RPF Constable Exam Pattern: CBT Marks, Negative Marking and Stages

The RPF Constable exam pattern has four stages: a Computer Based Test (CBT), physical tests, document verification and a medical examination. The CBT is the main scoring stage, and it is where most candidates lose or gain their place. This page explains the CBT structure, the marking scheme, the later stages and how to use the pattern in your preparation.

The pattern below comes from CEN RPF 02/2024, the last completed cycle. The Railway Protection Force (Amendment) Rules, 2025 now link direct recruitment of Executive Constables to the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) procedure for Central Armed Police Forces. As of 19 October 2026 we found no new notification, so some details could change.

Table of Contents

Exam pattern at a glance

CBT pattern

The test was held online in multiple shifts. Questions were objective with four options, and the paper was available in English, Hindi and regional languages as listed in the notice.

Because the timing is for the whole paper, you can move between sections in the order you prefer. Confirm this in the next notification, since the SSC process may add rules of its own.

Qualifying marks

• UR, EWS and OBC: 35 percent of the total marks.

• SC and ST: 30 percent of the total marks.

Qualifying marks only make you eligible for the next stage. In the last cycle, candidates were then shortlisted category-wise in a ratio reported as ten per vacancy, so the actual score you need is much higher than the minimum. See the RPF Constable cut-off page for the benchmark.

Marking scheme and negative marking

Blank answers carry no penalty. A wrong answer costs one third of a mark, so three wrong answers cancel one correct answer.

What the pattern means for you

• Marks per question are equal: Every question carries one mark, so pick the questions you can solve fastest first. A hard question is worth the same as an easy one.

• General Awareness is 42 percent of the paper: It can be answered in seconds if you know the fact, which leaves more time for calculation.

• Guessing has a cost: Guess only when you can remove at least two options. A blind guess has a negative expected value.

• Accuracy beats volume: Attempting 100 questions with 90 right scores higher than 115 attempts with 85 right, because each wrong answer also takes away marks.

For example, 90 correct, 20 wrong and 10 blank gives 90 minus about 6.7, or roughly 83.3 marks, before any normalisation.

Physical tests: PET and PMT

Candidates shortlisted from the CBT take the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and the Physical Measurement Test (PMT). The PET in CEN RPF 02/2024 was qualifying and had the standards below. The next cycle may follow different standards under the SSC process, so treat this as a guide to start training.

Under the amended Rule 47, the minimum height for the Executive cadre is 170 cm with chest of 80 cm unexpanded and 85 cm expanded for males, and female and reserved-category candidates follow CAPF standards.

Document verification and medical examination

Document verification checks your original certificates for age, qualification and category against the application. Keep multiple photocopies and self-attested copies ready. The medical examination follows, and under the amended rules it is conducted by a CAPF medical officer or a Grade-I Assistant Surgeon or Medical Officer of a central or state government hospital.

How the final merit works

In CEN RPF 02/2024, the final panel was reported to be based on normalised CBT scores of candidates who qualified in the later stages. The physical tests, document verification and medical examination were qualifying. Check the notification for the weightage in the next cycle, because the SSC process for Central Armed Police Forces has its own rules.

Time management in the CBT

1. First 3 minutes: Scan the paper and the instructions.

2. Minutes 3 to 30: Attempt General Awareness first. Spend no more than 20 seconds on each question.

3. Minutes 30 to 70: Solve Arithmetic and Reasoning, taking easy questions first.

4. Last 20 minutes: Return to the marked questions, then review answers you were unsure about.

Take full-length mocks in the same 90-minute window to build this rhythm.

Older pages and official sources

Older pages may still show the earlier RRB-era details or unofficial information, so follow the official notification. Check rpf.indianrailways.gov.in and ssc.gov.in for the next notice.