The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) periodically conducts recruitment for Ministerial & Isolated (M&I / MI) posts under a Centralised Employment Notification (CEN). In 2025, candidates appeared in the exam held between 10th to 12th September 2025 for CEN No. 07/2024.
Releasing the answer key is a critical transparency step — it lets candidates cross-check their responses, estimate scores before results, and raise objections for any wrong keys.
This article covers:
- What the answer key is and why it matters
- Expected release schedule
- How to download it
- How to raise objections
- How to calculate your score
- What comes next
- Tips & SEO considerations
What Is the Answer Key & Why It Matters
- The answer key is a document (usually PDF) released by RRB that shows the correct answers to all questions asked in the computer-based test (CBT) for Ministerial & Isolated posts.
- It may be issued as a provisional answer key, followed later by a final key after objections are considered.
- Candidates compare their submitted responses against it to estimate their likely score.
- It helps maintain fairness: if there is a wrong answer in the key, candidates can raise objections before the final key is published.
- It also provides early clarity before official results are declared.
Key Details & Highlights for 2025
| Item | Detail / Notes |
|---|---|
| CEN Number | CEN 07/2024 (Ministerial & Isolated) |
| Total Vacancies | 1,036 posts across various RRB zones |
| Exam Dates | 10th to 12th September 2025 |
| Notification & Application Period | Notification released in early 2025; application & registration earlier in year |
| Answer Key Release Expected | Third or last week of September 2025 (tentative) |
| Platforms / Official Sites | RRB’s regional websites, RRB official portal, possibly rrbapply.gov.in or rrbcdg.gov.in |
When Will the Answer Key Be Released?
While there is no confirmed official date yet (as of writing), multiple sources indicate:
- The third week of September 2025 is likely.
- Some expect a late-September release (last week) following the exam window shift.
- The provisional key will be posted first; final key will follow after an objections period.
Because these are estimates, you should monitor official RRB sites and their “Latest Updates / Notifications” section.
Steps to Download the Answer Key
Once the answer key is live, follow these steps:
- Visit the official RRB portal or relevant regional RRB website (for your zone).
- Look for a link labeled “CEN No. 07/2024 Ministerial & Isolated – Answer Key” (or similar).
- Click that link — you may be taken to a candidate login page.
- Enter your credentials (Registration Number / Roll No, Date of Birth / Password).
- Login, and the answer key (and possibly your responses) will be displayed.
- Download the PDF and save / print it for comparison.
If direct PDF links are published, they may also appear under “Important Announcements” or “News / Updates” on RRB’s website.
How to Raise Objections / Challenge Answers
The objection process is crucial to contest any errors in the provisional key. Usually:
- There will be a dedicated link / tab (e.g. “Raise Objection / Challenge Answer”) on the RRB portal.
- Login is required, same as above.
- You choose the question number(s) you want to challenge, provide reasoning or proof (text references, books, etc.).
- There is typically a fee per question challenged (refundable if your objection is accepted).
- The objection window is open for a fixed period — after that, no challenges are accepted.
- After review, RRB publishes a final answer key incorporating valid corrections.
These steps are standard practice for many RRB exams.
Check the notification or the answer key page for the exact objection process, fee amount, and deadline.
How to Calculate Your Score
With the answer key and your own responses, you can estimate your score:
- Correct answers: +1 mark each
- Incorrect answers: –0.33 mark each (i.e. negative marking of one-third)
- Unattempted / blanks: 0 marks
So the formula is:
Estimated Score = (Number of correct answers) × 1 – (Number of wrong answers) × 0.33
For example, if you got 80 correct and 10 wrong:
Estimated Score = 80 – (10 × 0.33) = 80 – 3.3 = 76.7
This gives a ballpark before official result normalization or final key adjustments.
What Happens Next
- Objection period ends → RRB finalizes the key.
- Official results / merit list published.
- Candidates who score above cutoff marks (category-wise) will be shortlisted for next stages (skill tests, document verification, etc.).
- Final list of selected candidates will follow.
The cutoff marks depend on region, category (General, OBC, SC, ST), difficulty level of exam, and number of vacancies.
