RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026: Check CBT 1, 2, CBAT & Typing Test
RRB Non Technical Popular Categories 2025 ( RRB NTPC )
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026: The Railway Recruitment Board will release the RRB NTPC 2026 exam pattern along with the notification for graduate and under graduate posts. It will be released on the official website. Generally, the RRB NTPC exam pattern is fixed and not changes for different recruitment levels. Also, the exam pattern for graduate and undergraduate levels is different. The exam pattern consists of the marking scheme, duration of an exam, total marks, number of sections, etc. It is crucial to understand the exam pattern and is the first step of the preparation. The RRB NTPC recruitment process has CBT 1, CBT 2, Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT), Typing Skill Test, document verification and medical test.
RRB NTPC exam is conducted online. The total marks allotted to the CBT 1 exam are 100 whereas CBT 2 carries a total of 120 marks. The duration of the test is 90 minutes (120 minutes for PwBD candidates accompanied by scribe). Read below for more details on RRB NTPC exam pattern 2026.
- RRB NTPC Exam Pattern Highlights
- Stage-Wise RRB NTPC Exam Pattern
- RRB NTPC Syllabus 2026
- RRB NTPC Selection Process
- RRB NTPC Exam Pattern FAQs
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern Highlights
The RRB NTPC exam is conducted online where CBT 1 consists of 100 marks and CBT 2 consists of 120 marks. The duration of both the exam is 90 minutes but for PwD candidates by using a scribe, the duration of an exam is 120 minutes. RRB NTPC exam is conducted to select candidates for various Graduate and Undegraduate posts. Some of the highlights of RRB NTPC exam pattern are given below.
| Parameters | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the exam | RRB NTPC |
| Stages of exam | First Stage Computer Based Test (CBT), Second Stage Computer Based Test (CBT), Typing Skill Test/Computer Based Aptitude Test (as applicable), and Document Verification/Medical Examination |
| Mode of exam | Online |
| Subjects | General Awareness, Mathematics, General Intelligence, and Reasoning |
| Total marks | First Stage CBT: 100 Second Stage CBT: 120 |
| Language of question paper | Hindi, English, Urdu, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu |
| Time duration | 90 minutes |
| Negative marks | 1/3 |
Commonly asked questions
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.
Stage-Wise RRB NTPC Exam Pattern
RRB NTPC is different for different stages of recruitment and posts. The exam pattern is decided by the examination authority as per the nature of the posts. We have explained in details Railway NTPC exam pattern for different stages of recruitment.
RRB NTPC CBT 1 Exam Pattern
The first stage CBT of RRB NTPC comprises questions from General Awareness, Mathematics, and General Intelligence and Reasoning. The test paper carries a total of 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions. The first stage CBT is qualifying in nature. The standard of questions in the first stage CBT is of Class 10, 12, and graduation levels. The first stage CBT carries 100 marks. The exam is held for 90 minutes (120 minutes for PwBD candidates accompanied by scribe). The examination authority releases RRB NTPC Answer Key for this stage. The section-wise distribution of questions is given below.
| Sections | Number of questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness |
40 |
40 |
| Mathematics |
30 |
30 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning |
30 |
30 |
| Total |
100 |
100 |
RRB NTPC CBT 2 Exam Pattern
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. The duration of the test is 90 minutes (120 minutes is given to PwBD candidates). Candidates can check below the section-wise distribution of questions of RRB NTPC exam:
| Sections | Number of questions |
|---|---|
| General Awareness |
50 |
| Mathematics |
35 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning |
35 |
| Total |
120 |
Commonly asked questions
The structure of RRB NTPC exam pattern for CBT 2 is given below.
| Sections | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
| Mathematics | 35 | 35 | 90 minutes |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 35 | 35 | |
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 | |
| Total | 120 | 120 |
The revised RRB NTPC exam pattern for graduate posts is given below.
