RRB NTPC UG Answer Key 2025 Released: Objections Open Until Sept 20
The Railway Recruitment Board has officially released the provisional answer key for the NTPC Undergraduate Level CBT-1 exam on , just hours after the final test date ended. Candidates who sat for the exam between August 7 and September 9, 2025, under Common Employment Notice CEN 05/2024, can now log in to verify their responses — and challenge any errors — before the final results are locked in. With over 3.2 million applicants vying for just 3,445 undergraduate-level posts across Indian Railways, this answer key is more than a formality; it’s a lifeline for thousands hoping to secure stable government jobs.
How to Access the Answer Key and Response Sheet
To download the answer key, candidates must visit either rrb.digialm.com or their regional RRB portal — such as rrbcdg.gov.in, rrbchennai.gov.in, or any of the 21 other regional sites. The process is straightforward but requires precision: enter your registration number and date of birth, solve the CAPTCHA, then click the link labeled “CEN 05/2024 (NTPC-Under Graduate) – Response Sheet & Tentative Answer Key.” Once downloaded, candidates can compare their marked answers against the official key. Each correct answer earns 1 mark; each wrong one deducts 0.33 marks. No marks are lost for unanswered questions.
Objection Window Opens — But It Costs Rs. 50 Per Challenge
Here’s the thing: the answer key isn’t final. The Railway Recruitment Board has opened a five-day window for objections, closing at 11:55 PM UTC on . If you spot an error — say, a question marked wrong despite a valid alternative answer — you can file a challenge. But there’s a catch: each objection costs Rs. 50. It’s not free. And it’s non-refundable, even if your challenge is upheld. This policy, while controversial among candidates, is standard practice across competitive exams in India, including SSC and UPSC. The fee acts as a deterrent against frivolous complaints, though many students argue it unfairly burdens low-income applicants.
Regional Variations and Confusion Over Notification Numbers
Oddly enough, some candidates are seeing references to CEN-06/2024 on the DigiLMS portal, while official notices from RRB Chandigarh and RRB Kolkata continue to cite CEN 05/2024. Experts suggest this isn’t a mistake — but a regional rollout quirk. Different zones sometimes use slightly different internal numbering systems during phased releases. Still, it’s caused confusion. The Railway Recruitment Board has not issued a clarification, leaving candidates to rely on their regional portal’s version. If in doubt, use the portal tied to your exam center location.
What’s at Stake? 3,445 Jobs in a System That Hires Fewer Than 1% of Applicants
Let’s put this in perspective: Indian Railways is the country’s largest employer, with over 1.2 million staff. But its recruitment process is famously selective. For the NTPC UG exam alone, over 3.2 million candidates applied for just 3,445 positions. That’s a selection rate of roughly 0.1%. The exam covers general awareness, mathematics, reasoning, and basic science — topics many candidates studied for years, often while working part-time jobs or helping support families. For many, this isn’t just a career move; it’s a generational leap. A railway job means job security, health benefits, pensions — and in rural India, social status.
What Happens After September 20?
After the objection window closes, the Railway Recruitment Board will review all valid challenges, adjust the answer key accordingly, and then calculate final scores. The results are expected within 30 to 45 days — likely by mid-October. Those who clear the cutoff will move to the next stage: document verification, followed by a computer-based aptitude test (for traffic-related posts) or a typing skill test (for commercial apprentice roles). The entire process, from application to final posting, can take up to 18 months. Patience isn’t optional — it’s part of the job.
Why This Matters Beyond the Exam Hall
This isn’t just about one exam. It’s about India’s crumbling public sector hiring system. For years, candidates have complained of delays, opaque processes, and inconsistent communication. The RRB’s digital shift — releasing answer keys online, allowing objections digitally — is progress. But the Rs. 50 fee, lack of real-time support, and regional inconsistencies reveal systemic gaps. The Ministry of Railways spends over ₹2 trillion annually. Yet, hiring tens of thousands of employees remains a bureaucratic maze. If the government wants to restore faith in public sector jobs, it needs faster, fairer, and freer processes. Right now, it’s a step forward — but still a long walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my objection was accepted?
You won’t get individual notifications. The Railway Recruitment Board only publishes the final answer key after reviewing objections. If your challenged question is corrected in the final version, your score will automatically adjust. Check the final key released after September 20 — if your disputed answer is now marked correct, your objection was upheld.
Can I challenge the answer key if I didn’t appear for the exam?
No. Only candidates who successfully registered and appeared for the CBT-1 exam can file objections. The system requires your registration number and date of birth to access the answer key — and only those credentials will allow you to submit a challenge. Attempts to file objections without appearing will be rejected.
What if I lost my registration number?
Visit your regional RRB website and look for the ‘Forgot Registration Number’ link. You’ll need your name, father’s name, date of birth, and mobile number registered during application. Most regional portals, including RRB Chennai and RRB Kolkata, offer this recovery option. If that fails, contact the RRB helpdesk — but act fast, before the objection window closes.
Is there a difference between UG and Graduate level NTPC exams?
Yes. The UG (Undergraduate) exam is for candidates who completed 12th grade, while the Graduate level requires a bachelor’s degree. They have different syllabi, application processes, and timelines. The UG answer key was released on September 15, 2025; the Graduate level key came out on July 1, 2025. Don’t confuse the two — your eligibility and results depend on which category you applied for.
Will the final results include normalized scores?
Yes. Because the exam was conducted across multiple shifts and days, the RRB uses a normalization process to account for variations in difficulty levels. Your raw score will be adjusted statistically to ensure fairness. This means two candidates with identical raw scores might end up with different final scores depending on their shift. The normalization formula is not disclosed publicly, but it’s standard practice for multi-shift exams in India.
What happens if I don’t qualify for the next stage?
You’ll be placed on a reserve list, but chances of being called are slim. The RRB typically hires only those who clear the cutoff in the first round. However, if vacancies remain unfilled after all selected candidates complete document verification, reserve list candidates may be considered. But don’t count on it — most positions are filled from the main merit list. Use this experience to prepare for other exams like SSC CHSL or state-level railway recruitments.
