Introduction – The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has launched the RRB NTPC CBT 1 Exam 2026 for graduate‑level positions under the CEN 06/2025 notification. Lakhs of aspirants will compete from 16 March to 27 March 2026 across numerous test centres in India, aiming to secure a share of the 5,810 vacancies announced for various railway departments. This news‑style brief outlines the exam schedule, shift timings, difficulty analysis, eligibility, fee details and step‑by‑step instructions to apply online, ensuring candidates can act quickly and confidently.
Recruitment/Exam Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Department/Board | Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) |
| Post Name | Graduate‑Level Posts (CEN 06/2025) |
| Exam Name | RRB NTPC CBT 1 (Computer Based Test – Phase 1) |
| Total Vacancy | 5,810 |
| Category | New Recruitment |
| Application Mode | Online |
| State | All India (centres spread nationwide) |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | Details to be updated soon |
| Last Date to Apply | Details to be updated soon |
| Exam Date | 16 Mar 2026 – 27 Mar 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Details to be updated soon |
| Result / Answer Key Date | Details to be updated soon |
Application Fee Details
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | Details to be updated soon |
| SC / ST / PH | Details to be updated soon |
| Payment Mode | Details to be updated soon |
Note: The exact fee structure will be published on the official RRB portal. Candidates should verify the amount before making any payment.
Vacancy & Eligibility Criteria
- Age Limit: Candidates must be between Details to be updated soon years. Age relaxation as per government norms will be applicable.
- Educational Qualification: Must hold a Graduate degree from a recognized university (any discipline) to be eligible for the posts under CEN 06/2025.
| Post Name | Total Posts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate‑Level Posts (Various Departments) | 5,810 | Graduate (any stream) |
Exam Pattern & Section‑Wise Analysis (Based on Candidate Feedback)
The RRB NTPC CBT 1 consists of three equally weighted sections: General Awareness, Mathematics, and General Intelligence & Reasoning. Each section carries 40 marks, for a total of 120 marks. The exam duration is 120 minutes.
Shift Timings (2026)
| Shift | Exam Timing | Reporting Time |
|---|---|---|
| Shift 1 | 09:00 AM – 10:30 AM | 07:30 AM |
| Shift 2 | 12:45 PM – 02:15 PM | 11:15 AM |
| Shift 3 | 04:30 PM – 06:00 PM | 03:00 PM |
Difficulty Level (Overall & Section‑Wise)
| Section | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|
| General Awareness | Moderate |
| Mathematics | Moderate |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | Easy to Moderate |
| Overall | Moderate |
Expected Good Attempts (Based on Feedback)
| Section | Good Attempts |
|---|---|
| General Awareness | 36‑39 |
| Mathematics | 29‑33 |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 35‑38 |
| Overall | 88‑90 |
Topic‑Wise Weightage
General Awareness
| Topic | Approx. Questions |
|---|---|
| Current Affairs | 12‑15 |
| Static GK | 10‑12 |
| History | 4‑5 |
| Geography | 3‑4 |
| Polity | 3‑4 |
| Economy | 2‑3 |
| Science | 4‑5 |
Mathematics
| Topic | Approx. Questions |
|---|---|
| Simplification | 2‑3 |
| Percentage | 2‑3 |
| Profit & Loss | 2‑3 |
| Ratio & Proportion | 2‑3 |
| Average | 1‑2 |
| Time & Work | 2‑3 |
| Time, Speed & Distance | 1‑2 |
| Number System | 3‑4 |
Reasoning
| Topic | Approx. Questions |
|---|---|
| Coding‑Decoding | 2‑3 |
| Analogy | 2‑3 |
| Series | 2‑3 |
| Blood Relation | 1‑2 |
| Direction | 1‑2 |
| Puzzle | 3‑4 |
| Syllogism | 2‑3 |
| Statement & Conclusion | 1‑2 |
Insight: Candidates who aim for the target score of 88‑90 should attempt 36‑39 General Awareness questions, 29‑33 Mathematics questions, and 35‑38 Reasoning questions, focusing on accuracy rather than speed.
How to Apply Online?
Follow these simple steps to submit your application on the official RRB portal:
- Visit the official RRB website: https://www.rrbcdg.gov.in.
- Click on the “Recruitment” or “Latest Notifications” tab on the homepage.
- Locate the link titled “RRB NTPC CBT 1 Exam 2026 – Graduate Posts (CEN 06/2025)” and click it.
- Register with a valid email address and mobile number, then log in using the generated credentials.
- Fill in the personal, academic and employment details as per the application form, upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and mark sheets.
- Pay the application fee (once announced) through the available online payment gateway.
- Review all entered information carefully, then click “Submit”.
- Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.
Tip: Keep a soft copy of your uploaded documents (PDF/JPEG, ≤ 200 KB) ready to avoid upload errors.
Important Links
| Link Name | Direct Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Active Soon |
| Download Notification | Active Soon |
| Official Website | https://www.rrbcdg.gov.in |
| Join WhatsApp Group | Join Now |
| Join Telegram Channel | Join Now |
| Join Current Affairs Quiz | Join Now |
Conclusion
The RRB NTPC CBT 1 Exam 2026 offers a massive opportunity for graduate candidates to join the Indian Railways. With 5,810 vacancies across multiple departments, timely application and thorough preparation—especially in the moderate‑difficulty sections—are crucial. Always verify details on the official RRB website before submitting any information.
Date
16 March 2026 – 27 March 2026
What is the total number of vacancies under RRB NTPC Graduate Recruitment 2026?
The recruitment aims to fill 5,810 graduate‑level posts across various Indian Railways departments.
Which three subjects are tested in the RRB NTPC CBT 1 exam?
The exam evaluates candidates in General Awareness, Mathematics, and General Intelligence & Reasoning, each carrying equal weightage.
How many attempts are considered good for each section to achieve a passing score?
Based on candidate feedback, aim for 36‑39 attempts in General Awareness, 29‑33 in Mathematics, and 35‑38 in Reasoning, totaling 88‑90 good attempts.
When will the RRB release the admit card for the CBT 1 exam?
The exact admit‑card release date is Details to be updated soon. Candidates should monitor the official RRB portal for announcements.
Is there any age relaxation for SC/ST/PWD candidates?
Age relaxation follows government norms; however, the specific age limits are Details to be updated soon. Verify the official notification once released.
