RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026 Out
The RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026 for Graduate Level follow the same exam pattern, with 100 questions in CBT 1 and 120 questions in CBT 2. Each examination lasts 90 minutes, with a negative marking of 1/3 mark for every incorrect answer. Candidates can check the detailed subject-wise exam pattern below.
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RRB NTPC Previous Year Question Papers
RRB NTPC Graduate & Undergraduate Previous Year Papers
Download RRB NTPC Graduate and Undergraduate previous year question papers, including CBT 1 and CBT 2 papers from different exam years and shifts.
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RRB NTPC Syllabus 2026
RRB NTPC Syllabus 2026 Out
RRB NTPC Syllabus 2026 is confirmed under CEN 06/2026 and CEN 07/2026. Both Graduate and Undergraduate exams cover Mathematics, General Awareness and Reasoning, with 100 questions in CBT 1 and 120 questions in CBT 2.
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The RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026 includes two Computer-Based Tests (CBT 1 and CBT 2) for both Graduate and Undergraduate recruitment. Under Graduate CEN 06/2026 and Undergraduate CEN 07/2026, CBT 1 consists of 100 questions carrying 100 marks, while CBT 2 has 120 questions carrying 120 marks. Both examinations last 90 minutes and include negative marking of 1/3 mark for every incorrect answer. The selection process includes CBT 1, CBT 2, Document Verification and Medical Examination. Candidates can check the latest exam pattern, marking scheme, qualifying marks and selection stages below.
What is the RRB NTPC Exam Pattern for Graduate Level CBT 1?
The RRB NTPC Graduate Level Exam Pattern for CBT 1 under CEN 06/2026 includes three sections: Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, and General Awareness. CBT 1 is a screening examination with 100 questions carrying 100 marks. Candidates get 90 minutes to complete the test, and each incorrect answer attracts a penalty of 1/3 mark. The section-wise pattern is provided below.
| Sections | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 30 | 30 |
|---|
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 |
|---|
| Total | 100 | 100 |
|---|
Important Details:
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Correct Answer: +1 mark
- Incorrect Answer: −1/3 mark
- Total Questions: 100
- Total Marks: 100
- Exam Type: Objective Multiple-Choice Questions
- Scribe Candidates: 120 minutes for eligible candidates
CBT 1 scores are used to shortlist candidates for CBT 2. The marks obtained in CBT 1 are not directly added to the final merit score.
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What is the RRB NTPC Graduate Exam Pattern for CBT 2?
The RRB NTPC Graduate CBT 2 examination under RRB NTPC Notification 2026 contains 120 questions carrying 120 marks. The examination includes Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, and General Awareness. Candidates have 90 minutes to complete the paper, with 1/3 negative marking for incorrect answers. The section-wise distribution is given below.
| Sections | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|
| Mathematics | 35 | 35 |
|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 35 | 35 |
|---|
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 |
|---|
| Total | 120 | 120 |
|---|
Important Details:
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Correct Answer: +1 mark
- Incorrect Answer: −1/3 mark
- Total Questions: 120
- Total Marks: 120
- Scribe Candidates: 120 minutes for eligible candidates
The normalized CBT 2 marks are used for shortlisting candidates for Document Verification according to the prescribed recruitment rules.
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What is the RRB NTPC Undergraduate Exam Pattern 2026?
The RRB NTPC Undergraduate Recruitment 2026 is conducted under CEN 07/2026 for 1,688 vacancies. The detailed notification confirms two Computer-Based Tests: CBT 1 and CBT 2. Both tests include Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, and General Awareness, with 90 minutes allotted for each examination. The Undergraduate examination pattern is summarised below.
| Particulars | CBT 1 | CBT 2 |
|---|
| Total Questions | 100 | 120 |
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| Total Marks | 100 | 120 |
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| Duration | 90 minutes | 90 minutes |
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| Mathematics | 30 Questions | 35 Questions |
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| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 30 Questions | 35 Questions |
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| General Awareness | 40 Questions | 50 Questions |
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| Correct Answer | +1 mark | +1 mark |
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| Negative Marking | −1/3 mark | −1/3 mark |
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| Examination Mode | Online CBT | Online CBT |
|---|
What is the RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT 1 Exam Pattern 2026?
