RRB NTPC CBT-1 Expected Cut-off 2026

The RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT-1 exam (CEN 06/2025) was held from March 16 to 27, 2026. The official cut-off will be released by RRB along with the result. Until then, this article gives you a detailed expected cut-off analysis based on official previous year data and key factors — so you know exactly where you stand.

You’ve given the RRB NTPC CBT-1 exam. Or maybe you’re preparing for the next NTPC cycle. Either way, one question is burning in your mind right now:

“How many marks do I need to clear the cut-off?”

Totally valid question. And we’re going to answer it, properly, with real data, zone-wise analysis, and a clear picture of what the expected cut-off for RRB NTPC CBT-1 2026 looks like.

But first, one important thing you must understand:

⚠️ Important Note: The official RRB NTPC CBT-1 Cut-off for CEN 06/2025 (Graduate Level exam held March 16–27, 2026) has NOT been released yet. RRB releases the official cut-off along with the result, which is expected in the coming weeks. The figures in this article are expected/estimated cut-offs based on official previous year data and current vacancy trends. Always verify the official cut-off from your regional RRB website once released.

What is RRB NTPC CBT-1? A Quick Recap

RRB NTPC CBT-1 (First Stage Computer Based Test) is the first step in the selection process for Railway Non-Technical Popular Categories posts. For the current cycle:

• Notification: CEN 06/2025 (Graduate Level) released on October 20, 2025
• Total vacancies (Graduate Level): 5,810 posts
• CBT-1 exam dates: March 16 to 27, 2026 (multiple shifts)
• Total marks: 100 (100 questions, 90 minutes)
• Negative marking: 1/3rd mark deducted per wrong answer
• Subjects: Mathematics (30), General Intelligence & Reasoning (30), General Awareness (40)

CBT-1 is a screening test. Its marks are not counted in the final merit list — only candidates who clear the CBT-1 cut-off are shortlisted for CBT-2. So the goal here is simple: score above the cut-off to move forward.

Since the exam is held across multiple shifts and days, RRB applies normalisation to ensure fair scoring across all shifts. The final cut-off is based on normalised scores, not raw marks.

Official Minimum Qualifying Marks for RRB NTPC CBT-1

Before we get to the expected cut-off, let’s be clear about one thing: there are two separate thresholds in RRB NTPC CBT-1.

1. Minimum Qualifying Marks — the absolute floor set by RRB. You must score at least this much to even be considered.
2. Cut-off Marks — the actual minimum score required to be shortlisted for CBT-2, determined after the exam based on vacancies, number of applicants, and difficulty level.

As per the official RRB NTPC notification (CEN 06/2025), the minimum qualifying marks for CBT-1 are:

Category	Minimum Qualifying Marks (out of 100)
UR (General) / EWS	40% (40 marks)
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) / SC	30% (30 marks)
ST	25% (25 marks)

⚠️ These are just the minimum qualifying marks. The actual cut-off is always higher than these figures because competition is intense and vacancies are limited. Scoring exactly 40 as a UR candidate will almost certainly not be enough to make the shortlist. This is why understanding the expected cut-off is so important.

Previous Year Official Cut-Off Data — The Basis for Our Expected Cut-Off

The most reliable way to estimate the 2026 expected cut-off is to study the official cut-offs from previous cycles. Here is what the official data tells us.

RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT-1 Cut-Off 2024 (CEN 05/2024)

The CBT-1 for Graduate Level was held from June 5 to 24, 2025. The official cut-off was released by RRB on September 19, 2025 along with the result. Key highlights from the official data:

• UR category cut-offs ranged from approximately 78 to 87 marks across different zones
• Zones like Chandigarh (84.16) and Guwahati (83.13) showed the highest Graduate CBT-1 cut-offs
• Zones like Malda and Bilaspur consistently showed lower cut-offs
• OBC/EWS cut-offs were typically 5–8 marks below UR cut-offs
• SC cut-offs were approximately 20–22 marks below UR; ST cut-offs were 24–27 marks below UR

RRB NTPC Undergraduate Level CBT-1 Cut-Off 2024 (CEN 06/2024)

The UG CBT-1 was held from August 7 to September 9, 2025. Official cut-off was released on November 21, 2025. Key highlights:

• UR category cut-offs ranged from approximately 75 to 85 marks across zones
• Highest zones: Patna (84.18), Kolkata (84.07), and Thiruvananthapuram (83.95)
• Lowest cut-off zone: Malda — consistently the easiest zone
• Graduate level cut-offs are typically 4–5 marks higher than UG level due to greater competition

Historical Trend (2016–2025)

Looking at official cut-off data across multiple cycles, the trend is clear: UR category cut-offs for Graduate CBT-1 have gradually increased over the years — from the 61–65 range in 2016 to the 78–87 range in the 2024 cycle. This upward trend reflects increasing competition year over year.

