
Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination to recruit candidates for various Group B and Group C posts in government departments. Candidates appearing for the SSC CGL 2026 Tier 1 examination can check the important details related to the provisional answer key, response sheet, objection deadline and official website in the overview table below.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Name | Combined Graduate Level Examination (SSC CGL) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Examination Stage | Tier 1 |
| Examination Dates | September 30 to October 30, 2026 |
| Answer Key Status | Released (Provisional) |
| Answer Key Release Date | November 4, 2026 |
| Response Sheet | Released |
| Objection Deadline | As per official notification |
| Objection Fee | As per official notification |
| Official Website | SSC Official Website |
Candidates can download the official SSC CGL Answer Key 2026 notice PDF to check the provisional answer key, response sheet details and instructions related to the objection submission process.
Download the SSC CGL Answer Key 2026 Official PDF from the SSC website.
Candidates will be able to access their individual response sheets through the official SSC website using their registered login credentials. The response sheet will contain the answers marked during the examination along with the provisional correct answers.
Follow these steps to download the SSC CGL Answer Key 2026:
Visit the official SSC website at ssc.gov.in.
Open the Answer Key section or check the latest notification on the homepage.
Click on the SSC CGL 2026 provisional answer key notification.
Open the candidate login link provided in the notification.
Enter your Registration Number and Password.
Submit the login details to access your response sheet.
Check the recorded responses and compare them with the provisional answer key.
Download and save the response sheet PDF for future reference.
Candidates can also refer to the SSC CGL Tier 2 Response Sheet PDF download guide to understand how response sheets are accessed and reviewed.
The response sheet generally displays the examination name, tier, roll number, registration details, examination date, shift, questions, marked answers and official correct answers.
Candidates who find discrepancies in the provisional answer key can challenge the relevant answers through the official SSC portal. The Commission provides a limited objection window to allow candidates to submit their representations before the final answer key is prepared.
Candidates should follow the official instructions and complete the objection process within the prescribed deadline.
Candidates can follow these general steps to submit objections:
Visit the official website at ssc.gov.in.
Log in to the designated answer key challenge portal.
Select the SSC CGL 2026 examination and the question you want to challenge.
Choose the relevant objection option and provide the required explanation.
Upload supporting documents or references, if requested.
Pay the prescribed objection fee for each challenged question.
Review the submitted details carefully.
Submit the objection before the notified deadline.
Save the confirmation receipt for future reference.
Candidates should carefully verify the question and supporting evidence before submitting an objection. For an example of the Commission's challenge procedure, candidates can refer to the SSC CGL Tier 2 Answer Key Objection Window.
Note: The objection fee, submission deadline and other requirements for SSC CGL 2026 should be confirmed through the official notification. Candidates should not rely on previous examination cycles for the current fee or schedule.
Candidates can estimate their expected raw scores by comparing their recorded responses with the provisional answer key. The calculation should follow the marking scheme applicable to their examination stage.
The general formula for calculating the expected raw score is:
Expected Raw Score = (Correct Answers × Marks for Each Correct Answer) − (Incorrect Answers × Negative Marks per Incorrect Answer)
Unanswered questions generally carry zero marks. Candidates should check the official SSC CGL 2026 marking scheme before calculating their scores.
For example, if a candidate receives 70 correct answers and 20 incorrect answers, and the applicable marking scheme awards 2 marks for each correct answer with a deduction of 0.50 marks for each incorrect answer:
Marks for correct answers: 70 × 2 = 140
Negative marks: 20 × 0.50 = 10
Expected Raw Score: 140 − 10 = 130 marks
This is only an illustrative calculation. Candidates must use the marking scheme applicable to their examination.
Candidates planning to continue their preparation for upcoming SSC examinations can explore online SSC CGL preparation batches offered by PW.
The estimated raw score may differ from the final normalized score. SSC will review the objections submitted by candidates and prepare the final answer key according to its prescribed procedure. The final evaluation will be carried out using the applicable official rules.
