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RRB NTPC Graduate Exam 2026 Starts from 16 March – Dates, Admit Card & Complete Schedule
CBT 1 runs 16–27 March 2026 · 5,810 vacancies · Admit card from 12 March · 100 questions · 90 minutes
📋 Key Details at a Glance
- Recruitment Body Railway Recruitment Board (RRB)
- Notification No. CEN 06/2025
- Exam Name RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT 1
- Exam Dates 16 March – 27 March 2026
- Total Vacancies 5,810 (Graduate Level)
- City Intimation Slip ~6 March 2026 (10 days before exam)
- Admit Card Release 12 March 2026 (4 days before exam)
- Official Website rrbcdg.gov.in
- Exam Mode Computer Based Test (Online)
Finally, the Date Is Out!
If you have been refreshing the RRB official website every morning with a cup of tea in hand — your wait is over. The Railway Recruitment Board officially announced the RRB NTPC Graduate Level exam schedule on 13 February 2026. The CBT 1 examination will run from 16 March to 27 March 2026 across hundreds of test centres in India.
This exam is for the 2025–26 recruitment cycle under CEN 06/2025. A total of 5,810 graduate-level posts are on offer. These are coveted government positions in Indian Railways — and for good reason. Stable income, job security, and the satisfaction of wearing a railway badge. Not bad at all.
Whether you applied months ago or just heard about this — here is everything you need to know, straight from official sources.
📌 Source: Railway Recruitment Board (rrbcdg.gov.in) – Official notice released 13 February 2026.
RRB NTPC Graduate Level Exam Schedule 2026
The CBT 1 exam spans multiple days in March. RRB will conduct the test in three shifts daily, allowing them to accommodate a large number of candidates across the country. The confirmed exam dates are listed below.
| # | Exam Date | Day | Shift Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 March 2026 | Monday | Shift 1: 9:00–10:30 AM Shift 2: 12:00–1:30 PM Shift 3: 4:00–5:30 PM |
| 2 | 17 March 2026 | Tuesday | |
| 3 | 18 March 2026 | Wednesday | |
| 4 | 19 March 2026 | Thursday | |
| 5 | 20 March 2026 | Friday | |
| 6 | 21 March 2026 | Saturday | |
| 7 | 23 March 2026 | Monday | |
| 8 | 24 March 2026 | Tuesday | |
| 9 | 25 March 2026 | Wednesday | |
| 10 | 27 March 2026 | Friday |
📌 Source: Testbook – RRB NTPC Exam Date 2026 Out
⚠️ Note: 22 March (Sunday) is a rest day in the schedule. The exam skips to 23 March. Plan your travel accordingly if your exam falls near that date.
RRB NTPC Admit Card 2026 – When and How to Download
No admit card means no entry. RRB is strict about this. So let’s get the dates right.
The city intimation slip will go live approximately 10 days before the exam. For the 16 March batch, expect the city slip around 6 March 2026. This slip tells you your assigned exam city, date, and shift.
The actual e-call letter (admit card) releases 4 days before your exam date. For candidates appearing on 16 March, the admit card should be available from 12 March 2026 on official RRB regional websites.
| Document | Release Timeline | Expected Date (for 16 March Batch) |
|---|---|---|
| City Intimation Slip | 10 days before exam | ~6 March 2026 |
| Admit Card (E-Call Letter) | 4 days before exam | ~12 March 2026 |
Steps to Download the Admit Card
- Go to your regional RRB website (e.g., rrbcdg.gov.in for Delhi region, or your respective regional site).
- Find and click the link: “Download E-Call Letter for NTPC Graduate CBT 1”.
- Enter your Registration Number and Date of Birth (DD-MM-YYYY format).
- Enter the captcha code and click Login.
- Your admit card will appear on screen. Download and print a copy immediately.
📌 Pro Tip: Don’t wait until the night before. Download your admit card the moment it goes live. Servers tend to get overloaded when lakhs of candidates try to download at the same time. (We’ve all been there.)
📌 Source: Career Power – RRB NTPC Admit Card 2026
What to Carry on Exam Day
Forgetting documents on exam day is the stuff of nightmares. Don’t let that happen. Here’s what RRB requires you to bring.
| Item | Mandatory? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Printed Admit Card | ✅ Yes | Black & white print is acceptable |
| Valid Photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, etc.) | ✅ Yes | Original only, no photocopies |
| Aadhaar Card (original) | ✅ Yes | Required for biometric verification |
| Two passport-size photographs | Recommended | Same as the one in your application |
| SC/ST Travel Authority (if applicable) | As applicable | Download from the city intimation link |
RRB NTPC CBT 1 Exam Pattern 2026
Understanding the exam pattern before entering the hall is like knowing the menu before a restaurant — you plan better. The CBT 1 is a 90-minute online objective test with 100 questions across three subjects.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Exam Duration: 90 minutes | Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark deducted per wrong answer | Mode: Computer Based (Online)
⚠️ Important: Negative marking of 1/3rd mark applies for every wrong answer. Attempting 100 questions blindly will hurt your score. Accuracy matters more than attempting every single question.
