RRB JE Syllabus 2026 — CBT 1 and CBT 2 Subject-wise Topics, Branch-wise Technical Syllabus (CEN 04/2026)

RRB JE Syllabus 2026 — CBT 1 & CBT 2 Subject-wise Topics, Branch-wise Technical Syllabus (CEN 04/2026)

About RRB JE 2026 (CEN 04/2026)

• The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) conducts the RRB JE Exam to select candidates for Junior Engineer (JE), Depot Material Superintendent (DMS), and Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant (CMA) posts across Indian Railways.
• The RRB JE 2026 recruitment cycle (CEN 04/2026) was announced in August 2026, with the online application window opening on 14 August 2026.
• Official notification PDF (CEN 04/2026): CEN 04/2026 JE, DMS Notification PDF
• Official website: https://www.rrbapply.gov.in/
• The exam is conducted in two stages (CBT 1 and CBT 2) that test different subjects and difficulty levels — knowing the syllabus and pattern together is essential before starting preparation.

RRB JE Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026 — Overview

• Both stages carry 1 mark per correct answer with 1/3 mark negative marking per wrong answer.
• A combined total of 250 questions is asked across both stages.

RRB JE Selection Process 2026

• Stage 1 — First Stage CBT (CBT 1): a screening-level test covering Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, and General Science; only candidates who clear CBT 1 (based on RRB's normalization and cut-off process) move to CBT 2.
• Stage 2 — Second Stage CBT (CBT 2): a more technical test covering General Awareness, Physics & Chemistry, Basics of Computer Applications, Basics of Environment & Pollution Control, and Technical Abilities specific to the engineering discipline; final merit is based on CBT 2 performance.
• Stage 3 — Document Verification (DV): shortlisted candidates, based on CBT 2 merit and category-wise vacancies, are called to verify educational certificates, category certificates and other documents.
• Stage 4 — Medical Examination (ME): candidates who clear DV undergo a medical fitness test as per the medical standards prescribed for the specific post.
• Note: CBT 1 is only a qualifying/screening stage and its marks are not typically counted toward final merit, which is based on CBT 2 — consistent with the reference sources; confirm the exact merit-weightage rule in the official notification.

RRB JE Exam Pattern 2026

• CBT 1 consists of 100 objective-type MCQs, to be completed in 90 minutes.
• CBT 2 consists of 150 objective-type MCQs, to be completed in 120 minutes (2 hours).
• Each correct answer carries 1 mark, and 1/3 mark is deducted for every wrong answer in both stages.
• Since Technical Abilities alone accounts for 100 of the 150 marks in CBT 2, it carries the largest share of this stage — this is a direct read of the marks distribution, not a separate weightage claim.

CBT 1 Exam Pattern

• Mathematics and General Science are the largest CBT 1 sections at 30 questions each.

CBT 2 Exam Pattern

• The Technical Abilities section is based on the engineering branch/discipline the candidate has applied for.

RRB JE Syllabus 2026 — CBT 1

• CBT 1 is the screening-level syllabus, common to all candidates.
• CBT 2 combines common sections plus a Technical Abilities section specific to the engineering branch.

1. Mathematics (CBT 1) — 30 Marks

• Number systems; BODMAS; Decimals; Fractions; LCM and HCF.
• Ratio and Proportion; Percentages.
• Mensuration.
• Time and Work; Time and Distance.
• Simple and Compound Interest.
• Profit and Loss.
• Algebra; Geometry; Trigonometry.
• Elementary Statistics.
• Square Root; Age Calculations.
• Calendar & Clock; Pipes & Cistern.

2. General Intelligence and Reasoning (CBT 1) — 25 Marks

• Analogies; Alphabetical and Number Series.
• Coding and Decoding; Mathematical operations.
• Relationships; Syllogism; Jumbling.
• Venn Diagram.
• Data Interpretation and Sufficiency.
• Conclusions and Decision-Making.
• Similarities and Differences.
• Analytical reasoning; Classification.
• Directions.
• Statement — Arguments and Assumptions.

3. General Awareness (CBT 1 and CBT 2 — common) — 15 Marks in Each Stage

• Current affairs.
• Indian Geography.
• Culture and history of India, including the freedom struggle.
• Indian Polity and Constitution.
• Indian Economy.
• Environmental issues concerning India and the world, sports, and general scientific and technological developments.

