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HC sets aside order directing revised CLAT-UG 2026 merit list; division bench restores final answer key
The division bench on May 8, 2026 restored the final CLAT-UG 2026 answer key released on December 16, 2025 after expert review, setting aside a directive for a revised merit list. The court held that courts cannot act as appellate authorities over decisions of subject experts in academic matters. This followed a February 3, 2026 order by a single judge directing a revised merit list for subsequent counselling rounds.
Why It Matters
The ruling reinforces deference to expert evaluation processes in academic matters and limits judicial intervention in exam-related decisions, affecting CLAT counselling outcomes.
Timeline
3 Events
Division bench restores final answer key and sets aside revised merit-list directive
May 8, 2026
The division bench (Justices Saumitra Dayal Singh and Swarupama Chaturvedi) observed that courts cannot act as appellate authorities over the decisions of subject experts in academic matters and restored the final answer key released on December 16, 2025, while allowing the Consortium’s appeal.
Single-judge directs revised merit list following petition
February 3, 2026
A writ petition filed by a CLAT undergraduate candidate before a single judge challenging the final answer key for Set-C caused the judge to partly allow the petition and direct the Consortium to publish a revised merit list for subsequent counselling rounds.
Final CLAT-UG 2026 answer key released by Consortium
December 16, 2025
The final answer key for CLAT-UG 2026 (Set-C) was released by the Consortium on December 16, 2025 after expert committees reviewed the objections.