The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) are expected to release the provisional answer key for the RRB JE CBT 1 Examination 2026 on 9 November 2026. Candidates who appeared in the Computer-Based Test held on 27–28 October 2026, or on the rescheduled date of 2 November 2026 (for affected candidates), can download the answer key, response sheet, and question paper from the official portal.
Overview
The RRB JE recruitment drive (CEN 04/2026) aims to fill a total of 4,029 vacancies for Junior Engineer (JE), Depot Material Superintendent (DMS), and Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant (CMA) positions across Railway Recruitment Boards nationwide. The CBT 1 examination serves as the first screening stage; candidates who qualify will proceed to CBT 2.
The provisional answer key provides candidates with the tentative correct answers for all 100 questions. Candidates are also given access to their recorded response sheet to verify their answers. If a candidate believes an answer or question is incorrect, they can file an objection online during the designated objection window (dates to be announced).
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CBT 1 Examination | 27 and 28 October 2026 |
| Rescheduled CBT 1 (Affected Candidates) | 2 November 2026 |
| Expected Provisional Answer Key Release | 9 November 2026 |
| Objection Window | Not Yet Announced |
CBT 1 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
The CBT 1 examination comprises 100 multiple-choice questions worth 100 marks. The four subject sections and their weightage are outlined below:
| Subject | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 25 |
| General Awareness | 15 | 15 |
| General Science | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
The marking scheme is as follows:
| Response Type | Marks Awarded |
|---|---|
| Correct Answer | +1 Mark |
| Incorrect Answer | −1/3 Mark |
| Unattempted Question | 0 Mark |
CBT 1 Qualifying Marks
To qualify for CBT 2, candidates must meet the minimum qualifying marks set for their category:
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| UR (Unreserved) | 40% |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) | 40% |
| OBC-NCL (Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer) | 30% |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 30% |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 25% |
How to Download the Answer Key and Response Sheet
- Go to the official RRB application portal: rrbapply.gov.in
- Log in using your Registration Number and Password
- Look for the 'CBT 1 Answer Key' or 'Results' section on your dashboard
- Click on the link to download the provisional answer key PDF
- Download your recorded response sheet to cross-check your answers
- Save and print the documents for your records
Objection/Challenge Facility
The RRBs will allow candidates to challenge the provisional answer key online if they believe any answer or question is incorrect. The objection submission window dates and fee (if applicable) will be announced in a separate official notice. Candidates are advised to monitor the official portal for updates regarding the objection process.
Vacancy Breakdown
The recruitment covers the following posts under CEN 04/2026:
- Junior Engineer (JE) – See official notification for category-wise vacancy details
- Depot Material Superintendent (DMS) – See official notification for category-wise vacancy details
- Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant (CMA) – See official notification for category-wise vacancy details
Total Vacancies: 4,029 across all posts and categories
Important Links
Key Points to Remember
- The answer key released on 9 November 2026 will be provisional. Changes may be made based on objections and expert review.
- Candidates can view their recorded response sheet to verify their selected answers.
- The question paper will also be available for download to help you review your performance.
- Objection submission is the only way to challenge an answer; no other mode will be accepted.
- Results and merit lists will be published after the objection process is completed and the final answer key is released.
- Qualified candidates will be shortlisted for CBT 2 (Computer-Based Test Stage 2).
Disclaimer: Candidates are advised to verify all details, dates, and procedures on the official RRB website (rrbapply.gov.in) before taking any action.