In this guide
Indian Railways is one of the largest employers in the world, and NTPC — Non-Technical Popular Categories — is how it recruits for many of its best-known non-engineering jobs. Station Masters, Goods Train Managers, ticket supervisors and clerks all come through this exam, conducted by the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs).
There are two levels:
- Graduate-level posts — for candidates with a degree.
- Undergraduate (10+2) posts — for candidates who have passed Class 12.
The pattern of the tests is the same for both; the posts, pay and the second-stage paper are separate.
The stages
| Stage | What it is | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| CBT 1 | First-stage computer-based test | Screening only — marks do not count in final merit |
| CBT 2 | Second-stage computer-based test | Decides merit |
| CBAT | Computer-Based Aptitude Test — only for Station Master and Traffic Assistant | Counts in merit for those posts |
| Typing Skill Test | Only for clerk-cum-typist and accounts-clerk-cum-typist posts | Qualifying |
| Document verification and medical | Eligibility and fitness checks | Qualifying |
CBT 1
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
- Time: 90 minutes (120 minutes for eligible PwBD candidates using a scribe).
- Marking: 1 mark for each correct answer; one-third of a mark deducted for each wrong answer.
- CBT 1 is a screening test. Candidates are shortlisted for CBT 2 on the basis of their CBT 1 marks — reportedly about 20 times the number of vacancies, category-wise.
CBT 2
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| Mathematics | 35 | 35 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 35 | 35 |
| Total | 120 | 120 |
- Time: 90 minutes.
- Marking: the same — +1 and −⅓.
- There are separate CBT 2 papers for graduate-level and undergraduate-level posts.
Notice that CBT 2 has 20 more questions in the same 90 minutes. Speed matters more at this stage.
Qualifying marks
To be considered at all, you must reach a minimum percentage in the CBTs. The figures reported for recent cycles are:
| Category | Minimum |
|---|---|
| UR and EWS | 40% |
| OBC (non-creamy layer) | 30% |
| SC | 30% |
| ST | 25% |
These are minimums, not cut-offs. The real cut-off to be selected is usually much higher.
The CBAT
The Computer-Based Aptitude Test is for Station Master and Traffic Assistant posts, because these jobs need quick judgement, attention and memory. As reported:
- You must score a T-score of at least 42 in each test battery. There is no relaxation for any category.
- There is no negative marking in the CBAT.
- Final merit for these posts is 70% CBT 2 + 30% CBAT.
The Typing Skill Test
Clerk-cum-typist and accounts-clerk-cum-typist posts need a typing test on a computer:
- 30 words per minute in English, or 25 words per minute in Hindi.
- It is qualifying — it does not add marks, but you must pass it.
Normalisation
CBTs are held in many shifts over several days. Because some shifts may be harder than others, RRBs normalise marks across shifts. Your normalised score, not your raw score, is used for shortlisting and merit.
What the pattern tells you
- General Awareness is the biggest section — 40% of CBT 1 and over 40% of CBT 2. Candidates who neglect it rarely get selected.
- Negative marking of one-third is heavier than many exams. Three wrong answers cancel one right answer.
- CBT 1 is only a gate. Clear it with a margin, then put your full effort into CBT 2.
- Skill tests need separate practice. If you want a typist post, start typing practice early. If you want Station Master, learn what the CBAT involves.
A note on dates and numbers. Exam patterns, vacancies and schedules change from year to year. Always confirm the current details in the latest notification on the Railway Recruitment Boards website .
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