The wider picture
The RRB NTPC CBT 1 exam for graduate-level posts was successfully conducted across multiple test centres nationwide from March 16 to March 27, 2026. This examination is a crucial step for candidates seeking employment in various roles under the Indian Railways, and it has drawn significant attention from aspirants across the country.
In a recent development, the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has released the provisional answer key and candidate response sheets for the NTPC CBT 1 Graduate-level examination. Candidates can access and download their answer key from their respective official RRB regional websites starting from April 6, 2026, at 4 pm. This marks an important milestone in the examination process, allowing candidates to verify their responses against the official key.
The RRB has opened an objection-raising window, which will remain accessible until 11:55 pm on April 12, 2026. Candidates who identify discrepancies in the answers can challenge them within this timeframe. The RRB strictly advises candidates to submit their challenges before the deadline, as no requests will be entertained post-April 12. A fee of Rs 50 per question is required to submit a challenge against the answer key, which can be paid via RuPay cards, credit cards, UPI, or net banking.
If an objection is verified and found correct, the fee will be refunded to the candidate’s original payment account. This process ensures that candidates have a fair opportunity to contest any errors they believe may exist in the answer key, contributing to the integrity of the examination process.
The final answer key will be prepared after reviewing all submitted objections, and the decision taken by the RRBs after considering these objections will be final. This means that candidates must be diligent in their review of the answer key and their recorded responses, as the final key will directly impact the results for the next stage of the recruitment process.
As candidates await the final answer key, they are reminded to carry the original Aadhaar card or a printed e-verified Aadhaar for biometric verification at exam centres. This requirement is part of the RRB’s efforts to maintain security and authenticity during the examination process.
Overall, the release of the provisional answer key is a significant step in the recruitment process for the RRB NTPC CBT 1 examination. Candidates are encouraged to take advantage of the objection period to ensure their responses are accurately reflected in the final results. The complete procedure for raising objections has been published on the official websites, providing clear guidance for candidates navigating this critical phase of the examination.
