If you sat for the SSC Combined Graduate Level Tier 1 exam this year, the wait for the answer key is over. The Staff Selection Commission has put up the provisional answer key with every candidate's response sheet on its portal, so you can now work out your likely score before the result arrives. Do not leave it till the last minute — the window to challenge any answer closes on the evening of 07-11-2026.
| Organization | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Examination | Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 – Tier 1 |
| Total Vacancies | 10,731 posts |
| Answer Key Status | Provisional answer key released on 04-11-2026 |
| Candidates Appeared | 28,52,665 |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 Exam Dates | 30-09-2026 to 28-10-2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key Released | 04-11-2026 |
| Objection Window Opens | 04-11-2026 (09:00 PM) |
| Last Date to Raise Objections | 07-11-2026 (09:00 PM) |
| Objection Fee | Rs 50 per question |
| Tier 2 Exam | December 2026 |
| Post | Department / Details |
|---|---|
| Assistant Section Officer | Central Secretariat Service, Intelligence Bureau, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of External Affairs and others |
| Inspector | Income Tax (CBDT), Central Excise (CBIC), Preventive Officer, Examiner, Department of Posts, Central Bureau of Narcotics |
| Sub Inspector | Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) |
| Assistant Enforcement Officer | Directorate of Enforcement |
| Other Posts | Auditor, Accountant, Junior Statistical Officer, Statistical Investigator Grade-II and more |
| Total | 10,731 posts |
A bachelor's degree from a recognised university is the basic requirement for most posts. Junior Statistical Officer needs 60 marks in Mathematics at the 10+2 level or Statistics as a subject at degree level, while Statistical Investigator Grade-II needs Statistics as one of the subjects in the degree. Post-wise eligibility is given in the CGL 2026 notification.
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
| Maximum Age | 27–32 years (post-wise) |
| Age Counted As On | 01-08-2026 |
| Age Relaxation | As per SSC rules |
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | Rs 100 |
| SC / ST / PH | Exempted |
| All Category Female | Exempted |
The Staff Selection Commission runs recruitment for Group B and Group C posts across ministries and departments of the Government of India. The Combined Graduate Level Examination is its largest graduate-level recruitment, filling posts in the Central Secretariat, Income Tax, Customs, Enforcement Directorate, CBI and several other departments every year.
| SSC Official Website | ssc.gov.in/ |
|---|---|
| Answer Key & Response Sheet | ssc.gov.in/ |
The Staff Selection Commission released the provisional Tier 1 answer key along with candidates' response sheets on 04-11-2026 on ssc.gov.in.
Candidates can challenge the tentative answer key from 04-11-2026 (09:00 PM) to 07-11-2026 (09:00 PM) by paying Rs 50 per question.
A total of 28,52,665 candidates appeared in the Tier 1 examination held from 30-09-2026 to 28-10-2026.
There are 10,731 vacancies for posts such as Assistant Section Officer, Inspector, Sub Inspector, Auditor and others.
Each correct answer carries 2 marks and 0.50 marks are deducted for every wrong answer.
The Tier 2 examination is scheduled for December 2026. The exact dates will be announced on ssc.gov.in.
Visit ssc.gov.in, log in with your registration number and password, and open the link for the Tier 1 answer key and response sheet.
The age limit is 18 to 32 years (post-wise) as on 01-08-2026, with relaxation as per SSC rules.