Separate Recruitment for Station Masters under RRB NTPC; Selection via CBT

Starting in 2026, the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) will conduct recruitment for Station Master posts separately from other NTPC recruitments. A distinct Centralized Employment Notification (CEN) will be issued for this purpose.

A major change has been made to the recruitment process for candidates aspiring to become Station Masters in the Railways. From 2026 onwards, the RRB will separate Station Master recruitment from other NTPC hiring drives, and a dedicated Centralized Employment Notification will be released. Guidelines issued by the Railway Board outline the new recruitment system and exam pattern. Under this new arrangement, candidates will now need to take only one Computer-Based Test (CBT) instead of two to qualify for the Station Master role. This will be followed by a Computer-Based Aptitude Test, document verification, and a medical examination.

Previously, recruitment for Station Master posts was conducted under the NTPC Graduate-level recruitment drive, which required candidates to appear for both CBT-1 and CBT-2. However, starting with the 2026 recruitment cycle, a separate notification will be issued for Station Master posts. The separate CEN released by the RRB will detail the number of vacancies, application dates, fees, and the complete examination schedule. While the official number of vacancies has not yet been announced, estimates suggest there could be more than 500 posts; however, this will be confirmed only upon the release of the official notification.

Only One CBT Required Now

Under the new recruitment process, candidates applying for the Station Master post will have to take only a single CBT. The exam will carry a total of 100 marks, with a duration of 120 minutes. One-third of a mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer. In the previous NTPC recruitment format, candidates were allotted 90 minutes for CBT-1, followed by a separate CBT-2. Under the new system, a single examination has replaced the two-stage CBT format. However, candidates who qualify in the CBT will subsequently be required to appear for the CBAT.

Subjects Included in the Examination

The new CBT pattern for Station Master recruitment will consist of questions totaling 100 marks. The exam subjects will be divided into distinct sections: questions on Basic Science and Mathematics will carry 30 marks, while Data Analysis and Interpretation will also account for 30 marks. Questions testing Logical Capability will carry 20 marks, and Mental Reasoning questions will also account for 20 marks.

Merit List Based on CBT and CBAT Scores

Scores from both the CBT and CBAT will be considered when preparing the final merit list for Station Master recruitment. The CBT score will carry a weightage of 70 percent, while the CBAT score will carry a weightage of 30 percent. Qualifying in the CBAT is mandatory for inclusion in the final merit list. Candidates will be shortlisted for document verification and the medical examination based on this combined merit.

Who Can Apply?

To apply for the post of Station Master, a candidate must hold a graduation degree from a recognized university. The prescribed age limit for this recruitment is 20 to 30 years. However, eligible candidates from reserved categories will receive age relaxation in accordance with Railway regulations. Detailed information regarding age calculation, the cut-off date, and category-specific relaxations will be released in a separate recruitment notification.