The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially released the RRB NTPC UG CBT 1 Cut Off 2026 along with the CBT 1 result on 24th August 2026, for the Undergraduate (UG) recruitment under CEN 07/2025, covering 3,058 non-technical 10+2 level posts across Indian Railways.
With over 63 lakh candidates having registered and roughly 50 lakh appearing across shifts, this guide breaks the cutoff data into distinct, easy-to-scan sections — actual zone-wise marks, category-wise qualifying percentages, the normalization process behind these numbers, and what comes next in CBT 2.
RRB NTPC UG CBT 1 Cut Off 2026 — Quick Overview
Before the zone-wise numbers, here’s the recruitment’s basic shape in one place — useful for orientation, not for detailed analysis (that comes further below).
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | RRB NTPC Undergraduate (UG) Recruitment Examination 2026 |
| Notification No. | CEN 07/2025 |
| Conducting Authority | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) — 21 regional zones |
| Post Level | Undergraduate Level (Non-Technical, 10+2) |
| Total Vacancies | 3,058 |
| CBT 1 Exam Dates | 7 May – 20 June 2026 |
| Result & Cutoff Release Date | 24 August 2026 |
| Cutoff Availability | Zone-wise & Category-wise (all 21 RRB regions) |
| CBT 2 Exam Date | 17 September 2026 |
| Selection Process | CBT 1 → CBT 2 → Typing Skill Test / CBAT (as applicable) → Document Verification → Medical Exam |
| Official Websites | rrb.digialm.com / rrb.indianrailways.gov.in |
Candidates who scored equal to or above the prescribed cutoff for their specific category and zone have qualified for CBT 2. Since RRB conducts this exam across 21 separate regional boards, there is no single national cutoff — every zone publishes its own numbers, which is why the zone-wise breakdown below matters more than any single “expected” figure.
RRB NTPC UG CBT 1 Cut Off 2026 — Official Zone-Wise & Category-Wise Marks
This is the core data most candidates are searching for — actual published normalized cutoff marks (out of 100) by RRB zone and category, sourced from the official zone-wise result PDFs released on 24–25 August 2026.
| RRB Zone | UR | SC | ST | OBC | EWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ajmer | 82.72–86.21 | 78.65–84.22 | 74.93–75.19 | 82.18–85.37 | 81.39–85.27 |
| Ahmedabad | 74.33–75.75 | 67.66–71.02 | 60.52–63.13 | 71.55–73.27 | 70.97–71.00 |
| Bengaluru | 75.09–77.00 | 70.93–72.71 | 67.25–71.03 | 73.87 | 73.06–73.26 |
| Bhopal | 83.03–84.13 | 76.49–76.59 | 69.11–69.32 | 80.84–81.81 | 80.16–80.62 |
| Bhubaneswar | 77.31 | 72.05 | 59.21 | 75.49 | 72.26 |
| Bilaspur | 75.90–78.72 | 69.36–70.35 | 64.44–65.72 | 74.45–75.80 | 70.37–71.51 |
| Chandigarh | 84.09–85.80 | 78.70–78.76 | 68.45–71.70 | 80.53–81.13 | 81.58–81.90 |
| Chennai | 80.33–83.26 | 74.38–77.42 | 65.43–73.44 | 78.96–81.24 | 67.56–79.93 |
| Gorakhpur | 82.62–85.56 | 74.66 | 69.94 | 79.93–84.56 | 79.07 |
| Guwahati | 76.33–80.06 | 70.19–73.52 | 65.93 | 73.17–77.85 | 70.10–75.06 |
| Jammu-Srinagar | 82.37–84.14 | 75.95–78.56 | 73.38–74.59 | 80.40–82.34 | 79.47–82.26 |
| Kolkata | 81.99–82.87 | 75.85–76.59 | 67.75–70.56 | 79.79–80.11 | 77.97–80.27 |
| Malda | 81.94–82.49 | 76.59–79.10 | 69.90–69.93 | 80.21–82.35 | 79.06–79.60 |
| Mumbai | 79.85–82.40 | 75.09–77.04 | 68.78–73.98 | 79.27–80.25 | 78.62–80.17 |
| Muzaffarpur | 82.82 | 72.56 | 71.04 | 81.17 | 79.53 |
| Patna | 80.97–81.48 | 72.82–75.26 | 71.27–72.89 | 80.60 | 79.44–80.87 |
| Prayagraj (Allahabad) | 83.27–86.19 | 77.03–80.46 | 73.01 | 81.23–83.73 | 80.99 |
| Ranchi | 83.10–83.53 | 75.61–75.69 | 72.89 | 80.11–80.40 | 78.23 |
| Siliguri | 75.78–80.00 | 74.73 | — | 74.72 | 74.00 |
| Thiruvananthapuram | 79.82–80.60 | 72.84 | 68.01 | 76.91 | 73.68 |
Ranges shown reflect variation across different Post Code/Community categories (e.g., Ex-Servicemen, PwBD sub-categories) within the same zone and reservation category. “—” indicates data not published for that specific zone-category combination in the source PDFs. Always verify your exact figure against your own zone’s official cutoff PDF, linked on rrb.indianrailways.gov.in.
