CLAT 2026 Exam Day Checklist – Reporting, Gate Closing Time, How to Handle OMR Sheet, Barred Items

CLAT 2026 Exam Day Guidelines: The NLU Consortium will conduct the CLAT 2026 exam on December 7, 2025 (2 pm – 4 pm). 

Entry inside the CLAT 2026 exam center will start at 1 pm. LAST entry inside the Test Hall – 2.15 pm. In fact, distribution of Sealed Envelopes and announcement of important instructions by Invigilators will start at 1.50 pm.

Late comers run the risk of not being allowed to sit in the exam. 

In fact, even if you manage to barely make it to the exam center before 2.15 pm, it can lead to anxiety, stress and panic. So, be on time. Start Early.

When reporting to the exam center, bring the CLAT 2026 admit card and a valid ID proof. Also, preserve the admit card, the one used for appearing in the exam, until the admission process is over.

Also, you must know what is allowed and barred inside the exam center, and correctly follow OMR guidelines. Read here the detailed CLAT 2026 exam day instructions below.

Latest Updates:

• CLAT 2026 Admit Card – Download Here
• CLAT 2026 Exam Day Checklist – Reporting, Gate Closing Time, How to Handle OMR Sheet, Barred Items
• CLAT Answer Key 2026 – Date, Download Link, Mark Revision if Questions Dropped

CLAT 2026 Exam-day Instructions

Instructions for CLAT 2026 Exam

• CLAT 2026 Exam Date and Timing: December 7 (2 pm – 4 pm) 
• Entry inside exam center: 1 pm (onward)
• Entry inside exam HALL: 1.30 pm
• Last Entry: 2.15 pm. No candidate will be allowed inside the exam center after that.
• Document Checklist: 1) CLAT 2026 Admit Card, 2) Valid Photo ID proof. 
• Self-attested Photograph – if the photograph on the admit card is unclear, you must bring a self-attested photograph. It is in fact recommended that you carry extra photographs just in case. 
• Stationery – Black or Blue Ball Point Pens 
• Water Bottle – A transparent water bottle allowed.
• Barred Items – Communication/ Electronic devices like Digital Watch, Mobile Phone, Bluetooth, Earphone, Pager, Health Band, Ear Bud, Calculator, etc., are prohibited inside the exam hall. You are also not allowed to carry books, notes, etc.
• Unfair means: Candidates indulging in impersonation using unfair means, like cheating, will be disqualified.

How to Handle Optical Mark Reader (OMR) Response Sheet

The candidate must keep the following things in mind when handling the CLAT 2026 OMR Answer Sheet.

(a) You must answer ALL questions in the OMR (carbonised Optical Mark Reader (OMR) Response Sheet provided along with the QB (Question Booklet) only. Carefully read the detailed instructions provided with the OMR Response Sheet BEFORE the commencement of the test. 

(b) All answers must  be marked using a BLACK / BLUE Ball Point Pen only. 

(c) The first page of the OMR Response Sheet is the Original and must be submitted to the Invigilator at the end of the test. 

(d) The second page (carbonised) of the OMR Response Sheet is the Candidate’s Copy. Candidates can fold at the perforation portion, detach and are permitted to take this sheet (carbonised) along with the QB at the end of the test. 

(e) BUT The OMR Response Sheet should not be folded, crumpled or torn or used for any rough work. A damaged OMR Response Sheet will be invalidated and candidates will be disqualified. 

(f) Fill-up the most appropriate answer by shading the circle fully without leaving any space. 

(h) If you shade more than one circle for a question, or make any stray marks on the OMR Response Sheet, this will be read as double marking and a Wrong Answer. 

(i) By the end of the test, ensure that the Invigilator signs in the space provided on the OMR Response Sheet. Candidates must also sign in the space provided on the OMR Response Sheet. This must be done before detaching the Candidate’s Copy. Utmost care must be taken while tearing the sheet to ensure that the timing marks and barcode are not damaged. 

(j) Candidates must return the ORIGINAL OMR Response Sheet to the Invigilator after the test. The ORIGINAL OMR Response Sheet must not be carried out of the hall/ classroom under any circumstances. This will lead to the disqualification of the Candidate and penal action under the law.

Documents to be RETAINED by candidates after CLAT 2026 exam

• YOU must retain the Admit Card duly signed by the Invigilator, as the same has to be produced at the time of admissions. 
• You are permitted to carry/retain the QB and the Candidate’s copy of the OMR Response Sheet after the test. 

CLAT 2026 Exam Guidelines – Acceptable Documents as ID Proof

The candidate may bring any of the following documents as ID proof.

(a) Aadhaar Card (Should be updated with a contemporary photo.) 
(b) Passport (c) PAN Card 
(d) Ration Card / PDS Photo Card 
(e) Voter ID Card (f) Driving License 
(g) Photo ID issued by Recognized Educational Institution 
(h) Photo Bank ATM Card 
(i) Kissan Photo Passbook 
(j) CGHS / ECHS Photo Card 
(k) Address Card having Name and Photo issued by Department of Posts 
(l) Certificate of Identity having photo issued by Gazetted Officer or Tehsildar on Letterhead (m)Disability ID Card/handicapped Medical Certificate issued by the respective State/UT Governments/Administrations