If you are preparing for the upcoming RRB NTPC 2026 Exam, the first and most crucial step is to understand what exactly you need to study. Reading blindly from heavy books won’t help unless you know the exact syllabus and exam pattern. The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has announced 8,868 vacancies (for both Graduate and Undergraduate levels). The best part about this exam is that the syllabus for both CBT 1 and CBT 2 is exactly the same! The only difference is the number of questions and the difficulty level. In this article, we have broken down the complete RRB NTPC Syllabus 2026, the updated exam pattern, and provided a free PDF download link to make your preparation super easy.
| Organization | Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) |
| Exam Name | RRB NTPC 2026 (Graduate & Undergraduate) |
| Total Vacancies | 8,868 |
| Stages of Exam | CBT 1, CBT 2, Skill Test (CBAT/Typing), DV, Medical |
| Exam Subjects | Mathematics, Reasoning, General Awareness |
| Negative Marking | 1/3rd mark for every incorrect answer |
| CBT 1 Exam Date | 16th to 27th March 2026 (Graduate Level) |
| Official Website | indianrailways.gov.in |
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026
The RRB NTPC written examination is conducted in two main stages: CBT 1 (Computer Based Test 1) and CBT 2.
- CBT 1 is just a qualifying paper (screening test). Its marks are not added to your final merit.
- CBT 2 is the real deal. The marks you score here will decide your final selection and rank.
RRB NTPC CBT 1 Exam Pattern
You will get exactly 90 minutes to solve the CBT 1 paper. Time management is the key here.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 | 90 Minutes |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 | 90 Minutes |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 | 90 Minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 90 Minutes |
RRB NTPC CBT 2 Exam Pattern
If you clear CBT 1, you will sit for CBT 2. The time remains the same (90 minutes), but the number of questions increases to 120, making it a high-speed test.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 | 90 Minutes |
| Mathematics | 35 | 35 | 90 Minutes |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 35 | 35 | 90 Minutes |
| Total | 120 | 120 | 90 Minutes |
(Note: There is a strict negative marking of 1/3rd mark for every wrong answer in both CBT 1 and CBT 2. Do not guess blindly!)
RRB NTPC Syllabus 2026 (Subject-Wise)
As mentioned earlier, the topics remain the same for both stages. However, if you are applying for Graduate-level posts (like Station Master), expect the questions to be trickier than the Undergraduate-level posts (like Junior Clerk).
Here is the detailed, topic-wise syllabus you need to cover:
1. Mathematics Syllabus
The math section is mostly based on 10th-level arithmetic and basic advanced math. Your calculation speed matters a lot here.
- Number System
- Decimals & Fractions
- LCM and HCF
- Ratio and Proportions
- Percentage
- Mensuration (2D & 3D)
- Time and Work
- Time and Distance
- Simple and Compound Interest (SI & CI)
- Profit and Loss
- Elementary Algebra
- Geometry and Trigonometry
- Elementary Statistics
2. General Intelligence & Reasoning Syllabus
This is the most scoring section. With a little practice, you can easily score full marks here.
- Analogies
- Alphabetical and Number Series
- Coding and Decoding
- Mathematical Operations
- Similarities and Differences
- Blood Relationships
- Analytical Reasoning
- Syllogism
- Jumbling & Venn Diagrams
- Puzzles & Data Sufficiency
- Statement – Conclusion / Courses of Action
- Decision Making
- Maps & Interpretation of Graphs
3. General Awareness Syllabus
General Awareness holds the maximum weightage (40 marks in CBT 1 and 50 in CBT 2). You cannot ignore this section!
- Current Affairs: National and International events, Sports, Awards.
- General Science: Physics, Chemistry, and Life Sciences (strictly up to 10th CBSE level).
- History: History of India and the Indian Freedom Struggle.
- Geography: Physical, Social, and Economic Geography of India and the World.
- Polity: Indian Constitution, Political System, and Governance.
- Static GK: Art and Culture, Monuments and Places, Important Organizations (UN), Famous Personalities, Flora and Fauna of India.
- Miscellaneous: Basics of Computers, Environmental Issues, Indian Economy, Transport Systems in India, Flagship Government Programs, Space and Nuclear Programs.
RRB NTPC Syllabus 2026 PDF Download
Instead of noting down these topics on paper, you can simply download the official syllabus PDF. Print it out, stick it near your study table, and tick off the topics as you complete them.
Download RRB NTPC Syllabus 2026 PDF
Join our exclusive Telegram group for expert guidance, personalized tips, and real-time solutions to boost your SSC exam prep. [Click here to join now!]
FAQs: RRB NTPC Syllabus
No, the topics for both CBT 1 and CBT 2 are exactly the same. However, CBT 2 has more questions (120 instead of 100) and the difficulty level is slightly higher.
Yes, there is a negative marking of 1/3rd (0.33) marks for every incorrect answer in both CBT 1 and CBT 2 exams.
The core subjects and chapters are the same. But the questions asked in the Graduate level exam (CEN 06/2025) will be tougher compared to the Undergraduate level exam (CEN 07/2025).
General Awareness carries the highest weightage. It has 40 questions in CBT 1 and 50 questions in CBT 2.
The Mathematics and General Science questions are strictly based on the 10th standard (CBSE board) level. Basic conceptual clarity is enough to score well.
- Sign Up on Practicemock for Updated Current Affairs, Topic Tests and Mini Mocks
- Sign Up Here to Download Free Study Material
Free Mock Tests for the Upcoming Exams
- IBPS PO Free Mock Test
- RBI Grade B Free Mock Test
- IBPS SO Free Mock Test
- NABARD Grade A Free Mock Test
- SSC CGL Free Mock Test
- IBPS Clerk Free Mock Test
- IBPS RRB PO Free Mock Test
- IBPS RRB Clerk Free Mock Test
- RRB NTPC Free Mock Test
- SSC MTS Free Mock Test
- SSC Stenographer Free Mock Test
- GATE Mechanical Free Mock Test
- GATE Civil Free Mock Test
- RRB ALP Free Mock Test
- SSC CPO Free Mock Test
- AFCAT Free Mock Test
- SEBI Grade A Free Mock Test
- IFSCA Grade A Free Mock Test
- RRB JE Free Mock Test
- Free Banking Live Test
- Free SSC Live Test