How Many Stages Are Required for Selection in RRB NTPC?

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) NTPC exam is one of the most sought-after government examinations in India. It offers a variety of non-technical positions in Indian Railways, such as Junior Clerk cum Typist, Accounts Clerk, Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Trains Clerk, and other Graduate and Undergraduate level posts. A common question among aspirants is: How Many Stages Are Required for Selection in RRB NTPC? This article provides a detailed explanation of the selection process, including all stages and important details candidates must know.

RRB NTPC Selection Process Overview

The selection process for RRB NTPC is designed to test candidates’ knowledge, aptitude, and skills across multiple stages. The number of stages varies depending on the post applied for (Graduate or 12th Pass/Undergraduate level). In general, the process includes Computer Based Tests (CBT), Typing/Skill Tests, and Document Verification, each carrying its own weightage in the final selection.

Understanding how many stages are required for selection in RRB NTPC helps candidates plan their preparation effectively and improve their chances of success.

Stage 1: Computer Based Test (CBT 1)

The first stage is CBT 1, which is common for all RRB NTPC applicants. This test serves as a preliminary screening and includes multiple-choice questions covering:

• General Awareness: Current affairs, history, geography, Indian polity, economy, and general science.

• Mathematics: Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, percentages, ratio and proportion, and data interpretation.

• General Intelligence and Reasoning: Logical reasoning, puzzles, analogies, series, coding-decoding, and problem-solving.

Key Points:

• Total Marks: 100

• Number of Questions: 100

• Duration: 90 minutes

• Negative Marking: 1/3 mark for each incorrect answer

Candidates who score above the cut-off marks in CBT 1 are shortlisted for the second stage, CBT 2.

Stage 2: Computer Based Test (CBT 2)

For RRB NTPC  2nd Stage CBT shall be taken separately for each of the pay Level. For example, there are some posts like Junior Clerk cum Typist and Accounts Clerk cum Typist  Level, all these posts come under pay level 2, so there will be common CBT Stage 2 for all these posts. Similarly All other posts falling within same pay level will have a common 2nd stage CBT. If candidates are eligible for more than one level of posts as per their educational qualifications, they have to give common 1st stage CBT and corresponding 2nd stage CBT for each level.

Key Points:

• Duration: 120 minutes

• No. of Question :120

• Marks: 120 marks

• Syllabus: Similar to CBT 1 but with increased difficulty and weightage on reasoning, mathematics, and domain-specific knowledge for certain posts.

CBT 2 is critical because the marks obtained are used to shortlist candidates for Typing Skill Test (TST)/Computer Aptitude Test or directly for Document Verification in some posts.

Stage 3: Typing Skill Test / Computer Aptitude Test

The third stage depends on the type of post:

1. Typing Skill Test (TST):
   Applicable for posts such as Junior Clerk cum Typist and Accounts Clerk cum Typist. Candidates must demonstrate adequate typing speed and accuracy on a computer.

   • Speed Requirement: 30 words per minute (English) or 25 words per minute (Hindi)

   • Duration: 10–15 minutes

   • Evaluation: Accuracy and speed are considered for qualifying the test; marks are generally not added to final merit.

2. Computer Aptitude Battery Test:
   Required for technical posts like Traffic Assistant and Station Master. This test assesses a candidate’s logical reasoning, numerical ability, and understanding of computers relevant to the post.

Note: Candidates who fail this stage are disqualified, making it an essential part of the selection process.

Stage 4: Document Verification (DV) and Medical Examination

The final stage involves Document Verification and Medical Examination. Only candidates who qualify the previous stages are called for verification.

Document Verification:
Candidates must present original documents to confirm eligibility, educational qualifications, age, and category status.

Medical Examination:
Candidates are assessed to ensure they meet the medical standards required for the post applied. This includes physical fitness, eyesight, hearing, and general health.

Final Merit:
After successful verification and medical fitness, candidates are shortlisted for final appointment based on their combined performance in CBT 1, CBT 2, and post-specific skill tests.

Summary of Stages

To summarize, the stages required for selection in RRB NTPC are:

1. CBT 1: Preliminary screening test for all candidates.

2. CBT 2: Advanced computer-based test for shortlisted candidates.

3. Typing Skill Test / Computer Aptitude Battery Test: Post-specific assessment.

4. Document Verification and Medical Examination: Final eligibility and fitness check.

The total number of stages may vary slightly depending on the post applied for, but generally, all candidates go through CBT 1, CBT 2, post-specific skill test, and DV/medical.

Knowing how many stages are required for selection in RRB NTPC is crucial for proper planning and preparation. Candidates should focus on consistent preparation for CBT 1 and CBT 2, and, if applicable, practice typing or aptitude tests according to the post requirements. Being aware of all stages, their weightage, and criteria ensures that candidates approach the selection process strategically and increase their chances of success in one of the most competitive exams conducted by the Indian Railways.