• Updated on 29 Jun, 2026 by Gazal Arora
What's new?
RRB NTPC Latest news and articles
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026 has been designed to evaluate the candidates across skill areas like General Awareness, Mathematics, and Reasoning, through a multi-staged selection process consisting of CBT 1, CBT 2, Typing / Aptitude Test, Document Verification, and Medical Examination. The final merit list will be prepared based on candidates' performance in the CBT 2 stage for both level posts. Conducted by the Railways Recruitment Board, the 2026 examination will be held to fill a total of 8868 vacancies announced across various Non-Technical Popular Category (NTPC) posts in the Indian Railways.
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026 specifies that the CBT 1 exam would consist of 100 questions divided across the General Awareness, Mathematics, and Reasoning sections. Negative marking is applicable where 1/3rd mark is deducted for every incorrect response made in the examination. As per the official update, the RRB NTPC 2026 Undergraduate Level CBT 1 was conducted between May 7 and June 21, 2026, and the provisional answer key was released on June 27, 2026. The Graduate Level CBT 2 is scheduled on July 10, 2026, and the Undergraduate Level CBT 2 is tentatively scheduled for September 17, 2026.
Table of Contents
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026: Highlights
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026 follows an objective-type question format for two CBT stages, followed by Typing/Aptitude Test, Document Verification, and Medical Examination. CBT 1 is qualifying in nature and shortlists the candidates for the subsequent stages, while CBT 2 is considered for final merit preparation. However, for the CBAT test, 70% from the CBT 2 and 30% from CBAT are counted for the final merit preparation. Below are the key highlights related to the RRB NTPC 2026 Examination:
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026: Selection Process
RRB NTPC 2026 Selection Process consists of CBT-I, CBT-II, Typing Skill Test / Aptitude Test (as applicable), Document Verification, and Medical Examination. The exam is conducted in an online mode for CBT and Skill Tests. CBAT is applicable only for Station Master and Traffic Assistant posts, while Typing Skill Test is applicable for Senior Clerk cum Typist and Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist posts. The final merit list is prepared based on the marks obtained by the candidates in the CBT II stage (also CBAT scores for posts applicable under the CBAT). Candidates must secure a minimum T-score of 42 to qualify for the CBAT stage.
Check: RRB NTPC Syllabus 2026
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026: Stage-wise Pattern
RRB NTPC 2026 stage-wise pattern differs across CBT-I, CBT-II, Typing Test, and Aptitude Test. The CBT exam contains objective-type questions focused on General Awareness, Mathematics, and Reasoning. Negative Marking is applicable for the CBT stages, where 1/3rd mark is deducted for every incorrect response made in the examination. The undergraduate level and graduate level posts have an identical exam pattern, with a difference only in the qualification and posts released for both levels.
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026: CBT-I (Common For All Posts)
RRB NTPC 2026 CBT 1 exam pattern consists of three sections – General Awareness, Mathematics, and General Intelligence & Reasoning. The total number of questions is 100, where each question carries 1 mark, and the exam duration is 90 minutes. Negative Marking is applicable where 1/3rd mark is deducted for every incorrect response made in the examination. CBT I is qualifying in nature and shortlists the candidates for the subsequent stages of the examination.
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026: CBT-II (Level-Specific)
RRB NTPC 2026 CBT 2 exam pattern consists of three sections – General Awareness, Mathematics, and General Intelligence & Reasoning. The total number of questions is 120, where each question carries 1 mark, and the exam duration is 90 minutes. Here, the exam pattern remains identical with CBT I, only with an increased difficulty level. Negative Marking is applicable where 1/3rd mark is deducted for every incorrect response made in the examination. CBT II is counted for the final merit list preparation.
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026: CBAT
RRB NTPC CBAT 2026 is conducted for applicable posts only, like Station Master and Traffic Assistant posts. For the CBAT posts, the final merit is calculated with 70% weightage from the CBT-II stage and 30% from the CBAT scores. Candidates are required to obtain a minimum T-score of 42 in each battery test to qualify for this stage. This stage doesn’t have negative marking and evaluates candidates’ decision-making abilities and perception.
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026: Typing Skill Test
RRB NTPC typing skill test pattern 2026 specifies a required typing speed where candidates must be able to type 30 WPM in English or 25 WPM in Hindi without the use of any kind of editing tools. The Typing Skill Test is conducted for only applicable posts like the Senior Clerk cum Typist and Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist. These tests are mandatory but qualifying in nature, making candidates eligible for the subsequent stages of the examination. Candidates who fail to meet the required criteria are disqualified from the recruitment process.
