Cut-off marks determine your RRB NTPC journey—yet 68% of candidates misjudge their chances by not understanding category-wise variations. The difference between UR and SC cut-offs can be 20-25 marks, significantly impacting preparation strategy and realistic expectations.
This guide provides comprehensive category-wise analysis of RRB NTPC CBT 1 cut-off marks from 2024 back to 2016. You'll understand historical trends, regional variations, and exactly what score you need based on your category to clear Stage 1.
Exam Importance
RRB NTPC CBT 1 cut-offs vary dramatically across categories, RRBs (regional boards), and post levels. Knowing your target score helps you plan preparation intensity and attempt strategy effectively.
Quick Answer (30-Second Read)
- RRB NTPC 2024 CBT 1 cut-offs ranged from 40-45 (SC/ST) to 65-72 (UR) out of 100 marks depending on RRB and post level
- UR category needs 28-32 marks higher than SC category on average across all RRBs
- Graduate posts have 8-12 marks higher cut-offs than undergraduate posts within same category
- Cut-offs increased by 5-8 marks in 2024 compared to 2021 due to normalization and difficulty level
- Target 75+ for UR, 60+ for OBC/EWS, 50+ for SC, 45+ for ST to have comfortable buffer above cut-offs
Source: Official RRB region-wise cut-off data published post-CBT 1 results (2016-2024)
RRB NTPC CBT 1 Cut-Off Marks 2024: Complete Category-Wise Data
The 2024 exam saw normalized scoring due to multiple shift testing, affecting cut-off patterns significantly.
| Category | Cut-Off Range (out of 100) | Average |
|---|---|---|
| UR (Unreserved) | 68.50 - 71.20 | 69.85 |
| EWS | 58.30 - 62.10 | 60.20 |
| OBC-NCL | 56.40 - 60.80 | 58.60 |
| SC | 45.20 - 49.70 | 47.45 |
| ST | 40.80 - 45.50 | 43.15 |
These ranges reflect variation across 21 RRBs and different post levels (Graduate vs Undergraduate). The official RRB NTPC CBT 1 result notification shows cut-offs varied by up to 8 marks between highest (RRB Allahabad) and lowest (RRB Bilaspur) for same category.
Priya from Patna scored 71.33 in UR category and cleared CBT 1 comfortably, while her friend with 66.67 from the same RRB didn't qualify—highlighting how crucial understanding your specific RRB's cut-off trend becomes.
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Graduate vs Undergraduate Post Cut-Off Difference
Graduate Level Posts
(Commercial Cum Ticket Clerk, Accounts Clerk)
- UR: 69-72 marks
- OBC: 58-62 marks
- SC: 47-51 marks
Undergraduate Level Posts
(Traffic Assistant, Goods Guard)
- UR: 65-68 marks
- OBC: 54-58 marks
- SC: 43-47 marks
Graduate posts consistently show 4-5 marks higher cut-offs across all categories due to higher competition and better-qualified candidate pool.
Historical RRB NTPC CBT 1 Cut-Off Trends (2016-2024)
Understanding multi-year trends helps you gauge preparation requirements accurately.
- 2024: 68.50 - 71.20 (normalized scoring)
- 2021: 62.30 - 66.80 (pre-normalization)
- 2019: 64.10 - 68.50
- 2016: 61.80 - 65.20
- 2024: 45.20 - 49.70
- 2021: 41.30 - 45.10
- 2019: 42.80 - 46.90
- 2016: 39.50 - 43.80
The trend shows gradual increase in cut-offs over years, with 2024 showing steepest jump due to normalization methodology that adjusted raw scores based on difficulty levels across shifts.
Performance Insight
According to analysis of 550+ PrepGrind students who appeared for RRB NTPC 2024, those who targeted 15-20 marks above previous year's cut-offs had 94% success rate in clearing CBT 1, while those targeting just 5-10 marks buffer had only 68% success rate.
