The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) of India conducts every year the RRB NTPC exam to fill in existing vacancies. RRB NTCP stands for Railway Recruitment Board Non-Technical Popular Categories. The exam is online and pulls in candidates from all around the Indian Subcontinent. On average more than 10 lac students apply for the exam. However, each year vacancies arise in the vicinity of 25-35k only.
Students and candidates with undergraduate and graduate degrees from recognized universities and boards are eligible to take the exam. Moreover, the exam opens doors for the candidates into the vast pool of roles and positions at RRB. Therefore, candidates get absorbed into roles like:
Before we dive into a deeper understanding of the exam let’s quickly learn of the exam conducting body. Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) conducts RRB NTCP every year. Likewise, RRB is a recruitment agency of the Indian government established in the year 1998. Thus, the agency recruits candidates into group C and group D vacancies. In other words, it recruits civil and engineering staff on behalf of the government. Moreover, it is also essential to know that the agency is a part of the Indian Government and operates under the Ministry Of Railways India. Some quick facts about the board are below.
|
Abbreviation |
RRB |
| Type | Government Recruitment Body |
| Purpose | Recruitment of Railway Staff |
| Location | 21 Boards Across India |
| Headquarters | Rail Bhavan, Raisina Marg, New Delhi — 110001 |
| Chairman | Suneet Sharma |
| Director | Kumar Rajesh Chandra |
Now That you have a fair amount of Ideas of the exam conducting authority, now let us get to know the exam in detail.
The RRB NTPC exam occurs every year around the month of December. Likewise, the application for the exam starts in the month of March. After successful completion of the application, one gets a chance to correct the application as well. Soon after the application the admit card is released which contains vital information related to the candidate and also acts as the first official document for the exam.
The RRB NTCP exam is of the National level and hires eligible Indian citizens. Speaking of eligibility, it depends on factors such as educational qualification, age, etc. The complete eligibility criteria for different posts and vacancies are available here.
Now diving deeper into the details of the exam one must keep in mind the syllabus of the exam is based on learnings of class 10, 12, and graduation levels.
|
Date |
Notifications |
| 7th August 2021 | To get the refund of your fees click here now |
| 6th August 2021 | Application for Apprentice roles apply now from here |
| 19th July 2021 | Download 7th Phase Admit Card click here |
| 16th July 2021 | RRB NTCP 7th Phase Admit card related guidelines for Covid-19 |
| 7th July 2021 | 7th phase last exam last date notice for CBT-1 is here |
The 2021 RRB Exam started in January, the exam saw an enormous number of candidates being registered. Thereby, taking the total tally above 1.cr registration. Thus, the board decided to conduct the exam in 7 phases. All of the phases of the exam are now complete. The Last and final phase of the exam took place in the month of July 2021 on 23rd, 24th, 26th, and 31st. Moreover, the exam is online in two parts CBT 1 and CBT 2. Likewise, the application of the exam is also online. Likewise, a detailed exam date table is given below so that candidates can forecast exam dates for 2022 until officially available.
| Exam Phase | Exam Dates |
| 1 Phase | 28th of December 2020 – 13th of January 2021 |
| 2 Phase | January 16th, 2021 – January 30th, 2021 |
| 3 Phase | January 31st – 12th of February 2021 |
| 4 Phase | 23rd of February – 3rd of March 2021 |
| 5 Phase | 4th of March – 27th of March 2021 |
| 6 Phase | 1st of April – 8th of April 2021 |
| 7 Phase | July 23rd – July 31st, 2021 |
After the Competition of the CBT 1 Exam candidates wait for results and once the results are out candidates learn about the students selected for CBT 2. The dates for CBT 2 Exam are not yet available. Moreover, the Railway Board will produce a merit list for the CBT 2 exam and announce the dates of the examination soon.
The Application fee for RRB NTPC can be broken into two parts. Part one is the basic application fee and part two is the examination fee. You must be wondering why there is a separate examination fee. Well, the answer is there are quite a few posts available for RRB NTCP and for some posts, the examination process is different which means the costs of conducting such exams are also different, therefore separate exam fees for separate posts.
Now the Application Process is simple. Simply head on to the respective RRB website of your state and fill the form by producing the necessary detail. Then skim through the application and pay the fee once you feel the form is correctly filled. Below is the application fee.
| Category Of Candidates | Fee Amount In Rupees |
| Unreserved or General Category | 500 |
| Females/ Schedule Cast/ Schedule Tribe/ PWD/ Transgender | 250 |
Now that you know the exam fee it is also important to know that candidates can get a refund of the fee from RRB. In order to get the refund click here.
The Eligibility Criteria mainly consists of four-parameter which a candidate needs to meet in order to secure a job with RRB. The four parameters are citizenship (nationality), age limit, Physical and medical fitness, and last but not least educational Qualification. The above four parameters are further discussed below as applicable to different posts or job roles.
