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The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially announced the examination schedule for the NTPC Graduate Level Recruitment 2025. According to the latest notification, the Computer Based Test–1 (CBT-1) will be conducted from March 16 to March 27, 2026, across multiple examination centers in the country.

This announcement brings relief and clarity to lakhs of candidates who have been preparing for one of the most competitive railway recruitment examinations in India. The NTPC Graduate Level recruitment aims to fill 5,810 vacancies for various non-technical posts under the Indian Railways.

Exam City Slip and Admit Card Release Timeline

As per the notification issued by the Railway Recruitment Board, candidates will be able to check their exam city details approximately 10 days before their scheduled exam date. The exam city slip will help candidates plan their travel and accommodation in advance.

The RRB NTPC CBT-1 admit card will be released four days prior to the examination. Candidates must download the admit card from the official RRB regional websites and carry a printed copy to the exam center, as entry without a valid admit card will not be permitted.

Aadhaar-Based Biometric Verification Mandatory

RRB has also made Aadhaar-linked biometric verification compulsory for all candidates appearing in the examination. Before entering the exam center, candidates will undergo biometric authentication linked to their Aadhaar details.

Applicants are advised to carry:

• Original Aadhaar card, or

• Verified e-Aadhaar printout

Candidates who have not completed Aadhaar verification are strongly advised to do so at the earliest. Additionally, RRB has instructed candidates to ensure that their Aadhaar is in “unlocked” status on the UIDAI portal to avoid last-minute issues during biometric verification.

CBT-1 Exam Pattern: Qualifying in Nature

The CBT-1 exam is only qualifying, meaning its marks will not be added to the final merit list. However, clearing CBT-1 is mandatory to move to the next stage.

CBT-1 Exam Details:

• Total Questions: 100

• Exam Duration: 90 minutes

• Sections:

  • Mathematics – 30 questions

  • General Intelligence & Reasoning – 30 questions

  • General Awareness / Current Affairs – 40 questions

• Negative Marking: 0.33 marks deducted for each wrong answer

Approximately 15 times the number of vacancies will be shortlisted from CBT-1 for the next phase.

CBT-2: The Deciding Stage of Selection

The CBT-2 (Main Examination) is the most crucial stage, as final merit is prepared based on CBT-2 marks.

CBT-2 Exam Structure:

• Total Questions: 120

• Duration: 90 minutes

• Negative Marking: One-third mark per incorrect answer

Performance in CBT-2 determines post allocation. High-demand posts such as Station Master generally have higher cut-off scores compared to other NTPC positions.

Final Selection Process and Merit List

After clearing CBT-2, candidates will be called for:

• Skill Test / Typing Test, or

• Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) (for specific posts)

This will be followed by Document Verification (DV). The final merit list will be prepared based on CBT-2 and CBAT scores, wherever applicable. Marks obtained in CBT-1 and typing tests are not included in the final merit calculation.

Important Advice for Candidates

Candidates are advised to:

• Regularly check the official RRB website for updates

• Download exam city slips and admit cards on time

• Ensure Aadhaar details are verified and unlocked

• Revise exam syllabus and practice mock tests

With the exam dates now confirmed, aspirants should focus on structured revision and time management to maximize their chances of success.

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