Category-Wise Cut-Off Gap Analysis
Understanding the marks difference between categories helps set realistic targets.
| Category | Average Cut-Off (2024) | Gap from UR | Gap from Previous Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| UR | 69.85 | - | - |
| EWS | 60.20 | -9.65 | -9.65 |
| OBC-NCL | 58.60 | -11.25 | -1.60 |
| SC | 47.45 | -22.40 | -11.15 |
| ST | 43.15 | -26.70 | -4.30 |
Source: Compiled from official RRB cut-off notifications across 21 railway recruitment boards (2024)
Key insights:
- UR to EWS gap is consistently 9-10 marks across all RRBs
- SC category enjoys 22-25 marks relaxation compared to UR
- OBC and EWS cut-offs are quite close (1-2 marks difference)
- ST has maximum relaxation but competition within category still significant
Regional RRB-Wise Cut-Off Variations
Cut-offs differ significantly across India's 21 RRBs based on regional competition levels.
High Cut-Off RRBs (2024)
- RRB Allahabad: UR 71.20, OBC 61.50, SC 50.30
- RRB Mumbai: UR 70.80, OBC 60.90, SC 49.80
- RRB Kolkata: UR 70.50, OBC 60.40, SC 49.20
Moderate Cut-Off RRBs (2024)
- RRB Bhopal: UR 69.10, OBC 58.70, SC 47.60
- RRB Chennai: UR 68.80, OBC 58.30, SC 47.10
- RRB Secunderabad: UR 68.50, OBC 57.90, SC 46.80
Lower Cut-Off RRBs (2024)
- RRB Bilaspur: UR 66.40, OBC 56.20, SC 44.90
- RRB Ranchi: UR 67.10, OBC 56.80, SC 45.40
- RRB Ajmer: UR 67.50, OBC 57.20, SC 45.80
Metro and tier-1 city RRBs consistently show 3-5 marks higher cut-offs due to greater candidate density and competition. Choosing RRB strategically during application can impact your qualification chances, though most candidates prefer home-state RRBs for logistical reasons.
Rajesh from Indore applied for RRB Bhopal and cleared CBT 1 with 69.67 marks in UR category, while candidates with 71+ scores in RRB Mumbai faced tougher competition for same posts.
What Cut-Off Score Should You Target?
Don't aim for just the cut-off—aim for a comfortable buffer to handle exam day uncertainties.
For UR Category:
- Minimum safe score: 75/100
- Competitive score: 78-82/100
- Top 10% score: 85+/100
For EWS Category:
- Minimum safe score: 65/100
- Competitive score: 68-72/100
- Top 10% score: 75+/100
For OBC-NCL Category:
- Minimum safe score: 63/100
- Competitive score: 66-70/100
- Top 10% score: 73+/100
For SC Category:
- Minimum safe score: 52/100
- Competitive score: 55-60/100
- Top 10% score: 65+/100
For ST Category:
- Minimum safe score: 48/100
- Competitive score: 52-56/100
- Top 10% score: 60+/100
These targets include 10-15 mark buffer above historical cut-offs, accounting for potential negative marking, difficult questions, and year-to-year variations. According to the official RRB NTPC selection process, CBT 1 is qualifying nature—higher scores don't carry forward but clearing comfortably reduces exam stress.
Aisha from Bangalore targeted 80 marks in UR category, scored 77.33, and cleared CBT 1 with significant buffer, giving her confidence for CBT 2 preparation. Her strategy was attempting 85-88 questions with 95% accuracy rather than attempting all 100 with 80% accuracy.
Factors That Influence RRB NTPC Cut-Off Marks
Several variables affect cut-off determination each year:
1. Number of Vacancies
More vacancies generally mean slightly lower cut-offs. RRB NTPC 2024 had 11,558 vacancies compared to 35,281 in 2021, contributing to higher cut-offs.
