RRB Technician CBT 1 Syllabus

The RRB Technician CBT 1 (Computer Based Test Stage 1) is the preliminary screening examination for the RRB Technician 2027 recruitment. It is common for all Technician posts (Technician Grade I Signal and Technician Grade III in various trades) and is also common with the ALP CBT 1 in structure. The CBT 1 score is NOT counted in the final merit list - it is used only for shortlisting candidates for CBT 2 in a ratio of approximately 15 times the post-wise vacancy.

CBT 1 consists of 100 questions carrying 100 marks in 90 minutes, covering Mathematics (30 questions), General Intelligence and Reasoning (30 questions), and General Science (40 questions). Notably, there is no separate General Awareness section in Technician CBT 1 - unlike NTPC or RPF. The General Science section carries the highest weightage (40 marks) and is the primary differentiator.

Quick Facts: RRB Technician CBT 1 2027

CBT 1 Exam Pattern

Mathematics Syllabus (30 Questions)

Technician CBT 1 Mathematics is at Class 10 level, same as NTPC CBT 1. The following topics are tested:

•        Number System: natural numbers; integers; HCF and LCM (prime factorisation and division method); divisibility rules (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11); number properties; BODMAS and simplification

•        Decimals and Fractions: operations; conversion; comparison; recurring decimals

•        Percentage: calculation; percentage change; successive percentage changes; reverse percentage; population growth and decline

•        Ratio and Proportion: simple and compound ratio; direct and inverse proportion; mean proportional; third proportional

•        Profit, Loss and Discount: CP, SP, MP; profit percentage; loss percentage; equivalent single discount for successive discounts; dishonest dealer problems

•        Simple Interest and Compound Interest: SI formula; CI formula (annual, half-yearly, quarterly compounding); difference between CI and SI for 2 years; instalments under CI

•        Time and Work: combined work rate; fractional work done; pipes and cisterns (inlet, outlet, combined); work equivalence

•        Time, Speed and Distance: unit conversion (km/h to m/s); average speed; relative speed (same and opposite direction); trains (crossing stationary objects and each other); boats and streams (upstream, downstream, still water)

•        Mixture and Alligation: two-component alligation; alligation cross rule; mixture problems

•        Mensuration 2D: square, rectangle, triangle, parallelogram, rhombus, trapezium, circle, semicircle - area and perimeter; sector area and arc length

•        Mensuration 3D: cube, cuboid, cylinder, cone, sphere, hemisphere - TSA, CSA, and volume; frustum of cone

•        Elementary Algebra: linear equations in one and two variables; quadratic equations (factorisation and formula); basic algebraic identities

•        Geometry: lines and angles; triangles (congruence - SSS, SAS, ASA, RHS; similarity - AA, SSS, SAS; Pythagoras theorem; basic proportionality theorem); quadrilaterals (parallelogram, rectangle, square, rhombus properties); circles (chord, tangent, secant theorems; angle subtended by arc; cyclic quadrilateral)

•        Trigonometry: sin, cos, tan, cosec, sec, cot; standard angles (0, 30, 45, 60, 90); fundamental identities; complementary angle values; heights and distances (angle of elevation and depression - single angle problems)

•        Statistics: arithmetic mean (direct and assumed mean method); median (ungrouped and grouped); mode; range; graphical representation (bar graph, histogram, pie chart, frequency polygon)

General Intelligence and Reasoning Syllabus (30 Questions)

The Reasoning section covers verbal and non-verbal reasoning at Class 10 level:

•        Number Series: arithmetic progression; geometric progression; difference series; square and cube series; alternating series; wrong term in series; missing term in series

•        Alphabetical Series: letter position-based series; skip series; forward and backward alphabet coding

•        Alpha-Numeric Series: mixed letter, number, and symbol series

•        Analogies: word analogies (relationship identification); number analogies; letter analogies

•        Coding and Decoding: letter shift coding; number substitution coding; symbol coding; conditional coding; reverse coding

