SSC CGL Tier‑1 Answer Key 2025 Released Today (Oct 15) – Download & Object Guide

When Staff Selection Commission posted the provisional answer key for the Combined Graduate Level Examination (CGL) Tier‑1 2025 on October 15, 2025, millions of aspirants logged on to ssc.gov.in hoping to verify their answers. The announcement came after a two‑week testing window that saw the exam run from September 12 to September 26 across 255 centres in 126 cities.

Background of the SSC CGL 2025 Cycle

Since its inception in 1975, the Staff Selection Commission has been the gate‑keeper for entry‑level government jobs. This year’s CGL attracted a staggering 28,000,000 registered candidates, with roughly 13,500,000 actually writing the Tier‑1 paper. The sheer scale is comparable to a midsize country's electorate walking into voting booths.

In early September, the commission issued a notice (dated September 26) warning that the “challenge for CGLE questions will commence around 15th October.” That hint set off a flurry of speculation on forums and social media, especially after a fire broke out at a Mumbai centre on September 26, forcing a make‑up session for affected candidates.

To keep things transparent, the SSC also promised a re‑examination on October 14, 2025 for those whose papers were disrupted, as well as for a handful where “ambiguous evidence” of malpractice was flagged. The make‑up exam was held at 44 centres nationwide.

Answer Key Release Details

According to a report by Economic Times, the provisional answer key would be available “anytime today” on the official portal. “The Staff Selection Commission will release the provisional answer key for the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Tier‑I Exam 2025 today,” the paper quoted the SSC’s release.

Just a few hours later, NDTV Education confirmed, “For a few candidates, including those whose exams were disrupted due to a fire incident at a Mumbai centre, and those against whom the Commission found ambiguous evidence of malpractice, the exams were rescheduled for October 14.” The same outlet added that the answer key would be downloadable alongside individual response sheets.

Meanwhile, Jagran Josh reminded aspirants, “Once released, candidates will be able to download the answer key and raise their objections, if any, in online mode.”

How to Download and Verify Your Response Sheet

Here’s a step‑by‑step rundown that even a first‑time user can follow:

1. Visit ssc.gov.in and hover over the “Latest News” banner.
2. Click the “Answer Key” tab – you’ll see a list of recent releases.
3. Select the link titled “Combined Graduate Level Examination (Tier‑1) 2025”.
4. Enter your registration number, date of birth and the security captcha.
5. Download two PDFs: the provisional answer key and your personal response sheet.

Both files are in standard PDF format, so you can open them on any device. The response sheet shows every question you attempted, the option you marked, and the correct answer as per the provisional key.

Objection Process and Timeline

The objection window is expected to open within one to two days of the key’s release. Candidates who spot a mismatch can lodge an online challenge for a nominal fee per question – typically ₹100 per objection.

Steps to raise an objection:

• Log back into the SSC portal using the same credentials.
• Navigate to the “Objection” section under the answer‑key page.
• Select the question number, upload a scanned copy of your answer sheet (if required), and pay the fee via net banking or UPI.
• Submit the form – you’ll receive an acknowledgement email with a reference ID.

After the deadline, the commission’s examination wing reviews each challenge. Once the review is complete, a final answer key is published, followed by the Tier‑1 results. While the exact date for the final key isn’t fixed, history suggests a gap of about two to three weeks.

Implications for Candidates and Next Steps

Clearing Tier‑1 is just the first hurdle. Those who score above the cut‑off will be eligible for Tier‑2, which tests quantitative aptitude, English, and reasoning. The Tier‑2 schedule hasn’t been announced yet, but past cycles placed it roughly six weeks after Tier‑1 results.

For the 13.5 million candidates who sat for the exam, the answer key is more than a scorecard – it’s a sanity check. “I was nervous about question 23,” one aspirant from New Delhi whispered to a local news channel. “Seeing the official key confirmed I wasn’t wrong, which is a huge relief.”

The re‑examination for the Mumbai‑affected candidates also matters. By allowing them to sit for the paper on October 14, the SSC ensured a level playing field, reducing the risk of legal challenges later on.

In short, the answer key release marks the transition from frantic waiting to active verification. Whether you’re planning to object, calculate your expected rank, or simply breathe a sigh of relief, the next few days will be decisive.

Historical Context of Answer‑Key Controversies

Answer‑key disputes are nothing new for the SSC. In the 2022 cycle, over 1.2 million objections were filed, prompting a six‑week delay in final results. That episode taught the commission to tighten its digital verification mechanisms, something evident in the current online objection portal.

Experts say the volume of objections often correlates with the difficulty level of the paper. “When questions are unusually tricky, candidates are more likely to challenge,” notes education analyst Dr. Priya Nair. This year’s paper, described by several coaching centres as “moderately tough,” appears to be generating a healthy, but manageable, number of challenges.