NTPC means Non-Technical Popular Categories — railway posts such as Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Trains Clerk, Station Master and Goods Train Manager. The Railway Recruitment Boards fill them through computer-based tests.

What subjects come in the NTPC exam?

General Awareness, Mathematics, and General Intelligence and Reasoning. CBT-1 has 100 questions in 90 minutes: about 40 General Awareness, 30 Maths and 30 Reasoning.

Which stream should I take for railway NTPC jobs?

Any stream. The Under Graduate posts ask for Class 12 (or equivalent) with 50% marks, and the Graduate posts ask for a degree in any subject from a recognised university.

Does my Class 10 certificate matter for railway jobs?

Yes. RRB takes your date of birth only from your Class 10 (matriculation) certificate, and a mismatch in the application leads to disqualification.

Can I apply for NTPC while I am in Class 12?

No. You must already have the qualification on the closing date; candidates waiting for final results are not eligible.

What if I score less than 50% in Class 12?

For the UG posts, 50% is not insisted on for SC, ST, PwBD and ex-servicemen, or for candidates with a qualification higher than Class 12. Others need 50%.

How much is the RRB NTPC fee and do I get it back?

₹500 for most candidates, and ₹400 is refunded after you appear in CBT-1. SC, ST, ex-servicemen, PwBD, women, transgender, minority and EBC candidates pay ₹250, refunded after CBT-1.

Is there negative marking in RRB NTPC?

Yes. In both CBT-1 and CBT-2, one-third of a mark is cut for every wrong answer.

Can a college student apply for Station Master?

Not until the degree is complete. The Graduate notice says candidates waiting for final results of the qualification are not eligible to apply.

What is the age limit for NTPC Graduate posts?

18 to 33 years on 1 January 2026 for CEN 06/2025, with the usual category relaxations.

What is CBAT in RRB NTPC?

The Computer Based Aptitude Test, only for Station Master and Traffic Assistant. Eight times the vacancies are called after CBT-2; you need a T-score of 42 in each test battery, with no relaxation for any category.

Is the NTPC typing test counted in merit?

No. The typing test is qualifying — 30 words a minute in English or 25 in Hindi — and merit comes from CBT-2.

How is my railway zone decided?

You choose one RRB and rank its zones in the form. After selection the RRB allots a zone by merit, medical standard and vacancies; once you are empanelled you lose the right to your next preference.

In which languages can I write the NTPC exam?

English, Hindi and 13 regional languages — Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. Questions appear in your language and in English.

Where are RRB results and updates published now?

Since 18 August 2026 the websites of all 21 RRBs are merged into one site, rrb.indianrailways.gov.in; the old regional sites get no new updates.

I work in a government office. Can I apply for NTPC?

Yes, directly, but inform your employer and produce a No Objection Certificate at document verification, or your candidature is cancelled.

Railway Clerk / Station Master: Class 8 to Career Road

00 The job

What the work really is

NTPC — Non-Technical Popular Categories — are the railway jobs that keep stations and trains running without an engineering degree: selling tickets, keeping accounts and records, running a station's train movements (Station Master) and travelling with goods trains (Goods Train Manager). The Railway Recruitment Boards fill them through one national notice. [1] [2]

A normal working day

Ticket clerk: issue tickets and reservations at the counter, handle cash and passenger questions.
Station Master: control train movements at your station and keep the safety records.
Goods Train Manager: travel with goods trains and look after their running and paperwork.
Shift work, including nights, Sundays and festivals — railways run 24 hours.

Pay

Pay
Level	Pay (official)
Commercial cum Ticket Clerk (CEN 07/2025)	Pay Level 3 · ₹21,700 initial pay [1]
Accounts Clerk, Junior Clerk, Trains Clerk (CEN 07/2025)	Pay Level 2 · ₹19,900 initial pay [1]
Goods Train Manager, Senior Clerk, Junior Accounts Assistant (CEN 06/2025)	Pay Level 5 · ₹29,200 initial pay [2]
Station Master, Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor (CEN 06/2025)	Pay Level 6 · ₹35,400 initial pay [2]

These are the initial pay figures printed in the notices; allowances are extra and are not printed there.

