The Railway Recruitment Board has officially released the results for the RRB NTPC Undergraduate (UG) CBT 1 on November 21, 2025, marking a pivotal moment for over 63 lakh applicants vying for government jobs in Indian Railways. A total of 51,979 candidates have cleared the first stage and now qualify for the next round: CBT 2 , scheduled for December 20, 2025. With just 3,445 vacancies up for grabs across Non-Technical Popular Categories, the competition was fierce — roughly one in every 1,150 applicants made the cut. For many, this isn’t just a job application; it’s a lifeline.
How the Results Were Released
The results didn’t drop on a single portal. Instead, they were published across all 21 regional RRB websites — including rrb.gov.in, rrbapply.gov.in, and rrbcdg.gov.in — as region-specific PDFs. Candidates had to know which RRB zone they applied under to find their roll number. No centralized list. No universal dashboard. Just raw, localized data. At 5:00 PM IST, the scorecard links went live, revealing section-wise scores in General Awareness, Mathematics, and Reasoning — along with whether the candidate had cleared the cut-off for their category.
It was a digital scramble. Websites slowed under traffic. Social media lit up with relief, panic, and memes. One candidate from Patna tweeted: "I checked six times before I believed it. My name was there. I cried in the middle of a bus stop."
What’s Next for Shortlisted Candidates
The CBT 2 will be tougher. While CBT 1 tested basic aptitude, CBT 2 dives deeper into subject mastery. The exam duration remains 90 minutes for general candidates, with 120 minutes allotted for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). The syllabus is the same — General Awareness, Mathematics, and Reasoning — but the difficulty spikes. Past trends show that only about 30% of those who qualify for CBT 2 ultimately get selected.
City Intimation Slips will drop on December 10, 2025, followed by admit cards on December 16. Candidates are being warned: don’t rely on third-party sites. Fake portals are already popping up, offering "result verification services" for a fee. The RRB has issued a public notice: "Only official RRB websites are authorized. Any other source is misleading."
Why This Matters Beyond the Numbers
Behind every roll number is a story. A student from rural Odisha who studied by candlelight after power cuts. A single mother in Bhopal juggling three part-time jobs while preparing for the exam. A graduate from Jharkhand who failed twice before finally clearing CBT 1. These aren’t just statistics — they’re human aspirations pinned to a single government exam.
The RRB NTPC recruitment is one of India’s largest, and for good reason. It offers job security, pension benefits, and upward mobility — rare commodities in today’s gig economy. Even with 63 lakh applicants, the number of posts hasn’t increased since 2022. That’s the real tension: demand soaring, slots stagnant.
Historical Context: How This Compares
This isn’t the first time RRB NTPC has drawn record numbers. In 2019, over 126 lakh applied for the last UG-level recruitment. Back then, only 35,208 candidates cleared CBT 1 — meaning the selection rate was even lower. The 2025 cycle, while still massive, is slightly more manageable in scale. But the stakes? Higher than ever.
What’s different this time? The digital infrastructure. Last cycle, candidates waited weeks for results. This time, results dropped within 60 days of the last exam date — a significant improvement. Still, the PDF-based system feels archaic. Many are calling for a real-time portal, not static files. The RRB has acknowledged feedback — but no promises yet.
What’s the Timeline?
- August 7–September 9, 2025: CBT 1 conducted across 1,200+ centers
- November 21, 2025: Results released, scorecards available
- December 10, 2025: City Intimation Slips issued
- December 16, 2025: Admit cards for CBT 2 released
- December 20, 2025: CBT 2 exam
- January–March 2026: Typing Skill Test (for applicable posts)
- April–June 2026: Document verification and medical exams
That’s a six-month journey from one exam to final selection. Patience isn’t optional — it’s part of the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I qualified for CBT 2?
Check the region-specific PDF on your respective RRB’s official website. Search your roll number using Ctrl+F. If it appears in the merit list and your score meets or exceeds the category-wise cut-off (published alongside the list), you’ve qualified. No email or SMS confirmation is sent — you must verify manually.
What if my name isn’t in the result PDF?
First, confirm you’re checking the correct RRB zone — your application region, not your home state. If still missing, your score may have fallen below the cut-off. Cut-offs vary by category, region, and post. For example, in RRB Mumbai, the general category cut-off was 82.5, while in RRB Guwahati, it was 76.2. There’s no appeal process for CBT 1 results.
Can I change my exam center for CBT 2?
No. The City Intimation Slip will reflect the center assigned based on your application region and availability. Requests for center changes are not entertained under any circumstance. Plan travel and accommodation early if your center is far from home.
What documents do I need for CBT 2 and beyond?
Keep your CBT 1 scorecard, original ID proof, educational certificates, caste/category certificate (if applicable), and PwBD certificate (if applicable). You’ll need these for document verification. Digital copies won’t suffice — originals with attested photocopies are mandatory. Missing documents mean disqualification, even if you score high in CBT 2.
Why are there so many applicants for so few posts?
Indian Railways offers permanent jobs with pensions, medical benefits, and work-life balance — something private sector roles rarely match. With over 50% of Indian graduates unemployed or underemployed, government exams are seen as the safest path. The RRB NTPC is among the most accessible, requiring only a 12th-grade pass for UG posts, making it a magnet for millions.
What happens after CBT 2?
After CBT 2, top-ranking candidates are called for a Typing Skill Test (for posts like Junior Clerk, Station Master, etc.) or a Computer-Based Aptitude Test (for Traffic Assistant and similar roles). Only those who clear this stage proceed to document verification and medical examination. Final selection is based on CBT 2 scores (85%) and skill test performance (15%). No interviews are involved.
