Roadmap to RRB NTPC preparation
As we are all aware that RRB NTPC (Railway Recruitment Board Non-Technical Popular Categories) has publicized the dates of the exams of the NTPC Undergraduate (12th-level) CBT-1 exam. In their notice dated July 2, 2025, the exam is going to be held between: 7 August to 8 September 2025. It operates on various shifts a day in exam centres around the country.
As RRB NTPC is unfamiliar to many, we’re here to help you understand what it is all about.
What is RRB NTPC?
RRB NTPC is Railway Recruitment board Non-technical popular Categories. It is a recruitment test that is run by the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) in India to recruit to various posts in non-technical category in the Indian Railways i.e.:
- Clerk
- Station Master
- Goods Guard
- Commercial Apprentice
- Traffic Assistant
- Junior Time Keeper
- Accounts Clerk, etc.
These are mostly desk jobs and operational posts that don’t require engineering or technical qualifications, but involve managing operations, administration, and customer services within the railways.
Who Can Apply?
Typically:
- Qualification: 12th pass / Graduate (depending on the post)
- Age: Usually 18-30 years, with relaxation for reserved categories.
RRB NTPC Undergraduate Level Vacancy 2025
The NTPC Undergraduate level exam date is announced by RRB to give an exam on 3445 vacancies and an estimate of 62 lakh candidates would participate in the UG exam. Some of the RRB NTPC UG posts are Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Comm. Cum Ticket Clerk, Jr. Clerk cum Typist and Trains Clerk. Post wise vacancies are checked in the given table given below.
| Name of Post | Vacancy |
| Accounts Clerk cum Typist | 361 |
| Comm. Cum Ticket Clerk | 2022 |
| Jr. Clerk cum Typist | 990 |
| Trains Clerk | 72 |
| Total | 3445 |
RRB NTPC Exam Preparation
RRB NTPC is one of the most familiar examinations in India concerning the subject of government jobs. It requires a good plan, drilling, and an intelligent approach on time. I will bring it down to context:
Exam Pattern Overview:
The exam is conducted in phases:
- CBT-1 (Prelims)
- CBT-2 (Mains)
- Typing/Skill Test (if applicable)
- Document Verification & Medical Exam
CBT-1 and CBT-2 Sections:
Both CBT-1 and CBT-2 have similar subjects, with CBT-2 having a higher difficulty and more questions.
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks |
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Time: 90 minutes
How to Prepare (Section-wise)
Mathematics:
Focus on topics like:
- Number System
- Time & Work
- Profit & Loss
- Simple & Compound Interest
- Data Interpretation
- Percentage, Ratio & Proportion
- Speed, Distance & Time
- Simplification, LCM & HCF
Tips:
- Practice previous years’ papers
- Learn short tricks and formulas
- Regularly solve mock tests
General Intelligence & Reasoning:
Topics include:
- Coding-Decoding
- Blood Relations
- Puzzles
- Series (Number & Alphabet)
- Seating Arrangement
- Analogy
- Syllogism
Tips:
- Focus on understanding patterns
- Solve reasoning puzzles daily
- Attempt online quizzes and mock tests
General Awareness:
Focus areas:
- Current Affairs (last 6-8 months)
- Indian History & Polity
- Geography (India & World)
- General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
- Railway-related facts
- Budget & Economic developments
Tips:
- Read daily newspapers (like The Hindu or Indian Express)
- Follow monthly current affairs capsules
- Refer Lucent’s General Knowledge book
Example of Daily Study Schedule Suggestion
| Time | Activity |
| 6:00 AM – 7:00 AM | Current Affairs + GK |
| 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM | Mathematics Practice |
| 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Reasoning Practice |
| 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Mock Test / Previous Papers |
| 8:00 PM – 8:30 PM | Analysis of mistakes |
Recommended Books:
- Mathematics: R.S. Aggarwal or Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma
- Reasoning: R.S. Aggarwal’s Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning
- General Awareness: Lucent’s General Knowledge + Monthly Current Affairs magazines (like Pratiyogita Darpan)
Additional Tips:
- Do at least one mock test each day during the last 30 days before the exam
- Pay more attention to being precise and fast
- Keep yourself up to date with Railway notifications
- Take time off to prevent burn out.
- Revise essential points and formulas frequently
For more details queries of the exam you can go through the RRB official website i.e., https://www.rrbapply.gov.in/#/auth/landing