How to Prepare for Railways Constable and SI in Railway Protection Force Exam

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) conducts various exams for recruiting potential talents to work in the Indian Railways. In a recent announcement, the board is all set to conduct the Sub-Inspector in Railway Protection Force and Railway Protection Special Force exam to fill 452 vacancies for Sub-Inspectors and 4208 Constables. The exam is scheduled for 2 to 12th December 2024. With numerous candidates having registered for the exam against the limited number of vacancies, it is going to be a tough competition. Candidates appearing for the exam must be thoroughly prepared to face the competitive exams. From knowing what kind of questions one can expect to familiarizing oneself with the exam pressure and standard, it takes sincere effort, hard work and strategic plans. 

This blog will lay out the essential information that every candidate needs to know and also outline a few proven tips and tricks to help in the preparation and tackling the exam challenges. 

Must-Know Information for RPF SI in Railway Protection Force and Railway Protection Special Force

The selection to the RRB SI consists of three stages. The first is the Computer-Based Test (CBT), followed by the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) Physical Measurement Test (PMT) and the final Document Verification (DV). 

Quick Info on Eligibility for RPF SI and Constable

• Educational Qualification: Graduate degree from a recognized university/Institution
• Age Limit: 20–28 years (Considering Covid Years)
• Nationality - Indian Citizen

Exam Pattern and Syllabus for RPF SI and Constable 

CBT

The Computer-Based Test is conducted in English, Hindi and 13 regional language including the following-

• Assamese
• Bengali
• Gujarati
• Kannada
• Konkani
• Malayalam
• Manipuri
• Marathi
• Odia
• Punjabi
• Tamil 
• Telugu
• Urdu

Railway Jobs RPF SI Exam Quick Facts

Post Name	RPF - Sub Inspector (SI)
Recruiting Board	RRB
Exam Mode	Computer-Based Test held across various centres
Exam Medium of Language	15 (English, Hindi and 13 regional languages)
Exam Duration	90 Minutes (1 hr 30 min)
Question Types	Objective Type (Multiple Choice Questions)
Number of Questions	120
Total Marks	120
Mark for each question	1
Negative Marking	1/3rd Deduction

Minimum Pass Percentage across Categories

UR, EWS, OBC (NCL)	35%
SC and ST	30%

 

RPF Sub Inspector (SI) CBT Syllabus

The CBT examination will have 120 questions carrying one mark each. The questions will be of graduate level and covers topics across three main subjects including Arithmetic, General Awareness and General Intelligence. 

Core Subjects	Topics	No. of Questions	No. of Marks
Arithmetic	Number System	35	35
	Whole Numbers
	Decimal and Fractions and Relationship between Numbers
	Fundamental Arithmetical Operations
	Percentages
	Ratio and Proportion
	Averages
	Interest
	Profit and Loss
	Discount
	Use of Tables and Graphs
	Mensuration
	Time and Distance
General Intelligence and Reasoning	Analogies	35	35
	Similarities and Differences
	Spatial Visualization
	Spatial Orientation
	Problem-Solving Analysis
	Judgement
	Decision-Making
	Visual Memory
	Discriminating Observation
	Relationship Concepts
	Arithmetical Reasoning
	Verbal and Figure Classification
	Arithmetic number series
	Non-Verbal Series
	Coding and Decoding
	Statement-Conclusion
	Syllogistic Reasoning
General Awareness	Environment and its application on Society	50	50
	Current Events
	Indian History
	Art and Culture
	Geography
	Economics
	General Polity
	Indian Constitution
	Sports
	General Science

Physical Efficiency Test (PET) Criteria and Physical Measurement Test (PMT)

Candidates who made it through the BDT will be called for the physical test and measurement. For the physical test, candidates, both male and female will be required to fulfil the standard laid out by RRB

The criteria for PET for male and female categories include:

Category	1600 meters run	800 meters run	Long Jump	High Jump
Male	6 min 30 secs	-	12 ft	3 ft 9 inch
Female	-	4 min	9 ft	3 ft

Criteria for Physical Measurement Test 

Category	Heights (in CMs)		Chest (in CMs) Only for Male Candidates
	Male	Female	Unexpanded	Expanded
UR//EWS/OBC	165	157	80	85
SC and ST	160	152	76.2	81.2
Dogras, Gorkhas, Garhwalis, Marathas, Kumaonese, and other categories specified by the Government	163	155	80	85

• UR- Unreserved
• EWS- Economically Weaker Section
• OBC- Other Backward Class
• NCL-Non- Creamy Layer
• SC- Schedule Castes
• ST- Scheduled Tribes

Document Verification  (DV)

Candidate who are qualified for the PET like Race, Long Jump and High Jump will be called for the final stage of the recruitment process-Document Verification (DV). All the qualified candidates must produce original certificates and documents during the document verification stage. The documents required are:

• Matriculation Certificate for proof of age
• Graduation Certificate for proof of education qualification. 
• Caste/Tribe Certificate (ST/SC/OBC) in the Government prescribed format
• Economically Weaker Section Certificate (in the format prescribed by Government)
• Discharge Certificate (for Ex-Servicemen)
• Two Copies of colour photograph (should be self-attested)
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from current employer in case of Government Service employed candidates
• Domicile Certificate wherever applicable 

RPF Constable Selection Process Must Know Info

• Age Limit: 18–28 years (Upper age limit revised considering the Covid pandemic years)
• Educational Qualification: Matriculation (10 Pass) from a recognized board
• Nationality : Candidate must be an Indian citizen

Railway Jobs for RPF-Constable Exam pattern 

The RPF Constable selection process also goes through a rigorous three stages -

Computer-based Test (CBT): This is the first stage of the selection process, wherein candidates are to appear for a Computer-based written examination. Candidates can take the exam in any language out of the 15 listed by the board, including Hindi, English, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. 

