RRB NTPC 2026: Notification, Posts, Dates and CBT 1 Exam Pattern

The Railway Recruitment Boards have released two NTPC notifications for 2026: CEN 06/2026 for graduate-level posts and CEN 07/2026 for undergraduate (12th pass) posts. Together they cover about 5,200 vacancies.

Posts and pay

Graduate level (CEN 06/2026)

Undergraduate level (CEN 07/2026)

Vacancy numbers are as reported at the time of writing and can be revised by RRB.

Important dates

Age limits as on 1 January 2027: 18 to 33 years for graduate posts and 18 to 30 years for undergraduate posts, with the usual relaxations.

CBT 1 exam pattern

CBT 1 is common to all posts at a level and is a screening test. Its marks are used to shortlist for CBT 2; they do not count in the final merit.

• Time: 90 minutes (120 minutes for eligible PwBD candidates).
• Negative marking: one third of a mark for each wrong answer.
• One timer for the whole paper. You can move freely between subjects.

Selection process

1. CBT 1 (screening)
2. CBT 2 (120 questions in 90 minutes: GA 50, Maths 35, Reasoning 35)
3. Document verification and medical examination

The computer-based typing skill test has been dropped for this cycle (CEN 06/2026 and CEN 07/2026). Typing proficiency for typist posts is checked after joining.

A 60-day plan for CBT 1

General Awareness is 40% of CBT 1. That is unusual, and it rewards steady daily work more than last-minute cramming.

1. Days 1 to 20: Learn the Maths basics (percentages, ratio, time and work, speed, interest, mensuration) and Reasoning basics. 30 minutes of static GK and 15 minutes of current affairs every day.
2. Days 21 to 45: One sectional test a day. Two full mocks a week. After each mock, list the topics where you lost marks and fix two of them before the next mock.
3. Days 46 to 60: A full mock every other day, at the same time of day as your exam shift. Revise current affairs of the last 8 months.

With a 90-minute paper and 100 questions, time is easier here than in SSC CGL. Accuracy matters more: with −1/3 per wrong answer, a blind guess among four options gives you nothing on average. See the negative marking guide.

RankVyuh's RRB NTPC CBT 1 mocks follow the same pattern, marking and 90-minute timer, with a full report after each test.