The RRB JE syllabus covers two computer-based tests: CBT 1 for screening and CBT 2 for merit. This guide explains both stages exactly as given in Centralised Employment Notice (CEN) No. 05/2025 for Junior Engineer (JE), Depot Material Superintendent (DMS) and Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant (CMA) posts. It also covers marks, negative marking, qualifying percentages and the technical exam groups.
Rewritten and re-verified on 30 October 2026 using the official notice.
RRB JE Syllabus 2026: Overview
Under the RRB JE syllabus, Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) use one common scheme for JE, DMS and CMA posts. First, you take CBT 1. Next, shortlisted candidates take CBT 2. After that, RRBs call candidates for document verification and a medical test.
| Item | Official detail (CEN 05/2025) |
|---|---|
| Recruiting body | Railway Recruitment Boards, Ministry of Railways |
| Posts | Junior Engineer, Depot Material Superintendent, Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant |
| Vacancies notified | 2,569 (all RRBs); JE/DMS vacancies later enhanced by Corrigendum-1 dated 14.11.2025 |
| Stages | CBT 1 → CBT 2 → Document Verification → Medical Examination |
| Negative marking | 1/3 mark per wrong answer in both CBTs |
| Pay | Level 6 of 7th CPC, initial pay ₹35,400 |
| Official portal | www.rrbapply.gov.in and regional RRB websites |
Important Dates (CEN 05/2025)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Detailed CEN published | 30.10.2025 |
| Online application | 31.10.2025 to 30.11.2025 (23:59 hours) |
| Last date for fee payment | 02.12.2025 |
| Corrigendum-1 (vacancy enhancement) | 14.11.2025 |
| CBT-2 notice issued | 21.05.2026 |
| CBT-2 date (tentative, as per notice) | 02.07.2026 |
The CBT-2 notice also says the exam city link opens 10 days before the exam. E-call letters become available 4 days before the exam date.
Application Fee and Refund
- General candidates: ₹500. RRB refunds ₹400, minus bank charges, after you appear in CBT 1.
- SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, PwBD, women, transgender, minorities and EBC: ₹250. RRB refunds the full amount, minus bank charges, after you appear in CBT 1.
Age Limit
The age limit is 18 to 33 years as on 01.01.2026. SC/ST candidates get 5 years of upper age relaxation. OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates get 3 years. PwBD candidates, ex-servicemen and serving railway staff get further relaxation as listed in the CEN.
RRB JE Exam Pattern: CBT 1
CBT 1 is a screening test in the RRB JE syllabus. It has 100 questions for 100 marks, and the time limit is 90 minutes. Candidates using a scribe get 120 minutes.
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 25 |
| General Awareness | 15 | 15 |
| General Science | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
RRBs shortlist candidates for CBT 2 at 15 times the community-wise vacancies of each RRB. So CBT 1 marks decide only who moves forward.
RRB JE CBT 1 Syllabus: Topic List
- Mathematics: 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 roots, age problems, calendar and clock, pipes and cisterns.
- General Intelligence & Reasoning: analogies, alphabetical and number series, coding-decoding, syllogism, Venn diagrams, data sufficiency, classification, directions, and statement–assumption or conclusion questions.
- General Awareness: current affairs, Indian geography, history and culture, Indian polity, economy, environment, sports, and developments in science and technology.
- General Science: physics, chemistry and life sciences up to Class 10 (CBSE) level.
RRB JE Exam Pattern: CBT 2
CBT 2 carries the real weight in the RRB JE syllabus. It has 150 questions for 150 marks, and the time limit is 120 minutes. Scribe users get 160 minutes. In addition, an on-screen virtual calculator is available.
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 15 | 15 |
| Physics & Chemistry | 15 | 15 |
| Basics of Computers and Applications | 10 | 10 |
| Basics of Environment and Pollution Control | 10 | 10 |
| Technical Abilities | 100 | 100 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
RRB JE CBT 2 Syllabus: General Sections
- General Awareness: same topics as CBT 1.
- Physics & Chemistry: up to Class 10 (CBSE) level.
