A highly anticipated moment for SSC CGL aspirants has arrived: the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the Tier-1/response sheet + provisional answer key 2025 on its official portal ssc.gov.in (or ssc.nic.in).
This release allows candidates to view their individual responses (response sheet) alongside the correct answers. It is essential for self-evaluation, for estimating likely scores, and for lodging objections if discrepancies are found.
Because the SSC CGL Tier-1 exam in 2025 was marred by rescheduling and re-exams in some centers (e.g. re-exam on 14 Oct) — the key has been timed to coincide with that process.
Table of Contents
What’s Included? (Answer Key + Response Sheet)
When SSC releases the “answer key + response sheet,” the candidate gets the following:
Provisional Answer Key: The official “correct” answers as per SSC’s initial evaluation.
Candidate’s Response Sheet: The answers you marked in the exam.
Question Paper(s) (for that shift) in PDF format, usually along with the answer key.
The option to challenge / raise objections to any answer in the provisional key (within a window) by paying a fee per question.
Once objections are processed, SSC will publish the Final Answer Key, which is binding and used for results.
Also note: SSC has already released the Tier-2 final answer key and response sheets for those exams held earlier in January 2025.
When Was / Is the Key Released?
The official date slated for release is 15 October 2025, in alignment with the re-examination timeline.
Some reports suggest SSC will upload the key soon after re-exam or earlier shifts.
The release is expected “today” as per multiple media updates.
Candidates must act fast, as response sheet / key links are often available for a limited time only.
How to Download SSC CGL 2025 Answer Key & Response Sheet
Here’s a step-by-step guide to download your answer key + response sheet from SSC:
Visit the official SSC website — ssc.gov.in (or check redirect to ssc.nic.in)
On the homepage, find the “Answer Key / Answer Key & Response Sheet” section or notice (often under “Latest News” or “Candidate’s Corner”).
Look for the notification titled something like “Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2025 (Tier-I): Uploading of Tentative Answer Keys along with Question Paper(s) / Candidate’s Response Sheet”.
Click Login / View Answer Key link.
Enter your Registration Number / Roll Number, Password / Date of Birth, and possibly a captcha.
On successful login, you should see your response sheet + tentative answer key.
Download the PDFs (answer key + response sheet + question paper) and save / print them for reference.
Optionally, raise objections if you find mismatches (before the objection deadline).
Important: The portal link is usually time-limited. Download immediately once active.
How to Use the Answer Key + Response Sheet
Once you have the documents, here’s what to do:
Cross-check your responses: Compare your marked answers with the official correct ones.
Calculate your tentative score: Use the SSC marking scheme (for Tier-1) to estimate your score. SSC usually imposes a negative mark for incorrect answers (e.g. –0.5 or –⅓ depending on pattern).
Identify discrepancies: If you believe an official answer is wrong, note the question number and your justification.
Prepare objection (if allowed): Submit through SSC’s objection portal (specifying the question number, alternative answer, justification / proof) and pay the required challenge fee per question.
Monitor for final answer key & results: After objection evaluation, SSC will publish the final (binding) answer key and then results. Use that to check your qualification status.
Things to Keep in Mind
The released key is provisional, not final. Any changes based on objections will reflect in the final key.
Objections must be lodged within the given timeframe; late submissions are generally not accepted.
The final answer key is binding — after that, no more challenges.
Download your response sheet & question papers quickly — links might expire.
Your estimated marks are not the final result — SSC will normalise / verify before publishing official results.
FAQs — SSC CGL Answer Key 2025
Q1. Is the SSC CGL 2025 answer key out now?
A. Yes, the Tier-1 provisional answer key + response sheets have been released on ssc.gov.in.
Q2. Which tiers are covered by this release?
A. The release is for Tier-1 (Preliminary) exam. For Tier-2, the final answer key has already been released earlier (for exams held in January) with response sheets.
Q3. How long is the answer key / response sheet link active?
A. Usually a limited period — often a few days — so download without delay.
Q4. Can I challenge the answer key if I think it’s wrong?
A. Yes. SSC provides an objection window to challenge questions in the provisional key. You’ll need to submit justification and pay a fee per question.
Q5. What is the fee to raise objection?
A. The commonly cited figure is ₹100 per question.
Q6. After objection period, what happens?
A. SSC reviews all valid objections, revises answers if needed, and then issues the Final Answer Key which is binding. Results are finalized based on that.
Q7. Will this affect my Tier-2 or final selection?
A. Only indirectly. Tier-1 results determine who goes to Tier-2. The final Tier-2 result, with proper scoring and key, determines final selection.
