RRB Previous Year Papers
RRB Previous Year Question Papers — NTPC, ALP, Group D, JE, ASM, TC
Previous Year Papers — RRB (Railway Recruitment Board)
Practising RRB previous year papers is the single most effective way to prepare for Railway Recruitment Board exams such as NTPC, ALP, Group D, JE and ASM/TC. Every RRB CBT is a Computer-Based Test with multiple shifts, a fixed paper pattern and a negative marking of 1/3rd mark per wrong answer — which is why solving real papers matters more than reading notes. Previous year papers tell you exactly how many questions come from General Awareness, Mathematics and Reasoning, how difficult each shift is, and which topics are repeated year after year.
Here is how to use them properly. Solve one full paper in a single sitting under the exact time limit (90–120 minutes). Do not pause, do not look at the answer key, and mark questions you guessed. Then compare your answers, study every mistake, and note the topics that cost you marks. Finally, re-attempt the same paper after a week to confirm the improvement. Because RRB deducts marks for wrong answers, your practice must always be accuracy-first: attempt fewer questions correctly rather than more questions sloppily.
Important: the RRBs do not publish complete official question papers for every cycle. Official mock test / model question paper links are posted zone-wise under each recruitment notice (CEN) on the official portal. Reliable preparation portals compile memory-based and answer-key-based papers of real shifts; those are clearly marked (external) below.
RRB Exams at a Glance
All RRB CBTs are objective (MCQ) with 1/3rd negative marking unless stated otherwise. Scores across multiple shifts are normalized, so a paper’s raw score alone is not the full story — practise across shifts to see the real range of difficulty.
| Exam | Papers / Stages | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NTPC | CBT 1 (qualifying), CBT 2 (merit) | 100 / 120 | 100 / 120 | 90 min each |
| ALP | CBT 1 (qualifying), CBT 2, CBAT (Loco Pilot) | 100 / 100 | 100 / 100 | 60 / 90 min |
| Group D (Level-1) | CBT, then PET & Document Verification | 100 | 100 | 90 min |
| JE | CBT 1 (qualifying), CBT 2 (merit) | 100 / 150 | 100 / 150 | 90 / 120 min |
| ASM / TC | NTPC Graduate CBT 1, CBT 2, then CBAT | 100 / 120 | 100 / 120 | 90 min each |
RRB NTPC (Non-Technical Popular Categories)
NTPC is held for undergraduate (12th pass) and graduate posts. The selection has CBT 1 (100 questions, 100 marks, 90 minutes, qualifying) and CBT 2 (120 questions, 120 marks, 90 minutes, merit-based). Negative marking of 1/3rd applies in both. Graduate posts under CEN 06/2025 appeared for CBT 1 in March 2026 and CBT 2 in 2025; undergraduate posts under CEN 07/2025 sat CBT 1 from May to June 2026.
| Exam | Year | Paper | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| RRB NTPC UG (CEN 07/2025) | 2026 | CBT 1 — 7 May to 20 June, all shifts (English + Hindi, with answer key) | Official RRB portal (response sheet & answer key) |
| RRB NTPC UG (CEN 07/2025) | 2026 | CBT 1 — all shifts, Hindi version with answer key | Official RRB portal (response sheet & answer key) |
| RRB NTPC Graduate (CEN 06/2025) | 2026 | CBT 1 — 25 March 2026, Shift 1 | Official RRB portal (response sheet & answer key) |
| RRB NTPC Graduate | 2025 | CBT 2 — 13 October 2025, Shift 1 | Official RRB portal (response sheet & answer key) |
| RRB NTPC Graduate | 2025 | CBT 2 — 13 October 2025, Shift 2 | Official RRB portal (response sheet & answer key) |
| RRB NTPC UG | 2025 | CBT 2 — 20 December 2025 | Official RRB portal (response sheet & answer key) |
| RRB NTPC Graduate | 2025 | CBT 1 — 10 June 2025, Shift 3 (direct PDF) | Official RRB portal (response sheet & answer key) |
More NTPC papers (2016–2026, CBT 1 and CBT 2, graduate and undergraduate): Official RRB portal. Official mock test links are posted under CEN 06/2025 and CEN 07/2025 on each regional RRB portal.
RRB ALP (Assistant Loco Pilot) & Technician
The ALP selection has CBT 1 (100 questions, 100 marks, 60 minutes, qualifying), CBT 2 (100 questions, 100 marks, 90 minutes, merit) and a Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) for the Loco Pilot category, with 1/3rd negative marking in the CBTs. Recent cycles: CEN 01/2018, CEN 01/2024 and CEN 09/2025.
| Exam | Year | Paper | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| RRB ALP (CEN 09/2025) | 2025 | CBT papers of the current cycle, all shifts | Official RRB portal (response sheet & answer key) |
| RRB ALP (CEN 01/2024) | 2024 | CBT 1 and CBT 2 papers | Official RRB portal (response sheet & answer key) |
| RRB ALP (CEN 01/2018) | 2018–2019 | CBT 1 and CBT 2 papers of the 2018 batch | Official RRB portal (response sheet & answer key) |
| RRB ALP — all cycles | All years | Official mock test / model question paper links | Official RRB portal |
RRB Group D (Level-1)
Group D (now Level-1) has a single CBT of 100 questions for 100 marks in 90 minutes covering General Science, Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning and General Awareness, followed by a Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Document Verification. Negative marking of 1/3rd applies. Recent cycles: CEN 02/2018, RRC 01/2019 and CEN 08/2025.
