The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) has postponed the CLAT 2026 third merit list. The decision came after the Allahabad High Court’s verdict on a legal dispute between Avneesh Gupta (Minor) vs Consortium of National Law Universities over the CLAT 2026 final answer key. The petitioner argued that three objections against the CLAT 2026 answer key were not considered even though the expert committee of the Consortium had termed the objections as valid. It was the overview committee that rejected the objections without stating any clear reasons. As a result, Allahabad HC directed the Consortium to revise the CLAT 2026 merit list on February 3, 2026.
This decision is not likely to impact the shortlisted candidates in CLAT 2026 round 1 and 2 counselling. Allahabad High Court’s detailed judgment also stated that no admissions previously made before the decision should have an impact. The Executive Committee of the consortium has also made an appeal to the Hon’ble Division Bench of the Allahabad HC in its defence.
Category | Details from Judgment |
Case Title | Avneesh Gupta (Minor) vs. Consortium of National Law Universities |
Court | High Court of Judicature at Allahabad |
Judgment Delivered On | February 3, 2026 |
Writ Petition No. | WRIT-C No. 45517 of 2025 |
Judicial Officer | Hon’ble Vivek Saran, J. |
Petitioner | Avneesh Gupta (Minor) |
Respondent | Consortium of National Law Universities |
Petitioner’s Counsel | In Person |
Respondent’s Counsel | Avneesh Tripathi |
Avneesh Gupta, the petitioner, raised an objection against question no 9 of Booklet C in the CLAT 2026 exam. He stated that both options B and D should be the correct answers. The consortium’s expert committee also agreed that this objection was correct. However, the objection was ultimately rejected by the overview committee without giving any clear reasons.
Allahabad HC eventually directed the consortium to accept the objections raised by Avneesh Gupta and make the required revisions in the CLAT 2026 results. They also instructed that the subsequent rounds of CLAT 2026 counselling should be based on the revised CLAT 2026 results. The consortium must release the revised CLAT 2026 results and the notification on the further CLAT 2026 counselling rounds within one month.
Candidate’s Response to Q.9 (Booklet-C) | Marks Before Judgment | Marks After Judgment | Net Change |
Selected Option D | +1 | +1 | No change |
Selected Option B | −0.25 (treated as wrong earlier) | +1 | +1.25 marks |
Selected Any Other Option | −0.25 | −0.25 | No change |
Did Not Attempt | 0 | 0 | No change |
The CLAT 2026 results revision is unlikely to affect shortlisted candidates of CLAT 2026 Rounds 1 and 2 of the counselling process. The Allahabad HC has ordered that the consortium must revise the results of the remaining candidates. Those who have already been allotted seats in the CLAT 2026 counselling are final. However, they have explicitly mentioned that the revised scores will not impact the candidates who have been allotted in CLAT 2026 round 1 counselling.
CLAT 2026 Revised Result Impact on Round 1 Admitted Candidates: The Consortium of NLUs, in its notification, has clearly mentioned that candidates who have been allotted seats in the first round won’t face any impact of the Allahabad High Court’s order. The Allahabad High Court’s verdict also mentions, “Since it has been informed at the Bar that the first round of counselling has already been finalized thus the students/candidates who have already taken admission pursuant to the first round of counselling shall not be disturbed, however for further counselling, the respondent are directed to act on the revised/re-notified merit list and the issue (ii) is accordingly decided.”
CLAT 2026 Revised Result Impact on Round 2 Admitted Candidates: Not much clarity has been given about the impact of the revised merit list of CLAT on candidates who got admission in the second round of counselling in the Allahabad HC’s order. However, the Consortium of NLUs mentioned, “The Consortium intends to take all legal steps to ensure that no seats allotted to students in rounds 1 and 2 of the counselling, which are already concluded, are impacted in any way. The Consortium also intends to reiterate its defence of the Final Answer Key, as previously notified, in its appeal, to ensure that the said key is maintained without any change for future rounds of counselling also.”
In its defence, the consortium has taken legal actions to safeguard the allotted candidates in both round 1 and round 2 counselling. The consortium’s Executive Committee has filed a Special Appeal before the Division bench of the Allahabad HC. They are also planning to defend the CLAT 2026 final answer key to ensure no further changes are made. The aim is to protect the candidates who are yet to be allotted seats in the upcoming counselling rounds. Any legal updates regarding the status of CLAT 2026 admissions in the first and second rounds of counselling shall be updated in the article.
On Question asked by student community
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