2. Exam Difficulty Level
Easier paper means higher cut-offs. The 2024 exam's General Awareness section was rated 15% tougher than 2021 by test-takers, partially offsetting normalization impact.
3. Number of Applicants
Higher applications increase competition. RRB NTPC 2024 received approximately 1.25 crore applications for 11,558 posts—a ratio of 1:1082.
4. Normalization Process
Multi-shift exams use normalization to equalize difficulty across shifts, directly impacting raw score to normalized score conversion.
5. Regional Factors
Urban RRBs face higher competition than rural RRBs due to candidate concentration and better infrastructure for preparation.
People also search for
1. What were the RRB NTPC CBT 1 cut-off marks for UR category in 2024?
RRB NTPC CBT 1 cut-off marks for UR (Unreserved) category in 2024 ranged from 68.50 to 71.20 out of 100 marks depending on the specific RRB and post level. Graduate-level posts like Commercial Cum Ticket Clerk had cut-offs of 69-72 marks, while undergraduate posts like Traffic Assistant had 65-68 marks cut-offs. RRB Allahabad had the highest UR cut-off at 71.20, while RRB Bilaspur had the lowest at 66.40.
2. How much lower are SC/ST cut-offs compared to UR category in RRB NTPC CBT 1?
SC category cut-offs are typically 22-25 marks lower than UR category, while ST cut-offs are 26-30 marks lower based on 2024 data. For example, if UR cut-off is 70 marks in a specific RRB, SC cut-off would be around 47-48 marks and ST around 43-44 marks. This relaxation is consistent across all 21 RRBs, though absolute cut-off values vary regionally based on competition levels.
3. Do RRB NTPC CBT 1 cut-off marks vary across different railway recruitment boards?
Yes, cut-offs vary significantly across India's 21 RRBs. In 2024, the difference between highest (RRB Allahabad: 71.20 for UR) and lowest (RRB Bilaspur: 66.40 for UR) was nearly 5 marks for the same category. Metro city RRBs like Mumbai, Kolkata, and Allahabad consistently have 3-5 marks higher cut-offs than tier-2/tier-3 city RRBs due to higher candidate density and competition.
4. What is a safe score to target for RRB NTPC CBT 1 to ensure qualification?
Target 75+ for UR, 65+ for EWS, 63+ for OBC, 52+ for SC, and 48+ for ST categories to have comfortable 10-15 mark buffer above expected cut-offs. This buffer accounts for exam day uncertainties, negative marking impact, and potential year-to-year cut-off variations. In our analysis of 550+ PrepGrind students, those who scored 15+ marks above cut-offs had 94% CBT 1 qualification rate.
5. Have RRB NTPC CBT 1 cut-offs increased or decreased over the years?
Cut-offs have gradually increased from 2016 to 2024. UR category cut-offs rose from 61.80-65.20 (2016) to 68.50-71.20 (2024)—an increase of approximately 6-7 marks. The steepest jump occurred in 2024 due to normalization methodology in multi-shift exams. SC category cut-offs increased from 39.50-43.80 (2016) to 45.20-49.70 (2024). This upward trend reflects improving candidate preparation quality and increased competition.
Conclusion: Your Next Step
RRB NTPC CBT 1 cut-off marks follow predictable category-wise patterns with 22-25 marks difference between UR and SC, and 26-30 marks between UR and ST categories. Regional variations across 21 RRBs can impact your qualification by 3-5 marks, making RRB selection strategically important.
Focus on scoring 10-15 marks above historical cut-offs for your category rather than barely crossing the threshold. Remember that CBT 1 is qualifying nature—your goal is comfortable qualification to reduce stress and build momentum for CBT 2, where marks actually matter for final selection.
Ready to clear RRB NTPC CBT 1 with comfortable margin above cut-offs? Explore PrepGrind's RRB NTPC Complete Mock Test Series with category-wise performance analytics, cut-off prediction tools, and 50+ full-length CBT 1 simulations designed by railway exam experts and previous qualifiers.
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