RRB NTPC Recruitment 2024 Exam Pattern and Syllabus

RRB NTPC Recruitment 2024 Exam Pattern and Syllabus

 

Exam Pattern

1. Computer-Based Test (CBT) Stage 1:

• Type: Objective Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Total Questions: 100
• Sections:
  • General Awareness: 40 Questions
  • Mathematics: 30 Questions
  • General Intelligence and Reasoning: 30 Questions
• Total Marks: 100
• Negative Marking: 1/3 mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer

2. Computer-Based Test (CBT) Stage 2:

• Type: Objective Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Total Questions: 120
• Sections:
  • General Awareness: 50 Questions
  • Mathematics: 35 Questions
  • General Intelligence and Reasoning: 35 Questions
  • Subject-Specific Questions (related to the post)
• Total Marks: 120
• Negative Marking: 1/3 mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer

3. Skill Test (if applicable):

• Type: May include typing tests, computer-based tests, or other skill assessments specific to the post.

4. Document Verification:

• Candidates who pass the CBT and Skill Test (if applicable) will proceed to document verification to confirm their eligibility.

Syllabus

1. General Awareness:

• Current Affairs (National and International)
• Indian History and Culture
• Geography
• Indian Polity and Constitution
• Economy
• General Science
• Environmental Issues

2. Mathematics:

• Number Systems
• Algebra
• Geometry
• Trigonometry
• Mensuration
• Arithmetic (Percentage, Profit and Loss, Simple and Compound Interest, Ratio and Proportion)

3. General Intelligence and Reasoning:

• Analogies
• Blood Relations
• Coding-Decoding
• Syllogism
• Direction Sense
• Decision Making
• Non-Verbal Reasoning (Series, Patterns)

4. Post-Specific Syllabus (for Stage 2):

• Additional subject-specific questions related to the NTPC post applied for, covering job profile and technical skills.

Preparation Tips:

• Study Regularly: Follow a well-structured study plan covering all exam sections.
• Practice Mock Tests: Get familiar with the exam pattern and practice time management.
• Stay Updated: Read newspapers and current affairs magazines to improve your General Awareness.
• Review Previous Papers: Go through past question papers to understand the exam pattern and question types.

 

                                                                                                                                                                              

1. Stage Computer Based Test (CBT) - Common for all notified posts of this

 

Exam Duration in Minutes	No. of Questions (each of 1 mark) from			Total No. of Questions
	General Awareness	Mathematics	General Intelligence and Reasoning
90	40	30	30	100

 

• The examination duration will be 120 Minutes for eligible PwBD candidatesaccompanied with Scribe.
• The section wise distribution given in the above table is only indicative and there may be some variations in the actual question papers. There will be negative marking and 1/3 mark shall be deducted for each wrong answer.
• The 1^st Stage CBT is of screening nature and the standard of questions for the CBT will be generally in conformity with the educational standards prescribed for the posts. The normalized score of 1^st Stage CBT shall be used for short listing of candidates for 2^nd Stage CBT as per their merit. Candidates who are shortlisted for 2^nd Stage CBT availing the reservation benefits of OBC(NCL)/SC/ST/EWS, PwBD and ExSM shall continue to be considered only against OBC(NCL)/SC/ST/EWS, PwBD and ExSM for all subsequent stages of recruitment process. 
• The Questions will be of objective type with multiple choices and are likely to include questions pertaining to:

 

A.  Mathematics:

• Number System, Decimals, Fractions, LCM, HCF, Ratio and Proportions, Percentage, Mensuration, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, Elementary Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry, Elementary Statistics etc. 

B.  General Intelligence and Reasoning:  

• Analogies, Completion of Number and Alphabetical Series, Coding and Decoding, Mathematical Operations, Similarities and Differences, Relationships, Analytical Reasoning, Syllogism, Jumbling, Venn Diagrams, Puzzle, Data Sufficiency, Statement- Conclusion, Statement- Courses of Action, Decision Making, Maps, Interpretation of Graphs etc. 

    C. General Awareness: 

• Current Events of National and International Importance, Games and Sports, Art and Culture of India, Indian Literature, Monuments and Places of India, General Science and Life Science (up to 10th CBSE), History of India and Freedom Struggle, Physical, Social and Economic Geography of India and World, Indian Polity and Governance- constitution and  political system, General Scientific and Technological Developments including Space and Nuclear Program of India, UN and Other important World Organizations, Environmental Issues Concerning India and World at Large, Basics of Computers and Computer Applications, Common Abbreviations, Transport Systems in India, Indian Economy, Famous Personalities of India and World, Flagship Government Programs, Flora and Fauna of India, Important Government and Public Sector Organizations of India etc.