4. General Science (CBT 1) — 30 Marks

• Physics, Chemistry, and Life Sciences up to 10th standard CBSE syllabus.

RRB JE Syllabus 2026 — CBT 2 Common Sections

• CBT 2 common sections are Physics & Chemistry, Basics of Computer Applications, and Basics of Environment & Pollution Control.

5. Physics and Chemistry (CBT 2) — 15 Marks

• Questions are set from 12th-standard-level Physics and Chemistry.

6. Basics of Computer Applications (CBT 2) — 10 Marks

• Computers and their architecture.
• Input & Output devices.
• MS Office.
• Storage devices.
• Operating Systems.
• Internet and Email.
• Websites & Web Browsers.
• Networking.
• Computer Virus.

7. Basics of Environment and Pollution Control (CBT 2) — 10 Marks

• Basics of Environment.
• Adverse effects of environmental pollution.
• Pollution control strategies.
• Types of pollution.
• Waste Management.
• Global warming.
• Acid rain.
• Ozone depletion.

Technical Abilities (CBT 2 — Branch-specific) — 100 Marks

• This section is based on the engineering branch/discipline the candidate has applied for.
• The branch-wise topics below summarise the syllabus areas; refer to the official CEN 04/2026 notification PDF for the complete detailed topic lists.

(A) Civil & Allied Engineering

• Engineering Mechanics — force, moment, force systems, equilibrium, friction, centroid, centre of gravity, simple machines.
• Building Construction — substructure and superstructure components; load-bearing, framed, and composite structures.
• Building Materials — masonry materials, timber, glass, plastic, aluminum, steel, bitumen, PVC, CPVC, PPF.
• Substructure Construction — job layout, earthwork, foundation types, dewatering, coffer dams, bearing capacity.
• Superstructure Construction — masonry types, cavity walls, doors/windows, stairs, lifts, escalators, scaffolding, shoring.
• Building Finishes — floor finishes, wall plastering/pointing/painting, roofing materials including RCC.
• Building Maintenance — cracks and repairs (grouting, guniting, epoxy), settlement causes/remedies, re-baring.
• Building Drawing — conventions, planning principles, byelaws, plan/elevation/section drawings, perspective drawing.
• Concrete Technology — cement grades, aggregates, mix design, testing, quality control, admixtures, special concretes.
• Surveying — chain survey, compass survey, leveling, contouring, plane table, theodolite, tacheometry, curves, aerial survey, remote sensing.
• Computer-Aided Design — CAD software (AutoCAD, Auto Civil, 3D Max), plan/elevation/section generation, 3D views.
• Geotechnical Engineering — soil properties, permeability, seepage, shear strength, bearing capacity, compaction, site investigation.
• Hydraulics — fluid properties, hydrostatic pressure, pipe flow, open channel flow, flow-measuring devices, hydraulic machines.
• Irrigation Engineering — hydrology, reservoir planning, percolation tanks, diversion headworks.
• Mechanics of Structures — stress, strain, shear force, bending moment, moment of inertia, trusses, strain energy.
• Theory of Structures — direct and bending stresses, slope/deflection, fixed and continuous beams, moment distribution, columns.
• Design of Concrete Structures — working stress and limit state methods, reinforced sections, shear, bond, development length, T-beams, footings.
• Design of Steel Structures — sections, steel grades, IS codes, connections, tension/compression members, trusses, beams, columns.
• Transportation Engineering — railway engineering, bridge engineering, tunnel engineering.
• Highway Engineering — road investigation, geometric design, pavement construction, traffic engineering, drainage, maintenance.
• Environmental Engineering — pollution control, water supply, sewage, solid waste management, sanitation, plumbing.
• Advanced Construction Techniques — fibers, plastics, advanced concreting, formwork, prefabrication, earth-moving machinery.
• Estimating and Costing — approximate and detailed estimates, measurement modes, rate analysis.
• Contracts and Accounts — types of engineering contracts, tender documents, payment, specifications.

