Wondering what a railway job will pay you each month? You're in the right place. This guide covers the RRB NTPC salary for every post in the 2026 cycle. You'll find the pay level, starting basic pay, allowances and a worked estimate of in-hand pay. We also explain what CBT 1 and CBT 2 mean for your pay.
The timing is good too. Applications for the graduate notification (CEN 06/2026) are open until 6 November 2026. The undergraduate window (CEN 07/2026) closes on 13 November 2026. If you're still deciding, the salary details below should help.
Key Takeaways
- RRB NTPC pay follows the 7th Pay Commission pay matrix. Starting basic pay runs from ₹19,900 (Level 2) to ₹35,400 (Level 6).
- Graduate posts (CEN 06/2026) are at Level 5 (₹29,200) and Level 6 (₹35,400). Undergraduate posts (CEN 07/2026) are at Level 2 (₹19,900) and Level 3 (₹21,700).
- The post you are allotted decides your salary. The exam stage you clear does not.
- CBT 1 only screens candidates. Your CBT 2 marks decide your merit and the post you get.
- By our estimate, in-hand pay at the start ranges from about ₹32,600 (Level 2, small city) to about ₹68,400 (Level 6, metro city).
RRB NTPC Salary at a Glance
NTPC stands for Non-Technical Popular Categories. Through it, the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) hire for commercial, operating, accounts and clerical posts in Indian Railways. Every NTPC post sits on a fixed level of the 7th Central Pay Commission pay matrix. That level sets your starting basic pay, and all allowances are worked out from it.
For 2026 there are two notifications. CEN 06/2026 has 3,548 graduate vacancies and CEN 07/2026 has 1,688 undergraduate vacancies, so 5,236 in all. You can find all the dates in our RRB NTPC Notification and Important Dates for Graduates guide.
Post-wise pay level and starting pay
The pay level and starting basic pay below are as printed in the notifications. The in-hand column is our own estimate. It uses 63% DA and assumes NPS is the only deduction. The lower figure is for a Z-class city and the higher figure is for an X-class city. The working is explained further down.
| Post | Notification | Pay Level | Starting Basic Pay | Estimated In-Hand (Z to X city) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor | CEN 06/2026 (Graduate) | Level 6 | ₹35,400 | ₹58,400 to ₹68,400 |
| Goods Train Manager | CEN 06/2026 (Graduate) | Level 5 | ₹29,200 | ₹48,700 to ₹57,500 |
| Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist | CEN 06/2026 (Graduate) | Level 5 | ₹29,200 | ₹48,700 to ₹57,500 |
| Senior Clerk cum Typist | CEN 06/2026 (Graduate) | Level 5 | ₹29,200 | ₹48,700 to ₹57,500 |
| Commercial cum Ticket Clerk | CEN 07/2026 (UG) | Level 3 | ₹21,700 | ₹36,900 to ₹44,200 |
| Accounts Clerk cum Typist | CEN 07/2026 (UG) | Level 2 | ₹19,900 | ₹32,600 to ₹37,300 |
| Junior Clerk cum Typist | CEN 07/2026 (UG) | Level 2 | ₹19,900 | ₹32,600 to ₹37,300 |
| Trains Clerk | CEN 07/2026 (UG) | Level 2 | ₹19,900 | ₹32,600 to ₹37,300 |
The 2026 graduate vacancies break down as Goods Train Manager 2,750, Senior Clerk cum Typist 371, Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist 300 and Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor 127.
This cycle has two changes worth knowing. Traffic Assistant (Level 4) is not part of the 2026 graduate recruitment. Station Master was a Level 6 post at ₹35,400 in the previous graduate notification, CEN 06/2025. A few news reports list Station Master among the 2026 posts, but the post-wise vacancy tables reported for CEN 06/2026 show only the four posts above. Check the official notification before you plan around it.
The post decides the pay, not the exam stage
This trips up a lot of aspirants, so here it is plainly: there is no separate "CBT 1 salary" or "CBT 2 salary". You are paid according to the post you are finally allotted. A candidate selected as Goods Train Manager starts at Level 5 (₹29,200 basic). A candidate selected as Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor starts at Level 6 (₹35,400 basic).
Allowances Included in RRB NTPC Salary
Basic pay is only part of your salary. Allowances add a large share on top, and some of them depend on where you are posted.
