 310 |
| NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad | 132 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | 132 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 164 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | 172 |
| NLIU Bhopal | 202 (BA-LLB + BSc-LLB) |
| HNLU Raipur | 170 |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | 169 |
| RGNUL Patiala | 180 |
| NUALS Kochi | 60 |
| DSNLU Visakhapatnam | 120 |
| MNLU Mumbai | 100 |
FAQs for CLAT 2026
Which law programs and top NLUs accept CLAT scores?
The CLAT Scores are used for 5-Year Integrated LLB and LLM Admissions in NLUs and law institutes.
- It is accepted by all 25+ members of NLUs, use the CLAT Score for their undergraduate admissions.
- For CLAT PG Admissions (LLM), it also follows the same kind of pattern and will be accepted by all participating NLUs.
What is the exam pattern and marking scheme for CLAT 2026?
The CLAT Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme is the same as the previous year, with 120 questions, making a total of 120 marks, with research-based passages, five sections, and negative marking.
| Response Type | Marks |
|---|---|
| Correct Answer | +1 |
| Incorrect Answer | -0.25 |
| Not Attempted | 0 |
| Total Marks | 120 |
When will CLAT 2026 counselling start after the results?
The CLAT Counselling starts immediately after the results are declared. It will follow a structured seat allotment process.
Which Law Programs and NLUs Accept CLAT Scores?
CLAT scores are used for admissions to 5-Year Integrated LLB and LLM programs. The score is accepted by all 25+ member NLUs for their undergraduate admissions.
For CLAT PG (LLM) admissions, the same pattern is followed. The score is accepted by all participating NLUs.
CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
The CLAT exam pattern and marking scheme for 2026 is the same as the previous year. The exam has 120 questions, making a total of 120 marks.
The paper contains research-based passages and five sections. Negative marking applies for incorrect answers.
| Response Type | Marks |
|---|---|
| Correct Answer | +1 |
| Incorrect Answer | -0.25 |
| Not Attempted | 0 |
| Total Marks | 120 |
When Does CLAT 2026 Counselling Start?
CLAT counselling starts immediately after the results are declared. The process follows a structured seat allotment procedure.
| Stage | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Registration & Fee Payment | Same week as the result |
| Preference Locking | After registration |
| Rounds | 3–4 allotment rounds |
| Documentation | Mandatory for confirmation |
Rules on Rough Sheets, Pens and Stationery
The exam centre provides all the writing material. Personal stationery is not allowed in the examination hall.
| Item | Provided by Centre |
|---|---|
| Black Pen | Yes |
| Rough Sheets | Yes (must return) |
| Geometry Box/Calculator | No |