RRB NTPC Graduate Level Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2025
1. Selection Process Overview
The selection process for graduate-level posts such as Traffic Apprentice, Goods Guard, Senior Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Senior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Account Assistant cum Typist, and Commercial Apprentice involves four distinct stages:
- First Stage Computer Based Test (CBT-1): Screening nature, common for all posts.
- Second Stage Computer Based Test (CBT-2): Marks determine the final merit ranking.
- Skill Test (CBAT/Typing Test): Mandatory for specific posts (e.g., Station Master, Clerk).
- Document Verification (DV) and Medical Examination: The final stage of scrutiny.
2. First Stage CBT-1 Exam Pattern
CBT-1 is common for all posts and is purely a screening test. The marks obtained will not be counted for the final merit list, but candidates must qualify for the next stage.
| Subject | Number of Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness (GA) | 40 | 40 | 90 Minutes | 1/3rd mark for each wrong answer |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 | ||
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 | ||
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Qualifying Nature: Candidates must secure minimum qualifying marks to proceed to CBT-2 (Unreserved/EWS: 40%, OBC/SC: 30%, ST: 25%). The number of candidates shortlisted for CBT-2 will be 20 times the total number of vacancies.
3. First Stage CBT-1 Detailed Syllabus
A. Mathematics (30 Marks)
- Core Topics: Number System, BODMAS, Decimals, Fractions, LCM, HCF, Ratio and Proportion, Percentage, Mensuration.
- Applied Maths: Time and Work, Time and Distance, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss.
- Advanced Topics: Elementary Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry (basic concepts), Elementary Statistics (Mean, Median, Mode).
B. General Intelligence & Reasoning (30 Marks)
- Analytical Reasoning: Analogies, Similarities and Differences, Syllogism, Decision Making, Statement-Conclusion, Statement-Courses of Action.
- Non-Verbal & Logical: Completion of Number and Alphabetical Series, Coding and Decoding, Relationships (Blood Relations), Jumbling, Venn Diagrams, Puzzle, Data Sufficiency, Maps, Interpretation of Graphs.
C. General Awareness (40 Marks)
- Current Affairs: Events of National and International Importance, Games and Sports.
- Culture & History: Art and Culture of India, Indian Literature, Monuments and Places of India, History of India and Freedom Struggle.
- Science & Environment: General Science and Life Science (up to 10th CBSE standard), Environmental Issues concerning India and World.
- Polity & Economy: Indian Polity and Governance (Constitution and Political System), Indian Economy, General Scientific and Technological Developments (Space, Nuclear Program), UN and Other Important World Organizations, Transport Systems in India, Basics of Computers and Computer Applications.
4. Second Stage CBT-2 Exam Pattern
CBT-2 is the merit-determining examination. The depth and complexity of questions are significantly higher, and the marks obtained here will be the sole basis for shortlisting candidates for the Skill Test/DV stage.
| Subject | Number of Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness (GA) | 50 | 50 | 90 Minutes | 1/3rd mark for each wrong answer |
| Mathematics | 35 | 35 | ||
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 35 | 35 | ||
| Total | 120 | 120 |
Note: Candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks in CBT-2 (same percentages as CBT-1) and will be called for the Skill Test/DV equivalent to 8 times the vacancy count.
5. Second Stage CBT-2 Detailed Syllabus
The syllabus for CBT-2 is an expanded and deeper version of the CBT-1 syllabus, focusing on application and analysis.
A. Mathematics (35 Marks)
- All topics from CBT-1, but with a higher difficulty level.
- Specific focus on Advanced Algebra (polynomials, progressions), Coordinate Geometry (distance formulas, lines), Advanced Trigonometry (identities, heights, and distances), and more complex Data Interpretation problems.
B. General Intelligence & Reasoning (35 Marks)
- All topics from CBT-1, with increased complexity.
- Emphasis on Analytical Reasoning, Classification, Syllogism, Statement-Arguments, Non-Verbal Reasoning, and advanced data-based puzzles.
C. General Awareness (50 Marks)
- In-depth coverage of all CBT-1 GA topics, focusing on conceptual clarity.
- Key areas include:
- Detailed knowledge of the Indian Railways System (History, Structure, Budget, Zones, and recent technological integration).
- Government Schemes and Initiatives (Current & Historical, focusing on their socio-economic impact).
- Banking and Financial Awareness (basic terms, structure of the Indian financial market, regulatory bodies).
- Awards, Honours, Books and Authors, and major international organizations and summits.
6. Skill Tests (Applicable Posts)
A. Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)
- Applicable Posts: Traffic Apprentice (TA) and Station Master (SM).
- Nature: Mandatory psychological test. Candidates must pass all test batteries, securing a minimum 42 T-Score in each.
- Merit Weightage: The final merit is calculated by assigning **70% weightage to CBT-2 marks** and **30% weightage to CBAT marks**.
B. Typing Skill Test (TST)
- Applicable Posts: Senior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Account Assistant cum Typist, and Senior Commercial cum Ticket Clerk.
- Nature: Qualifying in nature. Candidates must be able to type 30 words per minute (WPM) in English or 25 words per minute (WPM) in Hindi on Personal Computers.
- Note: The typing test is conducted for 10 minutes and errors exceeding a specified limit (typically 5%) will lead to disqualification.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many stages are there in the RRB NTPC Graduate selection process?
There are four main stages: CBT-1 (Screening), CBT-2 (Merit determining), Skill Test (CBAT/Typing Test, if applicable), and Document Verification/Medical Examination.
Do CBT-1 marks count towards the final merit list?
No, the marks obtained in CBT-1 are purely for screening purposes. The final merit list is prepared based only on the marks secured in the Second Stage CBT-2 and the CBAT (if applicable).
What is the negative marking scheme?
Both CBT-1 and CBT-2 have a negative marking of 1/3rd mark deduction for every incorrect answer.
Which posts require the Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)?
The CBAT is mandatory for candidates applying for the Station Master (SM) and Traffic Apprentice (TA) posts.
What are the required typing speeds for the Typing Skill Test?
Candidates must achieve a typing speed of 30 WPM in English or 25 WPM in Hindi to qualify for the clerical posts.
How many candidates are shortlisted for CBT-2?
The number of candidates shortlisted for the Second Stage CBT-2 is 20 times the total number of vacancies announced.