RRB NTPC Graduate Level Vacancy 2026
This recruitment drive under CEN 06/2025 covers 5,810 graduate-level posts. These are permanent government roles in Indian Railways across various departments. Some of the key posts are listed below.
| Post Name | Level |
|---|---|
| Station Master | Graduate Level |
| Goods Train Manager | Graduate Level |
| Junior Clerk cum Typist | Graduate Level |
| Accounts Clerk cum Typist | Graduate Level |
| Junior Account Assistant cum Typist | Graduate Level |
| Senior Clerk cum Typist | Graduate Level |
| Senior Time Keeper | Graduate Level |
| Commercial cum Ticket Clerk | Graduate Level |
📌 Source: Testbook – RRB NTPC 2026 Overview
Selection Process – Step by Step
Clearing CBT 1 is just the first step. Here is the full picture of how RRB selects candidates for these posts.
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 – CBT 1 | Screening test · 100 questions · 90 minutes · General Awareness, Maths, Reasoning |
| Stage 2 – CBT 2 | Advanced-level test for shortlisted candidates from CBT 1 |
| Stage 3 – Skill/Typing Test | Applicable for specific posts requiring typing proficiency (CBTST/CBAT) |
| Stage 4 – Document Verification | Verification of all original certificates, eligibility proof |
| Stage 5 – Medical Examination | Fitness assessment as per the post’s medical standards |
Final selection happens strictly on merit — meaning your CBT performance will determine where you land. No shortcuts, no side doors.
Last-Minute Preparation Tips
With the exam just weeks away, here are a few things that can genuinely make a difference.
Focus heavily on General Awareness — it carries 40 marks and is often the deciding factor between clearing and missing the cutoff. Current affairs from the last 6 months, railway-specific GK, and basic science are frequent favourites in NTPC papers.
For Mathematics, revise percentage, ratio, time-work, and number systems. These topics repeat year after year. Solve at least 10 previous year papers to get comfortable with the difficulty level.
In Reasoning, puzzles, syllogisms, and coding-decoding need daily practice. Don’t leave these for the last day — reasoning requires a sharp, well-rested mind.
And please — get a good night’s sleep before your exam. Cramming until 3 AM has never helped anyone think clearly at 9 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What is the RRB NTPC Graduate Level exam date 2026?
The CBT 1 exam runs from 16 March to 27 March 2026. The exam is held on 10 specific dates: 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, and 27 March 2026.
Q2. When will the RRB NTPC admit card 2026 be released?
The admit card (e-call letter) releases 4 days before your exam date. For candidates appearing on 16 March, the admit card should be available around 12 March 2026 on official RRB websites.
Q3. Where can I download the RRB NTPC 2026 admit card?
Visit your regional RRB website such as rrbcdg.gov.in and log in with your Registration Number and Date of Birth. You can also try the candidate login portal at rrb.digialm.com.
Q4. How many vacancies are there under RRB NTPC Graduate Level 2026?
RRB announced 5,810 graduate-level vacancies under CEN 06/2025. The overall NTPC recruitment (graduate + undergraduate) covers 8,868 posts.
Q5. What is the exam pattern for CBT 1?
The test has 100 questions (40 General Awareness + 30 Mathematics + 30 Reasoning), is worth 100 marks, lasts 90 minutes, and has 1/3rd negative marking per wrong answer.
Q6. Is there negative marking in RRB NTPC 2026?
Yes. 1/3rd mark is deducted for every incorrect answer. Unanswered questions carry no penalty.
Q7. What documents must I carry to the exam centre?
You must bring your printed admit card, original Aadhaar card (for biometric verification), and at least one more valid government-issued photo ID (PAN card, Voter ID, Passport, etc.).
Q8. When will the RRB NTPC city intimation slip be released?
The city intimation slip goes live approximately 10 days before the exam. For the 16 March exam date, expect the city slip around 6 March 2026.
Q9. Will the UG NTPC exam also be held in March 2026?
No. The RRB NTPC Undergraduate (CEN 07/2025) exam dates are separate and expected around May 2026. March 2026 dates are only for Graduate Level posts.
Q10. What is the exam shift timing for CBT 1?
Three shifts are scheduled each day: Shift 1 (9:00–10:30 AM), Shift 2 (12:00–1:30 PM), and Shift 3 (4:00–5:30 PM). Your assigned shift will be mentioned on your admit card.
📥 Ready for the Exam?
Download your city intimation slip and admit card from the official RRB portals. Don’t rely on third-party websites for critical documents.Visit Official RRB WebsiteCheck Full Exam Schedule
Disclaimer: This article is based on official RRB notifications and data from verified education portals. Exam dates and admit card timelines may be updated by RRB. Always cross-check at rrbcdg.gov.in or your respective regional RRB website before the exam day.
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