(B) Electrical & Allied Engineering

• Basic Concepts — resistance, inductance, capacitance, current, voltage, power, energy, units.
• Circuit Law — Kirchhoff's laws, network theorems.
• Magnetic Circuit — flux, mmf, reluctance, magnetic materials, electromagnetic induction, self/mutual induction.
• AC Fundamentals — instantaneous/peak/RMS/average values, sinusoidal waveforms, series/parallel AC circuits, resonance, poly-phase systems, star/delta connection.
• Measurement and Instruments — power/energy measurement, wattmeter methods, frequency/phase measurement, ammeters, voltmeters, multimeters, Megger, AC bridges, CRO, CT, PT.
• Electrical Machines — DC machines, transformers (construction, equivalent circuit, tests, efficiency), 3-phase induction motors, single-phase motors.
• Synchronous Machines — EMF generation, armature reaction, voltage regulation, parallel operation, synchronizing.
• Generation, Transmission & Distribution — power stations, load factor, tariffs, faults, switchgear, protection, Buchholz relay, Merz-Price system, lightning arresters, cables.
• Estimation and Costing — lighting scheme estimation, electric installation, IE rules, earthing practices.
• Utilization of Electrical Energy — illumination, electric heating, welding, electroplating, electric drives and motors.
• Basic Electronics — diodes, transistors (BJT, JFET), simple circuits using these devices.

(C) Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering

• Electronic Components & Materials — conductors, semiconductors, insulators, magnetic materials, cells, batteries, relays, switches, MCBs, connectors.
• Electronic Devices and Circuits — PN junction diodes, thyristors, transistors, amplifiers, oscillators, multivibrators, counters, rectifiers, inverters, UPS.
• Digital Electronics — number systems, binary codes, Boolean algebra, logic gates, combinational/sequential circuits, A/D and D/A converters, memories.
• Linear Integrated Circuit — operational amplifiers, linear/non-linear applications, voltage regulators, timers, phase-locked loops.
• Microprocessor and Microcontroller — 8085 microprocessor, assembly language programming, peripherals, microcontrollers.
• Electronic Measurements — measuring systems, range extension, CRO, LCD/LED panels, transducers.
• Communication Engineering — modulation, multiplexing, wave propagation, transmission lines, OFC, public address systems, radar, satellite communication.
• Data Communication and Network — hardware/interface, LAN/WAN, networking devices, internetworking.
• Computer Programming — C and C++ fundamentals, operators, control statements, functions, arrays, strings, pointers, data structures, DBMS.
• Basic Electrical Engineering — DC circuits, AC fundamentals, magnetic/thermal/chemical effects of current, earthing.

(D) Mechanical & Allied Engineering

• Engineering Mechanics — resolution of forces, equilibrium, friction, moment of inertia, Newton's laws, projectile motion, D'Alembert's principle.
• Material Science — mechanical properties of materials, classification of steels, heat treatment processes.
• Strength of Materials — stress, strain, factor of safety, thermal stresses, shear force/bending moment diagrams, torsion.
• Machining — lathe operations, cutting tools, shaper, slotter, planer, milling, gear manufacture.
• Welding — arc and gas welding, soldering, brazing, MIG/TIG welding, welding defects.
• Grinding & Finishing Process — metal removal principles, abrasives, grinding machines, honing, lapping, electroplating.
• Metrology — linear/angle measurement, comparators, surface roughness measurement, interferometry.
• Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulic Machinery — fluid properties, Bernoulli's equation, venturimeters, pitot tubes, centrifugal pumps.
• Per the reference sources, the Mechanical branch syllabus also includes Industrial Management and Thermal Engineering topics (thermodynamics laws, IC engines, refrigeration cycles) — refer to the official notification for the complete branch syllabus.

(E) Computer Science & Information Technology

• PC Software — MS Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint.
• Computer Fundamentals — evolution of computers, hardware & software, Internet.
• C Language — structure, loops, control statements, arrays, pointers, functions, structures, unions, files.
• Computer Organisation — number systems, logic gates, flip-flops, Boolean algebra, DMA, instruction sets.
• Data Structures using C++ — OOP concepts, stacks, queues, linked lists, searching and sorting algorithms.
• DBMS Fundamentals — data models, RDBMS, relational algebra, SQL, PL/SQL, cursors, triggers.
• Operating Systems (Linux) — Unix/Linux architecture, file system, commands, system administration.
• Web Technologies — Internet/Intranet, LAN, routers, HTML basics, web servers, browsers, security.
• Data and Network Communication — OSI model, TCP/IP, transmission media, error detection/correction, Ethernet.
• Java Programming — JVM, data types, classes, objects, inheritance, threads, applets.
• Software Engineering — life cycle models, requirements analysis, design principles, testing strategies, project management.

