SSC CGL vs RRB NTPC Graduate
SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination (CGL) and RRB NTPC (Graduate Level): Non-Technical Popular Categories compared using the official notifications: how the papers are built, how marks are given, and how much you can prepare for both at once.
At a glance
| At a glance | SSC CGL | RRB NTPC Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Conducted by | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) Ministry of Railways |
| Question paper languages | English, Hindi | English, Hindi, as, bn, gu, kn, kok, ml, mni, mr, or, pa, ta, te, ur |
| Number of stages | 5 | 5 |
| Last checked against official sources | 2026-10-14 | 2026-10-14 |
Exam pattern
Every stage with its duration, questions, total marks and negative marking.
SSC CGL
Tier-I (CBT)
60 min · 100 questions · 200 marks · negative marking 2/4
Tier-II Paper-I (Session-I)
135 min · 150 questions · 390 marks · negative marking 1
Tier-II Paper-I Session-II: Data Entry Speed Testqualifying
15 min · skill or physical test
Tier-II Paper-II: Statistics (JSO / SI Gr-II only)
120 min · 100 questions · 200 marks · negative marking 2/4
Tier-II Paper-III: General Studies (Finance and Economics) (AAO only)
120 min · 100 questions · 200 marks · negative marking 2/4
RRB NTPC Graduate
First Stage CBT (CBT-1)
90 min · 100 questions · 100 marks · negative marking 1/3
Second Stage CBT (CBT-2)
90 min · 120 questions · 120 marks · negative marking 1/3
Computer Based Aptitude Test (Station Master, Traffic Assistant)qualifying
Document check, medical or interview stage
Computer Based Typing Skill Test (clerical posts)qualifying
Document check, medical or interview stage
Document Verification and Medical Examinationqualifying
Document check, medical or interview stage
Shared and unique syllabus
Topics below the subject level that appear under the same name in both syllabi.
- Topics in both
- 9
- Only in SSC CGL
- 141
- Only in RRB NTPC Graduate
- 45
Subjects in both: General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness
Show shared topics (9)
Coding and decoding · Venn diagrams · Geography · Percentage · Ratio and proportion · Simple and compound interest · Time and distance · Time and work · Mensuration
Topics are matched by name. The same ground covered under a different name is not matched, so treat the shared count as a minimum.
SSC CGL syllabus explorerRRB NTPC Graduate syllabus explorer
Official sources
Confirm every date and rule on the official website before you apply.