Allahabad High Court Orders Revision of CLAT-UG 2026 Merit List
Disputed Question Leads to Recalculation of Ranks
Future Counselling to Consider Revised Merit List
By Our Legal Correspondent
New Delhi: February 04, 2026:
In a significant development for law aspirants across India, the Allahabad High Court has directed the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) to revise the CLAT-UG 2026 merit list. The order came after a petition highlighted that one of the questions in the exam had two correct answers, but the Consortium had arbitrarily chosen only one.
Justice Vivek Saran, while hearing the case, criticised the Consortium’s Oversight Committee for overruling subject experts without giving reasons. The court held that such arbitrary decisions could unfairly affect candidates’ ranks and future admissions.
Background of the Case
- The dispute arose from Question No. 9 (Booklet-C) in the CLAT-UG 2026 exam.
- Subject experts had identified two correct options (‘B’ and ‘D’), but the Oversight Committee declared only one correct.
- A minor candidate, Avneesh Gupta, filed a writ petition claiming his rank was unfairly lowered.
- The High Court partly allowed the petition, directing the Consortium to treat both options as correct and republish the merit list within one month.
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Court’s Observations
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- The judge criticised the “inscrutable face of the sphinx” approach of the Oversight Committee, which gave no reasons for rejecting expert advice.
- The court emphasised that transparency and fairness are essential in competitive exams like CLAT.
- It ruled that arbitrary decisions cannot override expert consensus, especially when they affect thousands of students.
Impact on CLAT-UG 2026 Counselling
- The revised merit list will directly affect seat allotments in NLUs.
- Candidates who lost ranks due to the disputed question may now gain admission to preferred law schools.
- The Consortium has been asked to ensure that future counselling rounds are based on the corrected merit list.
Reactions from Students and Experts
- Students: Many aspirants welcomed the ruling, saying it restored faith in the fairness of the exam.
- Legal Experts: Observers noted that the judgment could set a precedent for handling disputes in national-level entrance exams.
- Academics: Some warned that frequent litigation could delay counselling processes but agreed that fairness must prevail.
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Broader Implications
- The case highlights the need for robust grievance redressal mechanisms in entrance examinations.
- It underscores the importance of subject expert committees and transparency in decision-making.
- The ruling may encourage more candidates to challenge arbitrary decisions in competitive exams.
Conclusion
The Allahabad High Court’s order to revise the CLAT-UG 2026 merit list is a landmark in education law, ensuring that fairness is not compromised in one of India’s most prestigious entrance exams. By recognising two correct answers and directing a fresh merit list, the court has safeguarded the interests of thousands of law aspirants.
This judgment is not just about one question—it is about reinforcing the principle that justice and transparency must guide educational institutions.
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