RRB NTPC UG Minimum Qualifying Marks 2026 (Category-Wise)
This is distinct from the zone-wise normalized cutoffs above — these are the baseline percentage thresholds every candidate must clear before normalization is applied, regardless of zone.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| UR / EWS | 40% |
| OBC-NCL | 30% |
| SC | 30% |
| ST | 25% |
These percentages apply to the raw, pre-normalization score — clearing them is a necessary but not sufficient condition. Since RRB conducts CBT 1 across multiple shifts with varying difficulty, your actual normalized score (as reflected in the zone-wise table above) is what ultimately determines whether you’re shortlisted, not just whether you crossed this baseline percentage.
Understanding Normalization — Why Your Zone’s Cutoff Differs From Another’s
This section explains the methodology behind the numbers above, which is distinct from the raw figures themselves — understanding this helps you interpret your own scorecard correctly rather than comparing it directly against a different zone’s cutoff.
- Why normalization exists: Since CBT 1 was conducted over more than six weeks (7 May – 20 June 2026) across numerous shifts, no two shifts had identical questions or difficulty — normalization adjusts raw scores so that a candidate in a harder shift isn’t unfairly disadvantaged compared to one in an easier shift.
- Equi-percentile method: RRB has historically used an equi-percentile normalization approach, which converts each candidate’s raw score into a normalized score based on their relative standing within their own shift, then maps it onto a common scale.
- Why cutoffs vary so widely by zone: Looking at the table above, UR cutoffs range from roughly 74–75 (Ahmedabad) to 85–86 (Ajmer, Prayagraj) — this gap reflects differences in applicant volume, regional vacancy count, and the specific difficulty of shifts assigned to each zone’s candidate pool, not inconsistency in the exam itself.
- Practical implication: Your scorecard shows a normalized score, not your raw score — this normalized figure is what gets compared against your zone’s published cutoff, so don’t panic if your raw recall of correct answers doesn’t match your final scorecard number exactly.
Factors That Influenced This Year’s Cutoff
Distinct from the specific numbers above, this section covers the general mechanics that shaped how high or low each zone’s cutoff landed this cycle.
- Very high applicant volume: Reports indicate over 63 lakh candidates registered for this cycle, with close to 50 lakh appearing — this scale of competition is a major driver behind cutoffs sitting in the mid-70s to mid-80s range for UR across most zones, noticeably higher than in some earlier NTPC cycles.
- Regional vacancy distribution: Zones with proportionally fewer announced vacancies relative to their applicant base (such as Ajmer and Prayagraj, both showing UR cutoffs above 85) saw tighter competition than zones with a more favourable vacancy-to-applicant ratio.
- Overall paper difficulty: A comparatively easier overall paper — consistent with RRB NTPC’s typical UG-level difficulty — allowed a larger pool of candidates to score well, which pushes cutoffs upward.
- Wrong or cancelled questions: Any post-exam corrections to the answer key (bonus marks for cancelled questions, for instance) can shift the final marking scheme slightly and, in turn, adjust the published cutoff from what might have been provisionally expected.
- Category-wise reservation policy: As seen in the data, ST cutoffs trail UR cutoffs by roughly 10–20 marks in most zones, and SC by roughly 5–10 marks — this gap is a direct function of each category’s own separate applicant pool and reservation percentage, not a flat discount off the UR figure.
How to Check Your RRB NTPC UG CBT 1 Cut Off & Result
- Visit the official RRB website: rrb.digialm.com or rrb.indianrailways.gov.in
- Look for the “RRB NTPC UG CBT 1 Result and Cut Off 2026” link
- Select your respective RRB zone (region) from the list of 21 regional boards
- Open the zone’s cutoff PDF and check the marks against your category and post preference
- Separately, log in with your Registration Number and Date of Birth to view your individual scorecard, which shows section-wise marks, your normalized score, and qualifying status for CBT 2
- Download and save both the zone cutoff PDF and your personal scorecard for future reference
Results and cutoffs were rolled out zone-by-zone rather than all at once — 7 regions (Thiruvananthapuram, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Bilaspur, Siliguri, Muzaffarpur, Gorakhpur) were released on 24 August, with the remaining regions following through 25–26 August. If your zone’s result isn’t visible yet, check back within a day or two rather than assuming an error.