The RRB NTPC Undergraduate Exam Pattern for CBT 1 consists of 100 questions carrying 100 marks. General Awareness has 40 questions, Mathematics has 30 questions and General Intelligence and Reasoning has 30 questions. Candidates receive 90 minutes to complete the examination. The section-wise distribution is shown below.
| Sections | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 30 | 30 |
|---|
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 |
|---|
| Total | 100 | 100 |
|---|
CBT 1 is a screening examination. Each correct answer carries 1 mark, and 1/3 mark is deducted for an incorrect answer. Eligible candidates with scribe-related compensatory time receive 120 minutes.
What is the RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT 2 Exam Pattern 2026?
The RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT 2 examination consists of 120 questions carrying 120 marks. General Awareness accounts for 50 questions, while Mathematics and General Intelligence and Reasoning have 35 questions each. The examination lasts 90 minutes and includes 1/3 negative marking. The section-wise pattern is provided below.
| Sections | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|
| Mathematics | 35 | 35 |
|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 35 | 35 |
|---|
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 |
|---|
| Total | 120 | 120 |
|---|
The normalized CBT 2 scores are used for shortlisting candidates for Document Verification, subject to the selection rules under CEN 07/2026.
Note:CBT 1 is a screening examination. Candidates are shortlisted for CBT 2 based on their normalized CBT 1 marks, merit and the applicable vacancy-based shortlisting criteria. For the notified posts, normalized CBT 2 marks are used for Document Verification shortlisting, subject to the prescribed qualifying requirements and recruitment rules.
How to Calculate RRB NTPC CBT 1 and CBT 2 Marks?
The RRB NTPC marking scheme is the same for Graduate and Undergraduate examinations under CEN 06/2026 and CEN 07/2026. Each correct answer carries 1 mark, while 1/3 mark is deducted for every incorrect answer. No marks are deducted for unanswered questions.
RRB NTPC Raw Score Formula:
Raw Score = Correct Answers − (Incorrect Answers × 1/3)
Example: If a candidate answers 75 questions correctly, 15 incorrectly and leaves 10 unanswered in CBT 1:
Raw Score = 75 − (15 × 1/3) = 70 marks out of 100.
The raw score may subsequently be normalized when the examination is conducted in multiple shifts.
Is the RRB NTPC Graduate and Undergraduate Exam Pattern the same?
Yes, the RRB NTPC Graduate and Undergraduate Exam Pattern 2026 follows the same section-wise distribution, total marks and examination duration for CBT 1 and CBT 2. However, candidates appear for their respective recruitment-level examinations. The comparison is provided below.
| Particulars | Graduate Level | Undergraduate Level |
|---|
| Notification | CEN 06/2026 | CEN 07/2026 |
|---|
| Educational Level | Graduation | Class 12 |
|---|
| CBT 1 Questions | 100 | 100 |
|---|
| CBT 1 Marks | 100 | 100 |
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| CBT 2 Questions | 120 | 120 |
|---|
| CBT 2 Marks | 120 | 120 |
|---|
| Exam Duration | 90 minutes per CBT | 90 minutes per CBT |
|---|
| Duration for eligible scribe candidates | 120 minutes per CBT | 120 minutes per CBT |
|---|
| Negative Marking | 1/3 | 1/3 |
|---|
| Selection Stages | CBT 1, CBT 2, DV, Medical | CBT 1, CBT 2, DV, Medical |
|---|
| Separate Typing Skill Test | No | No |
|---|
Although the exam pattern is the same, the difficulty of questions may differ between Graduate and Undergraduate examinations.
Note: The section-wise distribution of questions in RRB NTPC CBT 1 and CBT 2 is indicative, as specified in CEN 06/2026 and CEN 07/2026. The actual question papers may contain slight variations in the number of questions across sections. Candidates should follow the official examination instructions and notifications for the prescribed examination pattern.
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What Documents are Required for RRB NTPC Document Verification 2026?
