
Staff Selection Commission has released the SSC CPO Paper 1 Answer Key 2025 on 24 December 2025 at ssc.gov.in along with the question paper and response sheet. Candidates who appeared in the examination can now match their answers and calculate their expected scores using the official marking scheme. Paper 1 consists of 200 multiple-choice questions divided into four sections, each having a fixed time limit. SSC has also enabled the objection facility till 27 December 2025 (6 PM), allowing candidates to challenge any incorrect answer before final evaluation.
SSC follows a uniform marking scheme for Paper 1 across all sections. Each correct response adds to the final score, while incorrect attempts attract negative marking. Candidates should carefully apply this scheme while estimating their marks.
| Marking Scheme | |
| Parameter | Marks |
| Correct Answer | +1 |
| Incorrect Answer | −0.25 |
The SSC CPO Paper 1 is conducted in computer-based mode and consists of 200 multiple-choice questions carrying a total of 200 marks. The total duration of the exam is 2 hours (120 minutes). In 2025, SSC has introduced sectional timing, allotting 30 minutes to each section.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 30 minutes |
| General Knowledge & General Awareness | 50 | 50 | 30 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 30 minutes |
| English Comprehension | 50 | 50 | 30 minutes |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 2 hours |
To calculate your expected SSC CPO Paper 1 score, first download your response sheet from the official SSC website and compare it with the tentative answer key. Count the total number of correct and incorrect responses across all four sections.
Score Calculation Formula:
(Number of Correct Answers × 1) − (Number of Incorrect Answers × 0.25) = Total Marks
This calculation helps candidates estimate their probable score before the declaration of the final result.
After the release of the tentative answer key, SSC allows candidates to raise objections till 27 December 2025 (6:00 PM) by paying a fee of ₹50 per question. All challenges submitted within the deadline are reviewed by subject experts.
Once the objection process is completed, SSC will release the final answer key, followed by the Paper 1 result and cut-off marks. Candidates qualifying Paper 1 will be shortlisted for the next stages of the SSC CPO selection process as per official rules