The Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Department of Personnel & Training, Government of India, has officially published the SSC CGL Tier 1 Answer Key 2026 along with candidate Question Papers cum Response Sheets for the Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026 (Tier-I). As confirmed in the official Commission notice (No. HQ-C11018/5/2026-C-1 / E-16368 dated November 04, 2026), the online Challenge Management System has been activated on the central portal at ssc.gov.in.

The Tier-I Computer-Based Examination was administered across designated testing centers pan-India from September 30, 2026, to October 28, 2026, for recruitment into approximately 17,727 Group ‘B’ and Group ‘C’ vacancies across central government ministries, departments, and constitutional bodies. With the release of the SSC CGL Tier 1 Answer Key 2026, candidates can log in using their Registration Number and Password to verify marked answers, compute raw scores, and challenge disputed questions.

The online objection submission window opened on November 04, 2026 (09:00 PM) and will remain active until November 07, 2026 (up to 09:00 PM Sharp) upon payment of a nominal fee of ₹50/- per challenged question.

SSC CGL Tier 1 Answer Key 2026: Fast Facts & Overview

Important Dates for SSC CGL Tier 1 Answer Key 2026

Candidates must keep track of the short 72-hour challenge submission window for the SSC CGL Tier 1 Answer Key 2026 to record discrepancies and save response sheets before the link is disabled:

Key Highlights & Important Instructions from Official Notice

The official write-up notice published by the Commission outlines several critical operational details regarding the SSC CGL Tier 1 Answer Key 2026:

1. Standardized Question Sequence in Challenge Module: The notice clarifies that the sequence of questions and multiple-choice options in the challenge module may appear in a different order compared to how they appeared during your actual examination. This is because the challenge interface standardizes a master sequence for all candidates who took the test in that specific shift. However, the exact option you selected during the examination is accurately reflected.
2. Objection Processing Fee: In contrast to legacy formats, challenges can be registered at ₹50/- per question/answer challenged.
3. No Extension Beyond November 07: Representations received after 09:00 PM on November 07, 2026, will not be accepted under any circumstances. Objections submitted through postal mail, email, or physical letters will be summarily rejected.
4. Mandatory Archival Requirement: As per Para 6 of the notice, response sheets and tentative keys will not be available after the specified deadline. The Commission will not entertain individual requests for providing response sheets in the future.
5. Personal Use Undertaking: Candidates must note that the downloaded question paper is strictly for personal use and self-analysis.

CBT Tier-I Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme Reference

To calculate your performance accurately using the SSC CGL Tier 1 Answer Key 2026, review the 200-mark test structure:

Step-by-Step Raw Score Calculation Formula

Using your personalized response sheet accessed through the SSC CGL Tier 1 Answer Key 2026 link, calculate your total raw score:

[Candidate Raw Score] = (Number of Correct Attempts × 2) – (Number of Incorrect Attempts × 0.50)

Practical Calculation Example:

Suppose an applicant attempted 82 questions out of 100:

• Correct Answers: 70 questions $\rightarrow 70 \times 2 = 140\text{ marks}$→70×2=140 marks
• Incorrect Answers: 12 questions $\rightarrow 12 \times 0.50 = 6.00\text{ marks negative}$→12×0.50=6.00 marks negative
• Unattempted Questions: 18 questions $\rightarrow 0\text{ marks (no penalty)}$→0 marks (no penalty)
• Final Computed Raw Score: $140 – 6.00 = \mathbf{134.00\text{ Marks}}\text{ (out of 200)}$140−6.00=134.00 Marks (out of 200)

Normalisation Notice: The raw score obtained via the SSC CGL Tier 1 Answer Key 2026 will be normalized using the Commission’s multi-shift mathematical formula to determine the qualifying cutoff for Tier-II shortlisting.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Raise Objections Online

If you identify an erroneous answer key or a flawed question while reviewing the SSC CGL Tier 1 Answer Key 2026, follow these steps to challenge it:

1. Access the Portal: Visit the official Staff Selection Commission website at ssc.gov.in.
2. Log In: Enter your Registration Number and Password in the top-right candidate login section.
3. Open Challenge System: Click on the “Answer Key / Challenge System” tab on your candidate dashboard.
4. Select Exam & Shift: Select Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026 (Tier-I) and choose your examination shift.
5. Identify the Question: Enter the Question Number or select the Question ID from the master sequence.
6. Specify Nature of Dispute: Choose the reason for your challenge (e.g., Incorrect Answer Key, Multiple Correct Options, Ambiguous Question, Out of Syllabus).
7. Upload Reference Proof: Upload a clear image or PDF scan of authoritative standard reference material (such as NCERT textbooks, university references, or official government documents) validating your claim.
8. Pay Objection Fee: Pay the fee of ₹50/- per challenged question via online payment gateway (UPI, Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card).
9. Final Submit & Print Receipt: Submit your challenge and save the generated confirmation receipt for tracking.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Download SSC CGL Tier 1 Response Sheet 2026

1. Visit the Main Website: Go to ssc.gov.in.
2. Log In to Dashboard: Input your Registration Number, Password, and the Captcha code, then click “Login”.
3. Navigate to Answer Key: Click on the active notification link titled “Uploading of Tentative Answer Keys along with Candidates’ Response Sheet(s) of Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2026 (Tier-I)”.
4. Generate Question Paper: Click the designated link to open your shift’s master question paper and your response sheet.
5. Review Answers: Review your selected responses against the green-tick official answers.
6. Save as PDF: Press Ctrl + P, select “Save as PDF”, check “Background Graphics”, and save the file on your device.

Direct Official Links

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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