SSC CGL Tier 1 Answer Key 2026 is OUT. The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) released the tentative answer keys and candidate response sheets for the Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 Tier-I on 4 November 2026. Candidates can check their recorded responses and the provisional answers by signing in at ssc.gov.in. The online challenge window closes today, 7 November 2026, at 9:00 PM. SSC has prescribed a fee of ₹50 for each question or answer challenged.
Candidates who appeared in the Tier-I examination held from 30 September to 28 October 2026 should review their response sheets, save a copy for personal reference and submit any genuine answer-key challenge before the deadline. SSC has said that the response sheets and tentative keys will not remain available after the specified period.
SSC CGL Answer Key 2026: Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination | Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 – Tier-I |
| Conducting authority | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Exam dates | 30 September to 28 October 2026 |
| Tentative answer key release | 4 November 2026 |
| Candidate response sheet | Available through SSC candidate login |
| Challenge window | 4 November, 9:00 PM to 7 November 2026, 9:00 PM |
| Last date to challenge | 7 November 2026, 9:00 PM |
| Challenge fee | ₹50 per question/answer challenged |
| Login credentials | Registration Number and Password |
| Official website | ssc.gov.in |
SSC CGL Tier 1 Answer Key 2026 Download Link
The tentative answer key and candidate response sheet are available through the SSC website and the candidate login facility linked in the official notice. Use the following primary-source links:
- SSC official website and candidate login
- SSC notice dated 4 November 2026: Candidate response sheets and tentative answer keys
Log in with your own registration number and password. Do not enter your credentials on third-party websites or share them with anyone offering to download the response sheet for you.
How to Download SSC CGL Tier 1 Response Sheet 2026
- Visit the official SSC website.
- Open the candidate login or the relevant CGL 2026 Tier-I answer-key notice.
- Follow the response-sheet and tentative-answer-key link provided by SSC.
- Enter your Registration Number and Password as requested.
- Sign in and open the Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 Tier-I response-sheet/answer-key facility.
- Review the questions, your recorded answers and the tentative answers displayed.
- Download or print the response sheet and question paper for your personal use before the access window closes.
SSC CGL Answer Key Objection Window: Last Date and Fee
| Event | Date and time |
|---|---|
| Challenge facility opened | 4 November 2026, 9:00 PM |
| Last date to submit challenges | 7 November 2026, 9:00 PM |
| Fee per question/answer challenged | ₹50 |
| Submission mode | Online only through the SSC challenge facility |
SSC will not entertain representations received after 9:00 PM on 7 November 2026 or challenges sent through email, letters or any other mode outside the prescribed online facility. The fee is payable for each question or answer challenged, so check the question and your supporting explanation carefully before making payment.
How to Raise an Objection Against the SSC CGL Tentative Answer Key
- Sign in to the SSC candidate portal using your registration number and password.
- Open the Challenge/Objection Management System for CGL 2026 Tier-I.
- Locate the question and answer you want to challenge.
- Read the question and options carefully and follow the on-screen instructions to submit the representation.
- Pay the prescribed ₹50 fee for each question/answer challenged.
- Complete the final submission before 9:00 PM on 7 November 2026.
- Save the acknowledgement or payment confirmation shown by the portal.
Submit a challenge only when you have a clear, evidence-based reason to dispute the tentative answer. A challenge is not a request to recheck your overall score or to change an answer that you selected during the examination.
Important SSC Clarification: Question Order May Differ
SSC has clarified that the sequence of questions and answer options shown in the challenge module may differ from the sequence displayed during the actual examination. The challenge module uses a common sequence for candidates of a particular shift, whereas the examination interface may have displayed questions and options in different orders for different candidates. However, the answers selected by an individual candidate during the examination are reflected in the challenge module.
Therefore, compare the question wording and options carefully rather than relying only on the question number or position you remember from the examination. SSC has also stated that the saved question paper is meant for the candidate’s personal use and self-analysis. Follow the undertaking and instructions displayed in the official challenge portal.
SSC CGL Tier 1 Marking Scheme: How to Estimate Your Score
The Tier-I examination carries 200 marks across 100 questions. Under the notified marking scheme, a correct answer carries 2 marks, an incorrect answer attracts a deduction of 0.50 mark, and an unattempted question carries zero marks.
| Response | Marks |
|---|---|
| Correct answer | +2 |
| Incorrect answer | −0.50 |
| Unattempted question | 0 |
Estimated raw score = (Correct answers × 2) − (Incorrect answers × 0.50). For example, if a candidate has 75 correct answers and 15 incorrect answers, the estimated raw score is 150 − 7.5 = 142.5 marks. This is a self-calculation based on the response sheet, not the official result or normalised score. SSC’s final evaluation and result will take precedence.
What Happens After the SSC CGL Answer Key Challenge Window?
After the objection period closes, SSC will examine the representations received through the prescribed system and take the necessary decision on the tentative answers. The final answer key and Tier-I result will be announced through separate official updates. The 4 November notice is an answer-key and response-sheet notice; it does not announce the Tier-II result or a new Tier-II examination date.
Because SSC says the response sheets and tentative answer keys will not remain available after the stated deadline, candidates should save their own records before the facility closes. Do not wait until the final minutes to download documents or submit a challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SSC CGL Tier 1 Answer Key 2026 released?
Yes. SSC released the tentative answer keys and candidate response sheets for CGL 2026 Tier-I on 4 November 2026.
What is the last date to raise an objection against SSC CGL Answer Key 2026?
The challenge facility closes on 7 November 2026 at 9:00 PM.
What is the SSC CGL answer key objection fee?
The fee is ₹50 for each question or answer challenged through the online facility.
Which login details are required to check the SSC CGL response sheet?
Candidates need their Registration Number and Password to access the response-sheet and tentative-answer-key facility.
Can I send an objection by email?
No. SSC has specified that challenges must be submitted through the prescribed online challenge facility. Representations sent through other modes or after the deadline will not be accepted.
Will the response sheet remain available after 7 November?
SSC has stated that the response sheets and tentative answer keys will not remain available after the specified period. Download and save your documents before 9:00 PM on 7 November 2026.
Is the SSC CGL 2026 answer key final?
No. The currently released key is tentative and subject to the challenge process. SSC will take decisions on valid representations and issue subsequent updates separately.
Latest update: 7 November 2026. The information above is based on SSC’s notice dated 4 November 2026 and the official challenge schedule. The SSC notice and candidate portal take precedence over any third-party information.
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