Welcome to Ekosh Online. The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially released the provisional answer key for the Central Police Organisation (CPO) Examination 2025, specifically for Paper 1, conducted from September 1 to 6, 2025. Candidates who appeared for the exam can now access the answer key and their response sheets on the official SSC website, ssc.gov.in, to evaluate their performance and estimate their scores. The release of the SSC CPO Answer Key 2025 is a significant step in ensuring transparency in the recruitment process for Sub-Inspector (SI) posts in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), as well as Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) posts in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
Key Details of SSC CPO Answer Key 2025
The SSC CPO 2025 examination presents a critical opportunity for candidates seeking to secure positions in prestigious law enforcement agencies, including the Delhi Police, CRPF, BSF, ITBP, SSB, and CISF. The answer key for Paper 1, which was held in a computer-based test (CBT) format, allows candidates to cross-check their responses against the official answers provided by the SSC. The Paper 1 examination consisted of 50 questions per section, with a marking scheme of 1 mark for each correct answer and a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer.
The provisional answer key for Paper 1 was released in early August 2025, with the exact date to be confirmed by the SSC. Candidates can download the answer key and their response sheets by logging into the official SSC portal using their registration number and password. The answer key is accompanied by the candidates’ response sheets, enabling them to compare their marked answers with the official ones to calculate their probable scores.
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How to Download SSC CPO Answer Key 2025
Candidates can follow these steps to download the SSC CPO Paper 1 Answer Key 2025 and response sheet:
- Visit the Official SSC Website: Navigate to ssc. nic. in.
- Locate the Answer Key Section: On the homepage, click on the “Answer Key” tab.
- Find the SSC CPO Answer Key Link: Look for the link titled “SSC CPO 2025 Paper 1 Answer Key & Response Sheet” and click on it.
- Log In: Enter your registration number and password as per your admission certificate.
- Download the Answer Key: The answer key and response sheet will be displayed on the screen. Download and save the PDF for reference.
- Verify Responses: Cross-check your responses with the official answers to estimate your score.
Candidates are advised to print or save the response sheet, as it may not be available after the objection window closes.
Raising Objections Against the Provisional Answer Key
The SSC provides candidates with an opportunity to challenge the provisional answer key if they identify discrepancies or errors in the provided answers. The objection window for the SSC CPO Paper 1 Answer Key 2025 is expected to be open for a limited period, likely from early August 2025 for 3–5 days. Candidates must submit their objections online through the SSC portal and pay a fee of Rs. 100 per question challenged. Valid justifications or supporting documents must accompany each objection to be considered by the commission.
To raise objections, candidates should:
- Visit the SSC website and log in using their credentials.
- Navigate to the “Answer Key” section and select the link for submitting representations.
- Choose the specific question(s) they wish to challenge and provide a detailed justification.
- Pay the required fee of Rs. 100 per question via online payment modes.
- Submit the objection within the specified deadline.
The SSC will review all objections and release the final answer key after considering valid challenges. No objections will be entertained after the deadline, and the final answer key will be used to prepare the results.
SSC CPO 2025 Exam Overview
The SSC CPO 2025 examination is conducted to recruit candidates for Sub-Inspector (SI) and Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) posts in various CAPFs and the Delhi Police. The selection process comprises multiple stages:
- Paper 1: A computer-based test conducted from September 1 to 6, 2025, covering General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Knowledge and General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension.
- Physical Standard Test (PST)/Physical Endurance Test (PET): Qualifying tests to assess candidates’ physical fitness.
- Paper 2: A computer-based test scheduled for March 2026, focusing on English Language and Comprehension.
- Detailed Medical Examination (DME): A final medical evaluation for candidates who clear the previous stages.
The SSC CPO 2025 recruitment aims to fill approximately 4,187 vacancies, though the exact number will be confirmed in the official notification. The salary for selected candidates ranges from ₹35,400 to ₹112,400, offering a lucrative career in law enforcement.
Important Dates for SSC CPO 2025
- Notification Release: Delayed from June 16, 2025, new date to be announced.
- Application Window: June to July 2025 (tentative).
- Paper 1 Exam: September 1 to 6, 2025.
- Paper 1 Answer Key Release: Early August 2025 (tentative).
- Objection Window: Likely 3–5 days following the answer key release.
- Paper 1 Result: Expected in October 2025.
- Paper 2 Exam: March 2026 (tentative).
- Paper 2 Answer Key Release: To be announced.
Candidates should regularly check the official SSC website for updates on exact dates and other announcements.
Calculating Scores Using the Answer Key
To estimate their scores, candidates can use the following marking scheme for SSC CPO Paper 1:
- Correct Answer: +1 mark
- Incorrect Answer: -0.25 marks
- Unattempted Questions: 0 marks
By comparing their responses with the official answer key, candidates can calculate their total score as follows:
Total Score = (Number of Correct Answers × 1) – (Number of Incorrect Answers × 0.25)
This score will help candidates gauge their chances of qualifying for the next stage, the PST/PET.
What’s Next After the Answer Key?
After the objection window closes, the SSC will release the final answer key, incorporating any valid corrections that have been made. The Paper 1 results are expected to be declared in October 2025 in PDF format, listing the names and roll numbers of candidates who qualify for the PST/PET. Qualified candidates will then proceed to the physical tests, followed by Paper 2 and the DME.
Candidates are advised to prepare for the upcoming stages by focusing on physical fitness for the PST/PET and revising the syllabus for Paper 2, which emphasizes English Language and Comprehension. Solving previous years’ question papers and mock tests can also enhance preparation.
Conclusion
The release of the SSC CPO Answer Key 2025 is a crucial step for candidates to assess their performance and ensure the evaluation process is fair and transparent. By downloading the answer key and response sheet, candidates can estimate their scores and raise any necessary objections. With the objection window open for a limited period, aspirants must act promptly to address any discrepancies. For the latest updates on results, cut-off marks, and further stages of the SSC CPO 2025 recruitment process, candidates are advised to regularly visit ssc.gov.in.