Overview
Railway Recruitment Board Non-Technical Popular Categories (RRB NTPC) is a national-level recruitment exam conducted by the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) for the selection of candidates in various non-technical posts in Indian Railways. The positions include Commercial Apprentice, Traffic Apprentice, Goods Guard, Senior Clerk-cum-Typist, Junior Accounts Assistant-cum-Typist, Senior Time Keeper, Assistant Station Master, etc. The exam is conducted in three stages- Prelims, Mains, and Skill Test/ Aptitude Test, and the selection process involves a Computer Based Test (CBT), Document Verification, and Medical Examination. RRB NTPC is one of the most competitive exams in India, with lakhs of aspirants appearing for the exam every year.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for RRB NTPC exam are as follows:
1. Nationality: The candidate must be a citizen of India, Nepal, Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of settling permanently in India.
2. Age Limit: The candidate should be between 18 to 30 years of age. Age relaxation is provided for candidates belonging to reserved categories as per government norms.
3. Educational Qualification: The candidate should have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination from a recognized board or university.
4. Medical Fitness: The candidate must be medically fit as per the standards prescribed by the Railway Recruitment Board.
Exam Pattern
RRB NTPC Stage-1 Exam Pattern
Sections | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
Mathematics | 30 | 30 | 90 minutes |
General Intelligence and Reasoning | 30 | 30 | |
General Awareness | 40 | 40 | |
Total | 100 | 100 |
Minimum percentage of marks for eligibility in various categories: UR-40%, EWS40%, OBC (Non creamy layer) -30%, SC-30%, ST-25%. These percentages of marks for eligibility may be relaxed by 2% for PwBD candidates in case of a shortage of PwBD candidates against vacancies reserved for them.
The exam duration for PWD candidates is 120 Minutes.
There will be negative marking and a 1/3 mark shall be deducted for each wrong answer.
The 1st Stage of CBT is of a screening nature and the standard of questions for the CBT will be generally in conformity with the educational standards prescribed for the posts.
The total no. of candidates to be shortlisted shall be 20 times the community wise vacancies of posts notified against the RRB as per their merit in 1st Stage CBT cum choice of posts.
The normalized score of 1st Stage CBT shall be used for shortlisting of candidates for 2nd Stage CBT as per their merit.
Candidates who are shortlisted for 2nd Stage CBT availing the reservation benefits of OBC(NCL)/SC/ST/EWS, PwBD and ExSM shall continue to be considered only against OBC(NCL)/SC/ST/EWS, PwBD and ExSM for all subsequent stages of the recruitment process.
RRB NTPC Stage-2 Exam Pattern
Sections | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
Mathematics | 35 | 35 | 90 minutes |
General Intelligence and Reasoning | 35 | 35 | |
General Awareness | 50 | 50 | |
Total | 120 | 120 |
The exam duration for PWD candidates is 120 Minutes.
A negative marking of 1/3 is there.
The level of questions will be different for the different level of posts.
Normalization of marks will be done.
RRB NTPC Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)
(Only for candidates who have opted for Traffic Assistant and Station Master)
Qualifying marks: The candidates need to secure a minimum T-Score of 42 marks in each of the test batteries to qualify.
This is applicable to all candidates irrespective of community or category and no relaxation in the minimum T- Score is permissible.
Candidates will have to qualify in each of the test batteries of CBAT for considering them for the post of SM/TA.
The CBAT shall have questions and answer options only in English and Hindi.
There shall be no negative marking in CBAT.
Merit list will be drawn only from amongst the candidates qualifying in the CBAT, with 70% weightage for the marks obtained in the 2nd Stage CBT and 30% weightage for the marks obtained in CBAT.
Typing Skill Test (TST)
Qualifying in nature.
Eight times the number of vacancies will be called for typing test.
The candidates should be able to type 30 words per minute (WPM) in English or 25 WPM in Hindi on Personal Computer only without editing tools and spell check facility.
Syllabus
In this section, we will discuss the syllabus for RRB NTPC exam subject-wise. Candidates can download the consolidated RRB NTPC Syllabus PDF at the beginning and the end of this article.
The subjects covered in the syllabus are as follows:
- General Awareness
- Mathematics
- General Intelligence and Reasoning.
