The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have once again created a buzz among job aspirants across India with the announcement of the RRB NTPC Recruitment 2025/26. With over 8,875 vacancies for both Graduate and Undergraduate candidates, this recruitment drive is being considered one of the biggest job opportunities of the year.

Railways have always been a dream workplace for lakhs of Indians due to the combination of job stability, respectable work profiles, and attractive perks. The Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC) posts are particularly attractive because they are open to a wide range of aspirants – from Class 12 pass candidates to graduates in any stream.

In this detailed article, we will cover every important aspect of this recruitment – from notification details, eligibility, post responsibilities, and fee structure to exam pattern, salary, preparation strategy, and frequently asked questions.

The Big Announcement

The short notification for RRB NTPC 2025/26 was officially released on 23rd September 2025. This announcement confirmed:

• A total of 8,875 vacancies across India.

• Posts divided into Graduate-level (CEN 06/2025) and Undergraduate-level (CEN 07/2025) categories.

• Application dates, eligibility requirements, and fee structure.

• A detailed notification (CEN-wise) will follow soon, giving syllabus and zone-wise distribution.

This is not the first time RRB NTPC has seen massive participation. In the 2019 NTPC recruitment, more than 1.25 crore candidates applied for around 35,000 posts. That record-breaking response underlines how competitive this exam is likely to be.

Important Dates

The application timeline has been clearly laid out by RRBs.

 Candidates are strongly advised to avoid the last-minute rush and complete the application process well before the deadline.

Vacancy Breakdown

The 8,875 vacancies are split into two major categories:

• Graduate Posts → 5,817 vacancies

• Undergraduate Posts → 3,058 vacancies

Popular Graduate-Level Posts:

1. Station Master – Supervising train operations, ensuring passenger safety, and managing train arrivals and departures.

2. Goods Guard – Monitoring goods trains, checking wagons, and ensuring safe transportation.

3. Traffic Assistant – Assisting in controlling railway traffic and scheduling.

4. Senior Clerk-cum-Typist – Handling office administration and clerical duties.

5. Commercial Apprentice – Multi-departmental training and supervisory roles.

Popular Undergraduate-Level Posts:

1. Junior Clerk-cum-Typist – Entry-level clerical role, typing and record management.

2. Accounts Clerk-cum-Typist – Handling financial records and accounting tasks.

3. Trains Clerk – Maintaining train schedules and operational records.

4. Ticket Clerk / Booking Clerk – Issuing tickets and assisting passengers.

These roles provide a mix of desk jobs and fieldwork, allowing candidates to choose based on their preference and qualifications.

Application Fees & Refund

The RRB has kept fees affordable and has also introduced a refund policy to encourage genuine applicants.

• General / OBC / EWS → ₹500

• SC / ST / PwD / Women / Ex-Servicemen / Minority / EBC → ₹250

Refund Policy:

• General/OBC: ₹400 refunded (after bank charges) if the candidate appears in CBT-1.

• Others: Full ₹250 refunded (after bank charges) upon appearing in CBT-1.

This system was first introduced in the 2019 NTPC recruitment and helps reduce the number of non-serious candidates.

Eligibility Criteria

Undergraduate Posts (CEN 07/2025)

• Educational Qualification: Must have completed 10+2 (Intermediate) from a recognized board.

• Age Limit: 18–30 years (with relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PwD as per govt. norms).

Graduate Posts (CEN 06/2025)

• Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university.

• Age Limit: 18–33 years (relaxations available).

Both categories require proficiency in the local language of the respective RRB zone.

Exam Pattern & Stages of Selection

The NTPC recruitment process is multi-tiered to ensure fairness and thorough evaluation.

1. CBT-1 (Prelims)

   • Common for all candidates.

   • Objective type, computer-based exam.

   • Subjects: Mathematics, General Awareness, General Intelligence & Reasoning.

2. CBT-2 (Mains)

   • More detailed and post-specific.

   • Higher weightage in final merit.

3. Skill Test / Typing Test / Aptitude Test

   • For posts like Typist, Station Master, and Traffic Assistant.

4. Document Verification

5. Medical Examination

Syllabus Overview

Mathematics:

• Number System, Fractions, LCM/HCF, Ratio, Percentage, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Profit & Loss, Mensuration, Simple & Compound Interest.

General Intelligence & Reasoning:

• Coding-Decoding, Analogy, Venn Diagrams, Puzzles, Direction Test, Blood Relations, Mathematical Operations.

General Awareness:

• Current Affairs, Indian Polity, Economy, General Science, History, Geography, Railways & Transportation.

CBT-1 has 100 questions for 90 minutes; CBT-2 has 120 questions for 90 minutes.

Salary & Perks

One of the main reasons why NTPC posts are so sought after is the attractive pay scale.

• Undergraduate posts: Pay ranges from ₹19,900 to ₹21,700 (Level 2 to Level 3 of 7th CPC).

• Graduate posts: Pay ranges from ₹25,500 to ₹35,400 (Level 4 to Level 6 of 7th CPC).

Perks & Benefits:

• Dearness Allowance (DA)

• Transport Allowance

• House Rent Allowance (HRA)

• Pension benefits under NPS

• Free or discounted Railway passes

• Job security and career progression

Competition Level

• In 2019, 1.25 crore candidates applied for around 35,000 posts.

• This year, with around 8,875 posts, the number of applicants is expected to cross 50–60 lakhs easily.

This makes NTPC one of the most competitive government exams in India, second only to banking and SSC exams.

Preparation Tips

1. Start Early: With lakhs of applicants, speed and accuracy are key.

2. Focus on NCERT basics: For Mathematics and Science.

3. Daily Current Affairs: Railways gives high importance to current events.

4. Mock Tests & PYQs: Practice previous year papers to understand question trends.

5. Time Management: 90 minutes for 100+ questions means less than 1 minute per question.

FAQs

Q1: When was the NTPC 2025/26 notification released?

A: On 23rd September 2025.

Q2: How many vacancies are there?

A: 8,875 total vacancies – 5,817 Graduate & 3,058 Undergraduate.

Q3: What is the last date to apply?

A: Graduate posts: 20 Nov 2025, Undergraduate posts: 27 Nov 2025.

Q4: What is the application fee?

A: ₹500 for General/OBC/EWS, ₹250 for SC/ST/PwD/Women/Ex-Servicemen/Minority/EBC.

Q5: Is the fee refundable?

A: Yes. General/OBC get ₹400 back, others get full ₹250 back (if they appear for CBT-1).

Q6: What is the exam pattern?

A: CBT-1 (Prelims), CBT-2 (Mains), followed by skill/typing/aptitude test (for specific posts), document verification, and medical exam.

Q7: When will exams be held?

A: Tentatively in early 2026 (Jan–March).

Final Thoughts

The RRB NTPC Recruitment 2025/26 is one of the largest and most awaited government job opportunities in India. With 8,875 vacancies spread across multiple roles and open for both graduates and 10+2 pass candidates, it offers a golden chance for lakhs of aspirants to join the prestigious Indian Railways.

The transparent fee refund system, fair exam pattern, and diverse job roles make it an opportunity worth chasing. However, given the intense competition, candidates must start preparing early, focusing on speed, accuracy, and smart strategy.

For many, this recruitment could be the gateway to a secure, respected, and fulfilling career in the Indian Railways.

Also Read:

BPSC TRE 4.0 Coming Soon – Get Ready for Teacher Jobs!
NIACL AO Prelims Exam 2025: Detailed Analysis and Insights
Bihar STET 2025 Exam Date Released – Become a Teacher!

FollowJobs and EducationonInstantkhoj for more latest stories and trending topics.