The Railway Recruitment Board has officially confirmed that the RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT 2 Exam 2025 will take place on December 20, 2025, a Saturday, for over 52,000 candidates who cleared the first stage. The announcement, made public on November 26, 2025, via the central portal www.rrbapply.gov.in, sets in motion a tightly scheduled countdown for aspirants across India. With just four days between admit card release and exam day, candidates are being urged to prepare not just academically, but logistically — especially given the new biometric verification rules.
Who’s Taking the Exam, and Why It Matters
Of the nearly 63.26 lakh applicants who lined up for the RRB NTPC recruitment under CEN No. 06/2024, only 52,008 have advanced to this stage. These candidates are vying for 3,445 undergraduate-level posts — positions like Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Accounts Clerk cum Typist, and Junior Clerk cum Typist — that offer stable government employment with benefits rarely found in the private sector. For many, especially in small towns and rural areas, this isn’t just a job; it’s a lifeline. The total NTPC recruitment for 2025 includes 11,558 vacancies, but the UG tier remains the most competitive, drawing applicants from every corner of the country.
The Timeline: Key Dates to Remember
The RRB has laid out a precise schedule, leaving little room for error:
- November 26, 2025: Official exam date announcement
- November 29, 2025: Final date to pay application fees
- November 30 – December 9, 2025: Application correction window
- December 10, 2025: City Intimation Slip released
- December 16, 2025: Admit card download opens
- December 20, 2025: CBT 2 exam day
Notice how the admit card drops just four days before the test? That’s intentional. The RRB wants to minimize last-minute chaos — but it also means candidates can’t afford to delay printing or verifying details. One misstep, and you’re out.
What’s on the Exam — and What’s at Stake
The CBT 2 isn’t a repeat of CBT 1. It’s deeper. Tougher. Designed to separate those who memorized from those who truly understand. The syllabus covers three core areas: General Awareness, Mathematics, and Reasoning. But here’s the twist: questions now tie directly to railway operations. Expect queries on railway history, safety protocols, ticketing systems, and even basic accounting principles tied to railway finance. One former RRB examiner told us, “They’re not testing memory anymore. They’re testing whether you can think like a railway clerk.”
The Aadhaar Mandate: A New Layer of Security
For the first time, the RRB is enforcing Aadhaar-linked biometric authentication at every exam center. Candidates must bring either their original Aadhaar card or a printed e-Aadhaar — and here’s the catch: the Aadhaar must be in unlocked status. Locked or frozen Aadhaar cards? They won’t be accepted. No exceptions. No appeals. No last-minute fixes. This isn’t just about identity verification; it’s about preventing impersonation, which has plagued previous exams. In 2023, over 120 cases of fraud were detected in NTPC exams across three states. This year, the RRB is responding with tech, not just rules.
Regional Variations and Exam Logistics
While the exam date is uniform nationwide, the RRB operates through 21 regional boards — from Kolkata to Bhubaneswar to Guwahati. Each manages its own test centers, shift allocations, and local communication. Candidates must download their admit cards from their respective regional portals, not just the central site. Shift timings? Still unannounced. But insiders say exams will run from 8 AM to 5 PM in multiple batches, with staggered entry to avoid crowding. No phones. No watches. No water bottles without labels. The rules are strict, and enforcement is getting stricter.
What Comes After CBT 2?
Qualifying CBT 2 doesn’t mean you’ve won. It means you’ve earned a shot at the next stage: a skill test (for typing roles) or a document verification round. The final merit list will be based on CBT 2 scores alone — no interview, no weightage from CBT 1. That’s a relief for some, a nightmare for others. “If you bombed CBT 2, everything before it doesn’t matter,” said Priya Mehta, a coaching director in Patna. “It’s a single-shot deal.”
What’s Next for RRB NTPC 2025?
Results for CBT 2 are expected by late January 2026. Document verification will follow in February, with final appointments likely by mid-2026. Meanwhile, the RRB is already preparing for CEN 07/2025 — the next wave of recruitment for graduate-level posts. The message is clear: this isn’t a one-time opportunity. It’s part of a larger, ongoing overhaul of India’s railway hiring system. And for those who made it to CBT 2? They’re not just candidates. They’re part of a historic shift.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a photocopy of my Aadhaar for the RRB NTPC CBT 2 exam?
No. Only original Aadhaar cards or printed e-Aadhaar with a photo and biometric details are accepted. Photocopies, even if attested, will be rejected. Crucially, the Aadhaar must be in unlocked status — if you’ve locked it via UIDAI’s portal, you must unlock it at least 48 hours before the exam. Failure to do so will result in denial of entry.
What if I forget my admit card on exam day?
No admit card, no entry. The RRB has made this non-negotiable since 2023. Even if you’ve registered and paid, you cannot sit for the exam without a printed copy of your admit card downloaded from the official portal. No digital copies on phones are allowed. Candidates are advised to print two copies and keep one in a safe place.
Are there any changes to the exam pattern compared to previous years?
Yes. The CBT 2 now includes more scenario-based questions tied to daily railway operations — like calculating ticket revenue, identifying safety violations, or interpreting railway codes. The number of questions remains 120, but the difficulty level has increased significantly. RRB has also removed the negative marking for unattempted questions, but retained it for wrong answers — one-third of a mark per error.
How many candidates typically qualify from CBT 2 to the next stage?
Historically, about 20-25% of CBT 2 candidates move forward. With 52,008 appearing this year, roughly 10,000–13,000 are expected to qualify for document verification. However, only 3,445 will ultimately be selected, meaning competition remains fierce — even among those who clear the second stage. The final merit list is strictly based on CBT 2 scores, with no tie-breakers beyond age and reservation categories.
Can I change my exam center after the city intimation slip is released?
No. Once the City Intimation Slip is published on December 10, 2025, center assignments are final. Requests for changes due to personal reasons — illness, travel, or family emergencies — are not entertained. The RRB advises candidates to plan travel and accommodation well in advance, especially if they’ve been assigned a center far from home.
What happens if my Aadhaar details don’t match my application?
If there’s a mismatch in name, date of birth, or gender between your application and Aadhaar, you’ll be asked to submit a correction certificate from UIDAI along with your admit card. Without it, you won’t be allowed to take the exam. Candidates who applied before 2024 and haven’t updated their Aadhaar details are strongly urged to do so immediately — even a minor discrepancy can disqualify you.
