Complete RRB Technician Exam Guide
Your comprehensive resource for RRB Technician recruitment covering eligibility criteria, exam pattern, detailed syllabus, preparation strategy, cut-off trends, recommended books, and study plans.
10+2 Eligibility
ITI or Diploma in Engineering required
2 Stage Exam
CBT 1 & CBT 2 with scoring pattern
90 Minutes
Duration for each Computer Based Test
4 Subjects
Mathematics, General Intelligence, General Science, General Awareness
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for RRB Technician positions, candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements:
Educational Qualifications
Candidates must have passed Matriculation/SSLC plus ITI from recognized institutions in relevant trades. Alternatively, a Diploma in Engineering may be accepted in lieu of ITI for certain posts.
Note: The specific trades required vary based on the technical discipline. Candidates should verify the exact requirements from the official notification.
Age Limit
The age criteria for RRB Technician posts are as follows:
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years
Age relaxation is applicable as per government norms for reserved categories:
- OBC: 3 years
- SC/ST: 5 years
- PwBD: 10 years
Nationality
Candidate must be either:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal, or
- A subject of Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India
Important: Eligibility criteria may vary slightly for different railway zones and specific notifications. Always refer to the official RRB notification for the exact requirements.
Exam Pattern & Selection Process
The RRB Technician selection process consists of the following stages:
Selection Stages
- Computer Based Test (CBT) 1 – Initial screening test
- Computer Based Test (CBT) 2 – Main examination
- Document Verification – Verification of original documents
- Medical Examination – Fitness test as per railway standards
CBT 1 Pattern
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 | 90 Minutes |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 25 | |
| General Science | 20 | 20 | |
| General Awareness | 25 | 25 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 90 Minutes |
Note: There is negative marking of 1/3 mark for each wrong answer.
CBT 2 Pattern
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 15 | 15 | 90 Minutes |
| Physics & Chemistry | 30 | 30 | |
| Basics of Computers and Applications | 10 | 10 | |
| Basics of Environment and Pollution Control | 5 | 5 | 90 Minutes |
| Technical Abilities (Trade specific) | 40 | 40 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 90 Minutes |
Note: There is negative marking of 1/3 mark for each wrong answer in CBT 2 as well.
Important: The minimum percentage of marks for eligibility in various categories: UR-40%, OBC-30%, SC-30%, ST-25%. These percentages may be relaxed by 2% for PwBD candidates, if there is a shortage of PwBD candidates against vacancies reserved for them.
Detailed Syllabus
The RRB Technician exam covers a wide range of topics. Here’s the detailed syllabus:
- Number system
- 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
- Analogies
- Alphabetical and Number Series
- Classification
- Coding and Decoding
- Mathematical operations
- Relationships
- Syllogism
- Jumbling
- Venn Diagrams
- Data Interpretation and Sufficiency
- Conclusions and Decision Making
- Similarities and Differences
- Analytical reasoning
- Classification
- Directions
- Statement – Arguments and Assumptions
Physics: Units, Measurements, Motion, Force and Laws of Motion, Work, Energy and Power, Heat and Temperature, Wave Motion, Electricity and Magnetism, Optics, etc.
Chemistry: Physical and Chemical Changes, Elements, Compounds and Mixtures, Atomic Structure, Metals and Non-Metals, Carbon and its Compounds, Periodic Table, Acids, Bases and Salts, etc.
Biology: Cell Structure and Function, Tissues, Organ Systems, Life Processes, Human Physiology, Plant Physiology, Reproduction, Genetics and Evolution, Health and Diseases, etc.
- Current Events (National and International)
- Indian History
- Indian Geography
- Indian Polity and Constitution
- Indian Economy
- General Scientific and Technological Developments
- Sports and Culture
- Personalities
- Environmental Issues
- Railway Specific Knowledge
The technical section varies based on the trade applied for. Some common trades include:
- Fitter
- Electrician
- Mechanic
- Wireman
- Turner
- Machinist
- Tool & Die Maker
- Diesel Mechanic
- Refrigeration & AC Mechanic
Candidates should refer to the official notification for the detailed syllabus of their specific trade.
Preparation Strategy & Tips
Effective preparation is key to success in RRB Technician exam. Here are some proven strategies:
Study Plan
Create a realistic study plan that covers all subjects with adequate time allocation:
- Months 1-2: Focus on understanding concepts and fundamentals
- Months 3-4: Practice questions and take topic-wise tests
- Month 5: Revision and full-length mock tests
- Final Weeks: Focus on weak areas and quick revision
Dedicate at least 4-6 hours daily for systematic preparation.
Subject-wise Strategy
Mathematics: Practice is key. Focus on speed and accuracy. Learn shortcuts and formulas.
General Intelligence: Develop logical thinking. Practice different types of questions regularly.
General Science: Focus on NCERT books of 9th and 10th standard. Understand concepts rather than memorizing.
General Awareness: Read newspapers daily. Make notes of current affairs. Focus on railway-specific knowledge.
Technical Section: Thorough knowledge of your trade is essential. Refer to ITI syllabus and practical applications.
Important Tips
- Solve previous years’ question papers to understand the exam pattern
- Take regular mock tests to improve time management
- Focus on accuracy to avoid negative marking
- Revise regularly to retain concepts
- Stay updated with current affairs, especially railway news
- Maintain good health and take proper rest during preparation
Pro Tip: The technical section carries the highest weightage (40 marks). Focus maximum effort on mastering your trade-specific questions as this can be your key differentiator.
Cut-off Trends
While cut-off marks vary each year based on multiple factors, here are the general trends:
Factors Affecting Cut-off
- Number of vacancies
- Number of applicants
- Difficulty level of the exam
- Average performance of candidates
- Reservation categories
Expected Cut-off Range
Based on previous years’ trends, the expected cut-off ranges are:
| Category | CBT 1 (Approx.) | CBT 2 (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| General | 70-85% | 75-90% |
| OBC | 65-80% | 70-85% |
| SC | 60-75% | 65-80% |
| ST | 55-70% | 60-75% |
Note: These are approximate ranges based on historical data. Actual cut-offs may vary.
Important: The final cut-off is determined by RRB based on various factors. Candidates should aim to score as high as possible rather than just targeting the expected cut-off.
Recommended Books & Resources
Choosing the right study material is crucial for effective preparation. Here are some highly recommended resources:
General Subjects
| Subject | Recommended Books | Author/Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | Fast Track Objective Arithmetic | Rajesh Verma |
| General Intelligence | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
| General Science | Lucent’s General Science | Lucent Publication |
| General Awareness | Manorama Yearbook | Mammen Mathew |
Technical Subjects
For technical subjects, candidates should refer to:
- NCVT/SCVT syllabus books for their specific trade
- ITI textbooks and practical manuals
- Previous years’ question papers for technical trades
- Trade-specific guides available in the market
Online Resources
- RRB official website for notifications and updates
- Online mock test platforms
- YouTube channels for tutorial videos
- Mobile apps for current affairs and daily quizzes
- Online study groups and forums
Pro Tip: Rather than collecting multiple books, focus on 1-2 standard books per subject and study them thoroughly. Quality of preparation matters more than quantity of study material.
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