What Happens After CBT 1 — Selection Process Ahead
This section moves past the cutoff itself to the next stages of selection, which qualified candidates should start preparing for immediately rather than waiting.
- CBT 2 Exam Date: Scheduled for 17 September 2026, conducted nationwide across designated centres.
- Admit Card & City Slip: Exam city intimation slips are typically released about 10 days before the exam, with admit cards following roughly 4 days before — candidates should watch their registered zone’s website closely as the date approaches.
- Typing Skill Test / CBAT: Applicable only for specific posts (such as those requiring typing proficiency or aptitude assessment) — this stage is qualifying in nature for eligible posts, with a minimum T-score of 42 required where CBAT applies.
- Document Verification: Original certificates are checked against submitted application details for candidates shortlisted after CBT 2 (and Typing Test/CBAT, where relevant).
- Medical Examination: The final stage before appointment, assessing physical and medical fitness for the specific post applied for.
Important: CBT 1 is purely qualifying in nature — your CBT 1 score itself is not carried forward into the final merit list. The final selection is based on CBT 2 performance (combined with the Typing Test/CBAT score where applicable).
Target Score Recommendations for CBT 2 Preparation
This section translates the cutoff data above into a practical planning tool, distinct from the raw historical numbers — since CBT 1 marks don’t carry forward, what matters now is preparing to clear CBT 2’s own (typically higher) cutoff comfortably.
- Don’t relax after clearing CBT 1. CBT 2 is a separate, generally tougher exam with its own independent cutoff — treat CBT 1 qualification as a checkpoint, not a finish line.
- Study your own zone’s specific cutoff pattern. If your zone (e.g., Ajmer, Prayagraj) showed a comparatively high UR cutoff this cycle, expect similarly intense competition at the CBT 2 stage and calibrate your preparation intensity accordingly.
- Revisit CBT 1 weak areas immediately. Your scorecard’s section-wise breakdown is a direct signal of where to focus additional CBT 2 preparation time, since the subject overlap between the two stages is substantial.
- Start Typing Test/CBAT practice early if applicable to your applied post — don’t leave this until after CBT 2 results, since typing speed and aptitude-test familiarity need sustained practice over weeks, not days.
RRB NTPC UG CBT 1 Cut Off 2026 — Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: When was the RRB NTPC UG CBT 1 cut off 2026 released?
The Railway Recruitment Board released the category and zone-wise cutoff along with the official result on 24th August 2026, with remaining zones’ results following through 25–26 August.
Q2: Is the RRB NTPC UG cutoff the same across all zones?
No. Cutoffs vary significantly by zone and category — for example, UR cutoffs ranged from roughly 74–75 in Ahmedabad to 85–86 in Ajmer and Prayagraj this cycle.
Q3: What is the minimum qualifying percentage for RRB NTPC UG?
40% for UR/EWS, 30% for OBC-NCL and SC, and 25% for ST — applied to the raw score before normalization.
Q4: How many vacancies are there in RRB NTPC UG Recruitment 2026?
A total of 3,058 undergraduate-level posts under notification CEN 07/2025.
Q5: Does clearing the CBT 1 cutoff guarantee a job?
No. CBT 1 is only the first qualifying stage. Candidates must also clear CBT 2, the Typing Test/CBAT (where applicable), Document Verification, and the Medical Examination before final selection.
Q6: When is the RRB NTPC UG CBT 2 exam?
CBT 2 is scheduled for 17 September 2026.
Q7: Why is there sectional or overall score confusion on the scorecard?
The scorecard displays your normalized score, not your raw score — normalization adjusts for shift-wise difficulty differences across the exam’s multi-week, multi-shift schedule, so your final figure may differ slightly from your own raw-answer count.
Q8: Where can candidates download the official zone-wise cutoff PDF?
From the official RRB websites — rrb.digialm.com or rrb.indianrailways.gov.in — under each region’s specific results and cutoff link.
Q9: Are there sectional cutoffs within CBT 1?
No — RRB NTPC UG CBT 1 uses only an overall aggregate cutoff; there is no separate minimum requirement for individual sections.
Q10: What factors caused this year’s cutoff to be relatively high in some zones?
A very large applicant pool (over 63 lakh registrations), a comparatively easier overall paper allowing more candidates to score well, and uneven vacancy-to-applicant ratios across zones all contributed to pushing UR cutoffs into the mid-70s to mid-80s range in most regions.
This article reflects officially published zone-wise cutoff data as of 26 August 2026. Some zones (e.g., Secunderabad) had not published their cutoff PDF at the time of writing — check the official RRB website directly for the most current status of your specific zone. This page will be updated as any remaining zone results are released.