A railway exam syllabus almost always rests on mathematics, general intelligence and reasoning, and general awareness, with general science added for the 10th and ITI level posts. The Railway Recruitment Boards run these tests as computer based exams, and every one of them takes away a third of a mark whenever you answer wrongly.
Further down, the main RRB and RPF exams compared by qualification and stages, the question split of each first paper, and an order of study that lets your Group D or NTPC preparation carry over into the next notice.
Exam at a glance
Conducted by
Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) for the Ministry of RailwaysLevels
10th or ITI (Group D, ALP, RPF constable), 12th (NTPC undergraduate), graduate (NTPC graduate, RPF SI), diploma or degree (JE)Mode
Computer based tests, then physical, skill, aptitude or medical tests by postNegative marking
1/3 mark per wrong answer in the CBTsNormalisation
Marks are normalised when a CBT runs in several shiftsWhere to apply
The website of the RRB you choose in the common application
Railway exam syllabus by post: who can apply for what
| Exam | Minimum qualification | Stages |
|---|---|---|
| RRB Group D (Level 1) | 10th pass or ITI, as the notice allows | CBT, physical efficiency test, documents, medical |
| RRB NTPC | 12th for undergraduate posts, degree for graduate posts | CBT 1, CBT 2, typing test or CBAT by post, documents, medical |
| RRB ALP | 10th with ITI, or engineering diploma or degree | CBT 1, CBT 2 (Part A and Part B), CBAT, documents, medical |
| RRB Technician | 10th with ITI, or science or engineering qualification for Grade 1 | One CBT, documents, medical |
| RRB JE | Engineering diploma or degree in the relevant branch | CBT 1, CBT 2, documents, medical |
| RPF constable | 10th pass | CBT, physical efficiency and measurement test, documents |
| RPF SI | Graduate | CBT, physical efficiency and measurement test, documents |
RRB exam pattern and syllabus: the first CBT of each exam
| Exam and stage | Questions | Time | Subject split |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group D CBT | 100 | 90 minutes | Reasoning 30, maths 25, general science 25, GA and current affairs 20 |
| NTPC CBT 1 | 100 | 90 minutes | GA 40, maths 30, reasoning 30 |
| NTPC CBT 2 | 120 | 90 minutes | GA 50, maths 35, reasoning 35 |
| ALP CBT 1 | 75 | 60 minutes | Reasoning 25, maths 20, general science 20, GA 10 |
| ALP CBT 2 | 100 in Part A, 75 in Part B | 90 plus 60 minutes | Part A: maths, reasoning, basic science and engineering; Part B: trade paper |
| RPF constable and SI CBT | 120 | 90 minutes | GA 50, arithmetic 35, reasoning 35 |
Each question carries one mark. For the ALP, Part B of CBT 2 is a trade test that you only need to pass with 35 percent; your rank for the next step comes from Part A. NTPC CBT 1 and ALP CBT 1 only screen candidates for the second stage.
Minimum pass marks before merit is counted
Railway CBTs have a floor that you must cross before you are even placed on the merit list. In recent NTPC and ALP notices it was 40 percent for UR and EWS, 30 percent for SC and for OBC candidates outside the creamy layer, and 25 percent for ST. Group D listed 30 percent for ST. For the RPF exams it was 35 percent for UR and EWS and 30 percent for SC and ST. Crossing these floors is only the entry ticket; the real cut off is usually much higher and depends on the number of posts and how many people sit the paper.
RRB syllabus for Group D and the 10th level papers
Group D, the RPF constable exam and the ALP CBT 1 share the most material, so they make a sensible starting block.
- Mathematics: number system, BODMAS, decimals and fractions, LCM and HCF, ratio, percentages, mensuration, time and work, time and distance, both kinds of interest, gain and loss on sales, algebra, geometry and trigonometry basics, age problems.
- Reasoning: analogies, series, coding, directions, blood relations, syllogism, Venn diagrams, data sufficiency, seating and puzzles, statements and conclusions.
- General science: physics, chemistry and life science at class 10 level. NCERT class 9 and 10 science books cover most of it.