RRB NTPC CBT-1 2026 Expected Cut-Off (Graduate Level — CEN 06/2025)

Based on the official previous year data, vacancy count for 2026, and the fact that the exam was held in multiple shifts with normalisation — here is our expected cut-off range for the Graduate Level CBT-1 2026:

Category	Expected Cut-Off Range (out of 100)
UR (General)	75 – 87 marks
EWS	70 – 82 marks
OBC (NCL)	65 – 78 marks
SC	55 – 67 marks
ST	48 – 62 marks

Note: These are expected ranges based on previous official data. Actual cut-offs will be released by RRB on regional websites along with the result. Ranges vary by zone — high-competition zones will be at the upper end; zones like Malda will be at the lower end.

Safe Score Targets (Zone-Wise)

Since cut-offs vary by zone, here’s a practical guide on what score to aim for to stay comfortably above the cut-off:

Zone Type	Safe Score — UR	Safe Score — OBC	Safe Score — SC
High-competition zones (Chandigarh, Patna, Kolkata, Guwahati)	85+	75+	65+
Medium-competition zones (Allahabad, Bhopal, Mumbai, Secunderabad)	80+	70+	60+
Lower-competition zones (Malda, Bilaspur, Siliguri)	75+	63+	53+

Pro tip: Always target at least 10–15 marks above the expected cut-off for your category. Based on analysis of previous years, candidates who scored 15+ marks above the cut-off had a significantly higher chance of clearing comfortably — factoring in normalisation adjustments.

Key Factors That Will Decide the 2026 Cut-Off

Cut-offs don’t appear out of thin air. Here are the exact factors that RRB considers — and why they matter for 2026:

1. Total Vacancies: 5,810 (Graduate Level)

The 2026 cycle has 5,810 Graduate Level vacancies compared to 8,113 in the previous year’s Graduate cycle. Fewer vacancies generally push the cut-off upward because more candidates are competing for fewer seats. This is one reason why the 2026 cut-off is expected to be at the higher end of the range.

2. Number of Applicants

RRB NTPC consistently attracts crores of applicants. With the 2026 Graduate notification drawing massive interest, competition is expected to be intense — particularly for popular posts like Goods Train Manager (3,423 vacancies) and Station Master.

3. Difficulty Level of the Exam

The CBT-1 2026 Graduate exam was held across multiple shifts from March 16 to 27. Candidates who appeared generally reported moderate difficulty. Since normalisation is applied, individual shift difficulty is factored in when final scores are calculated.

4. Normalisation of Scores

Because the exam is conducted in multiple shifts, RRB uses the equi-percentile normalisation method to equalise scores across shifts. This means your final score may differ slightly from your raw score. The cut-off is always applied on normalised scores — not raw marks.

5. Zone-Wise Variation

India has 21 RRB zones, and each zone releases its own cut-off. Zones with higher candidate density and more applicants per vacancy tend to have higher cut-offs. Always compare your score with the cut-off of the specific zone you applied to — not a national average.

How to Check the Official RRB NTPC CBT-1 Cut-Off 2026 — Step by Step

Once RRB releases the official cut-off (expected along with the CBT-1 result on regional websites), here is how to check it:

1. Visit the official website of the RRB zone you applied to (e.g., rrbcdg.gov.in for Chandigarh, rrbmumbai.gov.in for Mumbai, etc.)
2. Look for the link titled “CEN 06/2025 – NTPC Graduate CBT-1 Result & Cut Off” in the Latest News / Notifications section
3. Click the link — a PDF will open with zone-wise and category-wise cut-off marks
4. Download and save the PDF for reference
5. Also download your individual scorecard by logging in with your Registration Number and Date of Birth at rrb.digialm.com
6. Compare your normalised score with the cut-off marks for your category

Candidates scoring equal to or above the cut-off will be shortlisted for CBT-2. The number of candidates shortlisted is typically 20 times the number of vacancies for each post/category.

What Happens After CBT-1?

Clearing CBT-1 is just the beginning. Here’s the full selection process so you know what’s coming:

• CBT-2: 120 questions, 90 minutes. Sections: General Awareness (50), Mathematics (35), General Intelligence & Reasoning (35). This is where the real competition is — CBT-2 marks count in the final merit list.
• CBAT (Computer-Based Aptitude Test): For Station Master and Traffic Assistant posts only. Qualifying in nature — minimum T-score of 42 required.
• Typing Skill Test (TST): For posts like Junior Clerk cum Typist. Qualifying — 30 WPM in English or 25 WPM in Hindi.
• Document Verification
• Medical Examination

The final merit list is based on CBT-2 marks (70% weightage) + CBAT marks where applicable (30% weightage).

