CLAT 2026 Answer Key Out Soon: PDF Link, Score Calculation & What’s Next

The CLAT 2026 pens are down, and now comes that anxious window between walking out of the exam hall and waiting for the results. But before the final merit list drops later this month, you have the most important tool in your hands: the Provisional Answer Key.

The Consortium of NLUs isn’t going to make you wait in the dark. They are set to release the official answer key (usually within 24–48 hours of the exam) on consortiumofnlus.ac.in. This is your first real reality check—it separates the “I think I did well” from the “I definitely secured a seat.”

Here is a no-nonsense guide on how to access the key, how to handle the brutal negative marking during calculation, and what to do if you spot a mistake in the official paper.

At a Glance: The Post-Exam Timeline

You don’t need to refresh the website every five minutes. Here is the schedule you actually need to care about right now:

How to Get the Answer Key (Without the Headache)

When the key drops, the official site usually slows down because 60,000+ candidates are hitting the server at once. If the page times out, wait ten minutes and try again.

1. Check if login is required: Sometimes the Consortium releases the Master Question Paper and Key as a public PDF notification. Other times, you have to log in. Keep your credentials handy.
2. Find your set carefully: You likely had Set A, B, C, or D. Crucial warning: Don’t just check “Question 1 against Answer A.” The questions are shuffled across sets. Use the Master Question Paper released by the Consortium as your reference to match questions correctly.
3. Download the key: Save the PDF locally. You’ll need it if you plan to file an objection later.

The Reality Check: Calculating Your Score

This is where many students mess up. It’s easy to count your correct answers and feel good, but CLAT’s negative marking is where ranks are lost. You need to be ruthless with your calculation.

The Marking Scheme:

• Correct Answer: +1
• Wrong Answer: -0.25
• Skipped: 0

Example scenario:

• You attempted 115 questions.
• You got 92 right → 92 marks.
• You got 23 wrong → Penalty = 23 × 0.25 = 5.75 marks.
• Final Score: 92 − 5.75 = 86.25

Spotted an Error? How to Challenge the Key

Almost every year, there are one or two ambiguous questions. Maybe the legal principle was vague, or the GK fact was outdated. If you are 100% sure the official key is wrong, you can challenge it.

But it comes at a cost: ₹1,000 per question.

Is it worth it?

• Yes, if you have a concrete source (a statute, government report, or standard textbook).
• No, if you are just “interpreting” the passage differently than the examiner.

If your objection is valid, the Consortium fixes the answer for everyone (not just you) and refunds your money. If you are wrong, you lose the fee.

To file an objection: Go to your dashboard → click “Submit Objection” → select the Question ID → upload your proof → pay the fee.

What Score Is “Safe” for 2026?

While the difficulty level of the paper changes year to year, the broad tiers of scores remain similar.

The “Golden” Zone (95+)

If you are here, you can realistically start shortlisting top NLUs like NLSIU Bangalore and NALSAR Hyderabad.

The “Safe” Zone (85–90)

You are likely to land a Tier-1 NLU such as NUJS Kolkata, NLU Jodhpur, or GNLU Gandhinagar, depending on category and preferences.

The “Fighting” Zone (75–85)

This is where things get tricky. You will likely get a seat, but it may be in the newer NLUs, or you may have to wait for the second or third list.