Indian Railways is one of the largest employers in the world. Its Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) and Railway Recruitment Cells (RRCs) hire for technical and non-technical posts — from station masters, clerks and goods guards to loco pilots, junior engineers and track maintainers.

Railway exams are known for heavy General Awareness and General Science weightage and a negative marking of one-third. Applications are made to one RRB region, and selection, posting and cut-offs are region-wise.

Conducted byRRBs & RRCs (regional)

ModeComputer-based test (CBT)

Negative marking1/3 mark per wrong answer

Eligibility10th / ITI / 12th / graduation / diploma

How it works

How Railways selection works, step by step

Centralised notification

One common notice (CEN) is released for all RRBs, listing region-wise vacancies.

Apply to one RRB

You choose a single RRB region and give your post preferences. Applying to more than one RRB leads to rejection.

CBT 1

A screening test common to all posts in that notification. Normalised marks decide who moves to CBT 2.

CBT 2 / skill tests

A tougher, post-specific CBT, followed by a typing test (clerical posts), aptitude test (ALP, station master) or physical efficiency test (Group D).

Documents & medical

Document verification and a medical examination to the standard required for your post.

Exam pattern

Exam pattern: sections, questions, marks & time

RRB NTPC

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Non-Technical Popular Categories — graduate posts (station master, goods guard, senior clerk) and undergraduate posts (clerk-cum-typist, ticket clerk).

CBT 1

General Awareness 40% Mathematics 30% General Intelligence & Reasoning 30%

Section	Questions	Marks
General Awareness	40	40
Mathematics	30	30
General Intelligence & Reasoning	30	30
Total · 90 min	100	100

−1/3 mark for each wrong answer.

CBT 2

General Awareness 42% Mathematics 29% General Intelligence & Reasoning 29%

Section	Questions	Marks
General Awareness	50	50
Mathematics	35	35
General Intelligence & Reasoning	35	35
Total · 90 min	120	120

Followed by a typing skill test or computer-based aptitude test, depending on the post.

RRB Group D

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Level 1 posts such as track maintainer, assistant pointsman and helper in various departments — the largest railway recruitment by vacancies.

CBT

General Science 25% Mathematics 25% General Intelligence & Reasoning 30% General Awareness & Current Affairs 20%

Section	Questions	Marks
General Science	25	25
Mathematics	25	25
General Intelligence & Reasoning	30	30
General Awareness & Current Affairs	20	20
Total · 90 min	100	100

−1/3 mark per wrong answer. Followed by a Physical Efficiency Test (weight-carrying and running), document verification and medical.

RRB ALP

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Assistant Loco Pilot — for ITI or diploma holders. One of the few railway exams with a trade-specific technical paper.

Stages

CBT 1: Maths, Reasoning, General Science, GA 43% CBT 2 Part A: Maths, Reasoning, Basic Science & Engineering, CA 57%

Section	Questions	Marks	Time
CBT 1: Maths, Reasoning, General Science, GA	75	75	60 min
CBT 2 Part A: Maths, Reasoning, Basic Science & Engineering, CA	100	100	90 min
CBT 2 Part B: trade-specific (qualifying)	75	75	60 min

Part B needs a minimum qualifying score; then a computer-based aptitude test (CBAT) with its own minimum.

RRB JE

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Junior Engineer, Depot Material Superintendent and Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant — for engineering diploma and degree holders.

CBT 1 and CBT 2

CBT 1: Maths 30, Reasoning 25, GA 15, General Science 30 40% CBT 2: Technical abilities 40% CBT 2: GA, Physics & Chemistry, Computers, Environment 20%

Section	Questions	Marks	Time
CBT 1: Maths 30, Reasoning 25, GA 15, General Science 30	100	100	90 min
CBT 2: Technical abilities	100	100	—
CBT 2: GA, Physics & Chemistry, Computers, Environment	50	50	—

CBT 2 has 150 questions in 120 minutes; the technical section carries two-thirds of the marks.

Syllabus

Subjects and important topics

Mathematics

Number systemDecimals & fractionsLCM & HCFRatio & proportionPercentageMensurationTime & workTime & distanceSimple & compound interestProfit & lossElementary algebra & geometryElementary statistics

General Intelligence & Reasoning

AnalogiesSeriesCoding-decodingMathematical operationsRelationshipsSyllogismJumblingVenn diagramsPuzzlesData sufficiencyStatement–conclusionDecision making

General Awareness

Current affairsIndian history & freedom struggleIndian polityGeography of India & worldIndian economySports & cultureGovernment schemesComputer basicsIndian Railways facts

General Science (class 10 level)

Physics: motion, force, electricity, lightChemistry: acids, bases, metals, reactionsBiology: human body, diseases, nutritionLife sciences & environment

Strategy

How to prepare for Railways exams

01Make GA your strongest section

General Awareness is 40% of NTPC CBT 1 and 20% of Group D. Two hours a day on current affairs and static GK pays off more here than in any other exam family.

02Revise NCERT science

General Science questions come from class 9–10 NCERT. Reading those chapters twice covers most Group D and ALP science.

03Accuracy beats attempts

With 90 minutes for 100 moderate questions, time is rarely the problem — careless errors are. Aim for 90%+ accuracy.

04Choose your RRB strategically

Vacancies and cut-offs differ by region. Compare previous years' cut-offs before choosing — but remember you may be posted anywhere in that zone.

05Prepare for the skill stage early

Clerical posts need typing speed; ALP and station master need the aptitude test. Start practising before the CBT 2 result, not after.

From the blog

Frequently asked questions about Railways exams

What is the negative marking in railway exams?

One-third of a mark is deducted for every wrong answer in RRB NTPC, Group D, ALP and JE computer-based tests.

Can I apply to more than one RRB?

No. For each notification you may apply to only one RRB region. Multiple applications are rejected.

Are railway exam marks normalised?

Yes. Because exams run across many shifts, RRBs normalise raw scores so candidates in harder shifts are not at a disadvantage.

What is the qualification for RRB NTPC?

Graduate-level posts need a degree; undergraduate-level posts need 12th pass. Typing proficiency is needed for clerical posts.

Is there a physical test in RRB Group D?

Yes. After the CBT, candidates take a Physical Efficiency Test that includes carrying a weight over a set distance and a timed run.

Exam patterns, marks and eligibility are based on the latest notifications available and can change from one cycle to the next. Always confirm the details in the official notification on your regional RRB website before you apply.

Practise for Railways exams

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Railways Exams 2026: Free Mock Tests

Railway Exams: How They Work, Pattern, Subjects & Preparation

How Railways selection works, step by step

Centralised notification

Apply to one RRB

CBT 1

CBT 2 / skill tests

Documents & medical

Exam pattern: sections, questions, marks & time

RRB NTPC

RRB Group D

RRB ALP

RRB JE

Subjects and important topics

Mathematics

General Intelligence & Reasoning

General Awareness

General Science (class 10 level)

How to prepare for Railways exams

01Make GA your strongest section

02Revise NCERT science

03Accuracy beats attempts

04Choose your RRB strategically

05Prepare for the skill stage early

Read next

Frequently asked questions about Railways exams

Practise for Railways exams