Name of the post | Level in 7th CPC | 1st stage CBT | 2ndstage CBT | Skill Test requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Goods Train Manager | 5 |
Common for all Posts |
Common for all posts | - |
Senior Clerk cum Typist | 5 | Typing Skill Test | ||
Junior Account Assistant cum Typist | 5 | Typing Skill Test | ||
Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor | 6 | - | ||
Station Master | 6 | Computer Based Aptitude Test |
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
Name of the post | Level in 7th CPC | 1st stage CBT | 2ndstage CBT | Skill Test requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Goods Train Manager | 5 |
Common for all Posts |
Common for all posts | ------ |
Senior Clerk cum Typist | 5 | Typing Skill Test | ||
Junior Account Assistant cum Typist | 5 | Typing Skill Test | ||
Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor | 6 | ------- | ||
Station Master | 6 | Computer Based Aptitude Test |
Revised Exam Pattern for Undergraduate Posts
Sl. No. |
Name of the post | Level in 7th CPC | 1st stage CBT | 2nd stage CBT | Skill Test requirement |
1 | Commercial cum Ticket Clerk | 3 |
Common for all Posts |
Common for all posts | ------ |
2 | Accounts Clerk cum Typist | 2 | Typing Skill Test | ||
3 | Junior Clerk cum Typist | 2 | Typing Skill Test | ||
4 | Trains Clerk | 2 | ------- |
RRB NTPC Syllabus 2026
The syllabus comprises the chapters that candidates need to prepare for the exam. It is prescribed by the examination authority. The subjects are common for Graduate and Undergraduate posts. Candidates can check below RRB NTPC syllabus for different sections.
RRB NTPC Mathematics Syllabus
Number System, Decimals, Fractions, LCM, HCF, Ratio and Proportions, Percentage, Mensuration, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, Elementary Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry, Elementary Statistics, etc.
Commonly asked questions
RRB NTPC syllabus comprises topics of high school level. The syllabus for CBT 1 and 2 are same. There is variation in the difficulty level. Candidates can prepare well for the exam. They must attempt mock tests.
RRB NTPC syllabus is the same for graduate and undergraduate posts. However, the difficulty level vary for two posts. The syllabus for graduate posts is more comprehensive and vast. RRB NTPC syllabus for undergraduate posts is bit easier.
RRB NTPC Selection Process
RRB NTPC selection process comprises CBT 1, 2, CBAT/TST, DV/Medical Exam. Candidates need to clear all the stages of selection process. The posts announced for RRB NTPC are Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor, Station Master, Goods Train Manager, Junior Accountant Assistant cum Typist, Senior Clerk cum Typist, Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Junior Clerk Cum Typist, Trains Clerk. The selection process is different for different posts.
Exam Pattern for Graduate Posts
Name of the post |
Level in 7th CPC | 1st stage CBT | 2ndstage CBT | Skill Test requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goods Train Manager |
5 |
Common for all Posts |
Common for all posts |
------ |
| Senior Clerk cum Typist |
5 |
Typing Skill Test |
||
| Junior Account Assistant cum Typist |
5 |
Typing Skill Test |
||
| Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor |
6 |
------- |
||
| Station Master |
6 |
Computer Based Aptitude Test |
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern for Undergraduate Posts
| Sl. No. | Name of the post | Level in 7th CPC | 1st stage CBT | 2ndstage CBT | Skill Test requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Commercial cum Ticket Clerk |
3 |
Common for all Posts |
Common for all posts |
------ |
| 2 |
AccountsClerkcumTypist |
2 |
Typing Skill Test |
||
| 3 |
JuniorClerkcumTypist |
2 |
Typing Skill Test |
||
| 4 |
TrainsClerk |
2 |
------- |
Commonly asked questions
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.
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.
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 FAQs
Candidates can check below RRB NTPC exam pattern FAQs.
The distribution of questions in the RRB NTPC CBT 1 exam is given below.
| Sections | No. of Questions |
| Mathematics | 30 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 30 |
| General Awareness | 40 |
| Total | 100 |
The distribution of questions in the RRB NTPC CBT 2 exam is given below.
| Sections | No. of Questions |
| Mathematics | 35 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 35 |
| General Awareness | 50 |
| Total | 120 |
RRB NTPC allowances are given below.
- Dearness allowance
- House rent allowance
- Transport allowance
- Pension scheme
- Medical benefits
- Other special allowance
Candidates must begin their RRB NTPC exam preparation one year or six months before the exam. They should be thorough with the exam pattern. Knowing the pattern help candidates to understand the overall structure of the exam.
Yes, there is normalisation of marks in RRB NTPC exam. This is done to adjust the difficulty level of the question papers held across various sessions. Result is announced based on the normalised marks.
There is no negative marking in RRB NTPC CBAT exam. qualifying marks in the exam are 42. Candidates are required to qualify this test. Those qualifying the exam are called for next round of selection.
CBAT is conducted for the post of Traffic Assistant and Station Master posts. There is no negative marking in this test and is qualifying in nature. Candidates must secure 42 marks in each test battery (for all categories).
The overall difficulty level of RRB NTPC CBT 1 exam was moderate to difficult. Maximum questions in the General Awareness section were asked from Computers. The General Awareness section carried questions from topics such as Women premiere league, Percentage of GDP on research and development, the Relation of Geographical features, etc. The GK section was difficult compared to other sections.
