RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026

RRB NTPC Exam Pattern

Graduate and Undergraduate posts follow the same two-stage CBT structure. Questions are objective (multiple choice) and the CBT is held in English, Hindi and regional languages.

1st Stage CBT (screening, common for all posts)

Time: 90 minutes (120 minutes for eligible PwBD candidates using a scribe).

2nd Stage CBT

Time: 90 minutes. CBT-2 is a little harder than CBT-1.

Marking and qualifying rules

• 1 mark per correct answer; 1/3 mark deducted for each wrong answer.
• Minimum marks to be considered: UR and EWS 40%, OBC-NCL and SC 30%, ST 25%. PwBD candidates may get a 2-mark relaxation.
• Marks are normalised when a CBT runs in many shifts.
• In the CEN 06/2024 notice, candidates were shortlisted for CBT-2 at 15 times the community-wise vacancies.

Skill and aptitude tests

• Typing Skill Test (qualifying): 30 words per minute in English or 25 wpm in Hindi on a computer, without spell-check. In the 2025 cycle it applied to typist and clerk posts. In CEN 06/2026 it is dropped for Senior Clerk cum Typist and Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist.
• CBAT: for Station Master and Traffic Assistant. You need a minimum T-score of 42 in each test battery (no relaxation), and final merit is 70% CBT-2 + 30% CBAT. Neither post is in the 2026 Graduate notice.

Document verification and a medical test follow for candidates selected on merit.

Source: Detailed CEN 06/2024 (RRB Chandigarh), Careers360 – NTPC exam pattern, PIB – Ministry of Railways (CEN 06/2026)