- General awareness: current affairs in science, sports, culture, economy and polity, plus Indian history and geography.
ALP CBT 2 and the Technician paper then add basic science and engineering: units, mass and weight, work and energy, heat, levers, simple electrical circuits, engineering drawing and workshop safety.
Featured railway pages
- RRB NTPC syllabus: both CBTs with the Station Master aptitude test
- RRB NTPC cut off: how zone wise cut offs are formed
- RRB NTPC previous papers: question styles from earlier shifts
- RRB NTPC eligibility: degree and 12th posts, age bands
- RRB Group D syllabus: four sections and the PET
- RRB Group D cut off: normalised marks by zone and category
- RRB Group D previous papers: science and maths questions to expect
- RRB ALP syllabus: CBT 1, CBT 2 and the trade part
- RRB ALP cut off: Part A merit and Part B pass rule
- RRB ALP eligibility: ITI trades and diploma branches accepted
- RRB Technician syllabus: Grade 1 and Grade 3 papers
- RRB JE syllabus: technical part of CBT 2 by branch
- RRB JE cut off: stage wise trends
- RRB Section Controller syllabus: graduate post with an aptitude test
- RPF constable syllabus: GA heavy CBT and running test
- RPF SI syllabus: graduate level version of the same paper
- Loco pilot syllabus: how the ALP route leads to loco pilot posts
- RRB pharmacist syllabus: paramedical category paper
A smart order for railway preparation
Railway notices tend to come in waves, and the gap between notice and CBT can be several months. Use that pattern.
- Science and maths base. Finish class 9 and 10 science and the arithmetic list first. These serve Group D, ALP and Technician directly.
- Reasoning speed. Railway reasoning is easier than bank reasoning, so practise for speed: 30 questions in about 20 minutes is a useful target.
- General awareness. NTPC and RPF give GA the largest share, 40 to 50 questions, so graduates aiming at NTPC should start current affairs early.
- Post specific add ons. Trade theory for ALP Part B, branch subjects for JE, typing for clerk posts, and running for RPF and Group D.
RRB and railway syllabus in Hindi
रेलवे की लगभग हर परीक्षा में गणित, सामान्य बुद्धि और तर्क, और सामान्य जागरूकता पूछी जाती है। ग्रुप डी, ALP और टेक्नीशियन में कक्षा 10 स्तर का सामान्य विज्ञान भी आता है। ग्रुप डी के पेपर में 90 मिनट का समय और 100 प्रश्न मिलते हैं। NTPC में दो CBT होते हैं, पहला 100 प्रश्नों का और दूसरा 120 प्रश्नों का। किसी भी गलत उत्तर के लिए एक तिहाई अंक घटता है। लिखित परीक्षा के बाद पद के अनुसार शारीरिक परीक्षा, टाइपिंग या CBAT होता है, इसलिए अपने पद की अधिसूचना ध्यान से पढ़ें।
Frequently asked questions
Is the RRB syllabus the same for all railway exams?
The base is shared: maths, reasoning and general awareness. Group D, ALP and Technician add general science, ALP and JE add technical subjects, and NTPC gives general awareness a bigger share. The level also rises from 10th to graduate.
What is the negative mark in RRB papers?
Every wrong response in a railway CBT costs a third of a mark. A question you leave blank costs nothing, so so a guess pays only once two of the four choices look clearly wrong.
Which railway exam should a 12th pass candidate choose?
The NTPC undergraduate posts are meant for 12th pass candidates, and Group D and RPF constable accept 10th pass as well. If you also hold an ITI, ALP and Technician open up.
Is there an interview in railway exams?
No. Selection is through the CBTs, followed by physical, skill or aptitude tests where the post needs them, document verification and a medical check.
What is normalisation in RRB exams?
When a CBT runs in many shifts, the board adjusts raw scores so that a harder shift does not put its candidates at a disadvantage. The cut offs are then based on these normalised marks.
Can I write the railway exam in Hindi?
Yes. The CBTs are offered in Hindi, English and a number of regional languages, and you choose the language while filling the form.