RRB NTPC Exam Date 2026: The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially released the RRB NTPC Exam Date 2026 for Graduate Level posts under CEN 06/2025. As per the official notice, the RRB NTPC CBT 1 Exam will be conducted from 16th March to 27th March 2026 in online mode across multiple exam centres in India.
This recruitment drive aims to fill 5,810 Graduate-Level vacancies under Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC) in Indian Railways. Candidates who successfully completed the application process can now prepare according to the confirmed CBT 1 schedule.
RRB NTPC Exam Date 2026 (CEN 06/2025)
Students
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Body | Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) |
| Exam Name | RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT 1 |
| Advertisement Number | CEN 06/2025 |
| Total Graduate Vacancies | 5,810 |
| RRB NTPC Exam Date 2026 | 16th March to 27th March 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Number of Shifts | 3 Shifts Daily |
| City Intimation Slip | From 6th March 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | 4 days before exam shift |
| Official Website | rrbcdg.gov.in (regional websites) |
RRB NTPC CBT 1 Exam Schedule 2026 (Graduate Level)
The RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT 1 Exam 2026 under CEN 06/2025 will be conducted in a multi-day, multi-shift format to accommodate lakhs of candidates across India. As per the official announcement by the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB), the Computer-Based Test (CBT 1) is scheduled from 16th March to 27th March 2026.
The exam will not be conducted on all consecutive days; instead, it will be held on selected dates during this window.
| Shift | Exam Time |
|---|---|
| Shift 1 | 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM |
| Shift 2 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM |
| Shift 3 | 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM |
RRB NTPC Exam Date Notification 2026 PDF
The RRB NTPC Exam Date Notification 2026 PDF is the official document released by the Railway Recruitment Board outlining the complete details of the NTPC recruitment process. This year, a total of 8,868 vacancies have been announced, including 5,810 graduate-level posts (CEN 06/2025) and 3,058 undergraduate-level posts (CEN 07/2025) across various railway zones.
RRB NTPC City Intimation Slip 2026 (Graduate Level – CEN 06/2025)
The RRB NTPC City Intimation Slip 2026 for Graduate Level posts will be released prior to the CBT 1 examination to help candidates plan their travel in advance. As per the official update, the city intimation link is expected to be activated from 6th March 2026, i.e., around 10 days before the commencement of the exam.
It is important to understand that the RRB NTPC City Intimation Slip is NOT the admit card. It only informs candidates about:
- Allotted exam city
- Exam date
- Shift timing (tentative)
- Travel authority details (for eligible SC/ST candidates)
RRB NTPC Admit Card 2026 Release Date
The RRB NTPC Graduate Admit Card 2026 will be released 4 days before the candidate’s exam date.
To download the admit card:
Step 1: Visit your regional RRB website.
Step 2: Click on the CBT 1 Admit Card link.
Step 3: Enter Registration Number and Date of Birth.
Step 4: Download and print the e-call letter.
RRB NTPC Admit Card 2026 (Graduate Level)
The RRB NTPC Admit Card 2026 will be released 4 days before the candidate’s respective exam date.
- Admit Card Availability: From 12th March 2026 onwards (shift-wise release)
- Login Credentials Required: Registration Number & Date of Birth
- Download Mode: Online only via regional RRB websites
RRB NTPC CBT 1 Exam Pattern 2026 (Graduate Level – CEN 06/2025)
The RRB NTPC CBT 1 Exam Pattern 2026 is designed as a screening test for all Graduate Level posts under CEN 06/2025. This stage is common for candidates applying for posts like Station Master, Goods Train Manager, Senior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Account Assistant, and other NTPC graduate positions.
Although CBT 1 is qualifying in nature, it plays a crucial role because only candidates who clear the cut-off will move to CBT 2. Therefore, understanding the exam structure, marking scheme, and time management strategy is extremely important.
Key Highlights of RRB NTPC CBT 1 2026
- The exam will be conducted in online mode (Computer-Based Test).
- A total of 100 objective-type questions will be asked.
- The total duration of the exam is 90 minutes.
- There is negative marking of 1/3rd mark for each wrong answer.
- The exam will be conducted in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, and regional languages.
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 | |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 | |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 90 Minutes |
RRB NTPC Selection Process 2026 (Graduate Level – CEN 06/2025)
The RRB NTPC Selection Process 2026 for Graduate Level posts under CEN 06/2025 consists of multiple stages. Candidates must qualify each stage to move forward in the recruitment cycle. The final appointment in Indian Railways is based on merit, post preference, document verification, and medical fitness.
Below is a stage-wise explanation of the RRB NTPC recruitment process:
CBT 1 (Computer-Based Test – Stage 1)
CBT 1 is the screening stage conducted for all graduate-level posts. It consists of 100 objective-type questions from General Awareness, Mathematics, and Reasoning. The marks obtained in CBT 1 are used to shortlist candidates for CBT 2, and around 15 times the vacancies are typically selected for the next stage.
CBT 2 (Computer-Based Test – Stage 2)
CBT 2 is the main examination and is more advanced in difficulty compared to CBT 1. The exam pattern is similar but includes 120 questions for 120 marks. Marks obtained in CBT 2 play a crucial role in the final merit list, making it the most important written stage in the selection process.
Typing Skill Test (TST) / Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)
This stage is post-specific. Candidates applying for posts like Senior Clerk cum Typist and Junior Account Assistant must qualify the Typing Skill Test. For posts like Station Master and Traffic Assistant, candidates must clear the Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT), which assesses decision-making and concentration abilities.
Document Verification (DV)
Candidates who qualify the written and skill/aptitude tests are called for Document Verification. All original documents related to educational qualification, category, age, and identity are verified. Failure to produce valid documents may lead to cancellation of candidature.
Medical Examination
The final stage is the Railway Medical Fitness Test, conducted as per the medical standards prescribed for each post. Candidates must meet the required visual and physical fitness standards. Only medically fit candidates are considered for final appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the RRB NTPC Selection Process 2026 for Graduate Level posts?
The RRB NTPC Selection Process 2026 for Graduate Level posts under CEN 06/2025 includes CBT 1, CBT 2, Typing Skill Test or CBAT (post-wise), Document Verification, and Medical Examination. Candidates must qualify each stage to be considered for final appointment in Indian Railways.
Q2. Is CBT 1 qualifying in RRB NTPC 2026?
Yes, RRB NTPC CBT 1 2026 is a screening test. Its marks are used to shortlist candidates for CBT 2, but the final merit list is mainly based on CBT 2 performance and post-specific tests like CBAT or Typing Skill Test.
Q3. Is there negative marking in RRB NTPC CBT 1 and CBT 2?
Yes, there is negative marking in RRB NTPC 2026. One-third (1/3rd) of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for each incorrect answer in both CBT 1 and CBT 2 exams.
Q4. Is Typing Skill Test compulsory in RRB NTPC Graduate recruitment?
The Typing Skill Test (TST) is compulsory only for specific posts such as Senior Clerk cum Typist and Junior Account Assistant cum Typist. Candidates applying for Station Master and Traffic Assistant must clear the Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) instead.
Q5. What happens after clearing CBT 2 in RRB NTPC 2026?
After qualifying RRB NTPC CBT 2, candidates are called for post-specific tests (if applicable), followed by Document Verification and Medical Examination. Final selection is based on merit, category, and post preference submitted during application.