Candidates preparing for government careers in Indian Railways have received a major update regarding their selection process. The Railway Recruitment Board has officially announced the exam date for the second stage Computer Based Test (CBT 2) under the Non-Technical Popular Categories undergraduate recruitment drive. Aspirants who successfully cleared the first stage (CBT 1) can now check the detailed schedule and guidelines on the official regional RRB portals.
Exam Schedule and Important Dates
According to the official notification released by the recruitment board, the RRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examination will be conducted across various designated test centers nationwide on September 17, 2026. This recruitment drive aims to fill a total of 3,058 vacant undergraduate posts across multiple railway divisions. The available roles include Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Accounts Clerk, Junior Clerk, and Trains Clerk. To help candidates plan their travel, the board will activate the exam city and date indication slip on September 7, 2026. Subsequently, candidates can download their official e-call letters starting September 13, 2026.
Exam Pattern and Subject Breakdown
The second stage Computer Based Test will comprise 120 multiple choice objective questions, carrying a maximum score of 120 marks. General candidates will get a total duration of 90 minutes (1.5 hours) to complete the test. For Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) category candidates, the allotted exam duration has been extended to 120 minutes (2 hours).
The question paper is divided into three core sections designed to evaluate different competencies. The General Awareness segment holds the maximum weightage with 50 questions carrying 50 marks. The Mathematics section consists of 35 questions for 35 marks, while the General Intelligence and Reasoning section also features 35 questions worth 35 marks. Candidates must carefully balance speed and accuracy across all three sections to achieve a competitive score.
Negative Marking and Normalization Rules
A penalty for wrong answers will be strictly enforced during the evaluation of CBT 2. A negative marking of 1/3 mark (0.33 mark) will be deducted for every incorrect attempt, whereas candidates will earn 1 mark for each correct response. The board advises candidates to avoid blind guessing and focus on attempting questions with certainty.
Because the examination will be administered across multiple shifts and sessions, score normalization will be applied. This normalization process ensures fair evaluation for all candidates by standardizing raw scores to account for any variations in difficulty levels across different exam shifts.
Category-Wise Minimum Qualifying Percentage
The Railway Recruitment Board has prescribed minimum qualifying cut-off percentages across candidate categories for clearing the CBT 2 stage. Candidates belonging to the Unreserved (UR) category and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) must secure a minimum score of 40 percent to remain eligible for selection.
For candidates under the Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer) and Scheduled Caste (SC) categories, the minimum passing benchmark is set at 30 percent. The recruitment board also specified that PwBD candidates may receive a relaxation of up to 2 percent in minimum qualifying marks if there is a shortage of eligible candidates for reserved posts.
Aadhaar Biometric Verification and Required Documents
To prevent impersonation and maintain integrity, Aadhaar-linked biometric verification will be conducted at all examination venues prior to entry. The board strongly advises all candidates to ensure that their Aadhaar biometrics are unlocked on the UIDAI portal or mAadhaar app before arriving at the test center, preventing technical delays during authentication.
On the day of the exam, candidates must carry a valid original photo identity proof—such as an Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or Driving License—along with a clear printed copy of their official e-call letter. Entry into the examination hall will be strictly prohibited without these verified documents.
Subsequent Selection Stages and Skill Test
Candidates who successfully qualify in CBT 2 will advance to the next phase of the recruitment process based on the requirements of their opted posts. For roles requiring clerical and typing proficiency, candidates will have to undergo a Computer Based Typing Skill Test (CBTST).
For other non-typing roles, shortlisted candidates will proceed directly to Document Verification followed by a comprehensive Medical Examination. According to the recruitment board, these subsequent stages are expected to commence from December 2026. Aspirants are advised to regularly monitor the official regional RRB websites for further updates.
