RRB NTPC UG Selection Process, Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2026: The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have released the detailed Centralized Employment Notification (CEN) No. 07/2026 to recruit for 1688 Non-Technical Popular Categories (Under Graduate) posts. Online applications run from 15 October 2026 to 13 November 2026. Before you apply, you should understand how candidates are selected, what the exam pattern looks like, and what the syllabus covers.
RRB NTPC UG 2026: Overview
| Recruiting Body | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways |
| Notification No. | CEN No. 07/2026 |
| Post Category | Non-Technical Popular Categories (Under Graduate) |
| Total Vacancies | 1688 |
| Posts | Commercial Cum Ticket Clerk, Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Junior Clerk cum Typist, Trains Clerk |
| Selection Stages | 1st Stage CBT, 2nd Stage CBT, Document Verification & Medical Examination |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 mark for each wrong answer |
| Typing Skill Test | Dispensed with for CEN 07/2026 |
| Official Website | rrb.indianrailways.gov.in |
Post-wise Vacancy, Pay Level and Medical Standard
| Post | Pay Level (7th CPC) | Initial Pay | Medical Standard | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Cum Ticket Clerk | Level 3 | ₹21,700 | B2 | 700 |
| Accounts Clerk cum Typist | Level 2 | ₹19,900 | C2 | 200 |
| Junior Clerk cum Typist | Level 2 | ₹19,900 | C2 | 600 |
| Trains Clerk | Level 2 | ₹19,900 | A3 | 188 |
| Total | – | – | – | 1688 |
RRB NTPC UG Selection Process 2026
According to Para 13.0 of the notification, selection has three stages:
- 1st Stage Computer Based Test (CBT): This screening test is common for all posts.
- 2nd Stage Computer Based Test (CBT): This is the merit-deciding test.
- Document Verification (DV) and Medical Examination (ME)
Selection is made strictly on merit across these stages. RRBs can also hold additional CBTs for all or some candidates if they consider it necessary.
Big Change: No Typing Skill Test This Time
In earlier notifications, Junior Clerk cum Typist and Accounts Clerk cum Typist candidates had to pass a Computer Based Typing Skill Test (CBTST). For CEN 07/2026, the CBTST has been dispensed with. Candidates are still expected to have basic computer skills and adequate typing ability. The Railways will assess this after joining, and poor performance may affect or delay confirmation or promotion.
Stage 1: 1st Stage CBT
- The 1st Stage CBT is screening in nature.
- Its normalized score is used to shortlist candidates for the 2nd Stage CBT.
- RRBs will shortlist 15 times the community-wise vacancies of each RRB, based on merit. Railways may raise or lower this limit if needed.
- A candidate shortlisted for the 2nd Stage CBT under an OBC(NCL), SC, ST, EWS, PwBD or ExSM category stays in that category for all later stages.
Stage 2: 2nd Stage CBT
- The normalized marks from the 2nd Stage CBT are used to shortlist candidates for Document Verification.
- Candidates are called for DV in a 1:1 ratio, which means one candidate per vacancy, RRB-wise.
Stage 3: Document Verification and Medical Examination
- Shortlisted candidates must bring original certificates and two sets of self-attested photocopies.
- Before the DV date, they must upload true-colour scans of their photo and signature at oirms-ir.gov.in/rrbdv.
- No extra time is given to anyone who fails to bring original certificates.
- Candidates must pass the medical standard of the post they opted for. A candidate found unfit for the opted post will not be offered an alternative appointment.
- Empanelment depends on merit, post preference, medical fitness and the vacancy position.
Tie-Breaking Rule
If two or more candidates score equal marks:
- The older candidate is ranked higher.
- If both are the same age, the alphabetical order (A to Z) of the given name (not the surname) decides.
Normalization
Whenever a CBT is held in multiple shifts for the same syllabus, shortlisting is based on normalized marks.
RRB NTPC UG Exam Pattern 2026
1st Stage CBT Exam Pattern
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
- Duration: 90 minutes. Scribe-eligible PwBD candidates get 120 minutes.
- Negative Marking: 1/3 mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
- The section-wise distribution is indicative and may vary slightly in the actual paper.
2nd Stage CBT Exam Pattern
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| Mathematics | 35 | 35 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 35 | 35 |
| Total | 120 | 120 |
- Duration: 90 minutes. Scribe-eligible PwBD candidates get 120 minutes.
- Negative Marking: 1/3 mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
- All questions are objective-type multiple choice.
Minimum Qualifying Marks (Both CBTs)
| Category | Minimum Qualifying % |
|---|---|
| UR | 40% |
| EWS | 40% |
| OBC (NCL) | 30% |
| SC | 30% |
| ST | 25% |
The same percentages apply to Ex-Servicemen and PwBD candidates according to their community. If there is a shortage of PwBD candidates against reserved vacancies, the qualifying marks may be relaxed by 2 marks.
Medium of Exam
Questions will be available in English, Hindi and 13 regional languages: Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. Questions appear in the language you choose along with English.
Scribe and Compensatory Time
Eligible PwBD candidates who use a scribe get 20 minutes of compensatory time for every hour of the exam. Scribe-eligible candidates who choose not to use a scribe can still ask for this extra time.
RRB NTPC UG Syllabus 2026
The syllabus is the same for the 1st Stage and 2nd Stage CBT. The notification says the question standard will generally match the educational standard prescribed for the posts, which is 12th level.
Mathematics
- Number System
- Decimals and Fractions
- LCM and HCF
- Ratio and Proportions
- Percentage
- Mensuration
- Time and Work
- Time and Distance
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Profit and Loss
- Elementary Algebra
- Geometry and Trigonometry
- Elementary Statistics
General Intelligence and Reasoning
- Analogies
- Completion of Number and Alphabetical Series
- Coding and Decoding
- Mathematical Operations
- Similarities and Differences
- Relationships
- Analytical Reasoning
- Syllogism
- Jumbling
- Venn Diagrams
- Puzzle
- Data Sufficiency
- Statement – Conclusion
- Statement – Courses of Action
- Decision Making
- Maps
- Interpretation of Graphs
General Awareness
- Current Events of National and International Importance
- Games and Sports
- Art and Culture of India
- Indian Literature
- Monuments and Places of India
- General Science and Life Science (up to 10th CBSE)
- History of India and Freedom Struggle
- Physical, Social and Economic Geography of India and World
- Indian Polity and Governance (Constitution and Political System)
- General Scientific and Technological Developments, including India’s Space and Nuclear Programmes
- UN and Other Important World Organizations
- Environmental Issues Concerning India and the World
- Basics of Computers and Computer Applications
- Common Abbreviations
- Transport Systems in India
- Indian Economy
- Famous Personalities of India and World
- Flagship Government Programmes
- Flora and Fauna of India
- Important Government and Public Sector Organizations of India
Medical Standards for RRB NTPC UG Posts
| Medical Standard | Applicable Post | Vision Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| A-3 | Trains Clerk | Distant Vision: 6/9, 6/9 with or without glasses (lens power up to 2D). Near Vision: Sn 0.6, 0.6. Must pass Colour Vision, Binocular Vision, Night Vision and Myopic Vision tests |
| B-2 | Commercial Cum Ticket Clerk | Distant Vision: 6/9, 6/12 with or without glasses (lens power up to 4D). Near Vision: Sn 0.6, 0.6. Must pass Field of Vision (Binocular Vision) test |
| C-2 | Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Junior Clerk cum Typist | Distant Vision: 6/12, nil with or without glasses. Near Vision: Sn 0.6 combined |
Important: Candidates who have had LASIK or any other surgery to correct a refractive error are not eligible for the Trains Clerk post (A-3). They must submit a declaration under Annexure VII at DV. Such candidates can be found fit for B-2 and C-2 posts if they meet the conditions in Annexure VII(A).
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Indicative Notice in Employment News | 26.09.2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 15.10.2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 13.11.2026 (23:59 hrs) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 15.11.2026 |
| Modification Window (with ₹250 fee) | 16.11.2026 to 25.11.2026 |
| CBT, DV and Medical Exam Dates | To be announced on the official RRB website |
Important Links
| RRB NTPC UG Recruitment 2026 Short Notice | Short Notice |
| RRB NTPC UG Recruitment 2026 Notification PDF | Notification |
| RRB NTPC UG Recruitment 2026 FAQs | FAQs |
| RRB NTPC UG Recruitment 2026 Online Form Link | Apply Online |
| Railway Recruitment Boards Official Website | RRB |
Key Exam Day Instructions
- Only the e-call letter and a valid original photo ID are allowed inside the exam centre. Pens are provided by the centre.
- Mobile phones, watches, Bluetooth devices, calculators, bags, wallets, belts, caps, water bottles and similar items are banned.
- Do not apply henna or mehandi on your hands, because it interferes with biometric capture.
- Carry a colour passport photograph that is no more than two months old.
- The exam city intimation comes about 10 days in advance, and the e-call letter about 4 days before the CBT.
- Mock and practice tests will be available on the official RRB website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How many stages are in the RRB NTPC UG 2026 selection process?
There are three stages: the 1st Stage CBT, the 2nd Stage CBT, and Document Verification with Medical Examination.
Q2. Is there a typing test for Junior Clerk and Accounts Clerk in CEN 07/2026?
No. The Computer Based Typing Skill Test has been dispensed with for this notification. Typing ability will be assessed after joining.
Q3. What is the negative marking in RRB NTPC UG 2026?
One-third (1/3) of a mark is deducted for each wrong answer in both CBTs.
Q4. Is the syllabus different for CBT 1 and CBT 2?
No. Both stages share the same syllabus: Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, and General Awareness. CBT 2 has more questions (120, compared with 100 in CBT 1).
Q5. How many candidates will be called for the 2nd Stage CBT?
Fifteen times the community-wise vacancies of each RRB, based on normalized marks in the 1st Stage CBT.
Q6. What are the minimum qualifying marks?
UR and EWS need 40%, OBC (NCL) and SC need 30%, and ST needs 25%.
Q7. Can a candidate who had LASIK surgery apply for Trains Clerk?
No. Candidates who have had LASIK or any other corrective eye surgery are not eligible for the Trains Clerk post, which requires medical standard A-3.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the official RRB CEN No. 07/2026 notification. Candidates should read the full notification and check rrb.indianrailways.gov.in for any corrigendum or updates.