When Railway Protection Force constable candidates saw the RPF Constable Answer Key 2025 pop up online, many breathed a sigh of relief – finally a chance to tally up their scores before the final merit list drops.
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) officially posted the answer key on 24 March 2025 at 18:00 IST, a few minutes ahead of the scheduled 20:00 release. The timing mattered because the CBT, conducted from 2 to 18 March across 19 regional centres, was still fresh in candidates’ minds.
How to Access the Answer Key and Your Response Sheet
First, log in to the regional RRB portal or the central hub at rrbcdg.gov.in. You’ll need your registration number and date of birth (DDMMYYYY) – no fancy passwords, just the basics.
Once authenticated, look for the link titled “Link to View Question Paper, Responses & Keys and Raising of Objections for Computer Based Test (RPF 02/2024‑Constable)”. Clicking it opens a personalised page where you can:
- Download the official answer key PDF.
- View your individual response sheet side‑by‑side with the key.
- Calculate a provisional score using the marking scheme.
- Submit any objections directly through the same interface.
Every candidate sees only the paper they attempted, so there’s no risk of peeking at another’s questions.
Marking Scheme and Score Calculation
The RRB’s marking scheme is blunt but fair: +1 for every correct answer, –1/3 for each wrong tick, and zero for unanswered items. With 100 questions in the CBT, the maximum raw score sits at 100 marks.
For illustration, a candidate who gets 68 right, 20 wrong and leaves 12 blank ends up with a net score of 68 – (20 × 0.33) ≈ 61.4 marks. Multiply that by the weighting factor (usually 1.0 for this exam) and you have a ballpark figure for the merit list.
Remember, the provisional score is just that – provisional. The final score will be adjusted after the objection window closes and the final answer key is published.
Objection Process and Fees
The objection window opened the minute the answer key went live and will shut down on 29 March 2025 at 23:59 IST. If you spot a discrepancy – say the key lists option ‘C’ as correct but you’re sure ‘B’ was right – you can raise an objection for just Rs 50 per question.
Payment options cover Debit/Credit cards, UPI and Net‑Banking. The RRB has made it clear that if an objection is validated by subject experts, the Rs 50 fee will be refunded, minus any bank charges.
Here’s what a hopeful candidate, Ramesh K., shared: “I checked my sheet twice, found three answers that didn’t match the key, and paid the Rs 150. Fingers crossed they’ll approve at least one.”
From an HR consultant’s perspective, “A transparent objection mechanism not only builds trust but also safeguards the merit of the selection process,” says Priya Mandal, Senior Recruitment Advisor at CareerEdge Consulting.
Next Steps in the Recruitment Journey
Once the objection deadline passes, the RRB will compile all valid challenges, adjust the answer key accordingly, and release the final key. That version forms the basis for calculating the official scores that determine who proceeds to the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Measurement Test (PMT).
Candidates who clear the PET and PMT will be placed across various railway zones – Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western, Central and South‑Central – as per the vacancy matrix for the 4,208 constable slots.
The entire recruitment process, from CBT to final posting, sits under the umbrella of the Ministry of Railways, with the Railway Board headquartered at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi (110001).
Background on Railway Protection Force Recruitment
The Railway Protection Force was created under the Railway Protection Force Act, 1957, to safeguard passengers, property and the sprawling 128,803 route‑kilometre network that hosts over 7,300 stations. Each year, the force conducts massive recruitment drives to fill constable, sub‑inspectors and higher posts.
For 2025, the RPF constable drive (advertisement RPF 02/2024) attracted more than 1.2 million applicants nationwide. The CBT, held as a Computer‑Based Test across regional centres like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai and Siliguri, was the first hurdle.
Historically, the answer key release has been a high‑tension moment for aspirants. In 2023, a delay of six hours sparked social‑media chatter and even a small protest outside the Delhi RRB office. This year’s early release appears to be a response to that feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I download the RPF Constable Answer Key 2025?
Visit the official RRB portal (rrbcdg.gov.in) or your regional RRB website, log in with your registration number and date of birth, and click the link labeled “Link to View Question Paper, Responses & Keys…”. From there you can download the PDF and your personal response sheet.
What is the deadline for raising objections?
Objections can be submitted until 29 March 2025, 23:59 IST. Late submissions will not be considered, so act quickly if you spot any errors.
How much does it cost to raise an objection?
The fee is Rs 50 per questioned item, payable via Debit/Credit Card, UPI or Net‑Banking. If the objection is validated, the amount (minus bank charges) will be refunded.
Will my provisional score change after the final answer key?
Yes. The provisional score is based on the draft key. Once all valid objections are addressed, the final key will be published and scores recalculated accordingly.
What happens after the CBT scores are finalised?
Candidates clearing the cutoff will be invited to the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Measurement Test (PMT). Successful candidates will then be allocated to various railway zones as constables under the Railway Protection Force.