Main routes

Under Graduate posts (after Class 12)

CEN 07/2025 had 3,058 posts: Commercial cum Ticket Clerk 2,424, Accounts Clerk cum Typist 394, Junior Clerk cum Typist 163, Trains Clerk 77. Class 12 with 50% in aggregate — not insisted on for SC, ST, PwBD, ex-servicemen or candidates with a higher qualification. [1]

Graduate posts (after any degree)

CEN 06/2025 had 5,810 posts: Goods Train Manager 3,416, Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist 921, Senior Clerk cum Typist 638, Station Master 615, Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor 161, Traffic Assistant 59. [2]

One RRB, many zones

You apply to only one RRB and rank its railway zones. More than one application — to different RRBs or the same one — gets all of them rejected. [1]

Time and cost

Exam fee: ₹500, of which ₹400 comes back after CBT-1 · ₹250 (fully refunded after CBT-1) for SC, ST, ex-servicemen, PwBD, women, transgender, minority and EBC candidates [1]
Age, Under Graduate posts: 18–30 on 1 Jan 2026 · +3 years OBC-NCL, +5 SC / ST [1]
Age, Graduate posts: 18–33 on 1 Jan 2026 [2]
One cycle, start to CBT-2: Graduate notice: applications 21 Oct – 20 Nov 2025 · CBT-2 on 10 Jul 2026 [2] [3]

The rules ask for no degree beyond the post's qualification and no coaching; the only official cost is the exam fee.

Hidden challenges

Both CBTs cut 1/3 mark for every wrong answer, and CBT-1 only shortlists about 15 times the vacancies for CBT-2. [1]
Station Master and Traffic Assistant need medical standard A-2 and a computer-based aptitude test with a T-score of at least 42 in every test battery — no relaxation for any category. [2]
Eyesight decides posts: Trains Clerk needs A-3 (distant vision 6/9, 6/9, glasses no stronger than 2D) and candidates with LASIK are not eligible for A-3 posts. [1]

Who should not choose it

You want a fixed 10-to-5 job — stations and trains run round the clock.
You cannot stay away from home — Goods Train Managers travel with trains.
You dislike cash, crowds and queues — ticket counters are busy all day.

01 Your road, stage by stage

What to do at each stage — and the doubts on the way

You are here Class 8 · Class 9
School Maths, reasoning and general knowledge
- NTPC papers test General Awareness, Mathematics, and General Intelligence and Reasoning. The Maths is school level — percentages, ratio, time and work, profit and loss, mensuration. [1]
- General Science questions are pitched up to Class 10 (CBSE) level, so your school science counts. [1]
Doubt What is RRB NTPC?

NTPC means Non-Technical Popular Categories — railway posts such as Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Trains Clerk, Station Master and Goods Train Manager. The Railway Recruitment Boards fill them through computer-based tests. [1] [2]

Next: See the Routes list above for every post.

Doubt What subjects come in the NTPC exam?

General Awareness, Mathematics, and General Intelligence and Reasoning. CBT-1 has 100 questions in 90 minutes: about 40 General Awareness, 30 Maths and 30 Reasoning. [1]

Next: Keep school Maths and general knowledge strong from now.
You are here Class 10
Any stream — but pass Class 12 well
- Any Class 12 stream works for the Under Graduate posts. The rule is 50% in aggregate (not insisted on for SC, ST, PwBD and ex-servicemen). [1]
- RRB accepts only the date of birth in your Class 10 certificate — a different date in the form leads to disqualification. [1]
Stream / subjects: Any stream — Science, Commerce or Arts.

Common mistakes
- Taking Class 12 lightly — below 50% closes the UG posts for general candidates.
Doubt Which stream should I take for railway NTPC jobs?

Any stream. The Under Graduate posts ask for Class 12 (or equivalent) with 50% marks, and the Graduate posts ask for a degree in any subject from a recognised university. [1] [2]

Next: Pick the stream you can score well in.

Doubt Does my Class 10 certificate matter for railway jobs?