•        Blood Relations: direct relations; coded relations; generation tree problems; mixed blood relation puzzles

•        Directions and Distances: eight compass directions; total distance; shortest (straight-line) distance; shadow-based direction; pivot and turn problems

•        Syllogism: All, Some, No statements; categorical syllogism; complementary pair; possibility-based conclusions (Some X may be Y); Venn diagram method for verification

•        Mathematical Operations: BODMAS after symbol replacement; balancing equations by substituting symbols

•        Venn Diagrams: selecting correct Venn diagram for three related sets; solving questions from given diagram regions (elements in intersection, union, only A, etc.)

•        Statement and Conclusion: conclusions that definitely follow from statements; invalid conclusions

•        Statement and Assumptions: implicit assumptions underlying a given statement; valid assumption criteria

•        Statement and Courses of Action: practical and problem-addressing actions; criteria for a valid course of action

•        Cause and Effect: identifying cause-effect pairs; independent causes; common cause; effect statements

•        Seating Arrangement: linear (single row, double row facing each other); circular (facing centre, facing away); rectangular/square; with multiple conditions

•        Puzzles: floor-based; box-based; scheduling; age-based; designation puzzles

•        Classification: odd one out; grouping items by common category; number-based classification

•        Data Sufficiency: two-statement problems; single statement adequacy; combined adequacy

•        Non-Verbal Reasoning: figure series (next figure); matrix completion (3x3, 2x2); mirror image (figures, letters, clock); water image; paper folding and cutting; embedded figures; figure counting (triangles, squares, rectangles)

•        Input-Output: multi-step machine rearrangement of words and numbers; identifying a specific step

General Science Syllabus (40 Questions)

General Science is the highest-weightage section in Technician CBT 1 (40 marks) and is tested at Class 9 and Class 10 NCERT level. It covers Physics, Chemistry, and Life Sciences (Biology). This section is the primary differentiator for Technician candidates.

Physics (Class 9 and 10 NCERT)

•        Motion: distance, displacement, speed, velocity, acceleration; uniform and non-uniform motion; equations of motion (v=u+at; s=ut+1/2 at^2; v^2=u^2+2as); distance-time and velocity-time graphs

•        Force and Newton's Laws: Newton's First (inertia); Second (F=ma); Third (action-reaction); Law of Conservation of Momentum; Gravitational force; g = 9.8 m/s^2; weight vs mass; free fall; Kepler's laws

•        Work, Energy and Power: W = Fd cos(theta); kinetic energy KE = 1/2 mv^2; potential energy PE = mgh; Law of Conservation of Energy; power P = W/t; commercial unit kWh; efficiency

•        Sound: longitudinal wave; compression and rarefaction; amplitude; frequency; wavelength; speed of sound in different media; reflection of sound; echo (minimum distance 17.2m); reverberation; sonar; ultrasound applications; human ear

•        Light: laws of reflection; plane mirror (image characteristics); concave and convex mirrors (focal point, centre of curvature, mirror formula 1/v + 1/u = 1/f; magnification m = -v/u); refraction (Snell's Law n = sin i / sin r); total internal reflection (conditions); concave and convex lenses (focal length, lens formula, magnification, power P = 1/f); human eye (accommodation; defects - myopia, hypermetropia, presbyopia, astigmatism; corrections); scattering of light (Tyndall effect; blue sky)

•        Electricity: electric charge; electric current (I = Q/t); potential difference (V = W/Q); Ohm's Law (V = IR); resistance (factors; R = rho l/A); series and parallel resistance; heating effect of current (Joule's Law H = I^2 Rt); electric power (P = VI = I^2 R = V^2/R); commercial unit kWh; safety devices (fuse, MCB, earthing)

•        Magnetic Effects of Electric Current: magnetic field around current-carrying conductor; right-hand thumb rule; solenoid; electromagnet; force on current-carrying conductor in magnetic field (Fleming's Left-Hand Rule); electric motor (principle); electromagnetic induction (Faraday; Lenz's Law; Fleming's Right-Hand Rule); electric generator; AC vs DC

