When it comes to choosing a prominent career field, government-run organisations provide future proof solutions. Among all public sectors, The Indian Railways is one of the biggest platforms which can provide limitless job opportunities to aspirants. From civil services working and engineering services working in the railway department, you can find numerous options to choose from. No doubt, the competition is inevitable and the best alternative solution is to prepare in advance. Following the same, come in handy while giving RRB for different posts. Candidates who are willing to pursue a career as a government worker in the Indian Railways then they can appear for the RRB exam. In this whole article, we highlight some major aspects that you should consider while starting preparing for RRB.
What is the RRB Exam?
The RRB and RRCs are the two main pillars of Indian Railways, who are responsible for conducting various exams and choose deserving candidates that can serve the Indian Railways. The full form of RRB is Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs). The RRBs is an official body under the Government of India and was established in 1998 in the Ministry of Railways, New Delhi. The main purpose of this board is to recruit candidates for all Group C (technical and Non-Technical Posts). On the other hand, the RRCs are mandated to conduct exams for all Group D posts.
Every year, The RRBs receive many applications across the country. Only a few candidates got selected. Thus, the level of the exam is very high as well. Therefore, candidates are advised to prepare well for the exam by attempting mock tests, going through the previous paper of RRBs and much more. The selection of candidates will be completed through the cut-off set by the RRB. Presently there are a total of 16 RRCs and 21 RRBs that conduct exams for different posts in the Railway department.
List of Railway Exam in India:
Here is the complete list of different railway exam that conducts by RRBs in India:
- RRB NTPC
- RRB JE ( Junior Engineer)
- Assistant Station Master (ASM)
- RRB Group D
- RRB ALP and Technician
- ICRC
- Section Engineers
- Assistant Manager
- Goods Guard
- Railway Engineer
- Railway Services Grades
- Sports Persons
- Traffic Apprentice
- SCRA Exam
- Ticket Checker ( RRB TC)
Eligibility Criteria for RRB Exam
The eligibility criteria for RRBs various post in the Indian Railway is listed below:
- For RRB Group D – The Group D includes various posts such as Track Maintainer Grade – IV, Assistant Pointsman/ Helper etc. Before appearing for the RRB Group D exam, candidates should fulfil the following eligibility requirement:
Educational Qualification:
- The candidates should have passed their 10th or equivalent from the recognized board by SCVT/ NCVT. The NCVT should be granted by the National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC).
Age Limit:
- Minimum age – 18 years
- Maximum age – 33 years
- For RRB NTPC – The RRB NTPC exam specially designed for both UG candidates and Graduates.
Undergraduate Posts: Trains Clerk and Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Junior Time Keeper, Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Junior Clerk cum Typist.
Graduate Posts: Senior Time Keeper, Commercial Apprentice, Station Master, Traffic Assistant, Goods Guard, Senior Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Senior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Account Assistant cum Typist.
- Educational Qualification for Undergraduate Posts – The candidates must have passed their 10+2 or equivalent exam from any recognized board.
- Age Limit:
Minimum age – 18 years
Maximum age – 30 years
- Educational Qualification for Graduate Posts – An aspirant must have passed their graduation in any discipline (science, arts, commerce) from any recognized university.
- Age Limit:
Minimum age – 18 years
Maximum age – 33 years
- For RRB ALP – The RRB ALP is especially for those who want to become Assistant Loco Pilot and Technician.
- Educational Qualification for ALP – The candidates must have passed their 10th or SSLC and ITI or course complete Act Trainee or Diploma or any degree in engineering from a recognized board/ authorized institution.
- Age Limit:
Minimum age – 18 years
Maximum age – 28 years
- Educational Qualification for Technician – The candidates should complete any of the following qualifications:
Class 10th or,
SSC Plus ITI or,
Course Completed Act Apprentices or,
Class 12th with physics and Maths or,
Diploma in engineering
- Age Limit:
Minimum age – 18 years
Maximum age – 28 years
- For RRB JE – The RRB JE includes various posts such as Junior Engineer (Information Technology), Depot Material Superintendent (DMS), Chemical and Metallurgical Assistant (CMA) and Junior Engineer (JE).
- Educational Qualification for JE Post – Candidates appearing for the RRB JE exam must qualify for three years diploma in civil engineering / Mechanical / Production / Automobile / Electrical / Electronics / Instrumentation and Control Engineering / Tools and Die Making / Computer Engineering / Control / Tools and Machining from a recognized university or,
- Candidates who have complete B.Sc in Civil Engineering from a recognized University can apply for this exam.
