Illustration of an examination desk with a question paper, an answer sheet with tick marks, a pencil and a laptop, symbolising the SSC CGL answer key.
Jobs & Education
SSC CGL Tier 1 answer key 2026 out; objections open till 7 November
SSC has released the provisional answer key and response sheets for the CGL Tier 1 examination 2026 at ssc.gov.in; candidates can raise objections online until 7 November 2026, 9 PM, at Rs 50 per question.
⚡Key Highlights
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SSC has released the provisional answer key and response sheets for the CGL Tier 1 examination 2026 at ssc.gov.in; candidates can raise objections online until 7 November 2026, 9 PM, at Rs 50 per question.
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Key analysis, background details, and full reporting below.
The Staff Selection Commission has released the provisional answer key and response sheets for the CGL Tier 1 examination 2026, with objections open until 9 PM on 7 November 2026 at Rs 50 per question.
By StoryTimesNow News Desk — 05 November 2026, 3:02 PM IST
Illustration: an answer sheet and a laptop.
Key Takeaways
What happened: SSC released the provisional answer key, response sheets and question papers for CGL Tier 1 2026 on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, at ssc.gov.in.
Who is affected: Candidates who took the Tier 1 computer-based test, which began on 30 September 2026, can now check their responses and estimate scores.
What is next: Objections can be raised online until 7 November 2026, 9 PM, at Rs 50 per question. SSC will then publish the final answer key, and the Tier 1 result will be based on it.
Introduction
Candidates waiting for the SSC CGL Tier 1 answer key can now check their responses. The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) released the provisional answer key along with candidates' response sheets and question papers on Wednesday, 4 November 2026. They are available only through the candidate login at ssc.gov.in.
What Happened?
SSC uploaded the tentative answer keys for the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination 2026, Tier 1, with each candidate's response sheet and question paper, under its notice titled "Uploading of Candidate's Response Sheet(s) along with Tentative Answer Keys and inviting challenges thereon". Candidates can log in to ssc.gov.in with their registration number and password and open the answer key section to view their individual response sheet.
The Tier 1 computer-based examination began on 30 September 2026 and was held at centres across the country. Candidates can now compare the official answers with their marked responses and work out a likely score before the result is declared.
Why Does This Matter?
The CGL examination is one of India's largest recruitment exercises for graduate-level central government posts, and Tier 1 is the first filter. The answer key matters for two reasons. First, it lets every candidate estimate a score and judge their chances of qualifying for Tier 2 instead of waiting blindly for the result. Second, the key is provisional, not final, so errors in it can still be corrected — but only if candidates challenge them within the window.
Important Details
Answer key released: 4 November 2026, for CGL Tier 1 2026.
Where to check: ssc.gov.in, through the candidate login portal, using the registration number (User ID) and password used during application.
What is available: the tentative answer key, the candidate's individual response sheet and the question paper.
Objection window: from 9 PM on 4 November 2026 until 9 PM on 7 November 2026.
Objection fee: Rs 50 per question or answer challenged, paid online.
How to object: only through the online challenge module on ssc.gov.in. Objections sent by email or post, or submitted after the deadline, will not be considered.
Save your sheet: download and save the response sheet as a PDF while the link is active; the Commission does not send it separately afterwards.
Check carefully: question order in the challenge module may differ from the exam, so match questions by content, not by number alone.
Background and Context
The Combined Graduate Level examination is SSC's annual recruitment drive for graduate-level Group B and Group C posts in ministries, departments and organisations of the Government of India. Selection runs in stages, with Tier 1 as the computer-based screening test and Tier 2 for candidates who qualify. Publishing a provisional key and inviting objections before the result is standard practice: candidates can flag wrong answers, and SSC's experts review each challenge before the final key is drawn up.
What Happens Next?
The immediate deadline is 7 November 2026 at 9 PM, when the objection window closes. SSC will then examine the challenges and publish the final answer key. The Tier 1 result will be based on that final key, and qualifiers will move on to Tier 2, for which dates will be announced separately.
What Readers Should Know
Download and save the response sheet as a PDF before the window closes on 7 November, because the link will not be available afterwards. Challenge only the answers you believe are wrong, with supporting documents where asked — the fee is charged per question, so challenging every answer is costly. Note that the question order in the challenge module may differ from the exam, so verify each question by its content. Remember the key is provisional: estimated scores can change if SSC revises answers in the final key.
FAQs
How do I download the SSC CGL Tier 1 answer key 2026?
Log in to the candidate portal at ssc.gov.in with your registration number and password, open the answer key section, and save your response sheet as a PDF.
What is the last date to raise objections?
7 November 2026 at 9 PM. Late objections, or those sent by any mode other than the online portal, will not be considered.
How much does it cost to challenge an answer?
Rs 50 per question, paid online through the challenge module on ssc.gov.in.
Is this the final answer key?
No. This is the provisional (tentative) answer key. SSC will review the objections received and then publish the final answer key; the Tier 1 result will be based on the final key.
Sources and Verification
Education Times, 5 Nov 2026: provisional answer key released for CGL Tier 1 2026; exam held from 30 September 2026; key available through candidate login on ssc.gov.in.
Telegraph India (Edugraph), 4 Nov 2026: key and response sheets released; objection window 4 November, 9 PM, to 7 November, 9 PM; fee Rs 50 per question.
Careers360, 4 Nov 2026: tentative answer key out at ssc.gov.in; objections until 7 November, 9 PM; final key and result after objections are considered.
Times Now, 5 Nov 2026: Tier 1 key and response sheets released; challenges accepted until 7 November at Rs 50 per question; question order in the challenge module may differ.
Business Standard, 5 Nov 2026: CGL Tier I answer key 2026 available at ssc.gov.in; objection deadline 7 November 2026; fee Rs 50 per question contested.
Verified 5 November 2026 from the sources above. The answer key is provisional and the objection fee is Rs 50 per question. The final answer key and the Tier 1 result will follow after SSC reviews the objections.
