CLAT 2026-2027 Answer Key: Provisional & Final Key, Response Sheets & Objection Process
The CLAT Answer Key is officially published by the Consortium of National Law Universities in two successive stages: the Provisional Answer Key and the Final Answer Key. The provisional key is released within 24 hours of exam completion, accompanied by the master question booklets for both Undergraduate and Postgraduate tests on consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
The release of the answer key enables candidates to compare their marked answers, calculate their estimated raw scores, and challenge any discrepancies before results are finalized.
Stages of the CLAT Answer Key Release
1. Provisional Answer Key
Released immediately after the exam, allowing candidates to evaluate their performance. A dedicated online objection window is opened for 48 to 72 hours, during which candidates may submit challenges against official answers with supporting legal evidence.
2. Expert Committee Review & Modifications
A subject expert committee constituted by the Consortium evaluates all received objections. If a question is found to have factual errors or multiple correct options, the committee may either change the key, award multiple correct options, or withdraw the question entirely (recalculating the total evaluation denominator accordingly).
3. Final Answer Key
Incorporates all approved modifications. The final answer key is non-challengeable and serves as the definitive reference key for computerized evaluation of OMR sheets and score calculation.
How to Download the Official CLAT Answer Key
- Visit the official Consortium website (consortiumofnlus.ac.in).
- Click on the notification link for "CLAT Provisional / Final Answer Key (UG & PG)".
- Download the PDF containing the master question booklet and corresponding answer options for your set.
- Match the question IDs and option codes to verify your responses.
Step-by-Step Objection Filing Procedure
Candidates dissatisfied with any answer in the provisional key can submit objections through their candidate portal:
- Log in to your CLAT account at
consortiumofnlus.ac.in. - Click on the "Submit Objections" button.
- Select the Question Number, Booklet Series, and Programme (UG or PG).
- Provide a concise justification and upload supporting evidence (statutory provisions, authoritative commentaries, or standard textbooks).
- Pay the non-refundable objection fee of ₹1,000 per question challenged via the online gateway. If the challenge is sustained by the expert committee, the fee for that question is refunded to the candidate's account.
Formula for Calculating Raw Score
Candidates can compute their anticipated score using the official marking rule:
Estimated CLAT Score = (Total Correct Answers × 1) − (Total Incorrect Answers × 0.25)