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The RRB NTPC CBT 1 2026 is being conducted across two levels: Graduate (CEN 06/2025, completed March 16-27, 2026) and Undergraduate (CEN 07/2025, ongoing from May 7 to June 21, 2026). For candidates with upcoming exam dates in June 2026, exam day preparation is as critical as syllabus preparation. Every year, candidates lose their chance to appear in the exam because of preventable errors: a forgotten admit card, a locked Aadhaar biometric, a prohibited item at the gate, or arriving after gate closure.
The Railway Recruitment Board introduced a significant change for the 2026 cycle: Aadhaar biometric verification is mandatory at the exam centre for both Graduate and Undergraduate levels. No other identity proof can substitute for Aadhaar during the biometric process. This rule alone makes it essential for every candidate to verify their Aadhaar status well before the exam date.
This page covers every aspect of RRB NTPC CBT 1 exam day preparation: the mandatory documents list, shift timings, Aadhaar requirements and how to unlock biometric, prohibited items, what happens during biometric verification, the admit card download process, PwBD special requirements, and a complete night-before checklist.
The CBT 1 exam is conducted in three shifts per day across all exam dates. Your specific shift is printed on your admit card. Arrive early enough to complete biometric verification and document checks before gate closure.
| Shift Reporting Time Gate Closes Exam Start Exam End | ||||
| Shift 1 (Morning) | 8:00 AM | 8:30 AM | 9:00 AM | 10:30 AM |
| Shift 2 (Afternoon) | 12:00 PM | 12:30 PM | 12:45 PM | 2:15 PM |
| Shift 3 (Evening) | 3:30 PM | 4:00 PM | 4:30 PM | 6:00 PM |
Gate closure is enforced strictly. Candidates who arrive after the gate closure time are not permitted to enter under any circumstances. Railway Recruitment Boards do not make exceptions for traffic delays, public transport issues, or other reasons. Plan your travel to arrive at the centre at least 60 to 90 minutes before the gate closure time, especially for the morning shift.
The admit card is released in phases for the Undergraduate level: 4 days before each candidate's assigned exam date. Candidates are not given a single blanket release date; the release is staggered by exam date.
| Step Action | |
| 1 | Visit your regional RRB official website (e.g., rrbcdg.gov.in, rrbchennai.gov.in) OR visit rrb.digialm.com |
| 2 | Click on the CEN 07/2025 admit card link for UG posts |
| 3 | Enter your Registration Number and Password or Date of Birth |
| 4 | Enter the captcha and click Login |
| 5 | The admit card PDF opens on screen |
| 6 | Download and print on A4 paper (colour printout preferred) |
| 7 | Print at least 2 copies and retain both |
Admit cards are never sent by post. They must be downloaded online. Candidates who have forgotten their registration number should use the "Forgot Registration Number" option on the official portal or check their Aadhaar-linked email or mobile number for the SMS/email sent at the time of registration.
After downloading, check the following details carefully before the exam day:
| Field What to Verify | |
| Candidate Name | Should match your Class 10 certificate and photo ID exactly |
| Roll Number | Your unique identifier for the exam |
| Registration Number | Verify it matches your application records |
| Exam Date | Confirm the specific date assigned to you |
| Shift | Note the shift number and report accordingly |
| Reporting Time | Check your specific shift's reporting time |
| Gate Closing Time | Critical; plan travel to arrive before this time |
| Exam Centre Name | Verify the full name and address |
| Exam Centre Address | Map the route at least one day in advance |
| Candidate Photograph | Should be the photo uploaded during application |
| Category | Confirm your category is correctly shown |
If any detail is incorrect, contact your regional RRB office immediately through the official helpdesk. Do not wait until exam day to raise discrepancies.
The documents listed below are compulsory. Entry is denied if any of these is missing.
| Document Specifications | |
| Printed Admit Card (E-Call Letter) | Original colour printout on A4 paper; clear photograph and text; no digital/mobile copy accepted |
| Original Aadhaar Card | Physical Aadhaar card OR colour printout of e-Aadhaar from uidai.gov.in; biometric must be unlocked |
| Valid Original Photo ID | One of the accepted government-issued IDs (see list below) |
| Passport-size Photographs | 2 recent colour photographs (same as those submitted during application) |
While Aadhaar is mandatory for biometric verification, one additional photo ID must also be carried.
| Accepted ID Notes | |
| PAN Card | Must be valid and not damaged |
| Voter ID (EPIC) | Current, valid voter identity card |
| Passport | Within validity period |
| Driving Licence | Within validity period |
| School or College Photo ID | Only from government-recognised institutions |
For both Graduate (CEN 06/2025) and Undergraduate (CEN 07/2025) CBT 1 exams in 2026, the Railway Recruitment Board has made Aadhaar-based biometric verification compulsory at the exam centre. No other ID can substitute for Aadhaar in the biometric process.
This is a critical rule that has caused candidates to be turned away at exam centres. Understand and follow all three requirements below.
| Requirement What to Do | |
| Carry original Aadhaar | Physical Aadhaar card OR colour printout of e-Aadhaar downloaded from uidai.gov.in |
| Aadhaar biometric must be UNLOCKED | Visit uidai.gov.in and check if biometric is locked; unlock it at least 2 to 3 days before the exam |
| Aadhaar must be updated | Ensure Aadhaar has your current photograph (not an outdated one from years ago); significant appearance changes may cause biometric mismatch |
UIDAI allows individuals to lock their Aadhaar biometric data as a privacy measure. A locked biometric cannot be verified at the exam centre scanner. If a candidate's biometric is locked, the verification fails and they are not permitted to enter the exam hall.
To check and unlock your Aadhaar biometric:
| Format Accepted | |
| Original physical Aadhaar card | Yes |
| Colour printout of e-Aadhaar from uidai.gov.in | Yes |
| mAadhaar (on phone app) | No; phone is prohibited at exam centre |
| Photocopy or scan of physical Aadhaar | No |
| DigiLocker version | No |
Aadhaar is mandatory and RRB has no alternative provision for candidates who do not carry it or whose biometric is locked. Candidates who do not meet the Aadhaar requirement will not be permitted to enter the exam hall, and no re-examination will be granted.
The biometric verification process consists of multiple checkpoints. Understanding what to expect prevents anxiety and delays on exam day.
| Checkpoint Process | |
| Entry Gate | Admit card visual check, Aadhaar and photo ID inspection |
| Biometric Desk | Fingerprint scan using live biometric scanner; Aadhaar verified against UIDAI database |
| Photograph Capture | Live photograph taken at registration desk |
| Hall Entry | Attendance register signed; left thumb impression (LTI) taken on attendance sheet |
| Seating | Candidate seated at assigned workstation; webcam captures live image periodically during exam |
| Exit | Rough sheets collected; candidate signs attendance register again |
The following items are strictly prohibited inside the examination hall. Being found with any of these may result in expulsion from the exam or cancellation of candidature.
| Prohibited Device Reason | |
| Mobile phones (switched off or not) | Communication and photography risk |
| Smartwatches and digital watches | Recording and communication capability |
| Bluetooth devices and earphones | External communication |
| Calculators (scientific or basic) | Computational assistance |
| Tablets, laptops, cameras | Photography and data storage |
| Any electronic gadget with data storage or communication | Unfair means risk |
| Prohibited Item Rule | |
| Books, notes, printed material | Not allowed inside exam hall |
| Rough sheets brought from outside | Exam centre provides official rough sheets |
| Paper chits of any kind | Zero tolerance |
| Prohibited Item Rule | |
| Bags and backpacks | No storage facility at most centres; leave outside |
| Metal accessories (rings, chains, pins) | Security checks may require removal |
| Head coverings (non-religious) | Face must remain visible for biometric and webcam |
| Food and beverages (unless medically declared) | Generally not permitted inside hall |
| Writing instruments (pens, pencils) | Not allowed; only workstation keyboard and mouse used |
| Rule Detail | |
| Do not operate the computer | Wait for invigilator permission before touching the workstation |
| Check your workstation | If screen is blank, keyboard is stuck, or mouse is unresponsive, report immediately |
| Read on-screen instructions | A set of instructions appears before exam start; read them fully |
| Do not start answering | Questions are locked until the invigilator activates the exam |
| Rule Detail | |
| No talking | Silence must be maintained throughout |
| No leaving seat | Do not leave without informing the invigilator |
| Washroom breaks allowed | Inform invigilator; exam timer does not pause; you are escorted and no extra time given |
| Use only official rough sheets | All rough sheets are provided by the centre; no personal paper allowed |
| Do not photograph the screen | Strictly prohibited; severe consequences under Railway examination rules |
| Negative marking applies | Do not attempt questions where you have less than 50 percent certainty; 0.33 penalty applies |
| Rule Detail | |
| Return all rough sheets | Mandatory before leaving; taking rough sheets out is not permitted |
| Do not leave until permitted | Remain seated until the invigilator announces exit |
| Do not share questions | Sharing question content outside the centre is a violation |
| Retain admit card | Required for all future stages including CBT 2, CBAT, and DV |
Candidates with Persons with Benchmark Disability classification who require additional accommodation must follow specific requirements.
| Requirement Detail | |
| Original disability certificate | Must be carried to every exam stage; must be in the prescribed format; self-attested copies not accepted |
| Scribe arrangement | If using a scribe, the scribe declaration form must be submitted at the centre on exam day |
| Extra time | PwBD candidates are given 30 minutes of compensatory time per hour; total exam time becomes 120 minutes for CBT 1 |
| Seating | Ground-floor or accessible seating is generally arranged; inform the centre in-charge on arrival |
The extra time provision is automatically activated if the PwBD status was declared in the application and approved. Candidates who declared PwBD status during application will see it noted on their admit card.