Yes. RRB takes your date of birth only from your Class 10 (matriculation) certificate, and a mismatch in the application leads to disqualification. [1]

Next: Make sure the name and date of birth on your Class 10 marksheet and Aadhaar match.
You are here Class 11 · Class 12
Class 12: the 50% line and your first form
- You must hold the qualification on the closing date — candidates waiting for results cannot apply. [1]
- The lower age limit is 18: for the 2025 UG notice you had to be born on or before 1 January 2008. [1]
Exams that open here
- RRB NTPC Under Graduate CBT-1 (CEN 07/2025) — 7–9 May and 13–20 Jun 2026 [4]
Money help at this stage

RRB exam fee back after CBT-1

Common mistakes
- Applying to two RRBs to improve chances — every application gets rejected.
Doubt Can I apply for NTPC while I am in Class 12?

No. You must already have the qualification on the closing date; candidates waiting for final results are not eligible. [1]

Next: Apply in the first NTPC notice after your Class 12 result.

Doubt What if I score less than 50% in Class 12?

For the UG posts, 50% is not insisted on for SC, ST, PwBD and ex-servicemen, or for candidates with a qualification higher than Class 12. Others need 50%. [1]

Next: Short of 50%? The Graduate posts after a degree remain open.

Doubt How much is the RRB NTPC fee and do I get it back?

₹500 for most candidates, and ₹400 is refunded after you appear in CBT-1. SC, ST, ex-servicemen, PwBD, women, transgender, minority and EBC candidates pay ₹250, refunded after CBT-1. [1]

Next: Give correct bank details so the refund reaches you.

Doubt Is there negative marking in RRB NTPC?

Yes. In both CBT-1 and CBT-2, one-third of a mark is cut for every wrong answer. [1]

Next: Do not guess blindly.
You are here In college
In college: the Graduate posts open up
- Graduate posts (Station Master, Goods Train Manager and others) need a completed degree; candidates waiting for final results are not eligible. [2]
- Typist posts need 30 words a minute in English or 25 in Hindi on a computer, without editing tools or spell-check. [2]
Doubt Can a college student apply for Station Master?

Not until the degree is complete. The Graduate notice says candidates waiting for final results of the qualification are not eligible to apply. [2]

Next: Plan for the first Graduate notice after your final result.

Doubt What is the age limit for NTPC Graduate posts?

18 to 33 years on 1 January 2026 for CEN 06/2025, with the usual category relaxations. [2]

Next: Work out how many notices your age allows.
You are here Graduated
CBT-2, then typing or aptitude test
- CBT-2: 120 questions in 90 minutes (50 General Awareness, 35 Maths, 35 Reasoning), −1/3 per wrong answer; minimum marks 40% UR / EWS, 30% OBC-NCL and SC, 25% ST. [2]
- Station Master / Traffic Assistant merit = 70% CBT-2 + 30% aptitude test (CBAT, English and Hindi only, no negative marking). [2]
- Documents are checked 1:1 with vacancies; if marks tie, the older candidate ranks higher. [2]
Exams that open here
- RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-2 (CEN 06/2025) — 10 Jul 2026 [3]
Money help at this stage

RRB exam fee back after CBT-1

Doubt What is CBAT in RRB NTPC?

The Computer Based Aptitude Test, only for Station Master and Traffic Assistant. Eight times the vacancies are called after CBT-2; you need a T-score of 42 in each test battery, with no relaxation for any category. [2]

Next: Read RDSO's psycho-technical guidelines before the test.

Doubt Is the NTPC typing test counted in merit?

No. The typing test is qualifying — 30 words a minute in English or 25 in Hindi — and merit comes from CBT-2. [2]

Next: Practise typing on a computer without spell-check.

Doubt How is my railway zone decided?

You choose one RRB and rank its zones in the form. After selection the RRB allots a zone by merit, medical standard and vacancies; once you are empanelled you lose the right to your next preference. [2]

Next: Rank zones in the real order you want.

Doubt In which languages can I write the NTPC exam?

English, Hindi and 13 regional languages — Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. Questions appear in your language and in English. [2]

Next: Choose your medium in the online form.

Doubt Where are RRB results and updates published now?

Since 18 August 2026 the websites of all 21 RRBs are merged into one site, rrb.indianrailways.gov.in; the old regional sites get no new updates. [5]

Next: Bookmark your RRB's page on the new site.
You are here Working / switching career
Already working?
- Serving railway Group C / erstwhile Group D staff with 3 years' service can apply up to age 40 (UR / EWS), 43 (OBC-NCL) or 45 (SC / ST). [1]
Doubt I work in a government office. Can I apply for NTPC?

