RRB NTPC CBT-1 2026: Complete Exam Guide, Syllabus & Last-Minute Tips
RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT-1 exam starts on 16 March 2026. With admit cards released today (12 March), lakhs of candidates are now finalising their preparations. Here is everything you need to know before exam day.
Exam Pattern at a Glance
The CBT-1 has 100 questions for 100 marks with a time limit of 90 minutes (120 minutes for PwBD candidates). There is negative marking of 1/3 mark for each wrong answer. The three sections are General Awareness (40 questions), Mathematics (30 questions) and General Intelligence & Reasoning (30 questions).
Important Posts and Vacancies
The 5,810 vacancies are spread across: Goods Train Manager – 3,416 posts, Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist – 921 posts, Senior Clerk cum Typist – 638 posts, Station Master – 615 posts, Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor – 161 posts, Traffic Assistant – 59 posts.
Key Topics to Focus On
General Awareness: Current affairs (last 6 months), Indian History, Indian Polity, Geography, Science & Technology, Railway-related GK, Sports, Awards.
Mathematics: Number system, Simplification, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Time & Work, Speed-Distance-Time, Mensuration, Data Interpretation.
Reasoning: Coding-Decoding, Analogy, Series, Syllogism, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Puzzles.
Exam Day Instructions
Aadhaar Card is mandatory for biometric verification – no other ID replaces Aadhaar for RRB exams. Arrive at the centre at least 45 minutes before reporting time. Mobile phones, smart watches and calculators are strictly prohibited. Do not apply Mehendi/Henna as biometric capture will happen. You will be provided a pen at the exam hall – do not bring your own.
Download Admit Card
Visit rrb.digialm.com or your regional RRB website. Login with your Registration Number and Date of Birth. Print at least 2 copies of the admit card – one Candidate Copy and one RRB Copy to be surrendered at the exam hall.
Stay focused, manage your time wisely and do not attempt questions you are unsure of — the negative marking can affect your score significantly.