RRB JE Syllabus 2026: CBT 1 & CBT 2 Exam Pattern, Subject-Wise Topics

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) conducts the Junior Engineer (JE) examination to recruit engineers across Indian Railways, and the RRB JE Syllabus 2026 is the single most important document for anyone preparing under CEN 05/2026. The selection runs through two computer-based tests — CBT 1 and CBT 2 — followed by Document Verification and a Medical Examination. This guide breaks down the full exam pattern and the subject-wise syllabus for both stages so you can plan a focused, section-by-section study strategy.

Both CBTs are objective, online, and carry a negative marking of one-third (1/3) of a mark for every wrong answer. CBT 1 is only a screening test — its marks do not count towards the final merit — while CBT 2, and especially its Technical Abilities section, decides your selection.

RRB JE Exam Pattern 2026 at a Glance

The RRB JE 2026 exam is conducted in the following stages:

  • Computer-Based Test 1 (CBT 1) — qualifying screening stage
  • Computer-Based Test 2 (CBT 2) — merit-deciding stage
  • Document Verification (DV)
  • Medical Examination

A key change in the current pattern is that questions appear section-wise rather than mixed, so each subject is presented as a separate section. Candidates may attempt the sections in any order.

RRB JE CBT 1 Exam Pattern

CBT 1 is common to all notified posts and is used only to shortlist candidates for CBT 2.

  • Total Questions: 100
  • Total Marks: 100
  • Duration: 90 minutes (120 minutes for PwBD candidates with scribe)
  • Negative Marking: 1/3 mark per wrong answer
  • Nature: Qualifying only — marks not counted in final merit
  • Minimum qualifying mark: 40% (relaxable for reserved categories)

Section-wise distribution:

  • Mathematics — 30 questions
  • General Intelligence & Reasoning — 25 questions
  • General Awareness — 15 questions
  • General Science — 30 questions

RRB JE CBT 1 Syllabus

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 calculations, calendar and clock, and pipes and cisterns.

General Intelligence & Reasoning: Analogies, alphabetical and number series, coding and decoding, mathematical operations, relationships, syllogism, jumbling, Venn diagrams, data interpretation and sufficiency, conclusions and decision making, similarities and differences, analytical reasoning, classification, directions, and statement–arguments and assumptions.

General Awareness: Current affairs of national and international importance, Indian geography, culture and history including the freedom struggle, Indian polity and constitution, Indian economy, environmental issues, sports, and general scientific and technological developments.

General Science: Physics, Chemistry, and Life Sciences up to the 10th standard CBSE level — covering units and measurement, force and motion, work, energy and power, light and sound, atomic structure, chemical reactions, acids, bases and salts, the periodic table, human body systems, and the plant and animal kingdoms.

RRB JE CBT 2 Exam Pattern

Candidates who clear CBT 1 are shortlisted for CBT 2, which tests technical knowledge specific to the engineering discipline chosen.

  • Total Questions: 150
  • Total Marks: 150
  • Duration: 120 minutes (160 minutes for PwBD candidates with scribe)
  • Negative Marking: 1/3 mark per wrong answer
  • A virtual calculator is provided
  • Minimum qualifying mark: 40% (relaxable for reserved categories)

Section-wise distribution:

  • General Awareness — 15 questions
  • Physics & Chemistry — 15 questions
  • Basics of Computers and Applications — 10 questions
  • Basics of Environment and Pollution Control — 10 questions
  • Technical Abilities — 100 questions

The Technical Abilities section carries 100 of the 150 marks, making it decisive for your final score.

RRB JE CBT 2 Syllabus (General Sections)

The first four sections are common to all posts:

  • General Awareness: Current affairs, general knowledge, and developments in science and technology.
  • Physics & Chemistry: Topics up to the 10th standard CBSE syllabus.
  • Basics of Computers and Applications: Computer architecture, input and output devices, storage devices, networking, operating systems, MS Office, internet and email, websites and web browsers, computer viruses, and basic programming concepts.
  • Basics of Environment and Pollution Control: Types of pollution and their effects, air, water and noise pollution, waste management, global warming, acid rain, ozone depletion, and environmental protection measures.

RRB JE CBT 2 Technical Abilities — Discipline-Wise

The Technical Abilities syllabus depends on the exam group your diploma or degree maps to. RRB JE groups qualifications into technical exam groups so the technical paper matches your educational background. The broad disciplines are:

  • Civil & Allied Engineering: Building materials, estimating and costing, surveying, soil mechanics, hydraulics, irrigation engineering, transportation engineering, environmental engineering, and structural engineering including theory of structures, concrete technology, and RCC design.
  • Mechanical & Allied Engineering: Engineering mechanics, material science, strength of materials, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and machinery, heat transfer, IC engines, refrigeration and air-conditioning, production engineering, and the theory of machines.
  • Electrical & Allied Engineering: Basic electrical concepts, circuit laws, magnetism and electromagnetism, AC and DC machines, measurement and measuring instruments, generation, transmission and distribution, estimation and costing, utilisation of electrical energy, and basic electronics.
  • Electronics & Allied Engineering: The transducers, electronic components and materials, electronic devices and circuits, digital electronics, microprocessors, communication systems, and control systems.
  • Computer Science & Information Technology: Programming fundamentals, data structures, DBMS, operating systems, computer networks, and software engineering basics.

Always cross-check your specific diploma or degree stream against the exam-group annexures in the official detailed notification, since sub-streams and combination degrees are periodically updated.

RRB JE Selection Process After CBT 2

There is no interview in RRB JE selection. Shortlisting is based purely on CBT 1 and CBT 2 performance. Candidates shortlisted on CBT 2 marks are called for Document Verification, where original certificates for educational qualification, age, category, and identity must be produced. The final stage is a Medical Examination against the medical standards applicable to the technical/engineering post applied for.

Preparation Tips

  • Master the exam pattern first — knowing the exact number of questions, timing, and negative marking helps you build a realistic section-wise time budget.
  • Treat CBT 1 as foundation-building. Even though it is qualifying, a strong score builds momentum for the tougher CBT 2.
  • Allocate the most time to Technical Abilities, since it carries 100 of 150 marks in CBT 2.
  • Revise NCERT-level Physics and Chemistry — both CBTs test school fundamentals.
  • Practise previous years' papers and full-length mocks to build speed under the 1/3 negative marking rule.
  • Keep a daily current affairs habit, especially railway-related news, since General Awareness repeats across both CBTs.

Always track the official RRB websites for exam dates, city intimation slips, and any syllabus clarifications — these are released only through official channels and should be cross-verified against any third-party guide.

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