RRB NTPC Syllabus 2026

What is RRB NTPC?

RRB NTPC (Railway Recruitment Board — Non-Technical Popular Categories) is one of India's largest government recruitment exams, conducted by RRBs (21 regional Railway Recruitment Boards) to fill posts in Indian Railways.

Posts recruited: Junior Clerk cum Typist, Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Junior Time Keeper, Station Master, Goods Guard, Commercial Apprentice, Traffic Apprentice, Senior Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Station Master, among others. Posts are categorised into 7th CPC Pay Levels 2–6.

Eligibility: Minimum graduation for most posts (12th pass for some Level 2–3 posts). Age: 18–30 years for most posts (relaxation for OBC, SC/ST, Ex-servicemen, PwBD). Nationality: Indian.

RRB NTPC 2026 Notification: Expected April–May 2026 (the cycle is typically annual). Approximately 35,000–1,00,000 vacancies are notified per cycle (varies by year).

Selection process: CBT Stage 1 (preliminary, all candidates) → CBT Stage 2 (shortlisted candidates, post-specific) → Skill Test/Typing Test (for certain posts) → Document Verification → Medical Examination.

CBT Stage 1 Exam Pattern

Duration: 90 minutes. Total questions: 100. Total marks: 100. Negative marking: 1/3 mark per wrong answer.

Subjects and marks: - Mathematics: 30 questions, 30 marks - General Intelligence and Reasoning: 30 questions, 30 marks - General Awareness: 40 questions, 40 marks

CBT Stage 1 is a screening test — only the top candidates (based on the number of vacancies × a multiplier, typically 20x) proceed to Stage 2. Stage 1 marks are NOT counted in final merit.

Language: Available in 15 regional languages including Hindi, English, Urdu, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Assamese, Manipuri and Konkani.

CBT Stage 2 Exam Pattern

Duration: 90 minutes. Total questions: 120. Total marks: 120. Negative marking: 1/3 mark per wrong answer.

Subjects and marks: - Mathematics: 35 questions, 35 marks - General Intelligence and Reasoning: 35 questions, 35 marks - General Awareness: 50 questions, 50 marks

CBT Stage 2 marks form the final merit list. Stage 2 is conducted post-category wise — different question papers for different post levels.

Final merit: Based on Stage 2 marks (normalised across shifts). Skill test/typing test is qualifying (pass/fail), not merit-based.

Mathematics Syllabus

Number Systems: Natural numbers, integers, rational numbers, LCM and HCF, factors and multiples, simplification, BODMAS, surds and indices, square roots and cube roots.

Arithmetic: Percentage, Profit and Loss, Discount, Simple Interest and Compound Interest, Ratio and Proportion, Mixture and Alligation, Partnership, Averages.

Time and Work/Distance: Time and Work (with pipes and cisterns), Time, Speed and Distance (trains, boats and streams).

Algebra: Basic algebraic expressions, linear equations (one variable), simple quadratic equations.

Geometry: Lines and angles, triangles (properties, Pythagoras theorem), circles (chord, tangent basics), quadrilaterals, basic mensuration — perimeter and area of rectangles, triangles, circles.

Mensuration (3D): Volume and surface area of cubes, cuboids, cylinders, spheres.

Data Interpretation: Reading tables, bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs — extracting information and calculating percentages, ratios.

Note: RRB NTPC Maths is at approximately Class 10 level. Focus on speed and accuracy — 30 Maths questions in 30–35 minutes is the target.

General Intelligence and Reasoning Syllabus

Verbal Reasoning: Number Series, Alphabet Series, Analogy (number, word, figure), Classification, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Ranking/Arrangement, Word Arrangement.

Non-Verbal Reasoning: Figure Classification, Odd figure out, Series completion (figures), Mirror images, Paper folding and cutting, Embedded figures.

Logical Reasoning: Syllogisms (statement and conclusion), Statements and Assumptions, Statement and Arguments, Venn Diagrams, Mathematical Operations.

Miscellaneous: Calendar (day/date), Clock (angle, time), Distance and direction problems, Decision Making.

Tips: Reasoning section is high-scoring and time-efficient for well-prepared students. Prioritise Coding-Decoding, Series, and Analogies — these have highest frequency in RRB papers. Practice with railway-specific previous papers (RRB NTPC 2016, 2019, 2021 actual papers).

General Awareness Syllabus

Current Affairs: National and international events of the last 6–12 months. Government schemes, awards, appointments, sports events, summits, bilateral agreements.

Indian Railways: History of Indian Railways, types of trains, railway zones and headquarters, railway budget concepts, rail technology (Vande Bharat, Kavach, etc.), milestones.

History: Indian ancient, medieval and modern history. Freedom movement. Important personalities and events. Post-Independence India.

Geography: Physical geography of India — rivers, mountains, states and capitals. World geography basics. Time zones, latitude/longitude.

Polity: Indian Constitution, Parliament, President, Prime Minister, Judiciary, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles.

Science (General): Basic Physics and Chemistry concepts. Human body, common diseases, nutrition. Environment and ecology. Inventions and discoveries.

Economy: GDP, inflation, Five-Year Plans, banking system (RBI functions), government schemes (PM-KISAN, Ayushman Bharat, PM Awas Yojana etc.).

Computer Basics: Hardware, software, operating systems, internet basics, MS Office overview.

Note: GK section carries 40–50 marks and is the most differentiating section. Use monthly current affairs capsules and Lucent's General Knowledge for static GK.