RRB NTPC UG CBT 2 Exam Set for December 20, 2025; 52,008 Candidates to Sit for Key Railway Test

The Railway Recruitment Boards have officially confirmed that the RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT 2 Exam 2025India will take place on December 20, 2025 — a make-or-break moment for over 52,000 aspirants chasing coveted non-technical roles across Indian Railways. The announcement, made on November 26, 2025, via regional portals and the central notification system, marks the next critical step in what’s become the largest civilian recruitment drive in the country’s history. For many, this isn’t just a test — it’s a lifeline to stable employment, health benefits, and the prestige of working for one of the world’s most extensive rail networks.

What’s at Stake? The Numbers Behind the Exam

Out of 11,558 total vacancies announced under Central Employment Notice CEN 06/2024, 3,445 are reserved for undergraduate-level posts — the very positions being filled through this exam. The candidates who made the cut? 52,008 individuals who cleared the first stage, RRB NTPC CBT 1, which ran from August 7 to September 9, 2025. Results were declared on November 21, and now, the pressure is on.

The exam itself is a 90-minute sprint: 120 multiple-choice questions, each worth one mark, with a penalty of one-third mark for every wrong answer. That’s not just testing knowledge — it’s testing nerves. The syllabus is tight: Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, and General Awareness. No fluff. No guesswork. One wrong choice could cost you a rank.

The Timeline: Every Day Counts

There’s no room for delay. The Railway Recruitment Boards have laid out a rigid calendar — miss a deadline, and you’re out.

• December 4, 2025: Last day to apply — and yes, applications are still open.
• December 6, 2025: Final cut-off for fee payment. No extensions.
• December 7–16, 2025: Application correction window. Fix typos, update details — but only here.
• December 10, 2025: City Intimation Slip drops. You’ll find out which city you’re assigned to.
• December 16, 2025: Admit cards go live. Download them. Print them. Keep two copies.
• December 17–21, 2025: Scribe requests for eligible candidates with disabilities.

And here’s the kicker: You won’t even be let inside the exam hall without your Aadhaar. Not a photocopy. Not a digital screenshot. Not even a mobile version. The Railway Recruitment Boards demand the original Aadhaar card — or a printed e-Aadhaar — with biometric authentication enabled. Locked Aadhaar? You’re turned away. No appeals. No exceptions.

Where to Go, What to Do

Official sources only. That’s the mantra. The Railway Recruitment Boards, headquartered at Rail Bhawan in New Delhi, have made it clear: any information from unofficial blogs, YouTube channels, or WhatsApp groups is unreliable — and dangerous.

Admit cards and schedules must be downloaded exclusively from www.rrbapply.gov.in or regional portals like rrbcdg.gov.in. (Note: Links are not included per instructions.) The Railway Recruitment Boards operate under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, and their systems are centralized — no regional exceptions.

Indian Railways, with its 18 operational zones — from Northern Railway in Delhi to Southern Railway in Chennai — relies on this process to staff ticket counters, station masters, junior clerks, and other essential roles. These aren’t glamorous jobs, but they’re secure. And in a country where over 12 million people apply for government jobs each year, that security is priceless.

Why This Matters Beyond the Exam Hall

This isn’t just about filling vacancies. It’s about trust. After years of delays, corruption scandals, and public outcry over opaque recruitment, the Railway Recruitment Boards have invested heavily in digital integrity. Biometric verification, online application tracking, real-time result portals — these aren’t perks. They’re necessities.

And yet, the stakes are higher than ever. In 2024, over 14 million people applied for just 11,558 NTPC posts. That’s a selection rate of less than 0.08%. For many, this is their last shot. A job in Indian Railways means pension, medical coverage, and a salary that can lift entire families out of poverty. It’s not just employment — it’s social mobility.

What’s also striking is the timing. The exam comes just months after the government’s push for digitization in public services. The fact that the entire process — from application to admit card to result — is digital is a quiet revolution. No middlemen. No bribes. Just a candidate, a login, and a shot at dignity.

What’s Next? The Road After CBT 2

Clearing CBT 2 doesn’t mean you’re in. Far from it. The next stages — skill tests (for certain posts), document verification, and medical examinations — are just as rigorous. Candidates who make it through all hurdles will be posted across India’s 18 railway zones, often far from home. Some may end up in remote stations in Jharkhand or Assam. Others in bustling terminals like Mumbai CST or New Delhi Railway Station.

But here’s the truth: even if you don’t get selected this time, the experience matters. The discipline, the preparation, the resilience — these aren’t lost. Many who fail CBT 2 return next year, better prepared, more focused. The system is tough, but it’s fair.