RRB NTPC Selection Process 2026: Check Various Stages & Posts

The RRB NTPC 2026 Graduate CBT 1 exam dates were released on February 13 for CEN No. 06/2025. It will be conducted from March 16 to 27 at various centres across the country. 

RRB NTPC age limit was revised by RRBs. The revised age limit is 18 to 36 years for Graduate posts. The revised age limit for undergraduate posts is 18 to 33 years. The educational qualification prescribed for graduate posts is graduation, whereas, it is Class 12 pass for undergraduate posts.

The duration of the RRB NPTC CBT 1 exam for graduate level is 90 minute. Total test is of 100 marks and also 100 MCQs will be asked in the examination. It consists of three sections namely Maths (30 questions), GA (40 questions) and General Intelligence & Reasoning (30 Questions). There is a negative marking of one third for each wrong answer. 

Post preference is filled during the application process. Final allocation depends on candidate's merit, preference, and availability of vacancies. Following are the posts available for RRB NTPC exam.

RRB Group D is the entry-level job in the Indian railway while RRB NTPC comes under the category of group C jobs, which are next to Group D posts. For RRB Group D posts, the educational qualification required is a Class 10th pass. For RRB NTPC undergraduate posts, candidates must have passed Class 12th. The posts announced under RRB Group D are Track Maintainer Grade-IV, Helper/Assistant in various technical departments (Electrical, Mechanical and S&T departments), Pointsman, etc. The posts announced under RRB NTPC are Junior Clerk cum Typist, Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Junior Time Keeper, Trains Clerk, Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Traffic Assistant, Goods Guard, Senior Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Senior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Account Assistant cum Typist, Senior Time Keeper, Commercial Apprentice, and Station Master.

RRB NTPC exam pattern and selection process was revised for graduate and undergraduate posts. The revision in the exam pattern was done in the second stage CBT. The second stage CBT was made common for all the levels for graduate and undergraduate posts. The revised exam pattern is given below.

Revised Exam Pattern for Graduate Posts

Revised Exam Pattern

Revised Exam Pattern for Undergraduate Posts

RRB NTPC salary is different for different posts. The starting basic salary for undergraduate posts ranges between INR 19,900 to 21,700. RRB NTPC salary for graduate posts ranges between INR 25,500 to 35,400. RRB NTPC salary for Commercial cum Ticket Clerk is INR 21,700. RRB NTPC salary for Junior Clerk cum Typist is INR 19,900. RRB NTPC salary for Station Master is INR 35,400. The salary offered to the Commercial Apprentice through RRB NTPC exam is INR 35,400.

The undergraduate posts are Junior Clerk cum Typist, Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Junior Time Keeper, and Trains Clerk. RRB NTPC salary structure for undergraduate posts is given below. Junior Clerk cum Typist- INR 19,900 Accounts Clerk cum Typist-INR 19,900 Junior Time Keeper-INR 19,900 Trains Clerk-INR 19,900 Commercial cum Ticket Clerk-INR 21,700.

The RRB NTPC CBT 1 exam is held for 90 minutes (120 minutes for PwBD candidates accompanied by a scribe). The questions are based on General Awareness, Mathematics and General Intelligence and Reasoning. The exam is held for 100 marks.

The duration of the test is 90 minutes (120 minutes is given to PwBD candidates). The CBT 2 exam is conducted for the qualified candidates of CBT 1 exam. RRB NTPC exam pattern for the second stage CBT is such that it is divided into three sections-General Questions Awareness, Mathematics, and General Intelligence and Reasoning. The test carries a total of 120 questions. 

Yes, there is a negative marking in the RRB NTPC CBT exam. For every wrong answer, one third marks will be deducted. But for unattempted question, there will be no deduction.

RRB NTPC Typing Test is conducted for Junior Clerk, Accounts Clerk, Senior Clerk, and Senior Time Keeper post. Candidates are given to type certain words in Hindi or English. This test is qualifying in nature.

Under RRB NTPC undergraduate-level posts, the maximum salary is offered to the post of Commercial cum Ticket Clerk. Under the graduate-level posts, the maximum salary is offered to Station Master and Commercial Apprentice. The starting basic salary for undergraduate posts is INR 19,900 to 21,700. RRB NTPC salary for graduate posts is INR 25,500 to 35,400.

There are two stage Computer Based Test (CBTs) followed by Computer based Aptitude Test (CBAT)/ Typing Skill Test (TST) wherever applicable. The Computer-based Aptitude Test for Station Master and the Typing Skill Test are held for Senior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Account Assistant cum Typist. For Goods Train Manager, Senior Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor, there are only two stage CBTs followed by document verification and medical examination. 

RRB NTPC Full Form is Railway Recruitment Board Non-Technical Popular Categories. RRBs conduct the exam to recruit candidates as Commercial Apprentice, Goods Guard, Station Master, and many other posts across India. The exam is conducted in 15 languages which are English, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.

There will be two stage CBTs for RRB NTPC undergraduate posts followed by Computer based Typing Skill Test (TST) wherever applicable. Typing Skill Test for Accounts Clerk cum Typist and Junior Clerk cum Typist. Subsequently, there will be document verification and medical examination. For Commercial cum Ticket Clerk and Trains Clerk there shall be two stage CBT followed by document verification and medical examination. RRB wise short listing of candidates for 2nd Stage CBT is done at the rate
of 15 times the vacancies. The short listing for Computer Based Aptitude Test and Typing Skill Test is done to the extent of 8 times the vacancies (may increase or decrease as per the requirement of Railway Administration) based on the merit of the candidates in 2nd Stage CBT. When a candidate is qualified in 1st stage CBT & shortlisted for subsequent stages as OBC/SC/ST/EWS/PwBD he/she will continue to be considered as OBC/SC/ST/EWS/PwBD respectively in all subsequent stages.

This facility is available only to SC/ST candidates. While filling up online RRB NTPC application form, such candidates, should choose ‘Yes’ from the drop down under ‘Do you wish to avail free rail travel pass for the exam and fill up ‘Nearest Railway Station’. It is the responsibility of the candidates availing free travel authority to give the correct name of the Railway Station in online application, failing which their travel authority may get rejected while obtaining reservation. They are also required to upload their Caste Certificate. 

Yes, candidates shortlisted after CBT 2 and skill/aptitude tests must attend the document verification round. Candidates must carry the documents such as a pass certificate, identity proof, caste certificate, photographs, health certificate, domicile certificate, etc.

The important changes announced in the selection process of RRB NTPC are highlighted below:

General Instructions

In case of the shortfall in empanelment of candidates or other exigencies, RRB reserves the right to utilize the candidates down the merit list if required, as per the merit and option given by them. 

Recruitment Process

Candidates who are shortlisted for CBT 2 availing the reservation benefits of OBC (NCL)/SC/ST/EWS, PwBD, and ExSM will not continue to be considered only against OBC (NCL)/SC/ST/EWS, PwBD, and ExSM for all subsequent stages of recruitment process.

Document Verification

Based on the performance of candidates in CBT 2 only or in both CBT 2 and CBAT/TST (as applicable), candidates equal to the number of vacancies are called for document verification in the order of merit. Appointment of selected candidates is subject to their passing requisite Medical Fitness Test to be conducted by the Railway Administration, final verification of educational and community certificates, and verification of antecedents/character of the candidates.