RRB NTPC (Graduate) Exam Pattern 2026
The full RRB NTPC (Graduate) exam pattern for 2026 — 4 stages, with the sections, question count, marks, duration and negative marking for each, as set by Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs). Then take a free RRB NTPC (Graduate) mock in the real pattern below.
CBT 1 (Computer Based Test — Stage 1)
- Mode
- Online CBT, multiple shifts with normalisation
- Sections
- General Awareness · Mathematics · General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Questions
- 100 (GA: 40 · Maths: 30 · Reasoning: 30)
- Marks
- 100 (1 mark per question)
- Duration
- 90 minutes (120 min for PwD candidates)
- Negative marking
- 1/3 mark deducted per wrong answer
Qualifying in nature — CBT 1 marks are NOT counted in final merit. Used only to shortlist candidates for CBT 2 (typically 20× the vacancies, category-wise).
CBT 2 (Computer Based Test — Stage 2)
- Mode
- Online CBT, multiple shifts with normalisation
- Sections
- General Awareness · Mathematics · General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Questions
- 120 (GA: 50 · Maths: 35 · Reasoning: 35)
- Marks
- 120 (1 mark per question)
- Duration
- 90 minutes (120 min for PwD candidates)
- Negative marking
- 1/3 mark deducted per wrong answer
Merit-deciding stage. Normalised CBT 2 marks determine the post-wise final selection list. Section-wise cut-offs apply: UR 40%, OBC/SC 30%, ST 25%.
Typing Skill Test / Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)
- Mode
- Computer-based, post-specific
- Sections
- Typing Skill Test: typing speed on computer. CBAT: psychometric and aptitude battery (for Station Master and Traffic Apprentice only).
- Questions
- Typing: paragraph dictation. CBAT: multiple test batteries (no negative marking specified).
- Marks
- Qualifying in nature (no marks added to final merit).
- Duration
- Typing: 10 minutes. CBAT: as scheduled.
- Negative marking
- Not applicable for Typing Skill Test.
CBAT is only for Station Master and Traffic Apprentice candidates — minimum 42 marks in each test battery required to qualify. Typing Skill Test (30 wpm English / 25 wpm Hindi) is for Senior Clerk-cum-Typist, Junior Account Assistant cum Typist and similar posts.
Document Verification and Medical Examination
- Mode
- Offline, at designated railway division
- Sections
- Document Verification (DV) followed by Medical Examination (Aye-One/A-2/A-3/B-1/B-2/C-1/C-2 categories based on post).
- Questions
- Not applicable
- Marks
- Not applicable
- Duration
- Scheduled by RRB after final merit list
- Negative marking
- Not applicable
Final selection is subject to medical fitness as per the post's prescribed category. Original documents (degree, caste certificate, photo ID) must match the application.
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