RRB JE Exam Pattern 2026 outlines the structure of the Computer-Based Tests (CBT 1 and CBT 2) conducted as part of the recruitment process. It helps you understand the subjects, number of questions, exam duration, marking scheme, and qualifying requirements for both stages.
Knowing the exam pattern before you start preparing can help you understand what to study and how to divide your time across different subjects. Here, you can check the detailed RRB JE CBT 1 and CBT 2 exam pattern, subject-wise question distribution, marking scheme, and other important examination details.
|
RRB JE Exam Pattern Highlights |
|
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Recruitment |
CEN No. 04/2026 |
|
Posts |
JE, DMS, CMA and other notified posts |
|
Exam Mode |
Computer-Based Test |
|
CBT-I |
100 questions |
|
CBT-II |
150 questions |
|
Marks per question |
1 mark |
|
Negative Marking |
1/3 mark for every wrong answer |
|
CBT-I Duration |
90 minutes |
|
CBT-II Duration |
120 minutes |
|
Recruitment Stages |
CBT-I, CBT-II, DV and Medical Examination |
Candidates eligible to use a scribe receive compensatory time. The duration is 120 minutes for CBT 1 and 160 minutes for CBT 2.
CBT 1 is the first stage of the RRB JE selection process. It consists of 100 objective multiple-choice questions. The exam duration is 90 minutes.
The questions are asked from Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, and General Science. Each question carries one mark. One-third of the marks allotted to a question is deducted for every incorrect answer.
|
RRB JE CBT 1 Subject-Wise Pattern |
||
|
Subject |
Questions |
Marks |
|
Mathematics |
30 |
30 |
|
General Intelligence and Reasoning |
25 |
25 |
|
General Awareness |
15 |
15 |
|
General Science |
30 |
30 |
|
Total |
100 |
100 |
The subject-wise distribution is indicative. RRB states that the actual question paper may have variations in the number of questions from different sections. Therefore, you should prepare all the prescribed subjects rather than depend on a fixed question count.
The official CEN No. 04/2026 specifies the following minimum percentage of marks for eligibility:
|
Category |
Minimum Marks |
|
UR |
40% |
|
EWS |
40% |
|
OBC (NCL) |
30% |
|
SC |
30% |
|
ST |
25% |
The notification also provides for relaxation by 2 marks for PwBD candidates in the specified situation where there is a shortage of PwBD candidates against reserved vacancies.
These are minimum eligibility requirements. Securing the minimum percentage does not automatically mean that you will be shortlisted for CBT 2 because shortlisting is based on merit and the applicable normalised scores.
CBT 2 is the second stage of the RRB JE selection process. Candidates are shortlisted for CBT 2 based on their performance in CBT 1 and the applicable normalisation process.
Under CEN No. 04/2026, RRB generally shortlists candidates for CBT 2 at the rate of 15 times the community-wise vacancies notified against the concerned RRB. The Railway Administration may increase or decrease this number when required to ensure an adequate number of candidates for the notified posts.
CBT 2 consists of 150 objective multiple-choice questions. The examination duration is 120 minutes. Each question carries one mark, and one-third of the marks allotted to a question is deducted for every incorrect answer.
|
RRB JE CBT 2 Subject-Wise Pattern |
||
|
Subject |
Questions |
Marks |
|
General Awareness |
15 |
15 |
|
Physics and Chemistry |
15 |
15 |
|
Basics of Computers and Applications |
10 |
10 |
|
Basics of Environment and Pollution Control |
10 |
10 |
|
Technical Abilities |
100 |
100 |
|
Total |
150 |
150 |
Each question carries one mark. One-third of the marks allotted to the question is deducted for every wrong answer. The official notification also states that the section-wise distribution is indicative and may vary in the actual paper.
The minimum percentage requirements specified in the CEN apply to the recruitment process. The official notification gives the following category-wise figures:
|
Category |
Minimum Marks |
|
UR |
40% |
|
EWS |
40% |
|
OBC (NCL) |
30% |
|
SC |
30% |
|
ST |
25% |
The notification provides for a 2-mark relaxation for PwBD candidates in the specified situation of shortage against reserved vacancies.
Candidates who qualify through the CBT stages and are shortlisted for the next stage have to appear for Document Verification.
At the DV stage, you need to provide the documents required by RRB to verify the details mentioned in your application. Your educational qualification, category and other relevant claims must be supported by valid documents.
The documents required can vary depending on your category, qualification and other details mentioned in the application. Therefore, you should follow the instructions issued by the concerned RRB when the DV schedule and document requirements are released.
RRB JE Medical Examination is another stage of the RRB JE recruitment process. Candidates shortlisted for this stage must meet the prescribed medical standards for the post.
The medical requirements can vary according to the post and its prescribed medical standard. You should therefore check the medical standard applicable to the post for which you are being considered.
Keep the following points in mind while preparing for RRB JE 2026:
CBT 1 contains 100 questions, while CBT 2 contains 150 questions.
Both CBT stages carry one mark for each question.
One-third of the marks allotted to a question is deducted for every incorrect answer.
CBT 1 is conducted for shortlisting candidates for CBT 2.
The subject-wise question distribution is indicative and may vary in the actual paper.
CBT 2 gives major weightage to Technical Abilities, with 100 questions in the indicative distribution.
Document Verification and Medical Examination are conducted after the CBT stages as applicable to the recruitment process.
The RRB JE Exam Pattern 2026 has two CBT stages with different question distributions. CBT 1 focuses on Mathematics, Reasoning, General Awareness, and General Science, while CBT 2 gives greater weightage to Technical Abilities along with General Awareness, Physics and Chemistry, Computer Applications, and Environment and Pollution Control.
You should therefore prepare according to the complete syllabus instead of depending only on the indicative number of questions from each subject. Also, keep checking the official RRB website for updates related to results, answer keys, Document Verification, Medical Examination, and other recruitment stages.
Explore PW AE JE Online Courses to prepare effectively for the SSC JE, RRB JE, and other upcoming AE/JE examinations. Avail the structured study material with mock tests, e-books, etc. to gear up your exam preparation.