If you’re preparing for the Railway Recruitment Board’s NTPC exam, knowing the RRB NTPC graduate level syllabus is the first and most important step. Every year, lakhs of candidates apply for NTPC posts, and the competition is intense. Having a clear idea of the exam pattern, subject-wise syllabus, and cut offs from previous years will help you plan better and stay ahead of others.
This article is a complete guide to the NTPC graduate-level syllabus for 2025. You’ll find:
- Exam pattern of CBT-1 and CBT-2
- Detailed subject-wise syllabus
- Steps to download the official syllabus PDF
- Last exam cut-off trends
- Proven preparation tips
- Conclusion and FAQs
Exam Pattern – CBT-1 and CBT-2
The NTPC exam has two main written stages: CBT-1 and CBT-2. Both are online and objective-type.
CBT-1 (Screening Test)
- Duration: 90 minutes (120 minutes for PwBD candidates)
- Questions: 100 (1 mark each)
- Sections:
- General Awareness – 40
- Mathematics – 30
- General Intelligence & Reasoning – 30
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd for each wrong answer
- Purpose: Final selection (followed by skill tests for certain posts)
Exam pattern of RRB NTPC GRADUATE LEVEL CBT 2 ( Merit Decider)
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Questions: 120 (1 mark each)
- Sections: Same as CBT-1 but with higher difficulty and weightage
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd for each wrong answer
- Purpose: Final selection (followed by skill tests for certain posts)
👉 The structure is simple: qualify CBT-1 with good accuracy, and give your best shot in CBT-2 because that’s where the final merit is prepared.
Download RRB NTPC Graduate Level Syllabus
The RRB NTPC graduate level syllabus revolves around three sections: Mathematics, Reasoning, and General Awareness. Let’s break them down:
1. Mathematics
This section checks your numerical ability. The level is mostly Class 10–12 standard but requires speed and accuracy.
Topics include:
- Number System, Fractions, Decimals
- HCF & LCM, Ratio & Proportion
- Percentage, Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest
- Time, Speed & Distance, Time & Work
- Average, Mixture & Allegation
- Geometry, Trigonometry (basic), Mensuration (2D & 3D)
- Algebra, Elementary Statistics (Mean, Median, Mode)
2. General Intelligence & Reasoning
This part tests logical thinking and problem-solving. Most questions are puzzle or sequence-based.
Topics include:
- Analogies, Classification, Series
- Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations
- Direction Sense, Order & Ranking
- Syllogisms, Venn Diagrams
- Seating Arrangement (linear & circular)
- Puzzles, Statement & Assumptions, Conclusions
- Data Sufficiency, Mathematical Operations
- Clocks, Calendars, Missing Numbers
3. General Awareness
This is the most scoring and the largest section. It includes static GK as well as current affairs.
Topics include:
- Current Affairs (last 12 months)
- Indian Polity & Constitution
- Economy & Budget basics
- Modern Indian History & Freedom Movement
- Geography (India & World)
- General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology up to 10th)
- Railways knowledge (Zones, Projects, Policies)
- Awards, Sports, Books, Important Dates
- Science & Technology developments
👉 Pro tip: General Awareness can make or break your score. If you’re consistent with current affairs and GK, you can secure easy marks.
How to Download the RRB NTPC Syllabus PDF
The official and most reliable source of the RRB NTPC graduate level syllabus is the Railway Recruitment Board’s notification (CEN) PDF.
Here’s how you can download it:
1.Visit the official RRB website – rrbcdg.gov.in or your regional RRB site.
2.Look for the latest NTPC notification (CEN 2024/2025).
3.Open the notification and scroll to the syllabus section.
4.Download the PDF and save it.
RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT-2 Cut-Offs (2023–2024)
Category | 2023 Cut-Off | 2024 Expected Cut-Off |
General (UR) | 70-85 marks | 74-82 marks |
OBC/EWS | 65-75 marks | 70-78 marks |
SC | 55-56marks | 62-70 marks |
ST | 55-65 marks | 57-65 marks |
Notes:
- The 2023 cut-offs are based on data from various sources, including GovernmentAdda and ParikshaSoochna.
