SSC CGL Answer key 2026
Download the answer key, calculate your score and raise objections.
Updated 22 October 2026
SSC CGL answer key 2026: current status
The SSC CGL answer key 2026 for Tier 1 has not been released yet, and SSC has not given a date. The Tier 1 exam runs until 30 October 2026, and the provisional key will appear in your candidate login at ssc.gov.in along with your response sheet. For the previous cycle, the CGL 2025 Tier 2 final answer key, response sheets and marks were released on 17 June 2026.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| CGL 2026 Tier 1 exam | 30 September to 30 October 2026 |
| Tier 1 answer key | Not released, no date announced |
| Order of release | Provisional key with response sheet → objection window → final key |
| CGL 2025 Tier 2 final key | Released 17 June 2026 |
| Tier 2 download window | 17 June 2026 (9:00 PM) to 16 July 2026 (9:00 PM), now closed |
| Login | Registration ID and password |
SSC CGL answer key timeline (last cycle)
The CGL 2025 dates give a fair idea of how long each step takes.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CGL 2025 Tier 1 exam | 12 to 26 September 2025 |
| Tier 1 provisional answer key | 16 October 2025 |
| Last date for Tier 1 objections | 19 October 2025 |
| Tier 1 result | 18 December 2025 |
| Tier 1 final key and marks | 9 January 2026 (open till 8 February 2026) |
| Tier 2 exam | 18 and 19 January 2026 |
| Final result | 14 May 2026 |
| Tier 2 final key, response sheet and marks | 17 June 2026 (open till 16 July 2026) |
Last year the provisional Tier 1 key came about three weeks after the exam ended, so the 2026 key is expected some time after 30 October 2026.
How to download the SSC CGL answer key
- Open ssc.gov.in and go to the Answer Key section.
- Click the notice for the CGL 2026 Tier 1 answer key with candidates' response sheets.
- Log in with your registration ID and password, and enter the captcha.
- View your response sheet next to the correct answers.
- Download the PDF and save a copy, because SSC removes access after a fixed period.
How to calculate your SSC CGL score
| Stage | Correct | Wrong | Not attempted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | +2 | −0.50 | 0 |
| Tier 2 Paper 1 (Sections I, II and Computer Module) | +3 | −1 | 0 |
| Tier 2 Papers 2 and 3 | +2 | −0.50 | 0 |
Tier 1 example: 70 correct and 20 wrong gives (70 × 2) − (20 × 0.50) = 140 − 10 = 130 out of 200.
Tier 2 example: 100 correct and 15 wrong in Sections I and II gives (100 × 3) − (15 × 1) = 300 − 15 = 285 out of 390.
Your final score is normalised across shifts, so it can be a little different from the raw score you work out from the key. Compare your estimate with past figures on the SSC CGL cut-off page.
How to challenge the SSC CGL answer key
SSC gives a short window to object after the provisional key. In 2025 it was open for only four days, from 16 to 19 October 2025.
- Log in and open the objection link shown with the provisional key.
- Find the question you dispute and choose the answer you think is right.
- Upload proof, such as a standard textbook page or an official source.
- Pay the fee. It was ₹100 per question in the last cycle, so confirm it in the current notice.
- Submit and save the acknowledgement.
Experts review the objections, and then SSC publishes the final answer key. The final key cannot be challenged.
What the response sheet shows
- Your name, roll number and registration number
- Exam date and shift
- Question IDs, the correct options and the options you chose
- For Tier 2: total marks, section-wise marks and whether you qualified
For a sense of how the paper went across shifts, read the SSC CGL analysis. After the key, the next step is the SSC CGL result.
Frequently asked questions
When will the SSC CGL Tier 1 answer key 2026 be released?
SSC has not announced a date. The exam ends on 30 October 2026, and last year the provisional key came about three weeks after the last shift.
Where can I download the SSC CGL answer key?
In your candidate login at ssc.gov.in, using your registration ID and password. It is not sent by post or email.
How do I calculate my SSC CGL Tier 1 marks?
Give yourself 2 marks for each correct answer and take away 0.50 for each wrong one. Unattempted questions score zero, out of a total of 200.
Can I challenge the SSC CGL answer key?
Yes, during the objection window after the provisional key. The fee was ₹100 per question in the last cycle, and the final key cannot be challenged.
Is the CGL 2025 Tier 2 final answer key still available?
No. It was open from 17 June 2026 to 16 July 2026 at 9:00 PM, and the window has now closed.
Always check the latest official notification on ssc.gov.in before applying.