Yes, directly, but inform your employer and produce a No Objection Certificate at document verification, or your candidature is cancelled. [1]

Next: Ask your office for the NOC early.

Your school board

Any board's Class 12 counts. The rule is 50% in aggregate, not insisted on for SC / ST / PwBD / ex-servicemen. [1]

CBSE, CISCE and state-board certificates count the same for every national exam on this page. Notes for particular state boards are under State rules below.

02 Exam anatomy

The exam, stage by stage

RRB NTPC — CBT-1 → CBT-2 → typing / aptitude test · Railway Recruitment Boards

CBT-1: 100 questions · 90 minutes · −1/3 [1]
CBT-2: 120 questions · 90 minutes · −1/3 [1]
2025 notices: 3,058 UG + 5,810 Graduate posts [1] [2]
Minimum marks: 40% UR / EWS · 30% OBC-NCL, SC · 25% ST [1]

RRB NTPC — CBT-1 → CBT-2 → typing / aptitude test stages
Stage	What it is	Rule
CBT-1	Screening: General Awareness, Maths, Reasoning	Normalised marks shortlist about 15× vacancies
CBT-2	Same three subjects, 120 questions	Merit for most posts
Typing test / CBAT	Typist posts / Station Master and Traffic Assistant	Typing qualifying; CBAT T-score 42, 30% of merit
Documents + medical	Original certificates and medical standard (A-2, A-3, B-2, C-2)	1:1 with vacancies

Stage table source [1] [2]

Candidates who use a scribe get 120 minutes for each CBT instead of 90. [1]

Open the full exam guide

03 State rules

Rules for all of India — and your state

One national recruitment: you pick one RRB and rank its railway zones; eligibility, fee and exams are the same in every state. [1]

National route applies. This career follows the same rules in every state and UT.

04 Career multiverse

Where this path can take you next

Loco pilot

Driving trains — the RRB ALP route after ITI or diploma.

Explore →

RRB Group D

Level 1 railway posts after Class 10 / ITI.

Explore →

SSC CGL

Central government Group B and C posts after a degree.

Explore →

Bank PO

Another big recruitment exam for graduates.

Explore →

05 Money help

Scholarships, stipends and fee help

Government schemes, professional-body scholarships and paid training on this path. Pick your class above and schemes you have already passed are hidden.

Scholarship Open to you now From Class 8

National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMSS)

Ministry of Education, through your state

₹1,000 a month, Class 9 to 12 [6]

Who: Class 8 students of government schools who passed Class 7 with 55% (50% SC/ST, as in Nagaland's notice) and clear the state's NMMSS test. Family income limit: see the scheme rules on the National Scholarship Portal.
How: Your state's SCERT announces the test in Class 8; renewals are on scholarships.gov.in.

Scholarship Open to you now From Class 11

Post-Matric Scholarship for SC students

Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, through your state

Compulsory non-refundable fees (tuition included) plus a yearly academic allowance — the college cannot ask you to pay the fee first [7]

Who: SC students after Class 10 (ITI, diploma, degree and CA/CMA/CS courses count), family income up to ₹2.5 lakh. Separate post-matric schemes exist for ST, OBC and minority students on the same portal.
How: Your state scholarship portal or scholarships.gov.in. The printed guidelines cover 2020-21 to 2025-26; check the 2026-27 rules on the portal.

Fee help Open to you now From Class 10

RRB exam fee back after CBT-1

Railway Recruitment Boards

₹400 of ₹500 refunded; the ₹250 fee is refunded in full [8]

Who: Everyone who sits CBT-1. The ₹250 fee applies to SC, ST, ex-servicemen, women, transgender, minority and EBC candidates.
How: Give correct bank details in the RRB form — wrong details mean no refund.

06 Official sources & verification

Where these facts come from

Every number on this page comes from the official files below. Lines with no number are Margdarshan guidance. Rules change every year — open the current notice before you apply.