• Minimum percentage of marks for eligibility in various categories: UR-40%, EWS40%, OBC (Non creamy layer) -30%, SC-30%, ST-25%. These percentages of marks for eligibility may be relaxed by 2% for PwBD candidates in case of shortage of PwBD candidates against vacancies reserved for them.

  2. Stage Computer Based Test (CBT):  

Separate 2^nd Stage CBT shall be taken for each of the 7^th CPC Level i.e. Level 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 with graded difficulty level. All posts falling within same level of 7^th CPC shall have a common 2^nd stage CBT. If candidates are eligible for more than one level of 7^th CPC posts as per their educational qualifications, they have to give common 1^st stage CBT and corresponding 2^nd stage CBT for each level of 7^th CPC as per the table given in Para 13.6.

• Shortlisting of Candidates for the 2^nd Stage CBT shall be based on the normalized marks obtained by them in 1^st Stage CBT and the options for various posts exercised by them keeping in view the educational qualification of the candidate i.e. 10+2 or Graduate. Total no. of candidates to be shortlisted shall be 20 times the community wise vacancies of posts notified against the RRB as per their merit in 1^st Stage CBT cum choice of posts. However, Railways reserve the right to increase/decrease this limit in total or for any specific category(s) as required to ensure availability of adequate candidates for all the notified posts.
• The examination duration and number of questions for 2^nd stage CBT are indicated below:

 

Exam Duration in Minutes	No of Questions (each of 1 mark) from			Total No of Questions
	General Awareness	Mathematics	General Intelligence and Reasoning
90	50	35	35	120

 

• The examination duration will be 120 Minutes for eligible PwBD candidates accompanied with Scribe.
• The section wise distribution given in the above table is only indicative and there may be some variations in the actual question papers. There will be negative marking and 1/3 mark shall be deducted for each wrong answer.
• The Questions will be of objective type with multiple choices and are likely to include questions pertaining to: 

A. Mathematics:

• Number System, Decimals, Fractions, LCM, HCF, Ratio and Proportions, Percentage, Mensuration, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, Elementary Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry, Elementary Statistics etc. 

    B. General Intelligence and Reasoning:

• Analogies, Completion of Number and Alphabetical Series, Coding and Decoding, Mathematical Operations, Similarities and Differences, Relationships, Analytical Reasoning, Syllogism, Jumbling, Venn Diagrams, Puzzle, Data Sufficiency, Statement- Conclusion, Statement- Courses of Action, Decision Making, Maps, Interpretation of Graphs etc. 

   C. General Awareness:  

• Current Events of National and International Importance, Games and Sports, Art and Culture of India, Indian Literature, Monuments and Places of India, General Science and Life Science (up to 10th CBSE), History of India and Freedom Struggle, Physical, Social and Economic Geography of India and World, Indian Polity and Governance- constitution and  political system, General Scientific and Technological Developments including Space and Nuclear Program of India, UN and Other important World Organizations, Environmental Issues Concerning India and World at Large, Basics of Computers and Computer Applications, Common Abbreviations, Transport Systems in India, Indian Economy, Famous Personalities of India and World, Flagship Government Programs, Flora and Fauna of India, Important Government and Public Sector Organizations of India etc.
• Minimum percentage of marks for eligibility in various categories: UR-40%, EWS40%, OBC (Non creamy layer)-30%, SC-30%, ST-25%. These percentages of marks for eligibility may be relaxed by 2% for PwBD candidates in case of shortage of PwBD candidates against vacancies reserved for them.
• The normalized marks scored by the candidate in the 2^nd stage CBT shall be used for short listing the candidates for document verification for the posts which do not have Typing Skill Test/Computer based Aptitude Test. For the posts having Typing Skill Test/Computer based Aptitude Test, the normalized marks scored by the candidate in the 2^nd stage CBT shall be used for shortlisting the candidates for Typing Skill Test/Computer based Aptitude Test.

 

 3. Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) (Only for candidates who have opted for Traffic Assistant and Station Master) 

        Qualifying marks: The candidates need to secure a minimum T-Score of 42 marks in each of the test batteries to qualify. This is applicable to all candidates irrespective of community or category i.e. irrespective of SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwBD/Ex SM and no relaxation in the minimum T- Score is permissible. 

•          Candidates equal to 8 times the number of vacancies of Station Master (SM)/Traffic Assistant (TA) for each of the communities i.e. UR, OBC-NCL, SC, ST and EWS (including ExSM) shall be short listed for CBAT based on their performance in 2^nd Stage CBT from among the candidates who have opted for the post of SM/TA. Such shortlisted candidates should produce the Vision Certificate in the prescribed format as per Annexure VI in original during CBAT, failing which they will not be permitted to appear in the CBAT.
•          Candidates will have to qualify in each of the test batteries of CBAT for considering them for the post of SM/TA. The CBAT shall have questions and answer options only in English and Hindi. There shall be no negative marking in CBAT.
•          The SM/TA merit list will be drawn only from amongst the candidates qualifying in the CBAT, with 70% weightage for the marks obtained in the 2^nd Stage CBT and 30% weightage for the marks obtained in CBAT.
•          Candidates are advised to visit websites of RDSO (www.rdso.indianrailways.gov.in >Directorates->Psycho Technical Directorate ->Guidelines for Aptitude Test) for question patterns and other details of CBAT.

