A good fit if you...
- Want a stable railway job with free travel passes and housing.
- Have passed Class 12 or graduated and are comfortable with aptitude tests.
- Are open to shift duty (especially Station Master and Goods Train Manager).
Railways · After 12th & Graduation
RRB NTPC — Non-Technical Popular Categories
Railway Recruitment Board – Non-Technical Popular Categories (RRB NTPC) fills non-technical posts in Indian Railways — clerks, ticket clerks, goods train managers, station masters and accounts assistants. It runs as two separate recruitments: one for Class 12 pass candidates and one for graduates.
QualificationClass 12 or graduation
Age Limit18–30 (UG) · 18–33 (Grad)
Pay RangeLevel 2 to Level 6
StagesCBT 1 → CBT 2 → Skill test → DV & Medical
Overview
What is RRB NTPC?
The RRBs publish a Centralised Employment Notice (CEN) for NTPC posts. Candidates apply to one RRB and give post preferences. Allocation is by merit, preference and medical standard.
Undergraduate-level posts (Class 12) include Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Junior Clerk cum Typist and Trains Clerk. Graduate-level posts include Station Master, Goods Train Manager, Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor, Junior Account Assistant cum Typist and Senior Clerk cum Typist.
Station MasterGoods Train ManagerTicket SupervisorCommercial cum Ticket ClerkJunior Clerk cum TypistAccounts Clerk
Fit check
Who should choose RRB NTPC
Think twice if you...
- Do not want shift or night duty in operational posts.
- Cannot meet the medical (vision) standard for operating posts like Station Master.
- Dislike typing (for clerk cum typist posts, the typing test is compulsory).
What gives you an edge
Any stream
Class 12 or graduation in any stream qualifies for NTPC.
Science background
Helps with the general science part of General Awareness.
Typing skills
Needed for clerk cum typist posts — 30 wpm English or 25 wpm Hindi.
Step-by-step plan for your background
Arts / Humanities
If you're from Arts
- General Awareness carries the highest weight — your strength; add Indian Railways and current affairs.
- Revise National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) Science (Class 9–10) carefully — it is new ground for most Arts students.
- Practise arithmetic daily from basics.
Commerce
If you're from Commerce
- Arithmetic is familiar — extend to geometry, mensuration and algebra.
- Revise NCERT Science (Class 9–10) for the general science questions.
- Daily current affairs and static General Knowledge (GK).
Science
If you're from Science
- General science and maths are your edge — keep them sharp with timed practice.
- Spend extra time on General Awareness: history, polity, culture and current affairs.
- Practise reasoning puzzles for speed.
Eligibility
RRB NTPC eligibility criteria
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian citizen (and certain other categories) |
| Undergraduate posts | Class 12 pass with 50% marks (not required for SC/ST/PwBD/ex-servicemen) |
| Graduate posts | Graduation from a recognised university |
| Age — Undergraduate (UG) posts | 18–30 years |
| Age — graduate posts | 18–33 years |
| Medical standard | Post-specific: A-2/A-3 for Station Master and Goods Train Manager; C-2 for clerical posts |
Upper age relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) (non-creamy layer) | 3 years |
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| PwBD (UR / OBC / SC-ST) | 10 / 13 / 15 years |
| Ex-servicemen | As per government rules (military service deducted from age, plus 3 years) |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | No age relaxation |
The Railways has given one-time additional age relaxation in some recent notifications. Always check the CEN for your cycle.
Step-by-step
RRB NTPC selection process
Stage 1
Apply to one RRB
Through the official RRB website; give post preferences.
Stage 2
CBT 1 (screening)
Common for all posts at the same level.
Stage 3
CBT 2
Post-specific shortlisting from Computer-Based Test (CBT) 1 results.
Stage 4
Typing Skill Test / Aptitude Test
Typing for clerk cum typist posts; Computer-Based Aptitude Test for posts that require it (such as Station Master).
Stage 5
Document verification & medical
Final selection subject to medical fitness for the post.
Marks & timing
RRB NTPC exam pattern
Stage 1
CBT 1
Questions100Marks100Duration90 minutes
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 | — |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 | — |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 | — |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 90 minutes |
Stage 2
CBT 2
Questions120Marks120Duration90 minutes
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 | — |
| Mathematics | 35 | 35 | — |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 35 | 35 | — |
| Total | 120 | 120 | 90 minutes |
Key rules at a glance
Negative marking
One-third mark deducted for each wrong answer.
Normalisation
Marks are normalised across shifts.
Typing test
30 wpm English or 25 wpm Hindi on a computer — qualifying.
CBAT
Qualifying T-score in each test; CBAT marks count in merit for the posts that have it.
