The RRB NTPC (Railway Recruitment Board Non-Technical Popular Categories) exam is one of the most competitive recruitment tests in India, with over 11,558 vacancies for 2025 . If you’re dreaming of a stable railway job, cracking this exam is your ticket. But here’s the catch thousands apply, only a few succeed.
Understanding the RRB NTPC exam pattern 2025, syllabus, and smart preparation strategies can make all the difference. This guide breaks it all down marking scheme, key subjects, weightage, and expert-backed tips so you can prepare like a pro.
RRB NTPC 2025 ✨
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization Name | Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) |
| Exam Name | RRB NTPC (Non-Technical Popular Categories) |
| Vacancies | 11,558 (Graduate & Undergraduate) |
| Selection Stages | CBT 1 → CBT 2 → CBAT/Typing Test → Document Verification |
| Exam Mode | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Negative Marking | Yes (1/3 deduction per wrong answer) |
| Total Questions (CBT 1) | 100 (90 mins) |
| Total Questions (CBT 2) | 120 (90 mins) |
| Official Website | www.rrbcdg.gov.in |
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2025 📝
The exam is conducted in two CBT stages, followed by skill tests (if applicable). Here’s how it breaks down:
1. CBT 1 Exam Pattern (Preliminary Screening)
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 | 90 mins |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 | |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
🔹 Passing Marks: UR/EWS (40%), OBC/SC (30%), ST (25%) .
🔹 Normalization: Scores are adjusted for multi-shift fairness.
2. CBT 2 Exam Pattern (Main Exam)
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 | 90 mins |
| Mathematics | 35 | 35 | |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 35 | 35 | |
| Total | 120 | 120 |
🔹 Higher Difficulty: Questions are tougher than CBT 1.
🔹 Final Merit: Only CBT 2 scores count for final selection.
3. Skill Tests (Post-CBT 2)
- Typing Test (TST):
- English: 30 WPM | Hindi: 25 WPM .
- Required for Clerk/Typist posts.
- Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT):
- Only for Station Master/Traffic Assistant roles.
- Minimum T-Score: 42 (no relaxation) .
RRB NTPC Syllabus 2025 (Subject-Wise Breakdown) 📚
1. Mathematics (30-35 Questions)
| Topic | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Number System | 2-3 Qs |
| Percentage & Profit-Loss | 3-4 Qs |
| Time & Work | 2-3 Qs |
| Geometry & Trigonometry | 2-3 Qs |
| Data Interpretation | 3-4 Qs |
🔹 Pro Tip: Focus on speed math tricks—saving time here boosts overall score.
2. General Intelligence & Reasoning (30-35 Questions)
| Topic | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Coding-Decoding | 3-4 Qs |
| Puzzles & Seating Arrangement | 3 Qs |
| Blood Relations | 1-3 Qs |
| Syllogism | 2 Qs |
🔹 Expert Insight: “Practice visual reasoning—Venn diagrams and puzzles are high-scoring.” —CareerPower .
3. General Awareness (40-50 Questions)
| Topic | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Current Affairs (Last 6 Months) | 4-5 Qs |
| Indian Polity & Constitution | 4 Qs |
| Science (Class 10 Level) | 4 Qs |
| Railways & Govt. Schemes | 2-3 Qs |
🔹 Must-Know: Static GK (e.g., First in India, UNESCO Sites) is a game-changer.
Top 5 Preparation Tips (Backed by Toppers) 🎯
1. Master Time Management ⏳
- CBT 1: Allocate 30 mins for GA, 25 mins for Math, 25 mins for Reasoning.
- Mock Tests: Solve previous papers under timed conditions .
2. Focus on High-Weightage Topics
- Math: Speed Distance, Profit-Loss.
- Reasoning: Puzzles, Coding.
- GA: Current Affairs + Static GK.
3. Avoid Negative Marking
- Skip guesses: If unsure, leave 1-2 tough questions .
4. Use Smart Study Resources
| Book | Author |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude | R.S. Aggarwal |
| Lucent’s GK | Dr. Binay Karna |
| A Modern Approach to Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
5. Stay Consistent & Healthy
- Daily Revision: 2 hours for weak areas.
- Sleep & Diet: Avoid burnout toppers swear by 7-hour sleep!
Real-Life Success Story 🌟
Rahul (AIR 42, 2024) says:
“I focused on 15 mock tests/month and revised current affairs daily. The key? Accuracy over speed I skipped 5-6 unsure questions to avoid negatives.”
Final Words
The RRB NTPC 2025 exam isn’t just hard work it’s smart work. Stick to the syllabus, practice mocks, and keep calm. Your railway job dream is closer than you think.