Dearness Allowance (DA)
DA protects your pay against inflation and is revised twice a year. The Department of Expenditure raised DA for central government employees from 58% to 60% of basic pay from 1 January 2026. A later Office Memorandum dated 29 October 2026 raises it from 60% to 63% from 1 July 2026.
The Ministry of Railways issues its own matching order for railway staff, so check that the 63% rate has reached railway pay slips. Our estimates in this post use 63%.
House Rent Allowance (HRA)
HRA depends on the class of the city where you are posted. At the current DA level, the rates are:
- X-class cities (large metros): 30% of basic pay
- Y-class cities (mid-sized cities): 20% of basic pay
- Z-class cities (smaller towns): 10% of basic pay
If you live in railway quarters, you usually get the quarters in place of HRA.
Transport Allowance and other railway allowances
Transport Allowance (TA) is paid at a higher rate in the listed big cities and a lower rate elsewhere. DA is paid on TA as well. For Levels 3 to 8, the rate is ₹3,600 a month in the higher-rate cities and ₹1,800 elsewhere. For Levels 1 and 2, the rate is ₹1,350 in the higher-rate cities and ₹900 elsewhere.
Depending on your post and duties, you may also get:
- Night Duty Allowance for duty during night hours
- Running and travel-related allowances for staff who work on trains, such as Goods Train Managers
- Overtime where the duty rules allow it
The exact rates of these duty-linked allowances vary, so check the official notification and the Railway Board orders.
How each allowance is worked out
| Allowance | How it is calculated | Varies by |
|---|---|---|
| Dearness Allowance | 63% of basic pay (from 1 July 2026, as per the central order) | Revised twice a year |
| House Rent Allowance | 30% / 20% / 10% of basic pay | City class (X, Y, Z) |
| Transport Allowance | Fixed amount plus DA on it | Pay level and city |
| Night Duty Allowance | Based on night hours worked | Post and roster |
| Running/travel allowances | Railway rules for train-based staff | Post and kilometres run |
RRB NTPC In-Hand Salary and Deductions
Now let's get to what actually lands in your bank account. It helps to think in two steps: first gross pay, then deductions.
How gross pay is built
Gross pay = Basic pay + DA + HRA + TA (with DA on TA)
Duty allowances such as night duty come on top, but they change from month to month, so we have left them out of the estimates.
Common deductions
- NPS contribution: 10% of (basic pay + DA) comes from your pay. The government adds 14% of its own to your pension account.
- Professional tax: charged by some states only. The Constitution caps it at ₹2,500 a year.
- Group insurance: a small monthly deduction under the central government's group insurance scheme.
- Income tax: depends on your total yearly income and the tax regime you choose.
Worked example 1: Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor (Level 6)
| Component | X-class city | Z-class city |
|---|---|---|
| Basic pay | ₹35,400 | ₹35,400 |
| DA at 63% | ₹22,302 | ₹22,302 |
| HRA (30% / 10%) | ₹10,620 | ₹3,540 |
| TA + DA on TA | ₹5,868 | ₹2,934 |
| Gross pay | ₹74,190 | ₹64,176 |
| NPS (10% of basic + DA) | ₹5,770 | ₹5,770 |
| Approx. in-hand | ₹68,420 | ₹58,406 |
Your actual pay will be a little lower once professional tax (where your state charges it) and the insurance deduction are taken out.
Worked example 2: Commercial cum Ticket Clerk (Level 3)
| Component | X-class city | Z-class city |
|---|---|---|
| Basic pay | ₹21,700 | ₹21,700 |
| DA at 63% | ₹13,671 | ₹13,671 |
| HRA (30% / 10%) | ₹6,510 | ₹2,170 |
| TA + DA on TA | ₹5,868 | ₹2,934 |
| Gross pay | ₹47,749 | ₹40,475 |
| NPS (10% of basic + DA) | ₹3,537 | ₹3,537 |
| Approx. in-hand | ₹44,212 | ₹36,938 |
The same method gives the Level 5 and Level 2 ranges in the first table. For Level 5, gross pay is ₹62,224 in an X-class city and ₹53,450 in a Z-class city. For Level 2, it is ₹40,608 and ₹35,894.
RRB NTPC CBT 1 Salary: What Qualifying CBT 1 Means for Pay
People search for "RRB NTPC CBT 1 salary" a lot, so let's be honest about it: clearing CBT 1 does not bring any salary by itself.