- The 2024 expected cut-offs are projections based on trends observed in previous years.
- Cut-offs can vary by zone and post.
- The cut-offs mentioned are for the Graduate Level posts and may differ for other levels.
Preparation Tip for the RRB NTPC Graduate Level Exam
1. Make General Awareness your strength
General Awareness has the maximum weightage in CBT-1 and CBT-2, so mastering it gives you an edge. Read daily current affairs from reliable sources, and revise static GK (history, geography, polity, economy, science, etc.) weekly. Make short notes for quick recall, especially for important events, government schemes, and railway-related facts. Regular revision is the key to retention. Treat GA as your scoring section since it requires less time in the exam.
2. Focus on speed maths
Mathematics is often a time-consuming section, so speed and accuracy are crucial. Build strong basics in percentages, ratios, averages, and profit & loss, as they form the base for most questions. Practice mental calculations daily to reduce dependency on pen-paper. Work on Data Interpretation (DI) and simplification for faster solving. Time management during practice sets will prepare you for the pressure of the real exam.
3. Reasoning = practice
Reasoning tests your logical thinking rather than memorization, so consistent practice is essential. Solve different types of puzzles (seating arrangement, blood relations, coding-decoding, syllogisms, etc.) regularly. Dedicate at least 1 hour daily to reasoning exercises, focusing on both easy and tricky questions. The more patterns you see, the faster you’ll recognize solutions in the exam. Over time, reasoning becomes your accuracy booster.
4. Attempt mocks regularly
Mock tests are the closest replica of the actual exam, so treat them seriously. Practice in a timed environment to simulate real conditions. After each test, analyze mistakes, identify weak areas, and revise those topics systematically. Keep a record of recurring mistakes (silly errors, calculation slips, wrong approaches). Consistent mock practice helps in improving both speed and confidence.
5. Revise regularly
Revision is the key to long-term memory retention. Keep a formula sheet for mathematics, a short list of important dates and events for GA, and practice sets for reasoning. Schedule weekly revisions to prevent forgetting older topics. Use flashcards, mind maps, or self-made summaries for quick recall. Without regular revision, even strong topics may fade away with time.
6. Smart exam strategy
Your approach during the exam can make a huge difference. Start with General Awareness since it takes the least time and boosts confidence. Move to Reasoning, which is moderate in difficulty but can be completed quickly with practice. Attempt Mathematics last, as it requires time and concentration. Don’t get stuck on a single tough question—mark and move on. Remember, smart selection of questions ensures a higher score.
Final Words
The RRB NTPC graduate level syllabus is straightforward but demands discipline. Since the competition is huge, success depends on how smartly you prepare, not just how much time you spend.
- Master GA with consistent reading
- Sharpen speed in Maths
- Build accuracy in Reasoning
- Use mocks as your biggest weapon
Download the official syllabus PDF, create a 3–4 month study plan, and stick to it. With the right strategy, cracking NTPC is very much possible.
SSC corner
FAQs
Q1. Is the RRB NTPC graduate level syllabus same for CBT-1 and CBT-2?
Yes, the syllabus is common for both stages – Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning, and General Awareness. The main difference is that CBT-1 has 100 questions for screening, while CBT-2 has 120 tougher questions that decide the final merit.
Q2.What is the negative marking scheme in RRB NTPC exams?
For every incorrect answer, 1/3rd of the marks assigned to that question are deducted. This means if a question is worth 1 mark, 0.33 will be reduced for a wrong response. No marks are deducted for skipped questions, so it’s better to avoid blind guessing.
Q3. Is there any sectional cut-off in RRB NTPC Graduate Level exams?
No, there is no sectional cut-off in either CBT-1 or CBT-2. The selection is based on overall marks scored. However, minimum qualifying percentages are prescribed for categories: UR – 40%, OBC/SC – 30%, and ST – 25%.
