If you are preparing for RRB Level-1 Recruitment 2026, understanding the exact syllabus and exam pattern is more important than solving random questions. Many candidates waste months preparing unnecessary topics, while the exam repeatedly asks from a fixed syllabus.
This guide explains the RRB Level-1 Syllabus 2026 for CBT and PET in a very clear and practical way, based on the official notification and previous exam trends.

Why You Must Read the RRB Level-1 Syllabus 2026 Carefully
- The CBT syllabus is limited but repetitive
- Questions are mostly basic to moderate level
- Smart syllabus-based preparation saves time and increases accuracy
If you prepare according to the syllabus, clearing CBT becomes realistic even for average students.
Apply Online for RRB Level-1 Recruitment 2026
Quick answer (useful for featured snippets)
- What to study: Mathematics, General Science, Reasoning, General Awareness.
- Exam format: 100 questions, 90 minutes, negative marking (1/3).
- Safe target (indicative): Aim for a raw score of 65–75 (UR) to be in a competitive zone; reserved categories have lower safe-targets depending on vacancies.
- PET: If your post requires PET, start physical preparation alongside CBT study.
These short points are formatted to help users and to increase the chances of appearing as a Google quick answer or People Also Ask result.
RRB Level-1 Exam Pattern 2026 (CBT)
The first stage of selection is a Computer Based Test (CBT).
CBT Exam Pattern
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 |
| General Science | 25 | 25 |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 |
| General Awareness & Current Affairs | 20 | 20 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Key CBT Rules
- Exam duration: 90 minutes
- Negative marking: 1/3 mark deducted for each wrong answer
- PwBD candidates get extra time as per rules
PDF-style Syllabus (Printable summary)
Below is a compact, print-ready syllabus box you can convert into a PDF or print for quick revision.
RRB Level-1 CBT – Printable Syllabus
- Mathematics (25 Q): Number system, Ratio & Proportion, Percentage, Time & Work, Time-Speed-Distance, Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest, Averages, Mensuration, Data Interpretation.
- General Science (25 Q): Class 6–10 basics: basic physics (motion, electricity), chemistry (matter), biology (human body, nutrition).
- General Intelligence & Reasoning (30 Q): Series, Coding-Decoding, Analogy, Syllogism, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Puzzles (basic), Non-verbal reasoning.
- General Awareness & Current Affairs (20 Q): Indian history, geography, polity, basic economy, current affairs (last 6–8 months), railway-related updates.
Click here to download the syllabus
Topic-wise Weightage & Scoring Strategy (Indicative)
These are calculated from the question distribution and previous exam trends. Treat them as indicative guidance, not guarantees.
- Mathematics – 25% (25 marks): High accuracy expected; practice speed techniques.
- Reasoning – 30% (30 marks): High scoring if you practice common puzzle types.
- General Science – 25% (25 marks): NCERT Class 10 basics; low time per question.
- General Awareness – 20% (20 marks): Current affairs + static GK; high variance.
Scoring Strategy
- Accuracy first: With negative marking, avoid blind guesses. Attempt questions you can solve correctly in under 60–90 seconds.
- Sectional priority: First finish Reasoning and Maths (you can score faster), then attempt Science and GA.
- Target raw scores (indicative): UR: 65–75; OBC: 60–70; SC/ST: 55–65. These ranges depend on total vacancies and difficulty level.
How to convert raw score to a safer strategy
- Practice full-length mocks with actual time limits.
- Track accuracy: aim for 85%+ accuracy on attempted questions.
- Reduce attempts instead of increasing risky guesses.
12-Week Preparation Roadmap (Practical)
- Weeks 1–4 (Concepts): Cover basics of Mathematics and Reasoning topics. Finish NCERT Class 6–10 science overview.
- Weeks 5–8 (Practice): Start topic-wise timed practice and basic mocks. Focus on accuracy and common question types.
- Weeks 9–10 (Mains): Full-length mocks twice a week. Analyse mistakes and reduce time per question.
- Weeks 11–12 (Revision): One-page printable syllabus daily revision, solve previous-year question papers, final mock tests under real exam conditions.
Stick to this roadmap and adjust based on your mock test performance.
RRB Level-1 Mathematics Syllabus 2026
RRB Level-1 Mathematics Syllabus 2026
Mathematics questions are mostly formula-based and calculation-oriented.
Mathematics Topics
- Number System
- BODMAS
- LCM & HCF
- Ratio & Proportion
- Percentage
- Time & Work
- Time, Speed & Distance
- Profit & Loss
- Simple & Compound Interest
- Average
- Mensuration (2D & basic 3D)
- Data Interpretation (basic)
Focus on speed and accuracy. Most questions are solvable within 30–40 seconds with practice.
RRB Level-1 General Science Syllabus 2026
General Science questions are basic and NCERT-oriented.
Science Subjects Covered
- Physics (motion, work, energy, heat, electricity)
- Chemistry (matter, acids & bases, metals, non-metals)
- Biology (plants, animals, human body, nutrition)
NCERT books up to Class 10 are sufficient for this section.
RRB Level-1 Reasoning Syllabus 2026
This section tests logical thinking and pattern recognition.