CBT 1 is a common screening test
CBT 1 is the first stage, and everyone who applies under a notification takes the same paper. Its only job is to screen the large pool of applicants down to a smaller group for the next stage. RRB's notice dated 12 October 2026 says CBT 1 for the graduate posts (CEN 06/2026) is tentatively planned to start in the fourth week of December 2026.
How CBT 1 marks decide shortlisting
Your normalised CBT 1 score is used to shortlist candidates for CBT 2. Shortlisting is done community-wise for each post, at a multiple of the vacancies. The exact multiple is set in the notification, so check the official notification for it. A strong CBT 1 score widens your choice of posts at the next stage.
Where CBT 1 differs from CBT 2
| Point | CBT 1 | CBT 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Screening only | Decides merit |
| Paper | One common paper for everyone | Separate paper for each pay level |
| Counted in final merit? | No | Yes |
| Link to salary | Indirect (gets you to CBT 2) | Direct (decides your post and pay level) |
For the full section-wise pattern and topics, read our RRB NTPC Syllabus and Exam Pattern: CBT 1 and CBT 2 Guide.
RRB NTPC CBT 2 Salary: Post-Wise Pay After the Final Stage
This is the stage that really links your marks to your salary.
CBT 2 is held by pay level
CBT 2 is held separately for each pay level. In the graduate cycle, for example, the Level 6 post (Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor) and the Level 5 posts have different papers. Your CBT 2 marks set your merit position. Merit, together with your preferences and the medical standard, decides which post and pay level you are offered.
Typing skill test or aptitude test after CBT 2
In earlier cycles, the "cum Typist" posts needed a typing skill test, and Station Master and Traffic Assistant needed a computer-based aptitude test. Reports say the separate typing skill test has been dropped for both CEN 06/2026 and CEN 07/2026. The posts that needed an aptitude test are not part of the 2026 lists. Selection then moves to document verification and the medical exam. Confirm this in the official notification, because it changes how you should prepare.
How your preferences shape your pay
When you apply, you rank the posts in order of preference. If your merit is good enough for your first choice, you get it. If not, the RRB moves down your list. Two practical tips:
- Put the posts you genuinely want first. If you rank a lower-paid post above a higher-paid one, you can end up in the lower-paid post even when your merit was enough for the higher one.
- Check the medical standard. Goods Train Manager needs A-2, Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor needs B-2, and the clerical and accounts posts need C-2. If you don't meet a post's standard, you can't be given that post.
For age limits, qualifications and the rules for each stage, see RRB NTPC Eligibility: Age, Qualification, CBT 1 & CBT 2.
Job Profile of RRB NTPC Posts
Salary matters, but so does the work you'll do every day. Here's a quick look.
Graduate posts
- Station Master (previous cycle; see the note above): runs a station's train movements, signals and staff. It is a responsible role that is closely tied to safety.
- Goods Train Manager: in charge of a goods train on its run. Works with the loco pilot, checks the train before departure and handles safety on the way.
- Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor: supervises booking, reservation and ticket-checking staff, looks after railway revenue and deals with passenger matters.
- Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist: works in the accounts department on bills, pay and financial records.
- Senior Clerk cum Typist: handles office work such as files, letters, records and data entry in railway offices.
Undergraduate posts
- Commercial cum Ticket Clerk: issues and reserves tickets at counters and handles cash and passenger questions.
- Accounts Clerk cum Typist: supports the accounts office with entries, records and typing.
- Junior Clerk cum Typist: does general clerical and typing work in administrative offices.
- Trains Clerk: keeps records of train and wagon movements, usually at yards and stations.
Shift work and posting
Operating and commercial posts such as Goods Train Manager and ticketing roles often run on shifts and rosters, including nights and holidays. Office posts mostly keep regular hours. You will be posted within the railway zone or unit you are allotted, and you can be posted at any station in that area.
Promotion Path and Salary Growth
An NTPC job is a starting point, not a ceiling. Here's how your pay grows over time.
Annual increment
Under the 7th Pay Commission, you move up one step in your pay level each year. Each step is roughly 3% higher. After five increments, Level 5 basic pay rises from ₹29,200 to ₹33,900, and Level 6 rises from ₹35,400 to ₹41,100. Your DA and HRA rise along with your basic pay, because they are worked out as a percentage of it.