Chemistry (Class 9 and 10 NCERT)

•        Matter: states of matter; interconversion; changes of state (melting, boiling, sublimation, evaporation); physical and chemical changes; pure substances and mixtures; elements, compounds, and mixtures; separation methods (filtration, distillation, chromatography, centrifugation, fractional distillation)

•        Atomic Structure: Dalton's Atomic Theory; Thomson model; Rutherford's alpha scattering model; Bohr's model (shells K, L, M, N); subatomic particles (proton, neutron, electron - mass, charge, location); atomic number; mass number; isotopes (uses of isotopes); isobars; electronic configuration; valency; calculation of valency from configuration

•        Periodic Table: Mendeleev's periodic table; Modern Periodic Law (Moseley); modern periodic table (18 groups; 7 periods); metals, non-metals, metalloids; alkali metals (Group 1); halogens (Group 17); noble gases (Group 18); periodic trends (atomic radius, ionisation energy, electronegativity, metallic character)

•        Chemical Bonding and Reactions: types of chemical bonds (ionic - electron transfer; covalent - electron sharing; metallic); chemical equations (balancing); types of reactions (combination, decomposition, displacement, double displacement, oxidation-reduction, exothermic, endothermic); oxidation and reduction; oxidising and reducing agents; corrosion (rusting; prevention); rancidity (oxidation of fats)

•        Acids, Bases and Salts: Arrhenius and Bronsted-Lowry definitions; properties of acids and bases; neutralisation; pH scale (0-14; acids < 7; bases > 7; neutral = 7); pH indicators (litmus, methyl orange, phenolphthalein); important salts: NaOH (caustic soda - preparation: chlor-alkali process); Na2CO3 (washing soda); NaHCO3 (baking soda - uses); bleaching powder (Ca(OCl)Cl); Plaster of Paris (CaSO4.1/2H2O); common salt; quick lime; slaked lime

•        Carbon Compounds: allotropes of carbon (diamond, graphite, fullerene - properties and uses); organic chemistry basics (hydrocarbons - alkane, alkene, alkyne; functional groups - alcohol, aldehyde, ketone, carboxylic acid; isomerism; homologous series); important organic compounds (methane; ethanol; ethanoic acid; soaps and detergents - saponification; difference between soap and detergent; micelle formation); LPG and biogas composition

•        Metals and Non-Metals: physical and chemical properties; reactivity series (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al, Zn, Fe, Pb, H, Cu, Ag, Au); displacement reactions; extraction of metals (ores - bauxite, haematite, copper pyrite, galena; gangue; smelting; electrolytic refining; thermite process); alloys (steel, stainless steel, brass, bronze, solder, duralumin, nichrome - composition and uses); corrosion and prevention (galvanisation, alloying, painting, electroplating)

Life Sciences / Biology (Class 9 and 10 NCERT)

•        Cell: cell theory (Schleiden, Schwann, Virchow); prokaryotic vs eukaryotic; plant cell vs animal cell (differences); organelles (nucleus - chromosomes, DNA, genes; mitochondria - powerhouse; chloroplast - photosynthesis; ribosome - protein synthesis; Golgi apparatus - secretion; lysosome - digestion; ER - transport; vacuole - storage; centriole - cell division); cell division (mitosis - growth and repair; meiosis - gamete formation)

•        Tissues: plant tissues (meristematic - apical, lateral, intercalary; permanent - simple: parenchyma, collenchyma, sclerenchyma; complex: xylem, phloem); animal tissues (epithelial - squamous, cuboidal, columnar, ciliated; connective - bone, cartilage, blood, adipose, areolar; muscular - striated, smooth, cardiac; nervous - neuron structure, types)