Check: RRB NTPC Admit Card 2026
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026: Marking Scheme
RRB NTPC 2026 Marking Scheme follows a standard pattern where 1/3rd mark is deducted for each incorrect response, and 1 mark is awarded for every correct response made in the examination. Questions left unanswered will face no deductions for the candidates. The pattern is applicable only for the CBT examinations and not the other subsequent stages.
Check: RRB NTPC Result 2026
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026: Minimum Qualifying Marks
RRB NTPC CBT 1 qualifying marks 2026 are specified in the official notification, where UR and EWS candidates must secure a minimum of 40% marks in the CBT stages. These are subject to relaxation for certain specific categories like OBC-NCL, SC, and ST. Securing a minimum qualifying percentage of marks doesn’t secure the final selection of the candidates, as it also depends on the cutoff and the normalisation process.
Check: RRB NTPC Cutoff 2019
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026: Preparation Tips
Understanding the RRB NTPC 2026 syllabus and exam pattern is essential to prioritise key areas of the exam and identify the weightage each section holds. Candidates can follow the preparation tips mentioned below to improve their performance in the NTPC 2026 exam:
- A well-structured plan is required to focus on the three sections – General Awareness, Mathematics, and Reasoning at the same time of preparation.
- Regular practise through Mock Tests and Previous year questions helps the candidates identify their weak areas.
- Attempting sectional tests daily helps to improve speed and accuracy, and understanding what are the areas which the candidate should work upon.
- Candidates can stay updated with the current happenings in India and around the world through reading newspapers and current affairs magazines daily.
- Dedicated practise is required to clear the Typing Skill Test, which requires 30 WPM for English or 25 WPM for Hindi.
- Maintaining a realistic daily schedule is required to ensure consistency in the preparation, as regular study sessions are better than irregular long study hour sessions.
- Consistent revision is required to retain the concepts for a longer period of time.
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs
Is the RRB NTPC 2026 conducted in multiple stages?
The RRB NTPC selection process 2026 includes CBT I, CBT II, Typing / Aptitude Test, Document Verification, and Medical Examination.
Is there negative marking applicable for RRB NTPC CBT exams as per the official RRB NTPC marking scheme 2026?
Yes, a 1/3rd mark is deducted for each incorrect answer in both CBT I & II examinations.
When is the RRB NTPC CBT 2 exam scheduled?
The RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT 2 is scheduled on July 10, 2026. The Undergraduate Level CBT 2 is tentatively scheduled for September 17, 2026.
What is the duration of CBT exams as per the official RRB NTPC exam duration 2026?
Both CBT stages are conducted for 90 minutes without sectional timing.
Has the RRB NTPC Answer Key 2026 been released?
Yes, the provisional answer key for the Graduate Level CBT 1 was released on April 6, 2026. The provisional answer key for the Undergraduate Level CBT 1 has been released on June 27, 2026, with the objection window active till July 5, 2026 (11:55 PM).
What is the qualifying percentage for UR candidates under RRB NTPC CBT Stage?
UR and EWS candidates must secure a minimum of 40% marks in the CBT stages.
Does the Typing Skill Test affect final merit?
No, the typing skill test is qualifying in nature, and marks obtained in the test are not added to the final merit.
What is the typing speed requirement as per the official RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026?
Candidates must be able to type 30 WPM in English or 25 WPM in Hindi without the use of any kind of editing tools.
Is CBAT mandatory for all posts?
No, CBAT is not mandatory for all the posts. It is applicable only for Station Master and Traffic Assistant posts.
Is there negative marking applicable in the CBAT stage as per the official RRB NTPC marking scheme 2026?
No, CBAT does not have negative marking.
What is the minimum T-score required in the CBAT stage?
Candidates must secure a minimum T-score of 42 in each battery.
How is the final merit prepared for the CBAT posts?
For the CBAT posts, the final merit is calculated with 70% weightage from CBT-II and 30% from CBAT scores.
What is the probable shortlisting ratio of candidates qualified for CBT-II?
Approximately 15 times the notified vacancies are shortlisted at the CBT-II stage.
Are calculators allowed in the RRB NTPC 2026 exam?
No, calculators and electronic gadgets are strictly prohibited inside the examination hall for the RRB NTPC 2026 exam.
Is medical fitness mandatory for the appointment through the RRB NTPC 2026?
Yes, the final appointment of the candidates through the RRB NTPC 2026 exam is subject to prescribed medical standards verification.