RRB NTPC 2025: Dates, Structure, and Key Details for CBT 1
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) is rolling out one of the country’s largest hiring drives again, and it’s time to mark calendars for the RRB NTPC 2025 recruitment. For thousands of job seekers, this is the gateway to a career with Indian Railways. The RRB NTPC CBT 1 exam for undergraduate-level posts is scheduled between August 7 and September 8, 2025. With more than 11,000 vacancies up for grabs, the competition promises to be intense and the logistics, massive.
Undergraduate posts account for 3,445 out of the whopping 11,558 total RRB NTPC openings. These include ticket clerks, junior clerks, and train clerks – roles that don’t require a graduate degree but still offer a solid stepping stone into the railways. The rest cater to graduate candidates, covering posts like station master and commercial apprentice. The huge turnout expected means the exam will run over a full month, and to manage this, the Board will conduct three shifts a day.
- Shift 1: Candidates need to report by 7:30 AM. The test window is 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM.
- Shift 2: Reporting time is 11:15 AM, with the exam from 12:45 PM to 2:15 PM.
- Shift 3: Arrive by 3:00 PM to take the exam from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM.
This tight schedule means applicants need to pay close attention to their shift timings and reporting requirements. Being even a few minutes late could risk missing this crucial opportunity, so keeping alarm clocks set and double-checking the details is a smart move.
Answer Keys, Admit Cards, and Next Steps in the RRB NTPC Process
Transparency is big with RRB. On July 1, 2025, the Board released the provisional answer key for CBT 1, giving all test-takers the chance to challenge any disputed questions. Candidates unhappy with specific answers can submit objections, but there’s a clear deadline, so procrastinators could miss out. After reviewing all challenges, the final, error-free answer key is published, which forms the basis for results.
Knowing your exam center well in advance is another big plus. RRB will activate a city intimation link on each regional website ten days before the first exam date. This helps candidates plan travel and accommodations ahead of time, especially critical for those with centers far from home. But downloading the actual admit card is a last-minute affair—admit cards arrive only four days before your scheduled exam date. Keeping track of both city details and admit card release is just as important as revising the syllabus.
The RRB NTPC exam isn’t a single hurdle. Candidates must clear CBT 1 first, which screens candidates before they can attempt CBT 2 (the main test). For certain roles, there’s even a skill test—a computer-based aptitude test (CBAT) or typing speed test—before the final merit list. Only after all stages wrap up will RRB publish the final results and start the selection process for posting new hires.
With so much on the line, every step—from exam preparation to checking the city intimation link, to downloading admit cards—plays a make-or-break role for RRNB NTPC aspirants. Keeping tabs on updates and meticulously following the official schedule is the best bet for anyone aiming to land one of these much-prized jobs.
