CLAT 2026 Exam: Schedule, Guidelines, Bell Timings

CLAT 2026 Exam: Schedule, Guidelines, Bell Timings

Sansar Singh ChhikaraUpdated on 07 Dec 2025, 05:54 PM IST

The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) conducted the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) exam 2026 today i.e. December 7, 2025. The CLAT 2026 unofficial answer key by Careers360 will be available shortly. Candidates who appeared for the exam will be able to check out their probable scores using the CLAT 2026 answer key. The CLAT exam was conducted offline, in pen-and-paper mode, at more than 130 test centres across the country. The CLAT 2026 entrance exam is conducted for admissions to the participating National Law Universities (NLUs). Apart from the NLUs, over 60 law schools also accept CLAT scores. Read the complete article for CLAT 2026 exam day live updates, exam analysis, answer key updates and more.

CLAT 2026 Exam: Schedule, Guidelines, Bell Timings
CLAT 2026 Exam

CLAT 2026 Exam Schedule

Events

Dates

Last date to download CLAT admit card 2026

December 7, 2025 (till 1:30 pm)

CLAT 2026 exam date

December 7, 2025

Release of CLAT answer key

December 7, 2025 (Expected)

Important Guidelines for CLAT 2026 exam day

Here are some important exam day guidelines for CLAT 2026 exam:

  • Carry your CLAT admit card 2026 along with a verifiable photo ID proof.

  • Students need to reach the exam centre by 1 pm.

  • It is advisable to report at the exam centre by 1:30 pm.

  • The exam will begin at 2 pm sharp. However, It must be noted that no students will be allowed to enter the exam hall after 2:15 pm.

  • Candidates are allowed to carry black/blue ballpoint pen, transparent water bottle, their admit cards and id proof inside the exam hall.

  • Electronic items like calculators, mobile phones, smartwatches etc are strictly prohibited inside the exam hall.

  • Candidates will be allowed to retain their CLAT 2026 question paper and their signed admit cards.

CLAT 2026 Important Bell Timings

Time

Type of Bell

Purpose

1:00 P.M.

Long Bell

This bell marks the entry time for students to get inside the exam hall.

1:30 P.M.

Long Bell

After this bell students will be allowed to enter the exam hall.

1:50 P.M.

Short Bell

- Distribution of the sealed Envelopes

- Announcement of Instructions by the Invigilators

2:00 P.M.

Long Bell

The CLAT 2026 exam will start after this bell.

2:15 P.M.

Short Bell

After this bell, no candidate will be allowed to enter the test centre.

3:00 P.M.

Short Bell

This bell means one hour out of the two hours given to complete the exam.

3:50 P.M.

Short Bell

This is a warning Bell to indicate that 10 (ten) minutes are left for the test to end.

4:00 P.M.

Long Bell

This bell marks the completion of the exam.

Going by the trend of previous years, the CLAT 2026 answer key is usually released on the same day after the exam is over. The authorities also start the online window to raise objections soon after the release of the CLAT answer key.

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Questions related to CLAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CLAT ?

Since you have not specified your category, I will answer for all categories. A CLAT rank of 38169 (typically 40-45 marks) makes admission to top NLUs difficult. For General candidates, chances are nil. Even for OBC, SC, and ST categories, admission is primarily possible only through state domicile quotas or

After the CLAT results are declared, candidates participate in a centralised online counselling process managed by the Consortium of NLUs. Eligible candidates register on the official portal, submit their NLU preference list , and pay a counselling fee. Seat allotment happens across multiple rounds based on rank, category, and preferences,

Hi, you can apply for admissions in Nirma University, NFSU Ahemdabad, Alliance, IPU University and affiliated instiutes (in case you are reserved category candidates), UPES Dehradun, BITS Law School etc.

Start preparing for CLAT by first understanding the exam pattern and syllabus, which includes English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. Make a simple daily routine and begin with basics read newspapers regularly for current affairs, practice comprehension passages for English and legal sections, and solve basic

Hello,

With a CLAT AIR of 33599 and SC category rank of 2103, and being a Delhi domicile, your chances at IP University (GGSIPU) are moderate to good, especially in later counselling rounds.

Based on previous year trends, some IPU-affiliated law colleges have closed at higher SC category ranks, so