 

4. Typing Skill Test (TST): 

• For the posts Senior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist, Senior Time Keeper, Junior Clerk cum Typist, Accounts Clerk cum Typist and Junior Time Keeper, Typing Skill Test (TST) of qualifying nature (marks obtained in typing skill test shall not be added for making merit) shall be conducted for which the number of candidates equal to eight times the number of vacancies for each of the community shall be called for. The candidates should be able to type 30 words per minute (WPM) in English or 25 WPM in Hindi on Personal Computer only without editing tools and spell check facility.  For guidelines of those who appear for typing skill test in Hindi, Kruti Dev and Mangal font shall be made available for typing skill test on Personal Computer. Exemption in Typing Skill Test may be extended to candidates who are permanently disabled due to Blindness/Low Vision, Cerebral Palsy & Loco Motor Disability with not less than 40% permanent disability. Such eligible PwBD candidates have to upload a scanned copy of Typing Skill Test Exemption Certificate issued by the Competent Medical Board in the website of respective RRBs before conduct of typing skill test in the format at Annexure V(E). The merit will be drawn only for the candidates qualified in the TST or TST exempted PwBD candidates based on performance in 2^nd Stage CBT. 

5. Document Verification (DV): 

•          Based on the performance of candidates in 2^nd Stage CBT and based on the performance of candidates in both 2^nd Stage CBT and CBAT/TST (as applicable), candidates equal to the number of vacancies will be called for Document Verification as per their merit and options. In addition, candidates equal to 50% (may increase or decrease at the discretion of RRBs) of the number of vacancy for various posts will also be called for document verification. 
•          These additional candidates will, however, be considered for empanelment only if there is a shortfall in empanelment from the merit list or/and as replacement against the shortfall on account of not joining of recommended candidates in the working post or/and any other special requirements. In case of two or more candidates securing same marks, their merit position shall be determined by age criteria i.e., older person shall be placed at higher merit and in case age being same, then alphabetical order (A to Z) of the name shall be taken into account to break the tie. Appointment of selected candidates is subject to their passing requisite Medical Fitness Test to be conducted by the Railway Administration, final verification of educational and community certificates and verification of antecedents/character of the candidates. Candidates may please note that RRBs only recommend names of the empanelled candidates and appointment is offered ONLY by the respective Railway Administrations.

6. The summary of the various stages of recruitment process detailed as above for the notified posts are tabulated below:

 

Sl. No.	Name of the post	Level in 7th CPC	1st stage CBT	2nd stage CBT	Skill Test requirement
1	Junior Clerk cum Typist	2	Common for all posts	Common for all Level 2 posts	Typing Skill Test
2	Accounts Clerk cum Typist	2			Typing Skill Test
3	Junior Time Keeper	2			Typing Skill Test
4	Trains Clerk	2			-----
5	Commercial cum Ticket Clerk	3		Separate for Level 3 post	------
6	Traffic Assistant	4		Separate for Level 4 post	Computer Based Aptitude Test
7	Goods Guard	5		Common for all Level 5 posts	------
8	Senior Commercial cum Ticket Clerk	5			------
9	Senior Clerk cum Typist	5			Typing Skill Test
10	Junior Account Assistant cum Typist	5			Typing Skill Test
11	Senior Time Keeper	5			Typing Skill Test
12	Commercial Apprentice	6		Common for all Level 6 posts	-------
13	Station Master	6			Computer Based Aptitude Test

       

   Note: - Document verification and Medical test will be held for all the above posts.

 

  NORMALISATION OF MARKS: 

•          Short listing of Candidates for various stages shall be based on the normalized marks obtained by them whenever CBT is conducted in multiple sessions for the same syllabus. The normalization scheme to be adopted for 1^st Stage CBT and 2^nd Stage CBT is detailed in following paragraphs.

 

CALCULATION OF NORMALIZED MARKS FOR MULTI-SESSION PAPERS:       

• In 1^st Stage CBT, for some 7^th CPC Levels in 2^nd Stage CBT and for CBAT, the examination may have to be conducted in multiple sessions. For these multisession papers, a suitable normalization is applied to take into account any variation in the difficulty levels of the question papers across different sessions. The formula for calculating the normalized marks for the multi-session papers is detailed below: