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The RRB NTPC syllabus defines every topic that can be tested across both stages of the Computer-Based Test. A clear understanding of the syllabus is the first step in any effective preparation plan. It tells candidates what to study, what to deprioritise, and how to allocate time across three subjects. Without this clarity, preparation tends to drift toward familiar topics while critical high-weightage areas are left underprepared.
This page provides the complete official syllabus for RRB NTPC CBT 1 and CBT 2 for both Graduate-level (CEN 06/2025) and Undergraduate-level (CEN 07/2025) posts, the exam pattern for both stages, subject-wise and topic-wise weightage derived from analysis of previous year question papers, and a structured preparation framework.
Use the RRB NTPC Syllabus Tracker to track completion of every topic before the exam. Supplement topic coverage with the RRB NTPC Tier 1 Test Series which includes topic-wise tests for every subject in the CBT 1 syllabus.
The CBT 1 pattern is identical for both Graduate and Undergraduate levels. Difficulty varies between the two, but the structure is the same.
| Section Questions Marks Duration | |||
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 | -- |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 | -- |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 30 | 30 | -- |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 90 minutes |
| Rule Detail | |
| Mode | Online Computer-Based Test |
| Question type | Multiple Choice (4 options, 1 correct) |
| Marks per correct answer | 1 mark |
| Negative marking | 1/3 mark deducted per wrong answer |
| No penalty for unattempted questions | Correct |
| Sectional time limit | None; 90 minutes for full paper |
| Medium | English and Hindi (and other languages as applicable) |
| Normalisation | Applied across shifts |
| Purpose | Shortlisting for CBT 2 only; marks not in final merit |
CBT 2 is the merit-determining stage. Its marks form the final merit list.
| Section Questions Marks Duration | |||
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 | -- |
| Mathematics | 35 | 35 | -- |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 35 | 35 | -- |
| Total | 120 | 120 | 90 minutes |
CBT 2 is more difficult than CBT 1, with a higher number of questions in the same duration. Candidates who cover the CBT 1 syllabus thoroughly and at depth will find the transition to CBT 2 smoother.
| Feature CBT 1 CBT 2 | ||
| Total Questions | 100 | 120 |
| Total Marks | 100 | 120 |
| GA Questions | 40 | 50 |
| Maths Questions | 30 | 35 |
| Reasoning Questions | 30 | 35 |
| Duration | 90 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate | Moderate to High |
| Role in Selection | Shortlisting only | Final merit |
| Normalisation | Yes | Yes |
General Awareness is the highest-marks section in both CBT 1 and CBT 2. It also has the widest topic range, making it the most time-intensive section to prepare. Candidates who build systematic GA preparation early have the largest advantage.
| Sub-area Topics Covered | |
| Current Affairs | National and international events, government policies, appointments, awards, summits, sports events from 6 to 12 months before exam |
| History | Ancient Indian civilisations (Indus Valley, Vedic period), Maurya, Gupta empires; Medieval rulers; Mughal empire; British colonial period; Freedom struggle milestones; Post-independence events |
| Indian Geography | Physical divisions, Himalayan ranges, river systems, plains, peninsular plateau, coastline, climate zones, natural vegetation, wildlife sanctuaries, major irrigation projects |
| World Geography | Continents, oceans, major mountain ranges, rivers, countries and capitals, international boundaries, climate zones |
| Indian Polity | Constitution of India, Preamble, Fundamental Rights and Duties, Directive Principles, Parliament, President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Cabinet, Judiciary, Election Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General |
| Indian Economy | National income (GDP/GNP/NNP), Planning Commission and NITI Aayog, Five-Year Plans, Budget, Taxation, Banking system, RBI functions, Financial inclusion, Government schemes |
| Indian Railway | History of Indian Railways, zones and headquarters, railway terminology, recent railway projects, Vande Bharat Express, bullet train project, IRCTC |
| Science: Physics | Newton's Laws, Laws of Thermodynamics, Optics, Sound, Electricity, Magnetism, Nuclear physics basics |
| Science: Chemistry | Periodic table, chemical bonding, acids, bases, salts, metals and non-metals, important compounds, carbon and its compounds |
| Science: Biology | Cell structure, photosynthesis, human organ systems (digestive, respiratory, circulatory, nervous), genetics basics, common diseases, nutrition |
| Computer and Technology | Basic computer concepts, hardware, software, internet, ISRO space missions, defence technology |
| Sports | Recent Cricket World Cup, Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, national sports championships, individual athletes' achievements |
| Awards and Honours | Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, National Film Awards, Nobel Prize, Man Booker Prize recent winners |
| Important Days | National and international days, UN observance days |
| Culture | Classical dance forms, music traditions, folk arts, UNESCO-recognised heritage sites in India |
| Miscellaneous Static GK | Currencies, national symbols, capitals, languages, books and authors |
| Topic Average Questions per Shift (CBT 1) Priority | ||
| Current Affairs | 12 to 16 | Very High |
| History | 5 to 7 | Very High |
| Indian Polity | 3 to 5 | High |
| Geography (Indian and World) | 4 to 6 | High |
| Science (combined) | 5 to 8 | High |
| Economics and Banking | 2 to 4 | High |
| Sports | 2 to 3 | Medium |
| Static GK (miscellaneous) | 2 to 4 | Medium |
| Indian Railway specific | 1 to 3 | Medium |
| Awards and Culture | 1 to 2 | Lower |
Current Affairs and History together account for approximately 40 to 55 percent of the GA section in most CBT 1 shifts. These two sub-areas must be prioritised above all others.
Mathematics in RRB NTPC is based on Class 10 standard. Questions are direct and formula-based. The difficulty in CBT 1 is easy to moderate; CBT 2 includes more complex problems in algebra and geometry.
| Topic Sub-topics and Coverage | |
| Number System | Natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, rational and irrational numbers, prime numbers, composite numbers, HCF and LCM, divisibility rules, properties of numbers |
| Simplification | BODMAS, basic arithmetic simplification |
| Decimals and Fractions | Conversion, operations, comparison |
| Percentage | Calculation of percentage, percentage increase/decrease, percentage of a quantity |
| Profit, Loss and Discount | Cost price, selling price, profit percent, loss percent, marked price, successive discounts |
| Simple Interest | Formula-based problems: SI = PNR/100 |
| Compound Interest | Annual, half-yearly, quarterly compounding; difference between SI and CI |
| Ratio and Proportion | Simple ratio, compound ratio, direct and inverse proportion |
| Mixture and Alligation | Rule of alligation, mixture problems |
| Time and Work | Work done per unit time, combined work, pipes and cisterns |
| Time, Speed and Distance | Average speed, relative speed, trains passing problems, boats and streams |
| Average | Simple average, weighted average |
| Partnership | Simple and compound partnership, profit sharing |
| Algebra | Linear equations in one and two variables, quadratic equations (CBT 2 more) |
| Geometry | Lines and angles, triangles (congruence, similarity, Pythagoras theorem), circles, quadrilaterals, polygons |
| Mensuration | Area and perimeter of triangles, rectangles, squares, circles; volume and surface area of cubes, cuboids, cylinders, cones, spheres |
| Trigonometry | Trigonometric ratios (sin, cos, tan and reciprocals), complementary angles, heights and distances (CBT 2 more) |
| Statistics and Data Interpretation | Mean, median, mode; reading tables, bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs |
| Elementary Statistics | Frequency distribution, range, variance (CBT 2 more) |
| Topic Average Questions per Shift (CBT 1) Priority | ||
| Arithmetic (Percentage, P/L, SI/CI, TW, TSD, Ratio, Average) | 15 to 20 | Very High |
| Number System and Simplification | 3 to 5 | High |
| Geometry and Mensuration | 4 to 6 | High |
| Data Interpretation (basic) | 2 to 4 | High |
| Trigonometry | 2 to 3 | Medium |
| Algebra | 1 to 3 | Medium |
| Statistics | 1 to 2 | Lower |
Arithmetic topics collectively dominate the Mathematics section, accounting for 50 to 65 percent of questions. Building speed and accuracy in Percentage, Profit and Loss, Simple and Compound Interest, Time and Work, and Time-Speed-Distance is the single most impactful mathematical preparation activity.
Reasoning in RRB NTPC CBT 1 is easier than in SSC CGL or IBPS PO. Questions are more straightforward, with fewer complex multi-variable puzzles. The difficulty increases in CBT 2.
| Topic Types and Coverage | |
| Number and Alphabetical Series | Missing term, next term, wrong term series |
| Analogies | Number-based, letter-based, word-based (semantic and symbolic) |
| Coding and Decoding | Letter shifting, symbol coding, number coding, mixed coding |
| Classification (Odd One Out) | Choose the item that does not belong to the group |
| Syllogism | Two-premise syllogism; All/Some/No type statements and conclusions |
| Mathematical Operations | Symbols replacing arithmetic operators |
| Relationships (Blood Relations) | Family tree problems, coded blood relations |
| Venn Diagrams | Set-based relationship identification |
| Data Sufficiency | Determine if two statements together are sufficient to answer the question |
| Statement and Conclusion | Identify valid conclusion from a given statement |
| Statement and Assumptions | Identify valid assumptions underlying a statement |
| Statement and Arguments | Strong and weak arguments |
| Decision Making | Best course of action from given situations |
| Non-verbal Reasoning | Figure series, analogy, classification, completion |
| Mirror Images | Identify correct mirror image of a figure |
| Water Images | Identify correct water (vertical) image of a figure |
| Paper Folding and Cutting | Identify result of folding/cutting paper |
| Embedded Figures | Identify a given figure embedded within a larger figure |
| Directions and Distances | Direction sense, distance calculation |
| Ranking and Order | Position-based ranking from given clues |
| Alphabetical Arrangement | Arrange letters to form words, dictionary order |
| Topic Average Questions per Shift (CBT 1) Priority | ||
| Series (Number and Alphabetical) | 5 to 8 | Very High |
| Analogy | 4 to 6 | Very High |
| Coding-Decoding | 3 to 5 | High |
| Classification / Odd One Out | 3 to 5 | High |
| Non-verbal (Mirror, Paper Folding, Embedded) | 4 to 6 | High |
| Syllogism | 2 to 3 | Medium |
| Mathematical Operations | 1 to 2 | Medium |
| Blood Relations | 1 to 2 | Medium |
| Direction Sense | 1 to 2 | Medium |
| Venn Diagrams | 1 to 2 | Medium |
| Statement-based (all types) | 2 to 3 | Lower |
Series and Analogy together account for approximately 30 to 45 percent of the Reasoning section. These are the fastest questions in the section and should be targeted first for maximum per-minute scoring efficiency.
The official syllabus topics are identical for both levels. The difference lies entirely in difficulty level.
| Aspect UG Level Graduate Level | ||
| Syllabus Topics | Same | Same |
| CBT 1 Difficulty | Easy to Moderate | Moderate |
| CBT 2 Difficulty | Moderate | Moderate to High |
| Mathematics complexity | Class 8 to 10 standard | Class 10 standard |
| GA depth required | Basic to intermediate | Intermediate |
| Reasoning complexity | Simple patterns | Slightly more complex |
Candidates preparing for Graduate-level posts should build deeper fundamentals in every topic, particularly Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry in Mathematics, and should cover current affairs more comprehensively.
Before beginning preparation, map the full syllabus. Use the RRB NTPC Syllabus Tracker to list every topic across all three sections and assign a priority level based on the weightage data above.
Spend Phase 1 covering each topic in order of priority: start with Arithmetic in Mathematics, Current Affairs and History in GA, and Series and Analogy in Reasoning. Test each topic immediately after studying using topic-wise tests from the RRB NTPC Tier 1 Test Series.
After covering the full syllabus, shift to subject-level practice. Attempt 30 mixed Mathematics questions in 25 minutes. Attempt 30 mixed Reasoning questions in 20 minutes. Attempt 40 mixed GA questions in 20 minutes. Track scores and identify the topics where errors cluster.
In the final 4 to 6 weeks, take one full mock test (100 questions, 90 minutes) every day. After each mock, spend 45 to 60 minutes reviewing every wrong answer and returning to the relevant topic for focused revision. Use the mock score trend to measure improvement and adjust focus areas accordingly.
| Priority General Awareness Mathematics Reasoning | |||
| Non-negotiable | Current Affairs, History, Polity, Science | Arithmetic (all topics), Number System | Series, Analogy, Coding-Decoding, Non-verbal |
| High | Geography, Economy, Railways | Geometry, Mensuration, DI | Classification, Syllogism, Blood Relations |
| Medium | Sports, Awards, Culture | Trigonometry, Algebra, Statistics | Direction Sense, Venn Diagrams, Math Operations |
| Lower | Regional static GK | Advanced Statistics | Statement-based questions |
Is the RRB NTPC syllabus the same for Graduate and Undergraduate levels? Yes. The official syllabus topics are identical. The difference is in difficulty level: Graduate-level papers are more difficult than UG-level papers across all three sections.
Does the CBT 1 syllabus differ from CBT 2? The subjects are the same (GA, Maths, Reasoning). CBT 2 has more questions (120 vs 100) and higher difficulty. Topics like complex Data Interpretation, advanced Trigonometry, and Statement-Argument reasoning appear more in CBT 2.
What is the most important subject for RRB NTPC CBT 1? General Awareness carries the most marks (40 out of 100) and also shows the widest performance gap between prepared and unprepared candidates. It should receive the highest preparation time.
Is there any Descriptive paper in RRB NTPC? No. There is no descriptive or essay paper in RRB NTPC. The exam is entirely objective (multiple choice) across all stages except the Typing Skill Test for applicable posts.
Syllabus data on this page is sourced from official RRB NTPC notifications CEN 06/2025 and CEN 07/2025 published on regional RRB websites. Topic-wise weightage is based on analysis of official question papers from the 2019 to 2024 RRB NTPC exam cycles.
Stay updated with the latest news and notifications about RRB NTPC Syllabus 2026: CBT 1 and CBT 2 Complete Topic List, Exam Pattern and Weightage and other exams.
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27 May 2026
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