For complete preparation of RRB NTPC, candidates must check 100 difference between Articles for Revision and practise.
The topics in each section of RRB NTPC Prelims and RRB NTPC Mains Syllabus are the same. They are given in the tables below:
RRB NTPC Syllabus for Mathematics | |
Number Systems | Time and Work |
Decimals | Time and Distance |
Fractions | Simple and Compound Interest |
LCM and HCF | Profit and Loss |
Ratio and Proportions | Elementary Algebra |
Percentage | Geometry and Trigonometry |
Mensuration | Elementary Statistics |
Go through links given below for shortcut tricks and tips to prepare well for Mathematics section of NTPC Syllabus.
- Maths Tricks and Shortcuts
- Shortcut tricks for Squares and Cube root calculations
For Maths section it is important to have a clear understanding of the basic concepts. Hence, given below are a few concepts based topics that are important for Quantitative aptitude section.
Simplification and Approximation | Problems on Train |
Problems on Age | Alligations and mixtures |
More conceptual topics are explained in detail along with important questions on the Quantitative Aptitude page.
The following table highlights the General Intelligence and Reasoning in RRB NTPC CBT – 1 i.e. Prelims and CBT – 2 – RRB NTPC Mains Syllabus :
RRB NTPC Syllabus for Reasoning | |
Analogies | Venn Diagrams |
Completion of Number and Alphabetical Series, | Puzzle |
Coding and Decoding | Data Sufficiency |
Mathematical Operations | Seating Arrangements |
Similarities and Differences | Statement – Conclusion |
Relationships | Statement – Courses of Action |
Analytical Reasoning | Decision Making |
Syllogism | Maps |
Jumbling | Interpretation of Graphs |
Candidates can check 3 sutras to prepare for reasoning ability for RRB NTPC exam as general reasoning and intelligence is an important part of the syllabus.
Given below are a few concept-based important reasoning topics that candidates can check for the preparation of this section.
Coding/Decoding | Clocks | Calendars |
Blood Relations | Statement & Conclusion | Seating Arrangements |
For more such topics visit the Logical Reasoning page and prepare well for the reasoning section.
The following table highlights the syllabus for General Awareness in RRB NTPC CBT Stage – 1 and RRB NTPC CBT Stage – 2:
RRB NTPC Syllabus for General Awareness | |
National and International Current Events | Common Abbreviations |
Games and Sports | Transport Systems in India |
Art and Culture of India | Indian Economy |
Indian Literature | Famous Personalities of India and World |
Monuments and Places of India | Flagship Government Programs |
General and Life Science (Up to 10th Std) | Flora and Fauna of India |
History of India and Freedom Struggle | Important Government and Public Sector Organizations of India |
Physical, Social and Economic Geography of India and World | General Scientific and Technological Developments of India |
Indian Polity and Governance | Environmental Issues Concerning India and World at large |
UN and Other Important World Organisations | Basics of Computers |
Candidates can check important general awareness topics given below for assistance in the preparation of this section:
List of Famous Books And Authors | Inventions & Discoveries |
Countries, Capital and Currencies | Tennis Grand Slam Winners |
List of countries and Their National Games | List of Arjuna Award Winners |
Application Fee
The details of the RRB NTPC exam fee that has to be paid by the candidate is given in the table below:
S.No. | Categories | Exam Fee |
1 | PwBD Female Transgender Ex-Servicemen SC/ST/Minority communities/Economically Backward Class | RS 250 |
2 | Others | Rs. 500 |
How to Apply
To apply for RRB NTPC exam, candidates can follow the below-mentioned steps:
1. Visit the official website of the RRB (Railway Recruitment Board) – www.rrbcdg.gov.in or the regional RRB websites.
2. Click on the “New Registration” or “Apply Online” link.
3. Fill in the basic details like name, father’s name, date of birth, email ID, mobile number, etc.
4. After successful registration, candidates will receive a registration number and password on their registered mobile number and email ID.
5. Log in using the registration number and password.
6. Fill in the application form with all the required details such as educational qualifications, work experience, etc.
7. Upload the scanned copies of photograph, signature, and other required documents in the prescribed format and size.
8. Pay the application fee online through net banking, credit card, debit card, or other payment modes.
9. Verify all the details before submitting the application form.
10. Submit the application form and take a printout of the same for future reference.