Reasoning Topics
- Analogies
- Number & Alphabet Series
- Coding-Decoding
- Direction Sense
- Blood Relations
- Syllogism
- Venn Diagrams
- Puzzle (basic level)
- Non-verbal Reasoning
Regular practice improves accuracy significantly in this section.
Previous Year Trends & PYQ Insights (What repeats most)
Based on recent RRB Level-1 papers and similar recruitments, these trends are useful for prioritising study time:
- Mathematics: Questions repeatedly come from Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, Time & Work, Time-Speed-Distance, and basic Data Interpretation. Focus on shortcut methods and mental calculation.
- Reasoning: Series, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, and basic seating/puzzle questions form the bulk. Learn pattern templates rather than solving random hard puzzles.
- General Science: Questions are NCERT-level; basics of human biology, everyday physics (speed, energy), and simple chemical properties repeat frequently.
- General Awareness: Railway-related facts, government schemes, and recent national news (last 6–8 months) are regularly asked.
Practical tip: Maintain a “repeat topics” list while practising PYQs; revise the list weekly to ensure high-frequency topics are perfected.
RRB Level-1 General Awareness & Current Affairs Syllabus 2026
This section decides the final score for many candidates.
General Awareness Topics
- Indian History & Geography
- Indian Polity & Constitution
- Indian Economy (basic)
- Sports
- Awards & Honours
- Important Days
- Government Schemes
Current Affairs
- National & International news
- Railway-related updates
- Last 6–8 months current affairs are important
RRB Level-1 PET Syllabus 2026 (Physical Efficiency Test)
Candidates shortlisted from CBT are called for PET.
PET Criteria (Male Candidates)
- Lift and carry 35 kg weight for 100 meters in 2 minutes
- Run 1000 meters in 4 minutes 15 seconds
PET Criteria (Female Candidates)
- Lift and carry 20 kg weight for 100 meters in 2 minutes
- Run 1000 meters in 5 minutes 40 seconds
Failing PET leads to direct disqualification, irrespective of CBT marks.
How to Prepare RRB Level-1 Syllabus Smartly
- Study strictly as per syllabus
- Avoid advanced-level questions
- Practice previous year questions regularly
- Attempt mock tests after completing basics
Daily consistency matters more than long study hours.
Common Syllabus Preparation Mistakes
- Ignoring General Science
- Over-studying difficult math topics
- Skipping PET preparation
- Not revising current affairs
Avoiding these mistakes improves your selection chances.
RRB Level-1 Syllabus PDF – Download Information
The official RRB Level-1 Syllabus PDF is available in the recruitment notification. Candidates are advised to download and keep a copy for reference during preparation. For convenience, you can download the full notification and syllabus from the main recruitment page: https://jobshikhar.in/rrb-level-1-recruitment-2026-apply-now/.
Important Links – RRB Level-1 Eligibility 2026
| Link Description | Click Here |
|---|---|
| Apply Online for RRB Level-1 Recruitment 2026 | https://jobshikhar.in/rrb-level-1-recruitment-2026-apply-now/ |
| Download RRB Level-1 Notification PDF | https://jobshikhar.in/rrb-level-1-recruitment-2026-apply-now/ |
| Check RRB Level-1 Eligibility Criteria 2026 | RRB Level-1 Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Age, Qualification, Medical Rules |
| RRB Level-1 Syllabus 2026 | Click here to download the syllabus |
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FAQs
- What is the CBT pattern for RRB Level-1 2026?
The CBT consists of 100 questions covering Mathematics, General Science, Reasoning and General Awareness; duration is 90 minutes with negative marking. - How many marks are required to be safe in CBT?
Indicatively, a raw score of 65–75 is considered competitive for UR candidates depending on vacancy and difficulty level. - Is NCERT enough for General Science?
Yes. NCERT books up to Class 10 generally cover the required basics for General Science. - What are the exact PET criteria?
Male: 1000m run in 4:15 and lift 35 kg for 100m; Female: 1000m run in 5:40 and lift 20 kg for 100m. - How many months of current affairs should I study?
Focus on the last 6–8 months of national and railway-related current affairs. - Can final year students apply?
No. Candidates must have completed the required qualification before the last date of application. - Where can I download the official syllabus PDF?
Download the detailed notification and syllabus from the main recruitment page: https://jobshikhar.in/rrb-level-1-recruitment-2026-apply-now/. - What topics repeat most often in Maths?
Percentage, ratio, time & work, time-speed-distance, and data interpretation are frequently repeated. - Should I prioritise speed or accuracy?
Prioritise accuracy first due to negative marking, then increase speed using timed practice. - Will there be extra time for PwBD candidates?
Yes, PwBD candidates are eligible for extra time as per rules and must upload required medical documents. - How should I convert this syllabus into a study plan?
Create a 12-week plan: 6 weeks for basics and topic coverage, 4 weeks for practice and mocks, final 2 weeks for revision and last-mile preparation. - Are there sectional cutoffs in RRB Level-1?
RRB usually applies overall and category-wise cutoffs; explicit sectional cutoffs are not common but can be used for normalization.
Conclusion
The RRB Level-1 Syllabus 2026 is simple but highly competitive due to the number of applicants. Preparing according to the official CBT and PET syllabus increases accuracy and confidence. Follow the syllabus strictly, revise regularly, and stay consistent for better results in Sarkari Naukri 2026 exams.