SSC CGL Answer Key 2025: Tier-1 Answer Key to Be Released Tomorrow — Check Passing Marks, Cut-Off & Marking Scheme
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) is expected to release the SSC CGL Tier-1 Answer Key 2025 tomorrow on its official website — ssc.gov.in. According to multiple sources, SSC has completed the normalization process and will soon upload the provisional answer key, allowing candidates to evaluate their performance and raise objections if required.
This release is a crucial step for aspirants awaiting their CGL Tier-1 results, as the answer key helps them estimate their probable scores before the official results are declared.
SSC CGL Answer Key 2025 — Important Dates
| Event | Date (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| SSC CGL Tier-1 Exam 2025 | August–September 2025 |
| Provisional Answer Key Release | 15 October 2025 |
| Objection Window | To be open for 2–3 days |
| Final Answer Key | After review of objections |
| Result Declaration | Expected in November 2025 |
Candidates will need to log in to their SSC account using their registration number and password to download the answer key and their response sheet.
How to Download SSC CGL Answer Key 2025
Follow these simple steps to access your Tier-1 answer key:
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Visit the official SSC website: www.ssc.gov.in
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Click on the link “SSC CGL Tier-1 Answer Key 2025” under the latest news section.
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Enter your roll number/registration ID and password.
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The answer key and response sheet will appear on your screen.
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Download the PDF and compare your responses to calculate your estimated score.
💡 Tip: Always cross-verify the question IDs carefully while checking your answers to avoid confusion.
Marking Scheme for SSC CGL Tier-1 Exam 2025
To accurately calculate your expected score using the answer key, you must understand the official marking scheme followed by SSC.
| Type of Response | Marks Awarded |
|---|---|
| Correct Answer | +2 marks |
| Incorrect Answer | –0.50 marks (negative marking) |
| Unanswered Question | 0 marks |
This marking scheme ensures fairness and discourages random guessing. So, while using the answer key, apply the above formula to get your net score.
Example Calculation:
If you attempted 80 questions correctly and marked 15 wrong answers out of 100:
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Correct Answers = 80 × 2 = 160 marks
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Negative Marks = 15 × 0.5 = 7.5 marks
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Estimated Total = 160 – 7.5 = 152.5 marks
This estimated score gives you a fair idea of your performance before results are published.
Minimum Qualifying Marks (Passing Marks)
The SSC sets minimum qualifying marks that candidates must secure to move to the next stage (Tier-2). However, meeting the minimum marks doesn’t guarantee selection — you must also clear the category-wise cut-off.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Percentage | Equivalent Marks (Out of 200) |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 30% | 60 marks |
| OBC / EWS | 25% | 50 marks |
| SC / ST / PwD | 20% | 40 marks |
These are the minimum required scores to qualify for Tier-1. Final cut-offs are usually much higher, depending on exam difficulty and number of vacancies.
Expected SSC CGL 2025 Tier-1 Cut-Off
While the official cut-off will be released with the results, based on previous years’ trends and difficulty level, here are the expected cut-offs for SSC CGL Tier-1 2025:
| Category | Expected Cut-Off (Marks out of 200) |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 145 – 155 |
| OBC | 135 – 145 |
| EWS | 135 – 145 |
| SC | 120 – 130 |
| ST | 115 – 125 |
Cut-offs vary every year depending on the total number of candidates, exam difficulty, and available vacancies across posts such as Assistant, Inspector, Auditor, Accountant, and Statistical Investigator.
How to Calculate Your Estimated Marks Using the Answer Key
Here’s a simple step-by-step method:
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Count your total correct answers.
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Multiply the number of correct answers by 2.
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Count your wrong answers and multiply them by 0.5.
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Subtract the total of wrong answers from your correct answer total.
Formula:
Estimated Marks = (Correct × 2) – (Wrong × 0.5)
This gives you an estimated raw score. After normalization, your final Tier-1 marks might differ slightly.
How to Raise Objections Against the SSC CGL Answer Key 2025
If you find any discrepancy or error in the provisional answer key, you can file an objection online.
Steps to Raise Objection:
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Visit the SSC official portal and log in to your account.
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Click on “Challenge Answer Key” under the CGL section.
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Select the question ID and provide a valid justification or reference.
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Pay the required objection fee (usually ₹100 per question).
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Submit before the last date — late submissions are not accepted.
SSC reviews all valid objections and then releases the final answer key along with the result.
Why the Answer Key Matters
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Transparency: Candidates can verify the correctness of evaluation.
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Self-assessment: Helps predict whether you’re likely to clear Tier-1.
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Strategic planning: Gives clarity on which subjects need improvement for Tier-2.
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Confidence boost: Knowing your expected score reduces exam anxiety.
What’s Next After the Answer Key?
After objections close, SSC will publish the final answer key and the Tier-1 results. Candidates who qualify will proceed to Tier-2 (Descriptive/Objective Test) and later Tier-3 (Skill/Typing Test) depending on the post applied for.
It’s essential to continue preparation for Tier-2 even while waiting for the results. Many successful candidates start revising Tier-2 topics immediately after checking their estimated scores.
Final Thoughts
The SSC CGL Tier-1 Answer Key 2025 is expected tomorrow, giving candidates an opportunity to check their answers and estimate scores before the official results. With the +2 / –0.5 marking scheme, accuracy plays a key role in scoring high.
Candidates should:
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Download the official answer key only from ssc.gov.in
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Cross-check answers carefully before filing objections
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Keep track of updates regarding Tier-1 results and Tier-2 exam dates
With cut-offs likely in the 145–155 range for General category, a well-balanced performance across all four sections — General Awareness, English, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude — will be crucial for moving ahead in the selection process.