RRB NTPC 2025 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
From the official Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways, Government of India documents · last checked 3 October 2026
CBT-1 (1st Stage CBT)
Online computer-based test, objective multiple choice · 90 minutes (120 minutes for candidates eligible for a scribe)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Marking: +1 for each correct answer; 1/3 mark deducted for each wrong answer
- Same pattern for Graduate (CEN 06/2025) and Undergraduate (CEN 07/2025) posts; one common test for all posts at each level.
- The section split is only indicative and may vary a little in the actual paper.
- It is a screening test. Normalized marks are used. About 15 times the community-wise vacancies of each RRB are shortlisted for CBT-2.
- Minimum marks to be eligible: UR 40%, EWS 40%, OBC (NCL) 30%, SC 30%, ST 25%. PwBD candidates may get 2 marks relaxation if there are not enough PwBD candidates.
- Calculators and other electronic devices are not allowed.
CBT-2 (2nd Stage CBT)
Online computer-based test, objective multiple choice · 90 minutes (120 minutes for candidates eligible for a scribe)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| Mathematics | 35 | 35 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 35 | 35 |
| Total | 120 | 120 |
Marking: +1 for each correct answer; 1/3 mark deducted for each wrong answer
- Same pattern for Graduate and Undergraduate posts.
- The section split is only indicative.
- Minimum marks to be eligible: UR 40%, EWS 40%, OBC (NCL) 30%, SC 30%, ST 25% (2 marks relaxation for PwBD if there is a shortage).
- For posts with no skill test, normalized CBT-2 marks decide who is called for document verification. For typist posts and Station Master / Traffic Assistant, CBT-2 marks decide who is called for the typing test or aptitude test.
- Normalization is used when a CBT is held in more than one shift.
CBAT (Computer Based Aptitude Test) - Graduate only
Computer-based aptitude test batteries · Not stated in the CEN
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|
Marking: Must score a T-score of at least 42 in each test battery. No negative marking. No relaxation for any category.
- Only for candidates who chose Station Master or Traffic Assistant (CEN 06/2025).
- About 8 times the vacancies of these posts (per community) are called, based on CBT-2 marks.
- An eye specialist's vision certificate in the format of Annexure VII must be shown in original, or the candidate cannot sit the test.
- Questions and options are in English and Hindi only.
- Final merit for these posts: 70% weight to CBT-2 marks and 30% weight to CBAT marks.
- The CEN refers candidates to the RDSO website (Psycho Technical Directorate) for the test pattern.
CBTST (Computer Based Typing Skill Test)
Typing on a personal computer · Not stated in the CEN
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|
Marking: Qualifying only. Typing marks are not added to the merit.
- For Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist and Senior Clerk cum Typist (Graduate), and Accounts Clerk cum Typist and Junior Clerk cum Typist (Undergraduate).
- Required speed: 30 words per minute in English or 25 words per minute in Hindi, with no editing tools or spell check.
- Kruti Dev and Mangal fonts are given for Hindi typing.
- About 8 times the vacancies (per community) are called, based on CBT-2 marks. Merit is made from CBT-2 marks of those who pass.
- PwBD candidates with at least 40% permanent disability from blindness/low vision, cerebral palsy or locomotor disability can get an exemption with a certificate in the format of Annexure V(H).
Document Verification and Medical Exam
In person · Not applicable
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|
Marking: No marks; candidates must meet all eligibility and medical rules
- Candidates equal to the number of vacancies (1:1) are called for document verification, based on merit.
- If two candidates have equal marks, the older one ranks higher; if age is also the same, alphabetical order of name is used.
- Appointment depends on passing the medical standard of the post.
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Official sources
- Common website of all RRBs (CEN-wise notices) ↗
- Detailed CEN 06/2025 - NTPC Graduate (English PDF) ↗
- Detailed CEN 07/2025 - NTPC Undergraduate (English PDF) ↗
- Corrigendum-1 to CEN 06/2025 - revised application dates (19.11.2025) ↗
- Corrigendum-1 to CEN 07/2025 - revised application dates (27.11.2025) ↗
- FAQs on CEN 06/2025 NTPC Graduate (RRB Secunderabad) ↗
- CEN 06/2025 application status notice (20.01.2026) ↗
- CEN 06/2025 CBT-1 schedule notice (13.02.2026) ↗
- CEN 06/2025 CBT-1 answer key and objection notice (06.04.2026) ↗
- RRB Secunderabad - CEN 06/2025 CBT-1 result with cut-off (11.06.2026) ↗
- RRB Kolkata - CEN 06/2025 CBT-1 cut-off marks (12.06.2026) ↗
- CEN 06/2025 CBT-2 schedule notice (12.06.2026) ↗
- CEN 06/2025 CBT-2 answer key and objection notice (15.07.2026) ↗
- CEN 06/2025 RRB-wise applications received notice (04.08.2026) ↗
- RRB Chandigarh - CEN 06/2025 CBT-2 result notice (27.08.2026) ↗
- CEN 06/2025 typing skill test (CBTST) date notice (27.08.2026) ↗
- CEN 06/2025 aptitude test (CBAT) date notice (27.08.2026) ↗
- CEN 07/2025 application status notice (06.02.2026) ↗
- CEN 07/2025 revised CBT-1 schedule notice (01.06.2026) ↗
- CEN 07/2025 CBT-1 answer key and objection notice (27.06.2026) ↗
- RRB Chandigarh - CEN 07/2025 CBT-1 result notice (24.08.2026) ↗
- RRB Kolkata - CEN 07/2025 CBT-1 cut-off marks (25.08.2026) ↗
- CEN 07/2025 CBT-2 schedule notice (24.08.2026) ↗
- CEN 07/2025 CBT-2 answer key and objection notice (23.09.2026) ↗
- RRB online application portal ↗