The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has launched a major recruitment drive for graduate-level posts under the Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC), offering one of the most significant opportunities in recent times for aspiring candidates seeking a stable career in Indian Railways. Below is a comprehensive overview of the 2025 recruitment: its scope, eligibility criteria, application process, exam structure, and how you can prepare to maximise your chances.
Recruitment at a Glance
This recruitment campaign is being conducted under Centralised Employment Notice (CEN) 06/2025 for Graduate-level posts. A total of 5,810 vacancies have been announced for various non-technical roles spread across multiple zones and production units of Indian Railways.
The posts include:
- Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor
- Station Master
- Goods Train Manager
- Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist
- Senior Clerk cum Typist
- Traffic Assistant
These posts represent key positions in the non-technical stream of Indian Railways and are open to candidates holding a relevant university or bachelor’s degree (depending on role).
Why This Matters
Securing a post in the Indian Railways remains one of the most sought-after options for many graduates in India — it means job security, structured pay scales, allowances, and benefits associated with working in one of the country’s largest public-sector organisations. With 5,810 graduate-level vacancies alone, this drive offers wide opportunity. Moreover, the fact that these are non-technical posts widens access beyond only engineering or highly specialised backgrounds.
For many aspirants, this is a chance to begin a career path with national reach (across railway zones) and upward mobility. Given the scale of recruitment and the prestige associated with certain posts (e.g., Station Master, Goods Train Manager), the competition will be intense — making a well-planned approach essential.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
To apply for the graduate-level posts under this drive, candidates must meet the following key educational requirement:
- A full Bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) from a recognised university in India.
- For certain posts (e.g., Senior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist), a degree plus proficiency in Hindi/English typing (as per the notification) may be required.
Age Limit
- Minimum age: 18 years (as on the crucial date specified in the notification).
- Maximum age for graduate-level posts: 33 years (as on the specified cut-off date).
- Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories as per standard government norms.
Other Criteria
- Citizenship: Indian citizen, or as defined in RRB recruitment rules.
- Medical fitness: Candidates selected will need to undergo a medical examination.
- Typing / skill test: For roles that demand typing skill, candidates must meet the required standard.
- For posts like Station Master or Goods Train Manager, there may be additional physical or medical standards.
Vacancy Breakdown & Posts
Here’s a summary of the posts and the number of vacancies in each category for the graduate-level recruitment:
- Goods Train Manager: ~3,416 vacancies
- Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist: ~921 vacancies
- Senior Clerk cum Typist: ~638 vacancies
- Station Master: ~615 vacancies
- Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor: ~161 vacancies
- Traffic Assistant: ~59 vacancies
- Total: ~5,810 vacancies
This wide spread of posts allows candidates to select roles aligned with their interest and aptitude — whether clerical/typing roles, supervisory posts, station operations, or commercial duties.
Application & Important Dates
Application Process
- Applications must be submitted online through the official portal specified by the RRB.
- The process typically includes registration, filling in personal/educational/work details, uploading scanned documents (photo, signature, ID proof, educational certificate), fee payment, and final submission.
- It is essential to prepare scanned files in advance, check eligibility carefully, and complete the process ahead of time to avoid last-minute issues.
Key Dates
- Notification release date: late October 2025
- Online registration start date: 21 October 2025
- Last date to submit application (graduate-level): 27 November 2025 (extended from its earlier date)
- Last date for application fee payment: 29 November 2025
- Correction/ modification window: Late November to early December 2025
- Date for reckoning age and qualification: 1 January 2026
Candidates must keep a close watch on official updates since the board has revised timelines and allowed extra time for filling applications.
Application Fee & Refund
- General / OBC / EWS candidates: ₹500
- SC / ST / PwBD / Female / Transgender / Economically Backward Category (EBC): ₹250
- Importantly, the fee is refundable (deducting bank charges) if the candidate appears in Stage-1 CBT.
- For example: Gen/OBC: ₹500 paid; if candidate appears, ₹400 will be refunded.
- For SC/ST etc: ₹250 paid; refund ₹250 (deducting charges) on appearing.
This incentive encourages genuine applicants and reduces the burden of fee cost for those who appear for the exam.
Selection Process & Exam Pattern
The selection pathway comprises multiple stages to assess general aptitude, domain knowledge, practical skills (typing/aptitude), and compliance with recruitment standards.