What to study
RRB NTPC syllabus
Mathematics
Number systemDecimalsFractionsLCM and HCFRatioPercentageMensurationTime and workTime and distanceInterestProfit and lossAlgebraGeometryTrigonometryStatistics
Reasoning
AnalogiesSeriesCoding-decodingPuzzlesSyllogismVenn diagramsData sufficiencyStatement-conclusionDecision making
General Awareness
Current affairs, games and sports, Indian art and culture, literature, monuments, general science (up to Class 10), history, geography, polity, economy, computers, government schemes.
Pay, perks & work
RRB NTPC salary, designation & job profile
Graduate posts (Level 5–6)₹29,200 – ₹35,400 basic
Station Master and Ticket Supervisor on Level 6; Goods Train Manager and accounts posts on Level 5.
UG posts (Level 2–3)₹19,900 – ₹21,700 basic
Commercial cum Ticket Clerk on Level 3; other clerks on Level 2.
PerksFree railway passes, quarters, medical
Plus night duty allowance, DA, House Rent Allowance (HRA) (if no quarter) and pension under applicable rules.
Posts and pay levels
| Post | Level | Starting basic |
|---|---|---|
| Station Master | Graduate · Level 6 | ₹35,400 |
| Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor | Graduate · Level 6 | ₹35,400 |
| Goods Train Manager | Graduate · Level 5 | ₹29,200 |
| Junior Account Assistant cum Typist | Graduate · Level 5 | ₹29,200 |
| Senior Clerk cum Typist | Graduate · Level 5 | ₹29,200 |
| Commercial cum Ticket Clerk | UG · Level 3 | ₹21,700 |
| Accounts Clerk cum Typist | UG · Level 2 | ₹19,900 |
| Junior Clerk cum Typist | UG · Level 2 | ₹19,900 |
| Trains Clerk | UG · Level 2 | ₹19,900 |
Job role & responsibilities
Station Master
Control train movement at a station and ensure safety.
Goods Train Manager
In charge of a goods train on its journey (formerly Guard).
Ticket & commercial staff
Reservations, ticketing and passenger services.
Clerical & accounts
Office work, typing, accounts and records.
Career ladder
1Entry
Entry post
Level 2–6 depending on the post.
2Step 2
Senior grades
Through departmental promotion and seniority.
3Step 3
Supervisory posts
e.g. Station Superintendent, Chief Commercial Inspector.
4Step 4
Group B officer
Through Limited Departmental Competitive Exams.
Preparation strategy
How to prepare for RRB NTPC
A practical, phase-by-phase plan. Adjust the timeline to when the next notification is expected.
1Weeks 1–2
Understand the CEN
- Read the Centralised Employment Notice — posts, medical standards and eligibility.
- Pick post preferences you are medically fit for.
2Months 1–3
Build concepts
- NCERT Science Class 9–10, arithmetic and reasoning basics.
- Static GK and a daily current-affairs habit.
3Months 3–4
Previous papers
- Solve RRB previous papers shift-wise.
- Sectional tests on General Awareness and Maths.
4Final 6 weeks
Mocks and skill tests
- Full CBT mocks with one-third negative marking in mind.
- Typing practice or aptitude-test practice for posts that need it.
RRB NTPC-specific tips
Focus on General Awareness
It carries the most marks in both CBTs.
Revise Class 10 science
General science questions come from school-level topics.
Practise typing
If you want clerk cum typist posts.
Solve RRB previous papers
Question styles repeat across cycles.
Trusted resources
Where to study from
- The CEN on your regional RRB website (apply only via official RRB sites)
- NCERT Science and Maths (Class 6–10)
- RRB previous-year papers (shift-wise)
- PIB (pib.gov.in) for current affairs and railway news
- Online mock tests with normalisation-style scoring
Keep exploring
Related government exams
Student doubts
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Undergraduate posts accept Class 12 in any stream (50% for general category), and graduate posts accept any degree.
No. You can apply in every cycle within the age limit.
No. Many candidates clear NTPC with self-study, previous papers and mock tests.
No. You can apply to only one RRB per notification.
Station Master requires a higher medical standard (A-2/A-3). Check the vision rules for each standard before choosing preferences.
No physical test. Medical standards apply: A-2/A-3 for Station Master and Goods Train Manager, C-2 for clerical posts.
Stations and offices within the zone/division of the RRB you applied to.
Departmental promotions to senior and supervisory grades; Group B officer posts through Limited Departmental Competitive Exams.
*Eligibility, age limits, exam pattern and pay figures are based on recent official notifications and the 7th Central Pay Commission structure as of 2026. In-hand salary estimates are indicative and vary with city (HRA) and the current Dearness Allowance rate. Every recruitment cycle can change the details — always confirm in the latest official notification before applying.
Official source: Indian Railways (indianrailways.gov.in) — apply only via your regional RRB website