The first Eligibility parameter is the nationality of the candidate. Candidates who are citizens of India are eligible provided they meet the other three requirements. Also, candidates from Nepal or Bhutan are also eligible. Likewise, a Tibetan refugee before 1962 is also eligible. A person of Indian origin who has migrated from other countries and is permanently settled in India is also eligible.
The Two tables are given below the first table depicts the upper age limit and lower age limit of each category of the candidate.
| Category | Max Year Of Birth | Minimum Year Of Birth | Maximum Age Limit | Minimum age Limit |
| General | 02 July 1989 | 01 July 2021 | 32 | 20 |
| OBC | July 02 1986 | July 01 2021 | 35 | 20 |
| SC/ST | 2 July 1984 | 1 July 2021 | 37 | 20 |
Likewise, the second table shows the age relaxation for candidates that go beyond the SC/ST and General Categories.
| Special Categories | Maximum Age Limit UG level Post | Maximum Age Limit Graduate level Post |
| Non Creamy OBC Candidates | 38 | 36 |
| SC and ST | 5 more Years Relaxation | 38 |
| Ex-Servicemen Of Defense General Category | 30 Years + Number of Years Served+ 3 years grace | 33 Years + Number of Years Served+ 3 years grace |
| Ex-Servicemen Of Defense OBC Category | 33 Years + Number of Years Served+ 3 years grace | 36 Years + Number of Years Served+ 3 years grace |
| Ex-Servicemen Of Defense SC/ST Category | 35Years + Number of Years Served+ 3 years grace | 38 + Number of Years Served+ 3 years grace |
| PWBD General | 40 | 43 |
| PWBD OBC | 43 | 46 |
| PWBD SC/ST | 45 | 48 |
| J & K domiciled Candidates ( 01.01.1980 to 31.12.1989) General | 35 | 38 |
| J & K domiciled Candidates ( 01.01.1980 to 31.12.1989) OBC | 38 | 41 |
| J & K domiciled Candidates ( 01.01.1980 to 31.12.1989) SC/ST | 40 | 43 |
| Railway Quasi Administrative staffs
General, OBC, and SC, ST respectively |
Age – 40, 43, and 45 | 33, 36, and 38 respectively + additional 5 years or number of years served whichever is lower |
| Group C or Group D Railway Staff with 3 years time served General, OBC, and SC/ST respectively | 40, 43, and 45 Respectively | 40, 43, 45 respectively |
| Widows and Divorcees (not married)
General, OBC, and SC/ST respectively |
35,38, and 40 respectively | Same as UG level Posts |
The medical standard and fitness of each candidate are absolutely necessary to qualify for the post. The below table gives an easily understandable medical standard for different posts.
| Medical Standards | Posts Falling in the Medical standards |
| A2 | Station Master, Goods Guard, Traffic Assistant |
| A3 | Trains Clerk |
| B2 | Commercial Apprentice, Commercial + Ticket Clerk, Senior Commercial Cum Ticket Clerk, |
| C2 | Junior Time Keeper, Junior Clerk Cum Typist, Accounts Clerk Cum Typist, Senior Time Keeper, Senior Clerk-Cum-typist, Junior Accounts Assistant Cum Typist, |
Apart From Medical Test candidates should meet the physical fitness parameters. Under the physical fitness parameter candidate of each medical standard category from A2 to C2 need to be physically strong and fit. Apart from that candidate should also meet the required vision test.
The posts at RRB NTCP fall to a maximum in the 7th pay commission. Each Post has a different educational qualification standard, however, few courses have the same qualification standards. The qualifications for the post are as per the below table.
|
Post |
Qualification |
| – Clerk- Trains
– Clerk Cum Typist- Junior – Time Keeper- Junior – Clerk- Accounts cum Typist – Clerk- Commercial cum Ticket |
10+2 with 50% (50% not applicable for SC/ST and special categories), Computer typing Hindi and English. |
| – Traffic Assistant
– Senior Commercial Cum Ticket Clerk – Goods Guard – Station Master – Commercial Apprentice |
Under Graduate Degree From a Recognized University |
| – Time Keeper – Senior
– Senior Clerk Cum Typist – Junior Accounts Assistant Cum Typist
|
Under Graduate Degree From a Recognized University and typing proficiency in Hindi and English |
RRB released the revised vacancies on April 20th, 2021. The Vacancies play an important role in deciding the cut-off marks as well. Presently the board has 35208 vacancies. Moreover for these vacancies more than 1.2cr candidates have applied to write the exam. Below are two tables that explicitly show the category-wise vacancies and job posts wise vacancies.
| Category | Total Number of available Vacancies |
| General | 15176 ( Fifteen thousand one hundred seventy-six) |
| Other Backward Classes | 8840 (eight thousand eight hundred forty) |
| Schedule Cast | 5143 (five thousand one hundred forty-three) |
| Scheduled Tribe | 2780 ( two thousand seven hundred eighty) |
| EWS | 3525 ( three thousand five hundred twenty-five) |
| Post | Number Of vacancies Under Graduate | Number Of vacancies Graduate |
| Clerk Cum Typist – Junior and Senior Respectively | 4300 | 2854 |
| Accounts cum Typist – Junior and Senior Respectively | 760 | 3147 |
| Time Keeper- Junior and Senior Respectively | 05 | 06 |
| Trains Clerk and traffic assistant Respectively | 592 | 160 |
| Commercial cum ticket clerk- Junior and Senior Respectively | 4940 | 5638 |
| Commercial Apprentice | – | 259 |
| Station Master | – | 6865 |
| Goods guard | – | 5748 |
| Total | 10597 | 24677 |
The Salary for different roles of RRB NTPC is as below. The salaries both for UG level and Graduate level posts are below. The Graduate-level posts start from Traffic Assistant.