Candidates shortlisted after RRB NTPC CBT 2 must appear for Document Verification with their original educational certificates, proof of date of birth, identity documents and applicable reservation or eligibility certificates. The Railway Recruitment Boards will verify the candidates' eligibility before further selection and medical examination. Candidates should check the complete RRB NTPC Documents Required list to understand the documents and certificates needed for verification.
What is the RRB NTPC Selection Process 2026?
The RRB NTPC Selection Process 2026 includes four main stages for both Graduate and Undergraduate posts notified under CEN 06/2026 and CEN 07/2026. Candidates must qualify through CBT 1 and CBT 2 before being considered for Document Verification and Medical Examination. The selection stages are given below.
| Stage | Selection Process | Details |
|---|
| Stage 1 | CBT 1 | Screening examination with 100 questions for 100 marks |
|---|
| Stage 2 | CBT 2 | Examination with 120 questions for 120 marks; normalised scores used for further shortlisting |
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| Stage 3 | Document Verification | Verification of original documents and eligibility |
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| Stage 4 | Medical Examination | Assessment of fitness according to the prescribed post-specific medical standards |
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Important: A separate CBAT or Computer-Based Typing Skill Test is not prescribed for the posts notified under CEN 06/2026 and CEN 07/2026.
Is the Typing Skill Test Required for RRB NTPC 2026?
No. The Computer-Based Typing Skill Test (CBTST) has been dispensed with for the notified Typist posts under both recruitment notifications. However, basic computer and typing proficiency is expected for the relevant posts and will be assessed after joining.
| Recruitment Level | Typist Post | Separate CBTST |
|---|
| Graduate | Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist | Not Required |
|---|
| Graduate | Senior Clerk cum Typist | Not Required |
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| Undergraduate | Accounts Clerk cum Typist | Not Required |
|---|
| Undergraduate | Junior Clerk cum Typist | Not Required |
|---|
What are the Minimum Qualifying Marks for RRB NTPC 2026?
Candidates appearing for Graduate and Undergraduate CBT examinations must secure the prescribed category-wise minimum qualifying percentage. The minimum qualifying requirements are the same under CEN 06/2026 and CEN 07/2026. The category-wise percentages are provided below.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|
| UR | 40% |
|---|
| EWS | 40% |
|---|
| OBC-NCL | 30% |
|---|
| SC | 30% |
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| ST | 25% |
|---|
Important Points:
- The qualifying percentages apply to CBT 1 and CBT 2.
- Eligible PwBD candidates may receive relaxation of up to 2 marks in the minimum qualifying requirement if sufficient PwBD candidates are unavailable against reserved vacancies.
- Securing the minimum qualifying marks does not guarantee shortlisting or selection.
- Actual cut-offs depend on vacancies, candidate performance and the prescribed selection procedure.
Key points of RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026
Candidates can note down the key points from the section below. Check out the details:
- Graduate Notification: CEN 06/2026, 3,548 vacancies.
- Undergraduate Notification: CEN 07/2026, 1,688 vacancies.
- CBT 1 Subjects: Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness.
- CBT 1 Pattern: 100 questions carrying 100 marks.
- CBT 2 Subjects: Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness.
- CBT 2 Pattern: 120 questions carrying 120 marks.
- Exam Duration: 90 minutes for CBT 1 and CBT 2 separately.
- Negative Marking: 1/3 mark deducted for each incorrect answer.
- CBT 2 Shortlisting: Candidates are shortlisted based on their normalised CBT 1 marks. The prescribed shortlisting number is generally 15 times the community-wise vacancies notified for the respective RRB, subject to an increase or decrease at the discretion of the Railways.
- Document Verification: Candidates are normally shortlisted according to merit and notified vacancies.
- CBAT: Not applicable to the posts notified under CEN 06/2026 and CEN 07/2026.
- Typing Skill Test: Dispensed with for the notified Typist posts under both notifications.
- Selection Process: CBT 1, CBT 2, Document Verification and Medical Examination.
- Minimum Qualifying Marks: UR/EWS 40%, OBC-NCL/SC 30%, ST 25%, subject to applicable relaxation.
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