More than 28 lakh candidates who sat for the SSC CGL Tier 1 examination this year have now run out of time to challenge the provisional answer key. The Staff Selection Commission closed the objection window at 9 pm on Saturday, 7 November, and the focus now shifts to the final answer key and the Tier 1 result, expected in December.
The provisional answer key, along with each candidate’s response sheet and the question paper, was released on 4 November on the Commission’s official website, ssc.gov.in. The Tier 1 computer-based examination was held from 30 September to 30 October across centres in different parts of the country, and 28,52,665 candidates appeared for it. The recruitment covers 10,731 Group B and Group C posts in various ministries, departments and offices of the Government of India.
Objection window closed on 7 November
Candidates had four days, from 4 November to 7 November, to flag answers they believed were wrong in the provisional key. Each objection cost Rs 50 per question, and candidates had to upload supporting documents to back their challenge. The Commission accepted objections only through the online system, and late submissions were not entertained.
With the window now closed, the Commission will review the representations it received before finalising the answer key. The final answer key is likely to be released by the last week of November, according to reports tracking the recruitment.
How to download the answer key and response sheet
Candidates who have not yet downloaded their response sheet should do so while the link remains active on the SSC portal. The steps are simple:
- Visit the official website, ssc.gov.in, and open the Answer Key section.
- Look for the notice titled “Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026 (Tier-I): Uploading of Tentative Answer Keys and Candidates’ Response Sheets”.
- Click on the answer key and candidate response sheet link and log in with your registration number and password.
- Select the Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 and download the key, question paper and your response sheet.
The response sheet shows the question ID, the options, the official correct answer and the answer the candidate marked. Candidates should check the name, roll number, registration number, exam date and shift shown on the sheet before using it to estimate their score.
How to estimate your Tier 1 score
The Tier 1 paper carries 100 questions for 200 marks. Each correct answer earns 2 marks, each wrong answer loses 0.50 marks, and unattempted questions carry no marks. The estimated raw score works out as:
Estimated score = (number of correct answers x 2) – (number of incorrect answers x 0.50)
This is only an estimate. The final score will depend on the final answer key and the normalisation process the Commission applies across shifts, so candidates should treat their self-calculated marks as a rough guide rather than a confirmed result.
What happens next: Tier 1 result in December
The Tier 1 result is expected in December 2026, with reports pointing to the first week of the month, though the Commission has not announced an exact date. The result will be released as a PDF on ssc.gov.in, listing the roll numbers of candidates shortlisted for the Tier 2 examination. Category-wise cut-off marks are also expected to be published along with the result.
Candidates who clear Tier 1 will move to Tier 2, the next stage of the selection process. The marks and scorecards will be uploaded on the Commission’s website after the result is declared. Until then, candidates are advised to keep their registration details handy and check ssc.gov.in regularly, rather than relying on unofficial result dates circulating on social media.
For 28.5 lakh aspirants, the wait now is for December. The answer key gave them a fair idea of where they stand; the result will decide who moves a step closer to a government job.
FAQs
When was the SSC CGL Tier 1 answer key 2026 released?
The provisional answer key, response sheets and question papers were released on 4 November 2026 on ssc.gov.in.
What was the last date to raise objections against the answer key?
The objection window was open from 4 November to 7 November 2026, closing at 9 pm. The fee was Rs 50 per question, and objections had to be submitted online with supporting documents.
How many candidates appeared for SSC CGL Tier 1 2026?
A total of 28,52,665 candidates appeared for the Tier 1 examination, which was held from 30 September to 30 October 2026 for 10,731 Group B and Group C posts.
When will the SSC CGL Tier 1 result 2026 be declared?
The result is expected in December 2026, with reports pointing to the first week of the month. The Commission has not confirmed an exact date, and the result will be published as a PDF on ssc.gov.in.
How are marks calculated in SSC CGL Tier 1?
Each correct answer carries 2 marks and each wrong answer deducts 0.50 marks. Unattempted questions carry no marks. The paper has 100 questions for a total of 200 marks.
For the latest updates, candidates should check the official website, ssc.gov.in.