Railway Recruitment Boards — CEN 07/2025, Non-Technical Popular Categories (Under Graduate), detailed notice (opens in a new tab) dates, 3,058 posts by post, pay levels and initial pay, medical standards A-3 / B-2 / C-2, age 18–30 and relaxations, Class 10 date-of-birth rule, Class 12 50% rule, fee and refund, NOC, CBT-1 and CBT-2 pattern and syllabus, −1/3 marking, minimum marks, 15× shortlisting, typing test, DV 1:1, tie-break, zone allotment · Last checked 26 Oct 2026
Railway Recruitment Boards — CEN 06/2025, Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate), detailed notice (21 Oct 2025) (opens in a new tab) dates, 5,810 posts by post, pay levels and initial pay, medical standards, age 18–33, degree qualification (Annexure A), results-awaited rule, CBT-2 pattern, CBAT for Station Master / Traffic Assistant (T-score 42, 70:30), typing test, DV and empanelment, zone allotment, 15 exam languages · Last checked 26 Oct 2026
Railway Recruitment Boards — Notice: tentative schedule of CBT-II, CEN 06/2025 NTPC (Graduate) (opens in a new tab) CBT-II on 10 Jul 2026, city intimation, Aadhaar-based biometric check · Last checked 26 Oct 2026
Railway Recruitment Boards — Notice: revised tentative schedule of CBT-I, CEN 07/2025 NTPC (Under Graduate) (opens in a new tab) CBT-I on 7–9 May and 13–20 Jun 2026 · Last checked 26 Oct 2026
RRB Secunderabad — Notice for migration to the unified RRB website (18 Aug 2026) (opens in a new tab) all 21 RRB websites merged into rrb.indianrailways.gov.in; no updates on old sites · Last checked 26 Oct 2026
SCERT Nagaland — NMMSS Examination 2027 advertisement (27 Jul 2026) (opens in a new tab) Class 8 eligibility, 55% / 50% Class 7 marks, ₹1,000 a month from Class 9 to 12 (one state's notice of the central scheme) · Last checked 24 Oct 2026
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment — Post Matric Scholarship for SC students, guidelines 2020-21 to 2025-26 (copy hosted by Goa Social Welfare) (opens in a new tab) ₹2.5 lakh income limit, fees + academic allowance, no pre-payment of fees, CA/ICWA/CS students covered · Last checked 24 Oct 2026
Railway Recruitment Boards — CEN 01/2025 (ALP), detailed notice (opens in a new tab) 9,970 posts, RRB Ahmedabad (WR) 497, Level 2 / ₹19,900, age, ITI trades and diploma/degree rule, CBT-1/CBT-2/CBAT pattern, minimum marks, 70:30 merit, fee and refund, languages, A-1 vision tests · Last checked 24 Oct 2026

Spotted something out of date? Email margdarshan07support10@gmail.com with the official link and we will update it.

How to become a Railway Clerk / Station Master — your road, class by class

What the work really is

A normal working day

Pay

Main routes

Under Graduate posts (after Class 12)

Graduate posts (after any degree)

One RRB, many zones

Time and cost

Hidden challenges

Who should not choose it

What to do at each stage — and the doubts on the way

School Maths, reasoning and general knowledge

Doubt What is RRB NTPC?

Doubt What subjects come in the NTPC exam?

Any stream — but pass Class 12 well

Doubt Which stream should I take for railway NTPC jobs?

Doubt Does my Class 10 certificate matter for railway jobs?

Class 12: the 50% line and your first form

Doubt Can I apply for NTPC while I am in Class 12?

Doubt What if I score less than 50% in Class 12?

Doubt How much is the RRB NTPC fee and do I get it back?

Doubt Is there negative marking in RRB NTPC?

In college: the Graduate posts open up

Doubt Can a college student apply for Station Master?

Doubt What is the age limit for NTPC Graduate posts?

CBT-2, then typing or aptitude test

Doubt What is CBAT in RRB NTPC?

Doubt Is the NTPC typing test counted in merit?

Doubt How is my railway zone decided?

Doubt In which languages can I write the NTPC exam?

Doubt Where are RRB results and updates published now?

Already working?

Doubt I work in a government office. Can I apply for NTPC?

Your school board

The exam, stage by stage

Rules for all of India — and your state

Where this path can take you next

Loco pilot

RRB Group D

SSC CGL

Bank PO

Scholarships, stipends and fee help

National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMSS)

Post-Matric Scholarship for SC students

RRB exam fee back after CBT-1

Where these facts come from