Are you gearing up for the RRB NTPC Exam 2026? With the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) announcing 8,860 vacancies under CEN No. 06/2025 for Graduate and Undergraduate posts, this is your golden opportunity to secure a stable career in Indian Railways. Understanding the RRB NTPC exam pattern 2026 is the first step to acing this competitive test. Whether you’re aiming for roles like Station Master, Goods Guard, or Junior Clerk, a clear grasp of the structure, marking scheme, and stages will help you strategize effectively.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the RRB NTPC exam pattern 2026, syllabus highlights, preparation tips, and more. Bookmark this page and let’s turn your railway dreams into reality!
What is RRB NTPC 2026?
The RRB NTPC (Non-Technical Popular Categories) 2026 recruitment drive fills various non-technical positions in Indian Railways, including Graduate-level (Levels 5 & 6) and Undergraduate-level (Levels 2 & 3) posts. The notification was released on October 20, 2025, with applications open until November 2025. Expect the Graduate CBT in December 2025 and Undergraduate in January 2026.
Key highlights:
- Total Vacancies: 8,860 (5,810 Graduate + 3,050 Undergraduate)
- Eligibility: 18-33 years for Graduate posts; 18-30 for Undergraduate (relaxations apply)
- Application Fee: ₹500 (General/OBC); ₹250 (SC/ST/PwD/Female)
- Exam Mode: Online Computer-Based Test (CBT)
RRB NTPC 2026 Selection Process
The selection involves multiple stages to ensure only the best candidates are chosen:
- CBT 1 (Stage 1): Screening test for all candidates.
- CBT 2 (Stage 2): Main exam, merit-based shortlisting.
- Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT): For specific posts like Station Master (qualifying).
- Typing Skill Test (TST): For clerical posts (qualifying).
- Document Verification (DV) & Medical Exam: Final stage.
Normalized scores from CBT 1 determine shortlisting for CBT 2 (20 times vacancies). Negative marking applies: 1/3rd mark deducted per wrong answer.
Detailed RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026 for CBT 1
CBT 1 is common for all posts and serves as a preliminary filter. It’s objective-type with 100 MCQs to be solved in 90 minutes (120 minutes for PwD candidates).
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 | Current Affairs, History, Geography, Polity, Science, Railways |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 | Number System, BODMAS, Decimals, Fractions, LCM/HCF, Ratio, Percentage, Mensuration, Time & Work, SI/CI, Profit/Loss, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 | Analogies, Coding-Decoding, Puzzles, Series, Blood Relations, Directions, Syllogism, Venn Diagrams, Data Interpretation |
- Total: 100 Questions, 100 Marks
- Duration: 90 Minutes
- Minimum Qualifying Marks: UR/EWS: 40%; OBC/SC: 30%; ST: 25%
- Purpose: Shortlisting based on normalized merit (no sectional cut-off).
Focus on speed and accuracy—practice mocks to handle the 1-minute-per-question pace!
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026 for CBT 2
CBT 2 is more in-depth and varies slightly by post group. It’s 120 MCQs in 90 minutes (120 for PwD). Shortlisting ratio: 10 times vacancies per RRB.
For Graduate Posts (Levels 5 & 6: e.g., Station Master, Commercial Apprentice)
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 | In-depth GK, Current Events, Static GK, Science & Tech |
| Mathematics | 35 | 35 | Advanced topics like Geometry, Mensuration, Data Interpretation |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 35 | 35 | Complex Puzzles, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Ability |
- Total: 120 Questions, 120 Marks
For Undergraduate Posts (Levels 2 & 3: e.g., Junior Clerk, Accounts Clerk)
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 | Similar to Graduate but basic level |
| Mathematics | 35 | 35 | Fundamental Arithmetic, Algebra |
| estaan | 35 | 35 | Basic to Moderate Reasoning |
- Total: 120 Questions, 120 Marks
- Minimum Qualifying Marks: Same as CBT 1
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd per wrong answer
CBT 2 scores carry weightage for final merit—aim for 80+ to stay competitive.
CBAT and Typing Skill Test in RRB NTPC 2026
- CBAT (For Station Master/Traffic Assistant): Qualifying test on Intelligence, Spatial Orientation, Depth Perception. Minimum T-Score: 42 marks (no relaxation). Duration: Varies by module.
- Typing Skill Test (For Typist/Clerk Posts): 10-minute test; 30 WPM in English or 25 WPM in Hindi. Qualifying only—no editing tools allowed. Warm-up: 1 minute.
Post these, candidates undergo DV and Medical (A-1 category for most posts).
RRB NTPC 2026 Syllabus Overview
The syllabus aligns with Class 10-12 level for CBT 1 and Graduation level for CBT 2. Download the official PDF from rrbapply.gov.in.
- General Awareness: 40% weightage in CBT 1—cover last 6-12 months’ current affairs.
- Mathematics: Focus on quick calculations; use shortcuts for DI and percentages.
- Reasoning: Practice 20-30 puzzles daily for speed.
Preparation Tips to Ace RRB NTPC Exam 2026
- Understand the Pattern First: Analyze previous papers to spot trends.
- Create a Study Plan: Dedicate 2 hours each to GA, Maths, and Reasoning. Revise weekly.
- Mock Tests & Analysis: Attempt 2-3 full-length mocks weekly. Track errors and time.
- Current Affairs Boost: Read newspapers daily; use apps like Adda247 for quizzes.
- Weak Area Focus: If puzzles stump you, solve 50+ daily.
- Health & Time Management: Sleep 7 hours, exercise, and simulate exam conditions.
Pro Tip: Join online courses for structured prep—many toppers swear by them!
FAQs on RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026
Is there negative marking in RRB NTPC 2026?
Yes, 1/3rd mark is deducted for each wrong answer in CBT 1 and 2.
What is the difficulty level of CBT 2?
Moderate to high; more analytical than CBT 1.
How to prepare for CBAT?
Practice aptitude modules on official RRB simulators—focus on accuracy over speed.
When will RRB NTPC 2026 results be out?
Post each stage; expect CBT 1 results by February 2026.
Conclusion: Your Path to Railway Success Starts Now
Mastering the RRB NTPC exam pattern 2026 is about smart prep, not just hard work. With 8,860 seats up for grabs, now’s the time to download the syllabus PDF, grab your study materials, and hit the ground running. Stay consistent, stay positive, and visualize that railway uniform!
Hi, I’m Varun Pathak, the founder of TheSarkariNaukri.com—a dedicated platform for the latest updates on government jobs (Sarkari Naukri) in India. With years of experience curating reliable information on job vacancies, admit cards, exam results, and preparation strategies, I help thousands of aspirants navigate the competitive world of public sector opportunities. Passionate about job security, career growth, and empowering freshers for roles like IAS, IPS, and PSU positions, I update the site regularly with actionable insights for 2025 and beyond. Let’s connect to turn your career dreams into reality!