Still Preparing? Here’s How to Use This Cut-Off Analysis

Whether you’re checking your 2026 exam performance or preparing for the next NTPC cycle, this data is your roadmap:

• If you’ve already appeared for CBT-1 2026 — match your estimated score against the expected range for your zone and category. If you’re comfortably above it, start preparing for CBT-2 now. Don’t wait for the result.
• If you’re preparing for the next cycle — target scores in the 80+ range for UR, 70+ for OBC as a general safe benchmark. Scoring above expected cut-offs gives you a buffer for normalisation.
• Identify which zones historically have lower cut-offs — if you have flexibility, applying to lower-competition zones is a strategic choice.

And here’s the most important thing: the time between CBT-1 result and CBT-2 is short. Students who start preparing for CBT-2 immediately after their CBT-1 exam — without waiting for the result — are the ones who clear with confidence.

Prepare Smarter with PracticeMock

If you’re serious about RRB NTPC, you need more than just notes and YouTube videos. You need to know how you perform under actual exam conditions — timed, pressured, and with the exact pattern that RRB uses.

That’s exactly what PracticeMock gives you:

• ✅ RRB NTPC CBT-1 and CBT-2 mock tests — exam-pattern, time-bound, with negative marking
• ✅ Detailed score analysis — see how your score compares with thousands of other NTPC aspirants and know if you’re above or below the expected cut-off range
• ✅ Topic-wise practice — struggling with Maths or General Awareness? Drill down with targeted practice sets
• ✅ Previous Year Papers with detailed solutions — the best way to understand RRB’s question patterns
• ✅ Current Affairs capsules — daily and monthly GK updates for the General Awareness section

Whether you’re preparing for CBT-2 now or building your base for the next cycle, PracticeMock has you covered.

🚂 Start your free mock test today at PracticeMock.com — take a full RRB NTPC CBT-1 or CBT-2 mock, get your score, see where you stand, and build your strategy from there.

A Quick Word for You

If you’ve given the CBT-1 exam and you’re nervously waiting for the result right now — first of all, take a breath. You’ve already done the hard part of showing up and giving it your best.

Now use this waiting period wisely. Don’t just sit around refreshing the RRB website. Start your CBT-2 preparation. Brush up on General Awareness. Practice Maths and Reasoning daily. Because when the result comes out and you see your name in the shortlist, you want to be ready to go — not scrambling to start from scratch.

The railway is calling. And hard work always finds its reward. 

Q1. When will the official RRB NTPC CBT-1 cut-off 2026 be released?

The official cut-off for CEN 06/2025 Graduate Level CBT-1 (exam held March 16–27, 2026) will be released by RRB along with the CBT-1 result on the respective regional RRB websites. No official date has been announced yet — check your regional RRB website regularly for updates.

Q2. Is the CBT-1 cut-off the same across all RRB zones?

No. Each of the 21 RRB zones releases its own cut-off separately. Cut-offs vary based on the number of candidates in each zone, vacancies, and the difficulty of the paper for that region. Always check the cut-off for the specific zone you applied to.

Q3. Are CBT-1 marks counted in the final selection?

No. CBT-1 is purely a screening test. Marks scored in CBT-1 are not included in the final merit list. The final merit is based on CBT-2 marks (and CBAT marks where applicable).

Q4. What is the normalisation process in RRB NTPC?

Since CBT-1 is held across multiple shifts with potentially different difficulty levels, RRB uses the equi-percentile normalisation method to make scores comparable across all shifts. Your normalised score may differ slightly from your raw score.

Q5. How many candidates are shortlisted for CBT-2 from CBT-1?

RRB typically shortlists 20 times the number of vacancies in each category/post for CBT-2. For example, if there are 100 UR vacancies for a particular post, up to 2,000 UR candidates from the zone may be shortlisted for CBT-2.

Q6. Where can I find the official RRB NTPC CBT-1 Cut-off PDF?

Once released, the official cut-off PDF will be available on the regional RRB websites (e.g., rrbcdg.gov.in, rrbmumbai.gov.in, rrbchennai.gov.in, etc.) and also at the centralised portal rrb.digialm.com. Always download from official sources only.

All the best! Whether you cleared CBT-1 or are gearing up for the next attempt — the railway journey continues. Keep going! 

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Bookmark this page — we’ll update the expected cut-off ranges as more exam feedback becomes available and publish the official cut-off data as soon as RRB releases it.