RRB Technician Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026 (CEN 02/2026): Detailed Post-Wise Topics, Marks Distribution & Single-Stage CBT Scheme

Official Notification Summary: Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways, Government of India, have officially notified the complete examination scheme and detailed curriculum under Centralised Employment Notice (CEN) No. 02/2026 for the recruitment of 6,557 Vacancies across Technician Grade I (Signal) (Pay Level-5, 323 Posts) and Technician Grade III (Pay Level-2, 6,234 Posts). The recruitment process features a Single-Stage Computer Based Test (CBT) of 100 objective questions for 100 marks over a duration of 90 minutes with 1/3rd negative marking. Unlike previous multi-tier recruitment cycles, final selection is determined directly by CBT performance followed by Document Verification and Medical Fitness. Review the comprehensive, post-wise syllabus breakdown, subject marks weightage, minimum qualifying benchmarks, and high-scoring preparation strategies detailed below.

• Stage 1 – Single-Stage Computer Based Test (CBT): A centralized 100-question objective examination carrying 100 marks for 90 minutes. There are distinct question papers for Technician Grade I (Signal) and Technician Grade III. The marks scored in this CBT are normalized across multi-shift administrations and serve as the sole merit basis (100% weightage) for shortlisting.
• Stage 2 – Document Verification (DV): Candidates equal to the number of notified vacancies (1:1 ratio) are called for Document Verification based strictly on their CBT merit rank and community category.
• Stage 3 – Detailed Medical Examination (DME): Qualified candidates undergo rigorous medical fitness testing at designated Railway Hospitals according to the prescribed medical standard (Medical Standard A-3 for Signal, and B-1 or B-2 for Grade III trades). Passing the medical test is mandatory for final appointment.

Key Examination Rules:
• Negative Marking: Exactly 1/3rd (0.33 marks) is deducted for each incorrect answer.
• Normalization: Since examinations are conducted across multiple sessions and days, marks will be normalized using RRB’s standard percentile-based formula.
• Compensatory Time: Candidates eligible for scribes receive 30 minutes of extra time (Total duration: 120 minutes).

1. General Awareness (10 Questions – 10 Marks)

Knowledge of current affairs, Indian geography, culture and history of India including the freedom struggle, Indian Polity and Constitution, Indian Economy, Environmental issues concerning India and the World, Sports, and General scientific and technological developments.

2. General Intelligence & Reasoning (15 Questions – 15 Marks)

Analogies, Alphabetical and Number Series, Coding and Decoding, Mathematical operations, Relationships (Blood Relations), Syllogism, Jumbling, Venn Diagrams, Data Interpretation and Sufficiency, Conclusions and Decision making, Similarities and Differences, Analytical Reasoning, Classification, Directions, Statement – Arguments and Assumptions, Seating Arrangements, and Puzzles.

3. Basics of Computers and Applications (20 Questions – 20 Marks)

• Computer Architecture: Central Processing Unit (CPU), Input and Output devices, Memory organization.
• Storage Devices: Hard Disk Drives (HDD), Solid State Drives (SSD), Optical storage (CD/DVD), USB flash memory.
• Networking & Operating Systems: Basics of LAN, WAN, MAN, Internet, Network topologies; Fundamentals of Windows, Unix, and Linux operating systems.
• Data Representation: Binary, Octal, Decimal, and Hexadecimal number systems and conversions.
• Software Applications: Microsoft Office suite (MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint).
• Internet & Cybersecurity: Web browsing, search engines, Email management, Computer viruses, worms, malware, and essential cyber hygiene.

4. Mathematics (20 Questions – 20 Marks)

• Number System: Rational and irrational numbers, BODMAS rule, Decimals and Fractions.
• Arithmetic: LCM and HCF, Ratio and Proportion, Percentages, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss.
• Algebra & Coordinate Geometry: Polynomials, Linear equations in two variables, Quadratic Equations, Arithmetic Progression (AP), Coordinate Geometry, Straight lines.
• Geometry & Trigonometry: Similar Triangles, Pythagoras Theorem, Circles, Chords and Tangents, Trigonometrical Ratios, Standard identities, Heights and Distances.
• Mensuration: Surface area and Volume of 2D and 3D figures.
• Set Theory & Statistics: Sets and their representations, Venn diagrams, Union and Intersection of sets; Statistics (Mean, Median, Mode, Range, Mean Deviation, Variance, Standard Deviation).