•        Life Processes: autotrophic nutrition (photosynthesis - 6CO2 + 6H2O + light -> C6H12O6 + 6O2; chlorophyll; light and dark reactions; factors affecting); heterotrophic nutrition (types - holozoic, saprophytic, parasitic; human digestion - mouth to anus, enzymes at each stage, absorption); respiration (aerobic - glucose -> CO2 + H2O + ATP; anaerobic - yeast, muscle - lactic acid; breathing mechanism; lung volumes; gas exchange); transportation (blood composition; heart - chambers, valves, double circulation, SA node, AV node; blood pressure; arteries vs veins vs capillaries; lymph; transpiration; water transport in plants - osmosis, absorption, xylem); excretion (nephron structure and function; glomerular filtration; tubular reabsorption; urine formation; dialysis; excretion in plants - transpiration, guttation, loss of dead parts)

•        Reproduction: types (asexual - fission, budding, fragmentation, vegetative propagation, spore formation; sexual - involves gametes); reproduction in plants (pollination - self and cross; agents; fertilisation; seed and fruit formation; germination); reproduction in humans (male - testes, seminiferous tubules, vas deferens, prostate; female - ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix; menstrual cycle; fertilisation; implantation; pregnancy; placenta); reproductive health; STDs; contraception methods

•        Heredity and Evolution: Mendel's Laws (Law of Segregation; Law of Independent Assortment); dominant and recessive traits; genotype and phenotype; monohybrid and dihybrid crosses; sex determination in humans (XX - female; XY - male); chromosomes and genes; DNA as genetic material; mutations; variations (heritable and non-heritable); Darwin's theory (natural selection; survival of the fittest; variation is raw material for evolution); evidence for evolution (fossils; homologous and analogous organs; embryological evidence); human evolution

•        Our Environment: ecosystem components (biotic and abiotic); food chain (producer, consumer, decomposer); food web; trophic levels; 10% energy flow law; biological magnification (DDT in food chain); biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste; ozone layer (importance; depletion by CFCs; Montreal Protocol); measures for environment protection

•        Management of Natural Resources: forest resources (importance; conservation; sustainable use; chipko movement; case study Arabari forest of Bengal); water resources (watersheds; rainwater harvesting; Ganga Action Plan; dams - benefits and drawbacks); fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, natural gas - formation, properties, uses; environmental impact); alternatives to fossil fuels; three R's (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)

•        Human Health and Disease: types of diseases (infectious - bacteria, virus, fungi, protozoa, worms; non-infectious - deficiency, genetic, degenerative); disease transmission; important diseases (Malaria - Plasmodium, female Anopheles, life cycle, treatment; TB - Mycobacterium tuberculosis, BCG vaccine; Typhoid - Salmonella typhi, Widal test; Cholera - Vibrio cholerae; AIDS - HIV, modes of transmission; Dengue - Aedes aegypti; COVID-19 - SARS-CoV-2); immunity (innate; acquired; antibody; antigen; vaccination; immunisation schedule); adolescent health; drug and alcohol abuse

Topic-wise Weightage

Preparation Tips

1. NCERT Class 10 Science is the CBT 1 Bible

The entire 40-mark General Science section is drawn from NCERT Class 9 and Class 10 Science. Read every chapter, prepare chapter-wise notes covering key concepts, reactions, formulae, and diagrams. Revise these notes weekly.

2. Aim for 70+ in CBT 1

Since CBT 1 is only a screening test, target 70 to 75 marks out of 100 to ensure shortlisting with a safe margin across all categories.

3. Balance All Three Sections

Unlike NTPC where GA can compensate, Technician CBT 1 has no GA section. All three sections (Maths, Reasoning, Science) require genuine preparation. Do not allow any one section to be neglected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is there a General Awareness section in RRB Technician CBT 1?

No. RRB Technician CBT 1 has no General Awareness section. The three subjects are Mathematics (30), Reasoning (30), and General Science (40).

Q2. Is the CBT 1 the same for Technician Grade I and Grade III?

Yes. CBT 1 is common for all Technician posts regardless of grade. The differentiation between Grade I and Grade III occurs in CBT 2, where the trade-specific sections differ.