Promotions
Promotions come through departmental selections, length of service and internal exams. Accounts staff, for example, have departmental exams that open up faster growth. If you are not promoted for long periods, the Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) scheme gives you a financial upgrade to the next pay level at set points in your service.
| Entry post (level) | Usual next post | Pay level of next post |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Clerk cum Typist (L2) | Senior Clerk | Level 5 |
| Accounts Clerk cum Typist (L2) | Junior Accounts Assistant | Level 5 |
| Commercial cum Ticket Clerk (L3) | Senior Commercial cum Ticket Clerk | Level 5 |
| Senior Clerk cum Typist (L5) | Head Clerk | Level 6 |
| Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist (L5) | Senior Accounts Assistant | Level 6 |
| Goods Train Manager (L5) | Senior Goods / Passenger Train Manager | Level 6 |
| Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor (L6) | Commercial Inspector | Level 7 |
The exact routes and how long each step takes differ between zones and departments, so check the cadre rules for your zone.
Benefits Beyond Salary and How to Prepare
Benefits that come with the job
- Railway passes and PTOs: free and concessional travel for you and your family under railway rules.
- Medical care: treatment through railway hospitals and health units.
- Leave: earned leave, half-pay leave and casual leave as per railway rules.
- Pension: new entrants are covered by the National Pension System. The government also offers a Unified Pension Scheme option to central employees under NPS.
- Job security: a stable central government career with regular DA revisions.
How to prepare
The best way to raise your salary is to win a higher post, and that comes down to your CBT 2 merit. Here's a simple plan:
- Practise CBT 2 under real exam conditions. Start with the RRB NTPC CBT 2 Mock Test Series 2026. It gives you full-length CBT 2 practice so you can build speed and accuracy where merit is decided.
- Build your basics from good books. Browse our Books for competitive exams for maths, reasoning and general awareness.
- Take regular mock tests. Our Online test series lets you check your progress topic by topic and paper by paper.
- Rank your post preferences carefully and check the medical standard before you submit the form.
- Look at the calendar. If you're a graduate, apply by 6 November 2026. If you're applying for undergraduate posts, apply by 13 November 2026.
Conclusion
The RRB NTPC salary depends on one thing above all: the post you are allotted. Starting basic pay runs from ₹19,900 at Level 2 to ₹35,400 at Level 6. DA, HRA and TA lift your gross pay well above that.
CBT 1 is your entry ticket, but it pays nothing on its own. CBT 2 decides your merit, your post and your pay level. So apply on time, rank your preferences wisely and put your best effort into CBT 2. You've got this!
FAQs
What is the in-hand salary of an RRB NTPC Station Master?
Station Master was a Level 6 post with a starting basic pay of ₹35,400 in the previous graduate notification (CEN 06/2025). The post-wise tables reported for CEN 06/2026 do not include it, so check the official notification. Level 6 pay with 63% DA works out to roughly ₹58,400 in a Z-class city and ₹68,400 in an X-class city after NPS. This is our estimate.
Which RRB NTPC post has the highest pay?
In the 2026 cycle, Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor pays the most. It is at Level 6 with a starting basic pay of ₹35,400. Among undergraduate posts, Commercial cum Ticket Clerk pays the most, at Level 3 with ₹21,700.
Do I get a salary after clearing RRB NTPC CBT 1?
No. CBT 1 is only a screening test that shortlists candidates for CBT 2, and its marks are not counted in the final merit. You start earning only after you are selected and join the post allotted to you.
Does the CBT 2 score decide the post and pay level?
Yes. CBT 2 is held separately for each pay level, and your CBT 2 marks decide your merit. Your merit, the order of your post preferences and the medical standard together decide which post and pay level you get.
What allowances do RRB NTPC employees get?
You get Dearness Allowance (63% of basic pay from 1 July 2026 under the central order), House Rent Allowance (30%, 20% or 10% of basic pay depending on city class) and Transport Allowance with DA on it. Depending on your duties, you may also get night duty, running or travel allowances.
How do promotions work for RRB NTPC posts?
Promotions come through departmental selections, length of service and internal exams. For example, a Junior Clerk can move up to Senior Clerk at Level 5. You also get a yearly increment of about 3%, and the MACP scheme gives you a financial upgrade at set points if you are not promoted.
Is the typing skill test required in RRB NTPC 2026?
Reports say the separate typing skill test has been dropped for both CEN 06/2026 and CEN 07/2026. Confirm this in the official notification before you plan your preparation.