- Age Limit:
Minimum age – 18 years
Maximum age – 33 years
- Educational Qualification for DMS – Those who want to apply for RRB DMS, need to complete a 3-year diploma in Engineering from any public or private institute/university/college.
- Age Limit:
Minimum age – 18 years
Maximum age – 33 years
- Educational Qualification for JE ( IT) – Candidates should complete any of the following educational qualifications from a recognized university/institute/college can apply for RRB JE ( IT):
B.Sc in Computer Science
Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA)
Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech in IT)
Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech in Computer Science)
DOEACC ‘B` level course (3-year duration course) or any equivalent
- Age Limit:
Minimum age – 18 years
Maximum age – 33 years
- Educational Qualification for CMA – Candidates who want to apply for the RRB CMA post must complete their Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Chemistry from a recognized university.
- The students should secure at least 55% of marks in their qualifying exam.
- Age Limit:
Maximum age – 18 years
Maximum age – 33 years
The above-mentioned eligibility criteria are mandatory requirements that you should fulfil before applying for the RRB exam.
RRB Selection process
The selection process can differ for RRB for each exam. Here we have mentioned some common steps that RRB penal follow:
- Firstly, candidates need to fill the application form RRB.
- Candidates will get admit cards before the scheduled date of the RRB exam.
- Next, candidates will appear for the CBT exam. This exam will be conducted in two stages.
- For RRB various exams, the result will be declared separately.
- Next, RRB conducts Typing skills / Physical Efficiency Test / Computer Based Aptitude Test as per posts.
- The major part of the RRB selection process is document verification. All students must appear at that stage.
- The last step followed by RRB is the medical examination test. The candidates will undergo a medical examination test to ensure they are medically fit or not.
RRB Exam Pattern and Syllabus
The RRB pattern for each post can differ but it shows an overall structure of all exams. Before appearing for an exam, candidates can check the weightage of each section, marking scheme, total marks, number of topics etc. Here we mentioned the pattern of RRB Group D, RRB NTPC, and RRB ALP.
Exam Pattern of Group D:
The RRB Group D pattern involves CBT and the PET method. CBT can be attempted in 15 languages. Here the pattern of Group D is mentioned below:
- Duration of Exam – 90 Minutes
- Duration of Exam for PWBD Candidates – 120 Minutes
- Number of Questions – 100 ( MCQs)
- Marking Scheme – Candidates will be rewarded with 1 mark for each correct response and 1/3 will be deducted for each wrong response
Syllabus: General Science, Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning and General Awareness and Current Affairs
Exam Pattern of NTPC:
- Number of Stages – 4 ( CBT I and CBT 2, CBAT ad Typing Skill test)
- CBT I and CBT 2 subjects – Mathematics, General Awareness etc.
- Marks for 1st stage – 100
- Marks for 2nd stage – 120
- Marking scheme for stage I and stage II – 1/3 will be deducted for each wrong response
Exam Pattern of ALP Exam
- Number of stages – 3 ( CBT I, CBT II and CBAT)
- Subjects of CBT I – Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness and General Science.
- Total Questions of CBT I – 35 ( Duration 60), ( 1/3 for the wrong answer)
- The second stage of ALP is divided into two parts – A and B
- Total Questions of CBT II – 175
- CBAT test – five test batteries
RRB Exam Application fees
- Application fees for SC/ ST/ PWBD category candidates/ EWS / Ex-Serviceman – INR 250
- Application fees for all candidates – INR 500
How to apply for the RRB Exam?
The RRB Application can be filled only online. Here are a few steps that you should follow:
- Visit the official website (https://indianrailways.gov.in)
- Select the railway to which you wants to apply
- Click on the ‘ New Registration` option
- Fill necessary details
- Make sure all the information that you have mentioned is correct.
- Next, verify your email id and mobile number
- To fill the rest application form, you need to enter OTPs which will send to your email id.
- Make payment through credit card/ debit card or net banking
- Lastly, take a printout of your application form.
Rahul Kumar is a passionate educator, writer, and subject matter expert in the field of education and professional development. As an author on CoursesXpert, Rahul Kumar’s articles cover a wide range of topics, from various courses, educational and career guidance.