For General Knowledge section of RRB NTPC you need to cover Current Events of National and International Importance, Indian Literature, History, Polity, Geography, Economics, etc. The weightage given to this section in CBT 1 is 40 and in CBT 2 is 50. For RRB NTPC General Science and General Awareness, you can refer to the Lucent General Science and Lucent GK books. For General Science, you can also clear your concepts from high school Science books. RRB NTPC syllabus for General Knowledge is given below:
- Current Events of National and International Importance
- Games and Sports
- Art and Culture of India
- Indian Literature
- Monuments and Places of India
- General Science and Life Science (up to 10th CBSE) General Science and Life Science (up to 10th CBSE)
- History of India and Freedom Struggle
- Physical, Social and Economic Geography of India and World
- Indian Polity and Governance- constitution and political system
- General Scientific and Technological Developments including Space and Nuclear Program of India
- UN and Other important World Organizations
- Environmental Issues Concerning India and World at Large
- Basics of Computers and Computer Applications
- Common Abbreviations
- Transport Systems in India
- Indian Economy
- Famous Personalities of India and World
- Flagship Government Programs
- Flora and Fauna of India
- Important Government and Public Sector Organizations of India etc
The candidates are required to type certain words in English or Hindi. Candidates are given passage for the typing test. This test is qualifying in nature. Those qualifying this stage are called for the next round.
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
Name of the post | Level in 7th CPC | 1st stage CBT | 2ndstage CBT | Skill Test requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Goods Train Manager | 5 |
Common for all Posts |
Common for all posts | ------ |
Senior Clerk cum Typist | 5 | Typing Skill Test | ||
Junior Account Assistant cum Typist | 5 | Typing Skill Test | ||
Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor | 6 | ------- | ||
Station Master | 6 | Computer Based Aptitude Test |
Revised Exam Pattern for Undergraduate Posts
Sl. No. |
Name of the post | Level in 7th CPC | 1st stage CBT | 2nd stage CBT | Skill Test requirement |
1 | Commercial cum Ticket Clerk | 3 |
Common for all Posts |
Common for all posts | ------ |
2 | Accounts Clerk cum Typist | 2 | Typing Skill Test | ||
3 | Junior Clerk cum Typist | 2 | Typing Skill Test | ||
4 | Trains Clerk | 2 | ------- |
Sarkari Exams exams you must check out
Exams which are to be conducted soon
Apr '26
27 Mar '26 - 16 Apr '26
Apr '26
RRB NTPC Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a month ago
Candidates will be able to download the RRB NTPC admit card from the methods as mentioned below:
- Visit the RRB NTPC websites
- On the home page, you will find RRB NTPC admit card download link
- Enter the user ID (registration number) and password (date of birth)
- RRB NTPC admit card appears on the screen
- Cli
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The RRB NTPC admit card for the Graduate posts released on the regional official websites. The exam was conducted from March 16 to March 27, 2026.
C
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The minimum qualifying marks for the RRB NTPC CBT 1 graduate posts are for UR & EWS 40%, for OBC & SC 30% and for ST it is 25%.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
After qualifying the RRB NTPC exam CBT 1 for the Graduate posts, candidates will give the CBT 2 exam which is the second stage of an exam and consists of 120 questions.
I
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The candidates who appeared in the exam will be able to check the RRB NTPC Result for the Graduate posts online by visiting the official regional RRBs websites. It will be released in the form of PDF and contains the roll numbers of the qualified candidates.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The RRB NTPC exam of the Graduate posts is mainly considered tough because of the large number of candidates that give an exam every year. The difficulty level of the questions depends upon the preparation level, types of questions asked and the format of an exam.
V
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The RRB NTPC 2026 Graduate posts difficulty level in general is considered a Moderate. The CBT 1 is basically Easy to Moderate where as CBT 2 is Moderate to Tough due to the level of the questions asked which are advanced and analytical.
K
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
Check can check below the process to download the RRB NTPC 2026 answer key for the graduate posts:
- Visit 21 RRB websites
- Click RRB NTPC answer key link
- Enter required credentials
- The answer key appears on screen
- Download and save it
G
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The authority will release the RRB NTPC 2026 Graduate posts answer key for CEN No. 06/2025 within a few days after the conduction of an exam. The Graduate posts exam was conducted from March 16 to 27.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
Generally, the RRB NTPC exam for the Graduate posts is considered to be Easy to Moderate in difficulty level mainly for the CBT 1 and for CBT 2, it can be considered as Moderate to Tough.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
MAHA TET 2026 Application Form 27 Mar '26 - 16 Apr '26
How to download the RRB NTPC admit card for graduate posts?