5. Basic Science and Engineering (35 Questions – 35 Marks)

• Physics Fundamentals: Units and Measurements, Dimensions, Mass, Weight, and Density; Work, Power, and Energy; Speed, Velocity, Acceleration, and Laws of Motion; Heat and Temperature, Transmission of heat.
• Electricity & Circuits: Electric Charge, Field, and Potential Difference; Simple electric circuits; Conductors, Semiconductors, and Insulators; Ohm’s Law and its limitations; Series and Parallel combinations of resistances; Specific resistance; Electrical energy and power (Wattage calculation).
• Electromagnetism: Magnetic field, Magnetic lines of force, Ampere’s Law, Magnetic force on a moving charge in a magnetic field; Electromagnetic induction, Faraday’s laws, Lenz’s law.
• Basic & Digital Electronics: PN Junction diodes, Zener diodes, Rectifiers, Transistors (BJT, FET), Operational Amplifiers; Number systems, Logic Gates (AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR), Boolean Algebra, De Morgan’s Laws.
• Microprocessors & Instruments: Fundamentals of 8085 Microprocessor and Microcontrollers; Electronic measuring instruments (Cathode Ray Oscilloscope – CRO, Multimeters, Function Generators, Transducers).

1. Mathematics (25 Questions – 25 Marks)

Number System, BODMAS, Decimals, Fractions, LCM and HCF, Ratio and Proportion, Percentages, Mensuration (2D & 3D), Time and Work, Time and Distance, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry, Elementary Statistics (Mean, Median, Mode), Square Root, Age Calculations, Calendar & Clock, Pipes & Cistern.

2. General Intelligence & Reasoning (25 Questions – 25 Marks)

Analogies, Alphabetical and Number Series, Coding and Decoding, Mathematical operations, Relationships, Syllogism, Jumbling, Venn Diagram, Data Interpretation and Sufficiency, Conclusions and Decision making, Similarities and Differences, Analytical reasoning, Classification, Directions, Statement – Arguments and Assumptions.

3. General Science – Physics, Chemistry & Life Sciences (40 Questions – 40 Marks)

• Physics (10th Standard CBSE/NCERT Level): Motion, Force and Laws of Motion, Gravitation, Work and Energy, Sound, Light (Reflection & Refraction, Lenses, Mirrors), Human Eye and the Colourful World, Electricity, Magnetic Effects of Electric Current, Sources of Energy.
• Chemistry (10th Standard CBSE/NCERT Level): Chemical Reactions and Equations, Acids, Bases, and Salts, Metals and Non-metals, Carbon and its Compounds, Periodic Classification of Elements, Structure of the Atom, Matter in our Surroundings.
• Life Sciences / Biology (10th Standard CBSE/NCERT Level): Life Processes (Nutrition, Respiration, Transportation, Excretion), Control and Coordination, How do Organisms Reproduce?, Heredity and Evolution, Our Environment, Management of Natural Resources.

4. General Awareness on Current Affairs (10 Questions – 10 Marks)

Current events of national and international importance, Science & Technology breakthroughs, Sports tournaments and champions, Culture, Indian Personalities, Economics, and Indian Politics.

Note: In case of shortage of PwBD candidates against vacancies reserved for them, the minimum qualifying percentage is relaxed by 2%.

1. Master NCERT Science Class 9 & 10 (Grade III): General Science accounts for 40% of the entire paper. Thoroughly solve textbook problems, chapter summaries, and conceptual diagrams in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Focus especially on electricity numericals and chemical equations.
2. Prioritize Basic Science & Electronics (Grade I Signal): With 35 marks in Basic Science & Engineering and 20 marks in Computers, technical sections form 55% of the total score. Focus on logic gates, semiconductor physics, Ohm’s law calculations, networking protocols, and microprocessor architecture.
3. Build High Accuracy to Counter 1/3rd Negative Marking: Losing 0.33 marks per mistake severely drops normalized rank. Never resort to random guessing. Attempt only questions where you can eliminate at least two options with certainty.
4. Timed Practice for 90 Minutes: Solving 100 questions in 90 minutes requires an average pace of under 54 seconds per question. Allocate 15 minutes for Reasoning, 25 minutes for Mathematics, 25 minutes for Science/Technical sections, and 10 minutes for General Awareness, leaving 15 minutes for review.
5. Leverage Previous Year Questions (PYQs): Practice online CBT mocks to build familiarity with RRB question styles, question toggling, and scientific calculator operations where applicable.

Official RRB Technician CEN 02/2026 Examination Notice

Access the complete official notification document for Technician Grade I Signal and Technician Grade III posts.