RRB NTPC is two separate recruitments: the Graduate level (CEN 05/2024) for degree holders with higher-paying posts like Station Master, and the Undergraduate level (CEN 07/2025) for 12th-pass candidates with clerk-grade posts. This guide compares posts, pay levels, vacancies, selection, and which one to apply for.
By Pawan, Senior Editor — Defence & Railway desk. Published 22 May 2026. Last verified 22 May 2026 against RRB NTPC CEN 05/2024 (Graduate) and CEN 07/2025 (Undergraduate) notifications.
TL;DR
- "RRB NTPC" is two separate recruitments: the Graduate level (CEN 05/2024) and the Undergraduate / 10+2 level (CEN 07/2025).
- Graduate needs a degree, offers higher-paying posts (Station Master, Goods Train Manager — Pay Level 5/6), and had ~8,113 posts; its result was declared on 7 May 2026.
- Undergraduate needs a 12th pass, offers clerk-grade posts (Pay Level 2/3) with 3,058 posts; its CBT-1 ran on 7–9 May and 13–21 June 2026.
- Both use the same portal (
rrb.digialm.com) and a similar CBT-1 → CBT-2 → skill/typing → DV → medical funnel.- Choose by your qualification: graduates should target the Graduate posts for the higher pay; 12th-pass candidates apply for the UG posts.
A lot of railway aspirants get confused because two different exams both carry the RRB NTPC name in 2026. They are notified separately, sit different papers, and lead to different pay grades. This guide separates the Graduate level (CEN 05/2024) from the Undergraduate level (CEN 07/2025) so you apply for — and prepare for — the right one. For the live cycle, see the RRB NTPC 2026 pillar and the Railway Jobs hub.
At a glance
| Graduate (CEN 05/2024) | Undergraduate (CEN 07/2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification | Bachelor's degree | 12th (10+2) pass |
| Posts | Station Master, Goods Train Manager, Senior Clerk-cum-Typist, Junior Accounts Assistant, CCTS | Commercial-cum-Ticket Clerk, Accounts Clerk-cum-Typist, Junior Clerk-cum-Typist, Trains Clerk |
| Pay level | Level 5/6 (higher) | Level 2/3 |
| Vacancies | ~8,113 | 3,058 |
| Status (May 2026) | Result declared 7 May 2026 | CBT-1 held 7–9 May + 13–21 June 2026 |
What "Graduate level" (CEN 05/2024) means
The Graduate cycle is for candidates with a bachelor's degree. It carries the higher-value NTPC posts — Station Master and Goods Train Manager being the most sought-after — at Pay Level 5/6, which is a meaningfully higher pay grade than the clerk posts. This cycle has already completed its journey: CBT-1 in mid-2025, CBT-2 later in 2025, the typing/skill stage, and a final result declared on 7 May 2026 for about 8,113 posts. If you are a graduate, this is the track to target for the better pay and the operations-officer style roles. See our RRB NTPC Graduate Result 2026 page for the zone-wise outcome.
What "Undergraduate level" (CEN 07/2025) means
The Undergraduate cycle is for 12th-pass candidates and carries the clerk-grade posts — Commercial-cum-Ticket Clerk, Accounts Clerk-cum-Typist, Junior Clerk-cum-Typist, and Trains Clerk — at Pay Level 2/3, with 3,058 posts. This cycle is current: CBT-1 was conducted in two batches on 7–9 May and 13–21 June 2026, after which the answer key, result, and skill tests follow. If your highest qualification is 12th, this is your NTPC route. Track it via the RRB NTPC UG Admit Card page.
Selection process — broadly the same funnel
Both cycles follow a similar path: CBT-1 → CBT-2 → a typing or computer/skill test for relevant posts → Document Verification → medical. The CBTs test General Awareness, Mathematics, and General Intelligence & Reasoning, with the Graduate paper pitched at a slightly higher difficulty. Both are accessed through the common portal rrb.digialm.com using your registration number and date of birth. The medical standard varies by post — operations posts like Station Master have stricter vision norms than clerk posts.
Which one should you apply for?
It comes down to qualification and goal. Graduates should apply for the Graduate posts — the pay grade is higher and roles like Station Master carry more responsibility and growth. A graduate can technically also sit the UG posts, but it usually makes little sense to target a lower pay grade. 12th-pass candidates are eligible only for the UG posts, so that is the clear route until they complete a degree. If you are mid-degree, plan around the cycle timing: the Graduate notification windows and the UG windows open independently, so watch both on the RRB NTPC 2026 pillar. Still deciding between NTPC and the technical railway exams? Read our RRB NTPC vs Group D vs ALP comparison.
RRB NTPC Graduate vs UG: हिंदी सारांश
"RRB NTPC" असल में दो अलग भर्तियाँ हैं — ग्रेजुएट लेवल (CEN 05/2024) और अंडरग्रेजुएट/10+2 लेवल (CEN 07/2025)। ग्रेजुएट के लिए डिग्री ज़रूरी है और इसमें ऊँचे वेतन वाली पोस्ट (स्टेशन मास्टर, गुड्स ट्रेन मैनेजर — Pay Level 5/6) हैं; इसका रिज़ल्ट 7 मई 2026 को आ चुका है (~8,113 पद)। अंडरग्रेजुएट के लिए 12वीं पास होना काफी है और इसमें क्लर्क-ग्रेड पोस्ट (Pay Level 2/3, 3,058 पद) हैं; इसकी CBT-1 परीक्षा 7–9 मई व 13–21 जून 2026 को हुई। चयन प्रक्रिया दोनों में लगभग समान है। अपनी योग्यता के अनुसार सही cycle चुनें — ग्रेजुएट उम्मीदवार बेहतर वेतन के लिए Graduate पोस्ट चुनें।