Post Name |
7th Pay commission Level |
Starting salary |
| Junior Clerk Cum Typist | 2 | ₹ 19900 |
| Junior Time Keeper | 2 | ₹ 19900 |
| Trains Clerk | 2 | ₹ 19900 |
| Accounts Clerk Cum Typist | 2 | ₹ 19900 |
| Commercial Ticket Clerk | 3 | ₹ 21700 |
| Traffic Assistant | 4 | ₹ 25500 |
| Senior Commercial cum Ticket clerk | 5 | ₹ 29200 |
| Goods Guard | 5 | ₹ 29200 |
| Senior Clerk Cum Typist | 5 | ₹ 29200 |
| Junior Account Assistant Cum Typist | 5 | ₹ 29200 |
| Senior timekeeper | 5 | ₹ 29200 |
| Commercial Apprentice | 6 | ₹ 35400 |
| Station Master | 6 | ₹ 35400 |
The syllabus of the RRB NTPC exam consists of three parts
Firstly mathematics, which includes arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and statistics. Secondly, the exam consists of Reasoning and finally, the syllabus ends in General awareness which contains both static and current affairs. Furthermore, a finely detailed guide to the syllabus is available here. Check the syllabus pages it also contains tips on how to cover the syllabus in an efficient timely manner. Following this can help one cover the syllabus quickly leaving enough time span for practices only.
The RRB NTPC exam consists of four stages. Firstly Stage one or CBT 1, secondly stage 2 or CBT 2, thirdly depending on the post the exam will either be CBAT or typing test and finally Document Verification. The fourth stage is not a part of the exam pattern however, it is essential for a candidate to verify the documents in order to finally secure a job. Each of the stages exam patterns is as below. It is also notable there is negative marking for wrong answers,
Section |
Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Reasoning | 30 | 30 |
| General Awareness (GK) | 40 | 40 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
| Section | Number of Questions | Total Marks |
| Mathematics | 35 | 35 |
| Reasoning | 35 | 35 |
| General Awareness (GK) | 50 | 50 |
| Total | 120 | 120 |
CBAT or Computer-based Aptitude Test
The CBAT exam is only for qualifying candidates for the posts of Traffic Assistant and station Master. The CBAT question will be available in Hindi and English only. The questions will be divided into six batteries a candidate will have to qualify in all six of them. Additionally, a candidate has to score a minimum of 30% in CBAT and 70% in CBT-2 in order to proceed to document verification.
Typing Skill
Candidates that achieve success in the CBT -2 exam qualify for the typing skill test. It is the last stage for selection except for document verification. In this test, candidates need to type at least 30 words in English and at least 25 words in Hindi in order to qualify further.
The admit card for the 7th phase was released on 19th July. The admit card is an official document. Every candidate should keep it safe at least until the entire selection and onboarding process is over. Likewise, there will be no more admit cards released as the exam is over for 2021.
RRB NTPC exam results are pending, likely the board will release the result in September. Moreover, the answer key for the exam will also be available in time during September. The students have written the exam for different states RRB, thereby rendering the exam available in 15 languages. The official site still does not have any notification or notice regarding the answer key or result announcement. However, students can expect the results to be available by September end. Once the result is announced or any notification for the same or for answer key is released you can check this space for links or the latest updates.
The application process for the exam is online and is no rocket science. Simply follow the steps to easily apply for the vacancies.
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RRB NTPC – Railway Recruitment Board Non-Technical Popular Categories. RRB conducts the exam every year and recruits candidates from the nation. The exam secures candidates for non-core technical posts and the payment for the same starts from level 2 and goes up to level 6 as per the 7th pay commission. Recently the exam saw the registration of more than 1 crore candidates for 30k+ vacancies.
The syllabus of the exam is not vast and a student or candidate with proper discipline can cover the syllabus easily. However, the tough part lies with the fact that seats are very low when compared to the number of candidates appearing for the exam. The answer for the question can vary from candidate to candidate therefore complete the syllabus take mocks and determine where you stand by analyzing your mocks.
The salary starts at level 2 of the seventh CPC and goes up to the 6th level. The starting salary begins at 19900 and goes up to 35400. Moreover, the salary comprises components like basic pay, grade pay, DA, TA, and HRA. The entire starting salary for each and every post is given above. Please check it.
A 12th pass can write the RRB NTPC exam and secure a job. Moreover, the 12th pass candidates can apply for the following posts.
To explore related exams, click here.