What is the negative marking policy in RRB Railway exams?

Indian Railways RRB exams (NTPC, Group D, ALP, JE) have a negative marking penalty of 1/3rd (0.33 marks) deducted for each incorrect response in Computer Based Tests (CBT).

What are the posts under RRB NTPC (Non-Technical Popular Categories)?

RRB NTPC includes Graduate-level posts (Station Master, Goods Train Manager/Guard, Senior Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Junior Account Assistant) and Undergraduate 12th-level posts (Junior Clerk cum Typist, Accounts Clerk, Trains Clerk, Commercial cum Ticket Clerk).

Is normalisation of marks applicable in Railway recruitment tests?

Yes, since Railway exams are conducted across multiple shifts and days for millions of candidates, RRB uses a standardized Percentile-Based Normalisation formula to ensure fairness across test sessions.

🚆 Railway Recruitment Boards (RRB & RRC)

Railway Exams Guide 2026

Complete examination blueprint for RRB NTPC, Group D (Level-1), ALP, Technicians, Junior Engineer (JE), and RPF Security recruitments.

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Recruitment Board

Ministry of Railways

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Negative Marking

1/3rd (0.33 Marks)

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Score Scaling

Percentile Normalization

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Exam Medium

15 Indian Languages

1. About Railway Recruitment (RRB & RRC)

The 21 Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) and Railway Recruitment Cells (RRCs) across India conduct mega computer-based recruitment drives for technical, non-technical, safety, administrative, and security roles across 17 Railway Zones and Production Units.

2. Key Railway Recruitments

RRB NTPC (Graduate & 12th Level)

Flagship recruitment for Station Master, Goods Train Manager, Traffic Assistant, Commercial Clerk, and Typist roles.

Qualification: 12th Pass or Bachelor's Degree Age Limit: 18 – 33/36 Years Stages: CBT 1 + CBT 2 + CBAT / Typing + DV

RRB Group D (RRC Level-1)

Massive recruitment for Track Maintainer Grade IV, Helper/Assistant in Electrical, Mechanical, Engineering, and Pointsman posts.

Qualification: 10th Pass or ITI from NCVT/SCVT Age Limit: 18 – 33/36 Years Stages: Single-Stage CBT + PET (Physical) + DV

RRB ALP & Technicians

Technical locomotive operation role (Assistant Loco Pilot) and specialized workshop technicians across locomotive divisions.

Qualification: ITI / Diploma / B.Tech (Engineering) Age Limit: 18 – 30/33 Years Stages: CBT 1 + CBT 2 (Part A & B) + CBAT + Medical

RRB JE (Junior Engineer)

Engineering supervisor cadre in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, IT, and Chemical Metallurgy departments.

Qualification: Diploma / Degree in relevant Engineering Age Limit: 18 – 33/36 Years Stages: CBT 1 (General) + CBT 2 (Technical) + DV

RPF SI & Constable

Railway Protection Force security and policing duties protecting railway passengers, installations, and rolling stock.

Qualification: 10th (Constable) / Graduate (SI) Age Limit: 18 – 28 (Constable) / 20 – 28 (SI) Stages: CBT + Physical (PET/PMT) + Document Verification

3. RRB NTPC Exam Pattern

The selection process consists of two online objective stages (CBT 1 and CBT 2):

CBT 1 Pattern (Screening Test)

Section	Subject	No. of Questions	Marks	Total Time
1	General Awareness (Current Affairs, Science, History, Geography)	40	40	90 Minutes (120 min for PwD)
2	Mathematics (Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Stats)	30	30
3	General Intelligence & Reasoning	30	30
Total		100 Questions	100 Marks	Negative: 1/3rd mark per wrong

CBT 2 Pattern (Merit Deciding)

Section	Subject	No. of Questions	Marks	Total Time
1	General Awareness	50	50	90 Minutes (120 min for PwD)
2	Mathematics	35	35
3	General Intelligence & Reasoning	35	35
Total		120 Questions	120 Marks	Negative: 1/3rd mark per wrong

4. Key Syllabus Topics for Railway Tests

General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology - NCERT 10th Level) Indian Railways Facts, Budget & History Basic Arithmetic (Number System, LCM/HCF, Time & Work, Speed & Distance) Analytical & Logical Reasoning (Venn Diagrams, Statements & Assumptions) Static GK (Inventions, Monuments, National Parks, Awards, Sports) Basic Computer Applications (Hardware, Web, Protocols)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the CBAT (Aptitude Test) in RRB NTPC & ALP?

Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) is a specialized psychometric battery test mandatory for Station Master and Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) candidates. It evaluates depth perception, concentration, spatial memory, and perceptual speed without negative marking.

Are English questions mandatory in Railway exams?

Unlike SSC or Banking exams, RRB NTPC, Group D, and ALP examinations do not have a separate English language comprehension section. The test evaluates General Awareness, Mathematics, and General Intelligence.