- Basics of Computers and Applications: computer architecture, input, output and storage devices, networking, operating systems, MS Office, internet and email, web browsers, and computer viruses.
- Basics of Environment and Pollution Control: basics of environment, air, water and noise pollution, waste management, global warming, acid rain and ozone depletion.
Technical Abilities and Exam Groups
Technical Abilities alone carry 100 of the 150 marks in the RRB JE syllabus. The questions come from the syllabus of your exam group, listed in Annexures VII-A to VII-E of the CEN. The five exam groups are:
- Mechanical & Allied Engineering
- Electrical & Allied Engineering
- Electronics & Allied Engineering
- Civil & Allied Engineering
- Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant (CMA)
Your exam group depends on your qualification. However, a DMS candidate with a three-year engineering diploma may choose any group except CMA. Therefore, check the annexure for your group before you start technical preparation.
RRB JE Minimum Qualifying Marks
You must clear these minimum percentages in both CBT 1 and CBT 2:
| Category | Minimum % |
|---|---|
| UR | 40% |
| EWS | 40% |
| OBC (NCL) | 30% |
| SC | 30% |
| ST | 25% |
Ex-servicemen follow the percentage of their community. PwBD candidates may get relaxation of up to 2 marks if needed.
Selection Process
- CBT 1: screening; shortlisting at 15 times the community-wise vacancies.
- CBT 2: merit stage; RRBs normally call one candidate per vacancy for DV.
- Document Verification (DV).
- Medical Examination as per the medical standard of the post.
How to Download the Official RRB JE Syllabus PDF
- Open the official website of your RRB, for example RRB Chandigarh.
- Go to the CEN 05/2025 (JE/DMS/CMA) section.
- Click the “Detailed Centralised Employment Notification No. 05/2025” link.
- Scroll to the scheme of examination and Annexures VII-A to VII-E.
- Save the PDF and mark the RRB JE syllabus annexure for your exam group.
- For exam updates, log in at www.rrbapply.gov.in with your registration details.
RRB JE Syllabus Preparation Tips
- Give most of your time to Technical Abilities, since it carries two-thirds of CBT 2 marks.
- Revise Class 10 physics, chemistry and biology for CBT 1 General Science.
- Practise mock tests on the full RRB JE syllabus every week.
- Avoid blind guessing, because each wrong answer costs 1/3 mark.
- Also read our 2026 guide to preparing for government exams.
More railway and engineering updates: RRB NTPC Graduate 2026, SSC JE Exam Date 2026 and our Exam Syllabus section.
Important Links
| Link | Official source |
|---|---|
| CEN 05/2025 detailed notice (PDF) | RRB Ranchi |
| All CEN 05/2025 notices | RRB Chandigarh |
| CBT-2 notice dated 21.05.2026 (PDF) | RRB Chennai |
| Candidate login | rrbapply.gov.in |
FAQs on RRB JE Syllabus
What is the RRB JE syllabus for CBT 1?
CBT 1 has Mathematics (30), General Intelligence & Reasoning (25), General Awareness (15) and General Science (30). It has 100 questions in 90 minutes.
Is there negative marking in RRB JE?
Yes. RRB deducts 1/3 mark for each wrong answer in both CBT 1 and CBT 2.
How many marks does Technical Abilities carry in CBT 2?
Technical Abilities carries 100 out of 150 marks. The questions follow your exam group’s annexure in the CEN.
What are the RRB JE qualifying marks?
The minimum is 40% for UR and EWS, 30% for OBC (NCL) and SC, and 25% for ST, in each CBT.
Is a calculator allowed in RRB JE CBT 2?
Yes. The CEN says a virtual calculator is available on the screen during CBT 2.
Sources
- Railway Recruitment Boards – Centralised Employment Notice No. 05/2025 (JE/DMS/CMA), hosted on rrbranchi.gov.in.
- RRB Chandigarh – CEN 05/2025 notice page (CEN, Corrigendum-1 and tentative schedule), rrbcdg.gov.in.
- RRB Chennai – CBT-2 notice for CEN 05/2025 dated 21.05.2026, rrbchennai.gov.in.
Disclaimer: Always confirm details on the official website before applying.