When S Gopalkrishnan, Chairperson of Staff Selection Commission announced that the SSC CGL Tier-1 Exam would be re‑held on October 14, 2025, the news set off a wave of both relief and confusion among the 28 lakh aspirants who sat for the test earlier this month.
The original SSC CGL Tier-1 Exam 2025multiple centres across India ran from September 12 to September 26 across 227 centres in 129 cities. Out of the 2,435 scheduled shifts, 25 were scrapped because of server crashes, login glitches and a handful of administrative slip‑ups.
What Went Wrong? Technical Glitches and Administrative Lapses
On the ground, candidates described a scene that resembled a tech‑support nightmare. At several venues, the computer‑based testing (CBT) software froze mid‑question, forcing exam‑iners to halt the session. Others reported being denied entry because of mismatched seat numbers or delayed paper‑less verification.
According to the commission’s post‑mortem, the glitches stemmed from an overloaded authentication server that crashed when more than 6,000 simultaneous logins were attempted. “This is the first time we have faced such a scale of technical failure,” S Gopalkrishnan told reporters. “We have taken cognizance of this and are working to minimise disruptions.”
Administrative lapses added fuel to the fire. In a few centres, exam‑paper bundles were misplaced, and candidates complained of inadequate lighting and faulty chairs—issues that, while not fatal, contributed to the overall perception of chaos.
Who Was Affected and How Many?
The numbers paint a clearer picture. Roughly 7,705 aspirants were directly hit by the 25 cancelled shifts. These candidates have already received new exam dates, but the commission has yet to publish a public list naming them. In contrast, about 1,100 candidates were rescheduled for reasons unrelated to the glitches—such as personal emergencies or travel difficulties.
Meanwhile, a solid 301,722 candidates completed the test without a hitch at unaffected centres. Adding the rescheduled cohort, the SSC has prepared re‑exam admit cards for more than 55,000 individuals.
- Original exam window: Sep 12‑26, 2025
- Planned shifts: 2,435
- Cancelled shifts: 25 (≈ 1 % of total)
- Candidates impacted by cancellations: ~7,705
- Re‑exam date: Oct 14, 2025 (admit cards out Oct 9)
Responses from the Ground
Reaction among candidates has been a mixed bag. Rajesh Singh, a 23‑year‑old from Patna, recounted a three‑hour drive to the exam centre only to be turned away because the computer terminal threw a "session timeout" error. “I felt my money, time, and hope were being tossed away,” he said, his voice tinged with anger.
On the other side of the spectrum, Priya Menon, a fresh graduate from Bengaluru, welcomed the swift rescheduling. “At least the SSC acknowledged the problem and gave us another chance,” she noted, clutching the newly issued admit card.
Officials assure that the original attempts will still count. “No candidate’s effort will be wasted,” the commission emphasized in a statement posted on its website.
Malpractice Concerns and Future Safeguards
Beyond the technical hiccups, the SSC uncovered a handful of malpractice attempts. Some aspirants tried to game the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) reservation by presenting counterfeit certificates. Others were flagged for attempting remote access to the testing platform—a clear violation of the CBT protocol.
These cases are now under detailed analysis, and the commission vows stricter verification for future exams. In a bid to restore confidence, the SSC has rolled out a feedback module allowing candidates to log grievances directly on the portal.
Looking ahead, the administration plans to upgrade its server infrastructure, introduce multi‑factor authentication, and conduct dry runs at all centres before the next recruitment cycle.
What Comes Next? Answer Key, Results and Beyond
After the October 14 re‑exam, the answer key for Tier‑1 is slated for release between October 16 and October 17. This will give candidates a chance to gauge their performance before the final merit list is announced, likely in early December.
The SSC recruits for 14,582 Group B and C posts across ministries such as Income Tax, Customs, the Central Bureau of Investigation, and the Central Board of Direct Taxes. For many, these positions represent a stable career in the Government of India, making the stakes especially high.
With the re‑exam now on the calendar, aspirants are advised to download their admit cards from ssc.gov.in on or after October 9, carry a valid photo ID, and arrive well before the reporting time. The commission has warned that entry without the proper document will be denied, a rule reinforced after the earlier chaos.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many candidates will sit for the re‑exam on October 14?
Around 55,000 aspirants—those whose original shifts were cancelled or postponed—are expected to appear. The SSC has already generated admit cards for this group, which can be downloaded from its official portal.
Will the scores from the original exam be discarded?
No. The commission confirmed that the attempts of candidates who completed the test without issues will still be considered. Only those whose shifts were cancelled will have their marks derived from the re‑exam.
What measures are being taken to prevent future technical glitches?
The SSC plans to upgrade its server capacity, introduce multi‑factor authentication, and conduct full‑scale dry runs at all centres. A dedicated monitoring team will also oversee the CBT platform in real time during the exam.
When and where can candidates collect the answer key?
The SSC will upload the Tier‑1 answer key on its website between October 16 and 17. Candidates can download the PDF, compare it with their answer sheets, and calculate their expected scores.
What should candidates bring on the day of the re‑exam?
A printed admit card (downloaded after October 9), a government‑issued photo ID (Aadhar, PAN, or passport), and any required disability certificates if applicable. Entry without these documents will be denied.