The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially announced the exam dates for the Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC) Computer-Based Test (CBT) 1 for 2025, creating a wave of excitement among the 1.21 crore candidates who have applied for this prestigious recruitment drive. This blog post provides a comprehensive overview of the RRB NTPC Exam 2025 schedule, admit card details, and essential tips to help candidates prepare effectively for this golden opportunity to join Indian Railways.
RRB NTPC Exam 2025: Key Highlights
The RRB NTPC 2025 examination is one of the largest recruitment drives in India, aiming to fill 11,558 vacancies for various graduate and undergraduate posts across Indian Railways. Out of these, 8,113 vacancies are for graduate-level posts (CEN 05/2024), and 3,445 vacancies are for undergraduate-level posts (CEN 06/2024). Approximately 1.21 crore candidates have applied, with 58.4 lakh for graduate posts and 63.26 lakh for undergraduate posts, making this a highly competitive exam.
The RRB NTPC 2025 exam is a multi-stage process, including:
- CBT 1 (Computer-Based Test): A screening test with objective-type questions.
- CBT 2: A more advanced test for shortlisted candidates.
- Skill Test/CBAT: For specific roles like Junior Clerk or Station Master.
- Document Verification and Medical Examination: Final stages to confirm eligibility.
This blog focuses on the CBT 1 schedule for graduate-level posts, admit card release details, and how candidates can stay prepared.
RRB NTPC CBT 1 Exam Schedule 2025
The Railway Recruitment Board has released the official notice for the RRB NTPC CBT 1 exam for graduate-level posts (CEN 05/2024). The exam is scheduled to take place over 15 days in multiple shifts, as follows:
- Exam Dates: June 5, 2025, to June 23, 2025
- Shifts: Three shifts per day
- Shift 1: 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (Reporting time: 7:30 AM)
- Shift 2: 12:45 PM to 2:15 PM (Reporting time: 11:15 AM)
- Shift 3: 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM (Reporting time: 3:00 PM)
- Duration: 90 minutes (120 minutes for PwBD candidates with a scribe)
- Exam Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test)
Note: The exam schedule for undergraduate-level posts (CEN 06/2024) is expected to be announced soon, with tentative dates in July 2025. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official RRB websites for updates.
The CBT 1 exam will consist of 100 multiple-choice questions across three sections:
- General Awareness: 40 questions
- Mathematics: 30 questions
- General Intelligence and Reasoning: 30 questions
There is a negative marking of 1/3rd mark for each incorrect answer, so candidates should answer carefully to maximize their scores.
RRB NTPC Admit Card 2025: Release Date and Download Process
The RRB NTPC Admit Card 2025 is a mandatory document for appearing in the exam, containing critical details such as the candidate’s name, roll number, exam date, time, venue, and exam day instructions. Here are the key details about the admit card release and download process:
- Admit Card Release Date: June 1, 2025 (4 days before the exam)
- City Intimation Slip Release Date: May 27, 2025 (10 days before the exam)
- Official Website: rrbcdg.gov.in and other regional RRB websites
- Required Credentials: Registration Number and Date of Birth/Password
- Documents to Carry:
- Printed copy of the RRB NTPC Admit Card
- Valid photo ID (e.g., Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or Passport)
- Passport-size photograph
- Aadhaar-linked biometric verification is mandatory, so ensure your Aadhaar is unlocked in the UIDAI system.
Steps to Download RRB NTPC Admit Card 2025
- Visit the Official RRB Website: Go to the regional RRB website where you applied (e.g., rrbcdg.gov.in for Chandigarh).
- Find the Admit Card Link: Look for the “RRB NTPC Admit Card 2025” or “Download E-Call Letter” link on the homepage or under the notifications section.
- Enter Login Credentials: Input your Registration Number and Date of Birth/Password.
- Submit Details: Click the “Submit” button to view your admit card.
- Verify Details: Check all details, including your name, exam date, time, and venue, for accuracy.
- Download and Print: Save the admit card as a PDF and print multiple copies for backup.
Pro Tip: Use a stable internet connection and browsers like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox for a smooth download process. Avoid opening multiple tabs to prevent delays.
City Intimation Slip
The RRB NTPC City Intimation Slip 2025 will be released on May 27, 2025, allowing candidates to plan their travel in advance. This slip includes details like the exam city, date, and shift timings but is not a substitute for the admit card. SC/ST candidates can also download their free travel authority using this link.
How to Check the RRB NTPC Exam Schedule
To stay updated on the exam schedule, follow these steps:
- Visit the Official RRB Website: Navigate to rrbcdg.gov.in or the regional RRB website where you applied.
- Locate the Exam Schedule Notice: Look for the notice titled “CEN 05/2024 & 06/2024 (NTPC): CBT 1 Exam Schedule” in the active notice board.
- Download the PDF: Click the link to download the official notice containing the exam schedule.
- Save for Reference: Save the PDF and note your exam date and shift based on your application details.
Candidates are strongly advised to rely only on official RRB websites for accurate information and avoid unofficial sources to prevent confusion.
Preparation Tips for RRB NTPC CBT 1 2025
With the exam dates announced, candidates should intensify their preparation to secure a position in Indian Railways. Here are some effective tips:
- Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern: Focus on General Awareness (current affairs, history, geography), Mathematics (arithmetic, algebra, geometry), and General Intelligence and Reasoning (puzzles, analogies, coding-decoding).
- Practice with Previous Year Papers: Solve RRB NTPC previous year question papers to understand the question format and difficulty level.
- Time Management: Practice solving 100 questions within 90 minutes to improve speed and accuracy, considering the negative marking.
- Stay Updated on Current Affairs: Read newspapers and follow reliable sources for General Awareness preparation.
- Mock Tests: Take online mock tests to simulate exam conditions and identify weak areas.
- Check Application Status: Ensure your application has been accepted by checking the status on the RRB website to confirm your eligibility for the admit card.
The RRB NTPC CBT 1 Exam for graduate-level posts (CEN 05/2024) is scheduled from June 5, 2025, to June 23, 2025, in three shifts daily. The exam for undergraduate-level posts (CEN 06/2024) is expected to be announced soon, with tentative dates in July 2025.
The admit card for the RRB NTPC CBT 1 (graduate-level posts) will be released on June 1, 2025, four days before the exam. The city intimation slip will be available from May 27, 2025.
Visit the official RRB website (e.g., rrbcdg.gov.in), click on the “RRB NTPC Admit Card 2025” link, enter your Registration Number and Date of Birth/Password, and download the admit card after verifying the details.