All You Need to Know About the RRB NTPC Recruitment Exam

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC) examination stands as one of India’s largest and most sought-after recruitment drives for government jobs. Conducted by the Railway Recruitment Boards under the Ministry of Railways, this national-level exam aims to fill various non-technical posts across different zonal railways and production units of the Indian Railways. These roles, which span both undergraduate and graduate levels, attract millions of aspirants annually, making the selection process highly competitive.

Posts and Vacancies: The Gateway to Indian Railways

The NTPC recruitment typically covers a diverse range of roles categorized under two main levels: Undergraduate (10+2 standard) and Graduate.

• Undergraduate Posts: Include positions such as Junior Clerk cum Typist, Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Junior Time Keeper, and Commercial cum Ticket Clerk.
• Graduate Posts: Offer more advanced roles like Traffic Assistant, Goods Guard, Senior Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Senior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Account Assistant cum Typist, Senior Time Keeper, and Station Master.

The number of vacancies varies with each recruitment cycle. Recently, the Railway Recruitment Board has announced thousands of vacancies for the 2025 recruitment, with a significant portion dedicated to the graduate-level posts, signaling a massive opportunity for eligible candidates across the country.

Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?

To appear for the RRB NTPC exam, candidates must fulfill specific eligibility criteria pertaining to nationality, age limit, educational qualification, and medical standards.

• Educational Qualification: For Undergraduate Posts, candidates must have passed the 12th standard (or equivalent) from a recognized board. For Graduate Posts, a Bachelor’s Degree or its equivalent from a recognized university is mandatory.
• Age Limit: The age bracket differs slightly for the two levels, with age relaxations applicable for reserved categories like SC, ST, OBC, and others, as per government norms. Typically, the age limit is between 18 and 33 years for undergraduate posts and 18 to 36 years for graduate posts.
• Medical Standards: Candidates must also meet the requisite medical fitness standards prescribed by the Railway Administration for the post they apply for.

The Multi-Stage Selection Process

The RRB NTPC selection process is designed to be rigorous and multi-layered, ensuring a merit-based selection. It comprises up to four stages:

1. First Stage Computer-Based Test (CBT-1): This is a common screening test for all posts. It usually consists of questions from General Awareness, Mathematics, and General Intelligence and Reasoning. Marks scored in this stage are used to shortlist candidates for the second stage.
2. Second Stage Computer-Based Test (CBT-2): This stage is post-specific and has a higher difficulty level. The syllabus remains similar to CBT-1 but with a greater focus on General Awareness. The marks from CBT-2 are crucial as they are factored into the final merit list.
3. Skill Tests (Typing/Aptitude): Candidates who qualify in CBT-2 are called for a skill test, depending on the post:
   • Typing Skill Test (TST): Mandatory for posts requiring typing proficiency, such as Clerk and Typist roles.
   • Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT): Conducted for posts like Station Master and Traffic Assistant.
4. Document Verification (DV) and Medical Examination (ME): The final stage involves the verification of all original documents and a mandatory medical fitness test to ensure the candidate meets the physical standards for the respective post.

Preparation Strategy and Key Dates

Aspirants are advised to dedicate significant effort to preparation, focusing on the detailed syllabus provided by the RRB. Consistent practice with mock tests and previous year papers is key to navigating the competitive structure.

Candidates must keep a close watch on the official regional RRB websites for the latest updates regarding the application window, exam schedule, release of admit cards, and results. Staying informed and commencing preparation early are the best ways to secure one of these highly sought-after positions in the Indian Railways.

The application portal opens for the RRB NTPC recruitment 2025: Notification released for 8,875 posts in October/November 2025, according to the available information.