(F) Printing Technology

• Covers printing systems, printing materials, flexo/gravure/screen printing.
• Printing finishing processes; image processing; design & advertising in print media.
• Sheet-fed and web offset machines; publishing software; colour separation; plate-making methods.
• Printer's accounting.
• Refer to the official notification for the full topic list, as this branch's syllabus is extensive.

(G) Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant (CMA)

• Measurements, units, dimensions, and errors in measurement.
• Light: reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction, polarization.
• Heat: transmission, expansion, calorimetry, latent heat.
• Sound: propagation, characteristics, resonance, Doppler effect.
• Mechanics: motion, friction, Newton's laws, momentum, gravitation.
• Magnetism; Electricity & Electromagnetism.
• Modern Physics: atomic models, radioactivity, nuclear reactions.
• Electronics and Communications: semiconductors, diodes, transistors, logic gates.
• Matter, Chemical Reactions, Acids/Bases/Salts.
• Atomic Structure and Periodic Classification of Elements.
• Chemical Bonding, Carbon and its Compounds.
• Environmental Chemistry and Metallurgy.

How to Prepare for RRB JE Exam 2026

• Start with the syllabus, not question banks — map out CBT 1 subjects first since it is the qualifying stage, then move to your specific Technical Abilities branch for CBT 2.
• Build a subject-wise timetable — since Technical Abilities alone carries 100 of 150 marks in CBT 2, allocate proportionally more study time to your branch subjects than to General Awareness or Computer Basics.
• Use RRB JE previous year question papers (PYQs) — this helps you understand question difficulty and recurring topic patterns across CBT 1 and CBT 2.
• Take sectional mock tests as you finish each subject — do not wait until the full syllabus is done; test topic-wise to catch weak areas early.
• Revise General Science and General Awareness weekly — these sections change least in preparation strategy but need regular touchpoints, unlike technical subjects that need deep, one-time study.
• Practise negative-marking-aware attempts in mocks — with 1/3 mark deducted per wrong answer, build the habit of skipping low-confidence questions during timed practice.

Two-Stage Strategy Notes (Indicative)

• CBT 1 is a screening gate — build broad competence across Mathematics, Reasoning, Awareness and 10th-level Science, because normalization decides which candidates proceed.
• CBT 2 decides the merit — the 100-mark branch section demands depth, so the branch syllabus should be the fixed centre of the preparation plan from the start.
• The Engineering-branch change is not possible once applied, so choose the discipline at application with the CBT 2 syllabus in view.
• CBT 2's common mini-sections (Physics/Chemistry 15, Computer 10, Environment 10, Awareness 15) are quick-scoring — they reward 12th-level summaries rather than exhaustive study.
• Technical-paper accuracy matters more than attempt volume because 1/3 negative marking applies in both stages.
• These notes are indicative; the official CEN 04/2026 notification defines the binding structure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What is the RRB JE Syllabus 2026? CBT 1 tests Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, and General Science; CBT 2 tests General Awareness, Physics & Chemistry, Basics of Computer Applications, Basics of Environment & Pollution Control, and branch-specific Technical Abilities.
• What is the exam pattern? CBT 1 has 100 questions for 100 marks in 90 minutes; CBT 2 has 150 questions for 150 marks in 120 minutes; both carry 1 mark per correct answer with 1/3 mark negative marking.
• How many questions are asked? CBT 1 has 100 questions and CBT 2 has 150 — 250 questions combined across both stages.
• Is there negative marking? Yes — 1/3 mark is deducted for every incorrect answer in both CBT 1 and CBT 2.
• Where can the RRB JE Syllabus PDF be downloaded? As part of the detailed CEN 04/2026 notification on the official RRB websites; a direct link is provided in the Important Links section.

Important Links — Official Only

• RRB JE CEN 04/2026 Notification & Syllabus (Official PDF): Download Official Notification PDF
• RRB Application Portal: rrbapply.gov.in (Official Website)
• No third-party links are used on this page.

Disclaimer

• This page is an informational summary of the RRB JE 2026 examination pattern and syllabus based on the official CEN 04/2026 notification.
• It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the Railway Recruitment Board.
• The official CEN 04/2026 notification is the binding and final source for all details including eligibility, vacancies, dates and the complete branch-wise technical syllabus.
• Always verify details at https://www.rrbapply.gov.in/.