RRB NTPC does not prescribe a formal dress code but exam centre security checks require certain clothing considerations.
| Recommendation Reason | |
| Wear simple, light clothing | Easier security clearance |
| Avoid metal embellishments on clothing | Metal detectors at some centres create delays |
| Remove all jewellery before leaving home | Rings, chains, and metal bracelets must be removed at security |
| Wear flat or easy-to-remove footwear | Security checks at some centres require shoe inspection |
| Face must remain uncovered | Required for biometric webcam verification throughout the exam |
| Avoid hooded clothing | Hood must be lowered inside the examination hall |
Preparing the night before eliminates morning panic and ensures smooth entry.
| Item Action Required | |
| Admit card | Already downloaded and printed (2 copies) |
| Original Aadhaar card | Placed in document folder |
| Aadhaar biometric status | Verified as UNLOCKED on uidai.gov.in |
| Additional photo ID | PAN/Voter ID/Passport in document folder |
| Passport-size photographs (2) | In document folder |
| Exam centre address | Mapped on Google Maps; route confirmed |
| Commute plan | Departure time calculated to arrive 60 min before gate closure |
| Alarm | Set for sufficient wake-up time; tested |
| Mobile phone plan | Will be left at home or in vehicle |
| Clothing | Laid out; no metal accessories; comfortable |
| Wristwear | All smartwatches removed; analogue watch acceptable |
| Sleep | Target 7 to 8 hours; avoid late-night revision |
Once the exam is over, here is the timeline for next steps.
| Stage Expected Date | |
| UG CBT 1 Exam Concludes | June 21, 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key | Expected within 2 to 3 weeks of exam conclusion |
| Answer Key Objection Window | Typically 5 to 7 days after key release |
| CBT 1 Result | Expected July to August 2026 |
| CBT 2 Notification | Released with or shortly after CBT 1 result |
Begin CBT 2 preparation immediately after the exam, without waiting for the CBT 1 result. The gap between CBT 1 result and CBT 2 exam is typically 2 to 4 months. Candidates who wait for the result before preparing for CBT 2 enter the most critical stage of preparation at a significant disadvantage.
Use the RRB NTPC Tier 1 Test Series to maintain preparation momentum between CBT 1 and CBT 2.
Is Aadhaar mandatory even if I carry other IDs like PAN and Voter ID? Yes. For the 2026 cycle, Aadhaar is mandatory specifically for biometric verification. Other photo IDs are required additionally but cannot replace Aadhaar in the biometric process. Candidates without Aadhaar or with a locked biometric will not be permitted entry.
What if my Aadhaar biometric fails at the centre? Inform the centre supervisor immediately. A manual alternative process is available but takes longer. Arrive early to allow time for such situations. To avoid this, unlock your biometric on uidai.gov.in at least 2 to 3 days before exam day.
Can I carry a printed photocopy of my Aadhaar? No. A colour printout of the e-Aadhaar downloaded from uidai.gov.in is accepted. A photocopy or scanned copy of the physical Aadhaar card is not accepted. The original physical card or the official e-Aadhaar printout are the only valid formats.
What if I forget my admit card at home? Entry to the exam hall will be denied. Railway Recruitment Board centres do not make exceptions. Always print 2 copies the night before and place them in your bag along with other documents.
Is a mobile phone allowed at the exam centre premises? Mobile phones are strictly prohibited inside the examination hall and the registered examination area. Most centres do not have cloakroom facilities. Leave your phone at home or in your vehicle.
How much extra time do PwBD candidates get? PwBD candidates receive 30 minutes of compensatory time per hour of exam duration. For the 90-minute CBT 1, this means a total of 45 minutes extra, making the total exam time 135 minutes.
All exam day instructions on this page are sourced from official RRB NTPC exam notices for CEN 06/2025 (Graduate) and CEN 07/2025 (Undergraduate), official admit card instructions released March 12, 2026 (Graduate) and May 3, 2026 (UG), and the official Aadhaar biometric mandate announcement by the Railway Recruitment Board. Shift timings are based on the official exam schedule. Always read the instructions printed on your specific admit card as they take precedence over any other source.
Stay updated with the latest news and notifications about RRB NTPC Exam Day Guidance 2026: Documents, Shift Timings, Aadhaar Rules and Dos and Donts and other exams.
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