About RRB NTPC
NTPC is recruited at two levels, each with its own Centralised Employment Notice (CEN). The 21 regional boards, including RRB Chennai, all use the same exam. You apply to one board.
| Level | Posts |
|---|---|
| Graduate | Goods Train Manager, Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor, Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist, Senior Clerk cum Typist (Station Master now has its own notice) |
| Under-Graduate (Class 12) | Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Junior Clerk cum Typist, Trains Clerk |
The 2025 cycle had 5,810 graduate posts (CEN 06/2025) and 3,058 under-graduate posts (CEN 07/2025).
The graduate notice for 2026 (CEN 06/2026) has 3,548 posts, 141 of them with RRB Chennai; applications run from 8 October to 6 November 2026. The under-graduate short notice (CEN 07/2026) lists about 1,688 posts, with applications reported from 15 October to 13 November 2026; its detailed notice is due around 14 October. Pay by post: RRB NTPC salary.
RRB NTPC exam pattern
Both levels sit two computer-based tests (CBTs) on the same three subjects. Every question is worth one mark.
| Stage | General Awareness | Mathematics | Reasoning | Total | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBT-1 | 40 | 30 | 30 | 100 | 90 minutes |
| CBT-2 | 50 | 35 | 35 | 120 | 90 minutes |
- Negative marking: one third of a mark is deducted for each wrong answer. Unanswered questions cost nothing.
- CBT-1 only shortlists. Its marks don’t count in the final merit; CBT-2 marks (normalised across shifts) do.
- Minimum marks in each CBT: 40% for UR and EWS, 30% for OBC and SC, 25% for ST.
Eligibility and age limit
- Graduate posts: a degree from a recognised university. CEN 06/2026 drops the typing test for the two graduate typist posts; typing is assessed after joining.
- Under-Graduate posts: Class 12 (or equivalent) pass. In past cycles the typist posts needed typing proficiency; check the CEN 07/2026 detailed notice.
- Age: 18 to 33 for graduate posts (on 1 January 2027 for CEN 06/2026) and 18 to 30 for under-graduate posts (as reported for CEN 07/2026). OBC (non-creamy layer) get 3 more years, SC and ST 5 more; PwBD and ex-servicemen get relaxation as per rules.
- Nationality: Indian citizens, and others as the notice sets out.
Selection process
- CBT-1 (shortlisting).
- CBT-2 (merit).
- For graduate posts in CEN 06/2026: no skill test (no typing test, no CBAT). Under-graduate typist posts had a qualifying typing test in past cycles (30 words a minute in English or 25 in Hindi); the CEN 07/2026 detailed notice will confirm it.
- Document verification.
- Medical examination to the standard each post needs.
Candidates choose post preferences when applying. Posts are allotted by merit and preference, so a strong CBT-2 score widens your choice.
RRB NTPC syllabus
The same three subjects for both levels: General Awareness (current events, history, geography, polity, economy, science), Mathematics (arithmetic up to Class 10 level) and General Intelligence and Reasoning.
How to prepare for RRB NTPC
- Mind the negative marking. A wrong answer costs a third of a mark, so skip questions you can’t narrow down to two options.
- Build speed in Mathematics and Reasoning. They are 60% of CBT-1 and reward daily timed practice more than reading.
- Read current affairs daily for General Awareness, which is the largest section in both CBTs.
- Prepare for CBT-2 from the start. The subjects are the same and the gap between the two tests is short.
- Under-graduate typist posts: practise typing early. In past cycles the typing test was qualifying, but only if you reached the speed on the day.
- Sit full-length mock tests and review every wrong answer a few days later.
Free RRB NTPC mock tests in Tamil
Thervu’s RRB NTPC mock tests are timed, set in both Tamil and English, and marked the moment you submit, with the exam’s negative marking.
- Questions cover General Awareness, Mathematics, and General Intelligence and Reasoning.
- A wrong answer costs a third of a mark, as in the real CBT, so you learn when to skip a question.
- Choose any length, from 30 minutes to 3 hours.
- Your result shows your score after negative marking, each subject and the topics that cost you marks.
- The free plan includes 3 tests a day, and no card is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Is there negative marking in RRB NTPC?
Yes. One third of a mark is deducted for each wrong answer in both CBT-1 and CBT-2. Unanswered questions lose nothing.
Do CBT-1 marks count in the final selection?
No. CBT-1 only shortlists candidates for CBT-2 (15 times the vacancies, community-wise). Merit is based on CBT-2.
Can I write RRB NTPC in Tamil?
In recent notices RRB has offered the CBT in Tamil and other regional languages as well as English and Hindi. You choose the language when you apply; check the current notice.
What is the age limit for RRB NTPC?
18 to 33 for graduate posts and 18 to 30 for under-graduate posts, with 3 extra years for OBC (non-creamy layer) and 5 for SC and ST.
Who has to take the typing test?
In CEN 06/2026 nobody at graduate level: the typing test is dropped for Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist and Senior Clerk cum Typist, and typing is assessed after joining. In past cycles the under-graduate typist posts (Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Junior Clerk cum Typist) had a qualifying test at 30 words a minute in English or 25 in Hindi; check the CEN 07/2026 detailed notice.
When is the next RRB NTPC exam?
Applications for CEN 06/2026 (graduate) are open from 8 October to 6 November 2026, and CEN 07/2026 (under-graduate) applications are reported to open on 15 October. Exam dates are announced later on the RRB websites.
Where can I take a free RRB NTPC mock test in Tamil?
On Thervu. Sign up free and take timed RRB NTPC mock tests in Tamil and English, marked with the exam’s negative marking the moment you submit. The free plan includes 3 tests a day.
Where these facts come from
Pattern, eligibility and selection details are taken from the Centralised Employment Notices 06/2026 and 07/2026 published by the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRB). They can change with each new notification, so check the official notice before you apply.
Official website: www.rrbcdg.gov.in
Thervu is an independent practice platform. It is not affiliated with the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRB).
RRB NTPC guides
RRB NTPC Cut Off: RRB Chennai Marks for Graduate and Class 12 Posts
Category-wise RRB Chennai cut-offs from the last two NTPC cycles, graduate and Class 12, what each one decides, and why the 2026 notices may move them.
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RRB NTPC Salary 2026: Post-wise Pay, In-hand and Perks
Starting basic pay in RRB NTPC 2026 runs from ₹19,900 for the Class 12 posts to ₹35,400 for the top graduate post. Here is what that becomes once DA, HRA and transport allowance are added, posting by posting in Tamil Nadu.
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