Stage 1: Computer-Based Test (CBT-1)
- Objective type questions (multiple choice)
- Time duration: 90 minutes
- Total questions: 100
- Marks: 100
- Sections: General Awareness; Mathematics; General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Negative marking: ⅓ mark deducted for each wrong answer
Stage 2: Computer-Based Test (CBT-2)
- Usually for shortlisted candidates from CBT-1
- Objective type questions; slightly higher marks and may involve additional sections
- Time duration: 90 minutes (or as per notification)
- Total questions / marks: about 120
- Sections: General Awareness; Mathematics; General Intelligence & Reasoning
Stage 3: Skill Test / Typing Test / Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)
- Applicable depending on post:
- Typing test for clerk/typist roles
- CBAT for roles like Station Master (which require aptitude for decision making, spatial reasoning, etc.)
- Qualifying in nature (candidates must meet minimum standard)
Stage 4: Document Verification & Medical Examination
- Candidates who qualify previous rounds will undergo document verification — educational certificates, caste/category certificate (if applicable), age proof, identity, etc.
- Final step: Medical examination to ensure fitness for job role.
Successful candidates will be offered appointment letters, assigned to designated zones/units, and posted accordingly.
Salary & Grade Pay
The pay scale for these graduate-level posts is based on the 7th CPC (Central Pay Commission) levels and allowances. Some examples:
- Goods Train Manager: Level-5 (₹29,200 per month approx)
- Station Master: Level-6 (₹35,400 per month approx)
- Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor: Level-6 (₹35,400 per month approx)
- Senior Clerk cum Typist / Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist: Level-5 (₹29,200 per month approx)
Allowances (such as HRA, DA, transport, zone allowances) will apply as per railway norms. Over time, promotions to higher levels and further responsibilities are possible.
How to Prepare Strategically
Given the competitive nature of this recruitment, a well-structured preparation strategy will make the difference.
1. Understand the syllabus & pattern
- Familiarise yourself with syllabus topics for General Awareness, Mathematics, Reasoning.
- Collect past year papers or similar CBT practice tests.
- For typing/skill test: practise computer typing speed in English/Hindi and accuracy. For CBAT/aptitude: practise spatial reasoning, decision making tests.
2. Time-table & consistent practice
- Allocate daily hours to each section: say 45 mins-1 hr for Mathematics, 30 mins for Reasoning, 30 mins for General Awareness.
- Gradually increase speed and accuracy.
- Attempt full-length mock tests under real exam time-constraint.
3. Focus on weaker areas
- If you find Mathematics slow, dedicate extra revision & shortcuts.
- For General Awareness: read daily current affairs, especially railway/transport-sector, basic history/geography, and static general knowledge.
- For Reasoning: puzzles, series, pattern recognition—regular practice improves speed.
4. Typing / Skill test readiness
- For posts that need typing: practise on computer, use timed sessions for both English & Hindi, build accuracy and speed (words per minute).
- For CBAT: practise tests online, understand the format, get comfortable with the kind of questions asked.
5. Document readiness
- Keep your scanned documents ready: degree certificate, mark-sheets, ID proof, photograph, signature.
- Make sure your photograph / signature meet the guidelines of size and format.
- Proof‐read your application before submission — mistakes in names/dates can cause rejection.
6. Avoid last-minute rush
- Apply well in advance of the last date to avoid portal crashes or connectivity issues.
- Double-check all entries and fee payment confirmation.
- Save and print the confirmation page / application snapshot for your records.
Key Tips for Applicants
- Check eligibility (especially age, qualification, post-specific skill requirement) before applying.
- Use a valid and regularly accessible email & mobile number since updates will be communicated electronically.
- Once application is submitted, download the “application submitted” acknowledgement and keep track of your registration number / login credentials.
- Regularly visit the official website of your RRB region for updates on exam schedule, city allotment, admit cards.
- Manage your health and rest well prior to exams; a clear mind performs better.
- For negative marking: avoid blind guessing; only attempt when reasonably confident.
- Maintain a study log to track progress and adjust strategy as you go.
- Stay updated on notifications — sometimes dates get extended or corrections/relaxations announced.
Final Thoughts
In a time when stable employment opportunities are keenly sought after, this recruitment drive for graduate-level posts by the Railway Recruitment Board opens a significant door for thousands of candidates. With 5,810 vacancies, the range of posts from station operations to commercial accounts offers a breadth of roles suited to diverse interests.
Moreover, the Indian Railways structure provides not just a job, but a career with growth potential, regional flexibility, and the prestige of being part of a backbone institution of the nation. For the devoted aspirant, success will come from early registration, disciplined preparation, smart strategy, and adherence to guidelines.
If you qualify, you’ll not only secure a role but set the foundation for a long-term journey in one of India’s largest employers. The time to act is now — apply, prepare smartly, and give yourself the best shot at success.
Wishing all candidates the very best for their applications and the journey ahead!