| Exam | Year | Paper | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| RRB Group D (CEN 08/2025) | 2025 | CBT papers of the current cycle, all shifts | Official RRB portal (response sheet & answer key) |
| RRB Group D (RRC 01/2019) | 2022 | CBT papers of the 2019-2022 batch | Official RRB portal (response sheet & answer key) |
| RRB Group D (CEN 02/2018) | 2018–2019 | CBT papers of the 2018 batch | Official RRB portal (response sheet & answer key) |
| RRB Group D — all cycles | All years | Official mock test / model question paper links | Official RRB portal |
RRB JE (Junior Engineer)
The JE selection has CBT 1 (100 questions, 100 marks, 90 minutes, qualifying) and CBT 2 (150 questions, 150 marks, 120 minutes, merit-based) with 1/3rd negative marking. Papers cover General Awareness, General Science, Mathematics, Technical Ability and Reasoning. Recent cycles: CEN 01/2019 and CEN 02/2024.
| Exam | Year | Paper | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| RRB JE (CEN 02/2024) | 2024–2025 | CBT 1 and CBT 2 papers | Official RRB portal (response sheet & answer key) |
| RRB JE (CEN 01/2019) | 2019–2021 | CBT 1 and CBT 2 papers of the 2019 batch | Official RRB portal (response sheet & answer key) |
| RRB JE — all cycles | All years | Official mock test / model question paper links | Official RRB portal |
RRB ASM / TC (Assistant Station Master & Travelling Commercial)
ASM and TC posts are filled through the NTPC Graduate cycle. Candidates clear CBT 1 and CBT 2, then appear for a Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) (minimum T-score of 42) for ASM/TC. The earlier ASM “standalone” exams (2014–2015) are now merged into NTPC, so recent ASM papers are the NTPC Graduate papers listed above.
| Exam | Year | Paper | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| RRB ASM / TC | 2025–2026 | CBT 1, CBT 2 and CBAT practice papers | Official RRB portal (response sheet & answer key) |
| Railway TC | All years | TC-specific question practice resources | Official Indian Railways site |
| RRB ASM / TC — all cycles | All years | Official mock test / model question paper links | Official RRB portal |
Official RRB Sources (verified)
- Official RRB portal — rrb.indianrailways.gov.in: home of all 21 regional RRBs, recruitment notices (CENs), answer keys, results and zone-wise mock test links.
- RRB Online Application portal — www.rrbapply.gov.in: official registration and application portal for all RRB CENs.
- Zone example: RRB Secunderabad. Each zone publishes a “Mock Test Link” under its active CENs — this is the closest thing to official model question papers RRB publishes, and it is free.
How to Use Previous Year Papers Effectively
- One paper = one exam simulation. Sit for the full duration with a timer; no phone, no notes, no answer key during the attempt.
- Track accuracy before speed. With 1/3rd negative marking, a paper with 60 correct and 40 wrong scores lower than one with 45 correct and 5 wrong. Learn to skip.
- Analyze every paper. After marking, list each wrong answer and its topic. Three papers will reveal your personal weak subjects — fix those first.
- Practise shift-wise variation. RRB papers differ in difficulty across shifts, so solve papers from multiple dates and shifts rather than just one.
- Repeat papers. Re-attempt a solved paper after 7–10 days. A rising raw score with falling wrong answers is the only true sign of progress.
- Use the official mock tests. The free mock tests under each CEN on the RRB portal reproduce the actual CBT interface — attempt them at least twice before exam day.
- Time management in the exam. In the last 15 minutes, attempt only questions you can solve quickly; avoid risky guessing when the paper is going well.
FAQ
Q: Does RRB publish official previous year papers?
No. RRBs do not publish complete solved papers for past CBTs. They release answer keys and, per cycle, free mock test/model question paper links under each CEN on the official portal. Memory-based papers compiled from released answer keys are available from preparation portals (external).
Q: Where are the official mock test links?
On each regional RRB website under the active CEN — look for the “Mock Test Link” category on pages such as the RRB Secunderabad portal. You can reach every zone from the official RRB portal home page.
Q: Is there negative marking in all RRB CBTs?
Yes. 1/3rd mark is deducted for each wrong answer in NTPC, ALP, Group D and JE CBTs. The CBAT (ASM/TC and ALP loco pilot) has no negative marking but requires a minimum T-score of 42.
Q: How many questions are in the Group D CBT?
100 questions for 100 marks in 90 minutes, covering General Science, Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning and General Awareness, with 1/3rd negative marking.
Q: Are ASM papers different from NTPC papers?
ASM/TC posts are now recruited through the NTPC Graduate cycle, so the CBT 1 and CBT 2 papers are the same. ASM/TC candidates additionally take the CBAT, for which aptitude-test practice batteries should be practised separately.
Q: How many times can I attempt an RRB exam?
There is no attempt limit for RRB exams — you can apply in every cycle as long as you meet the age and educational criteria of that CEN.