OSSC CGL Mains Answer Key 2026 has been released on 13/07/2026 by the Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC) for the Combined Graduate Level Recruitment Examination (CGLRE) 2025-26. The provisional answer key covers the Mains written examination held on 8 July 2026. Candidates who appeared in the exam can now download their response sheet, cross-check answers, and prepare to raise objections if needed. This article is based on the official answer key notice released by the Odisha Staff Selection Commission.
The Mains exam saw 8,037 qualified candidates attempt the written test across Group B and Group C positions. OSSC has released the answer key alongside the candidate response sheet portal, allowing applicants to calculate their provisional scores and identify questions for potential challenge.
Answer Key – Key Details
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Graduate Level Recruitment Examination (CGLRE) 2025-26 |
| Advertisement Number | 5751/OSSC dated 12/12/2025 |
| Posts | Group B & Group C |
| Total Vacancies | 1,576 |
| Mains Exam Date | 7-8 July 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Recruitment Examination (CBRE) |
| Answer Key Type | Provisional |
| Answer Key Release Date | 13 July 2026 |
| Official Website | https://www.ossc.gov.in |
How to Download the OSSC CGL Mains Answer Key 2026
- Visit the official OSSC website at www.ossc.gov.in or use the candidate login portal linked on your admit card.
- Navigate to the “What’s New” or “Latest Updates” section on the homepage to locate the Mains Answer Key 2026 link.
- Click on the “OSSC CGL Mains Answer Key 2026” link when it is active on the portal.
- Log in using your Registration Number and Password or your Date of Birth (DOB in DDMMYYYY format).
- Your response sheet will display your selected answer (A/B/C/D) next to the official answer key for each question.
- Download and save the PDF to your device for verification and objection planning.
Cross-check the login URL against the one shared in your official admit card to avoid phishing attempts. Always access the portal only through the official OSSC website.
Calculate Your Provisional Score
The OSSC CGL Mains marking scheme is as follows:
- Correct answer: +1 mark
- Incorrect answer: -0.25 marks (negative marking)
- Unattempted question: 0 marks
Example: If you attempted 150 questions with 120 correct and 20 wrong: Score = (120 × 1) − (20 × 0.25) = 120 − 5 = 115 marks
Use this formula to calculate your probable Mains score against the final answer key once it is released. Compare this with the expected cut-off marks for your category and post to assess your chances.
Should You Challenge This Answer Key?
Raise an objection if:
- The official answer appears incorrect based on the official question paper text provided in the CBRE portal.
- You have a specific reference from NCERT, standard government textbooks, or officially prescribed study material.
- Multiple credible sources (government publications, official guidelines) agree that the given answer is factually wrong.
- The question itself contains a printing error, ambiguous wording, or appears to have two defensible correct answers based on the official question paper.
Do NOT raise an objection if:
- You are uncertain about the answer. The objection fee, once paid, is non-refundable regardless of outcome.
- You saw a different answer on social media, coaching app forums, or WhatsApp groups without verified sources.
- A coaching institute disagrees but has not provided a reference from the official question paper or a standard textbook.
- You attempted the question and got it wrong, but cannot locate a published source supporting your claimed answer.
Objections are reviewed by subject experts from OSSC; only those backed by credible published references or official question paper evidence are accepted and result in answer key revisions.
How to Challenge the Answer Key
- Log in to the candidate portal at https://cdn.digialm.com/EForms/configuredHtml/852/101496/login.html using your registration credentials.
- Navigate to the objection or “Challenge Answer Key” section once the official objection window opens.
- Select the specific question(s) you wish to challenge.
- Upload supporting documents: a screenshot of the official question paper or a scanned page from the prescribed textbook clearly showing the correct answer.
- Pay the objection fee if applicable; OSSC will refund the fee if your objection is accepted.
- Submit your objection before the last date specified in the official notice; objections after the deadline will not be considered.
Critical Warning: The objection fee, once paid, is non-refundable, even if your objection is rejected. Raise objections only when you have a clear reference from the official question paper or a standard textbook. Do not submit objections based on assumptions or coaching centre opinions.
What Happens Next
- Objection submission window closes on the date announced by OSSC.
- Subject expert panel at OSSC reviews all submitted objections against the official question paper and standard references.
- Final Answer Key released reflecting accepted objections and any corrections to the provisional key.
- Results declared based on the final answer key; qualified candidates’ scores are calculated using the corrected key.
- Qualified candidates are called for Document Verification, the final stage before appointment.
- Appointment orders issued for selected candidates post-verification.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Prelims Final Answer Key | 13/05/2026 |
| Mains Admit Card Released | 30/06/2026 |
| Computer Skill Test | 7 July 2026, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM |
| Mathematics Test | 7 July 2026, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
| Main Written Examination (Paper-I & II) | 8 July 2026 |
| OSSC CGL Mains Answer Key Released | 13 July 2026 |
Important Links
| Particular | Link |
|---|---|
| Download OSSC CGL Mains Answer Key | Visit Portal |
| Candidate Login & Response Sheet | Candidate Login |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When was the OSSC CGL Mains Answer Key 2026 released?
Ans. The OSSC CGL Mains Answer Key 2026 was released on 13 July 2026. Candidates can log in to the official portal to access the provisional answer key and their response sheet.
Q2. How do I download my response sheet for the Mains exam?
Ans. Log in to the candidate portal using your Registration Number and Password or Date of Birth. Navigate to the response sheet section, and your recorded answers will be displayed next to the official answer key for each question. Download the PDF for your records.
Q3. What is the difference between the provisional and final answer key?
Ans. The provisional answer key is released first and allows candidates to calculate tentative scores and raise objections. The final answer key is released after OSSC reviews and accepts valid objections, resulting in any necessary corrections. Results are declared based on the final answer key.
Q4. How much is the objection fee, and will it be refunded?
Ans. OSSC has not yet announced the objection fee amount for the Mains stage. Once the objection window opens, the official notice will specify the fee per question and refund eligibility. Generally, fees are refunded only if the objection is accepted and the answer key is corrected.
Q5. What happens if my objection is accepted?
Ans. If your objection is accepted, the answer key is revised for that question. OSSC recalculates all candidates’ scores using the final answer key, which may increase your total marks. Your revised score is used for merit list preparation and result declaration.
Q6. Can I raise objections for multiple questions?
Ans. Yes, you can challenge multiple questions. Each objection must be supported by a clear reference from the official question paper or a standard textbook. Pay the objection fee for each question you challenge. Do not raise objections unless you have strong evidence of an error.
Q7. What is the marking scheme for the OSSC CGL Mains?
Ans. The marking scheme is: +1 mark for a correct answer, −0.25 marks for an incorrect answer, and 0 marks for unattempted questions. Calculate your provisional score by multiplying correct answers by 1, subtracting (incorrect answers × 0.25), and adding unattempted questions as 0.
Q8. What happens after the final answer key is released?
Ans. After the final answer key release, results are declared with candidates’ final scores calculated using the corrected key. Qualified candidates are notified for Document Verification, the final stage before appointment to Group B and Group C positions.
Your Next Step
Download the OSSC CGL Mains Answer Key 2026 before the objection window closes, and cross-check every answer against your response sheet using the marking scheme provided. Raise objections only for answers you can support with a reference from the official question paper or a standard textbook. Each objection fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. For updates on the final answer key, result declaration, and Document Verification schedule, stay connected with MyNaukriAlert.com for timely notifications.
