NCERT Non Teaching Exam Pattern 2025-26: Post-wise Guide

The NCERT non teaching exam pattern changes with the post, so there is no single paper to prepare for. For Advertisement No. 01/2025/Non-Academic, NCERT set a two-section Computer Based Test (CBT) for most posts, added an interview or skill test for a few, and kept some posts to an interview or skill test alone. NCERT calls these jobs "non-academic" posts.

This page lays out the official pattern by post group, the marking scheme, the sectional qualifying rule and what each stage means for your time and marks. Figures here come from NCERT's scheme and syllabus document dated 5 January 2026.

Table of Contents

NCERT Non Teaching Exam Pattern at a Glance

The scheme document does not restate marks and duration for Lab Assistant and Junior Hindi Translator, so confirm them on the NCERT vacancies page.

CBT Pattern by Post Group

Assistant Engineer Grade-A and Assistant Public Relation Officer

Level 6 posts and Cameraman Grade-II

Store Officer

Level 2 to 5 CBT posts

Marking Scheme and Negative Marking

• Correct answer: 1 mark for each question, except Section A of Assistant Engineer Grade-A and Assistant Public Relation Officer, where each question carries 0.50 mark.

• Wrong answer: One-fourth of a mark is deducted for each wrong answer in every section.

• Unattempted questions: The scheme mentions deduction only for wrong answers.

• Sectional minimum: At least 40% in each section for unreserved candidates, and at least 35% for SC, ST, OBC and PwBD candidates.

Qualifying means clearing the minimum in each section separately. A high score in Section B does not rescue a Section A score below the minimum.

What the Pattern Means for You

• Count minutes per question: Level 2 to 5 posts give 120 questions in 120 minutes and Level 6 posts give 150 in 150 minutes, so you have about one minute for each question.

• Section A is cheaper marks: English, comprehension and awareness questions are faster than technical ones, so finish them quickly and bank the time for Section B.

• Weigh each guess: A wrong answer costs 0.25 mark. In a four-option question, a guess after eliminating one option usually pays, while a blind guess on a question you cannot place is a poor trade.

• Section B carries more weight: For Level 6 posts it is two-thirds of the CBT marks, so spend most of your preparation time on your post's Section B.

• Do not neglect sectional minimums: Set a Section A target that clears 40% comfortably, rather than aiming for a bare pass.

Later Stages: Interview, Skill Test and Typing Test

NCERT conducts interviews and skill tests at its headquarters in New Delhi. PwBD candidates get compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour on production of a disability certificate, and the scribe facility follows the rules in the advertisement.

How the Merit List Is Built

For CBT-only posts, the provisional merit list is drawn on CBT marks. For Assistant Engineer Grade-A, Assistant Public Relation Officer and Cameraman Grade-II, candidates are shortlisted on the CBT and the merit list uses the aggregate of CBT and interview or skill test marks. NCERT may increase or decrease the qualifying or final cut-off marks.

As an illustration, an Assistant Engineer Grade-A candidate with 118 marks in the CBT and 36 in the interview would have an aggregate of 154 out of 200. The numbers are an example only, not a cut-off.

Time Management in the CBT

1. Attempt Section A first, spending about a minute or less on each question.

2. Move to Section B with the time saved, and start with your strongest topics.

3. Mark doubtful questions, answer the sure ones first, and return to doubtful ones in the last 15 minutes.

4. Keep a rough count of attempted questions in each section to avoid missing the sectional minimum.