RPF-Constable CBT Exam Quick Facts

Post Name	RPF - Constable (Railway Protection Force and Railway Protection Special Force)
Recruiting Board	Ministry of railways, RRB (Railway Recruitment Boards)
Exam Language Medium	English, Hindi and 13 Regional Languages
Mode of Exam	Computer-Based Test
Total Questions	120
Total Marks	120
Duration of Exam	90 minutes (1 hr 30 Mins)
Negative Marking	1/3rd mark deduction for each incorrect answer
Exam Question Standard	10th/Matric Level
Question Types	Objective type (Multiple Choice Questions)

 

Minimum passing percentage across Categories

Category	Qualifying Percentage
UR/EWS/OBC (NCL)	35%
SC/ST	30%

RPF - Constable CBT Exam Syllabus

The questions for the RPF Constable Exam will be in the standard of 10th/Matric level. The marks scored by each candidate will be counted for shortlisting for the next stages. 

RPF- Constable Exam Syllabus

Subjects	Topics	No. of Questions	No.of Marks
Arithmetic	Number system	35	35
	Whole Numbers
	Decimal and Fractions and Relationship between Numbers
	Fundamental Arithmetical Operations
	Percentages
	Ration and Proportion
	Averages
	Interest
	Profit and Loss
	Discount
	Use of Tables and Graphs
	Mensuration
	Time and Distance
General Intelligence and Reasoning	Analogies	35	35
	Similarities and Differences
	Spatial Visualization
	Spatial Orientation
	Relationship Concepts
	Arithmetical Reasoning
	Verbal and Figure Classification
	Arithmetic number series
	Non-Verbal Series
	Coding and Decoding
	Statement and Conclusion
	Syllogistic Reasoning
General Awareness	Environment and its application in the society	50	50
	Current Events
	Indian History
	Art and Culture
	Geography
	Economics
	General Polity
	Indian Constitution
	General Science
	Sports

 

RPF Constable PET (Physical Efficiency Test) and PMT (Physical Measurement Test) Qualifying Criteria

Only candidates who fulfil the passing percentage will be called for PET and PMT.

PET Criteria 

Category	1600 meters run	800 metres run	Long Jump	High Jump
Male	5 mins 45 secs	---	14 ft	4 ft
Female	---	3 mins 40 secs	9 ft	3 ft

PMT Criteria 

Category	Heights (in CMs)		Chest (in CMs) Only for male candidates
	Male	Female	Unexpanded	Expanded
UR/EWS/OBC	165	157	80	85
SC/ST	160	152	76.2	81.2
Garhwalis, Gorkhas, Dogras, Marathas, Kumaonese, and other categories specified by Government	163	155	80	85

 

Document Verification Requirement

Candidates who made it through to the PET/PMT will be called for the document verification. All the candidate must produce the original copies of the necessary document for the verification process. The documents required as prescribed by the recruiting board include:

• Two Copies of Colour photograph (should be self attested)
• Matriculation/10th Pass Certificate from a recognized board as proof of age
• Matriculation/10th Pass Certificate as proof of educational qualification
• Category Certificates (Applicable for candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC- NCL in the Government prescribed format)
• Certificate of Economically Weaker Section in the government prescribed format
• Discharge Certificate (applicable to Ex-Servicemen)
• No Objection certificate (NOC) from current employer for candidates who are employees in government service
• Domicile Certificate wherever applicable

Candiates failing to produce the required documents will be render disqualified from the process. 

Medical Examination

This is the last stage of the recruitment process for the RPF Constable in the Indian Railways. After the successful completion of the document verification, candidate are required to go through a medical examination at designated Railway Hospitals. They must fulfil the standard and medical category B-1 outlined in the Indian Railway Medical manual.

Candidates having certain conditions will be ineligible for appointment to the post. They are:

Those who glasses

• Having Flat Foot
• Knock Knee
• Squint eyes
• Colour Blindness
• Other bodily Infirmities

Candidates even after havin cleared all the stages may be considered inelligible for not fulfilling the above medical standards. Hence, coming for the medical examination do not guarantee the selection. Shorlisting for the medical examination does not imply selection of the candidate for the post. 

Training: To be inducted into the railway service as an RPF -Constable, the selected candidates will be given a short training. Candidates are required to undergo the training to attain the role-relevant skills and knowledge as they begin to take the post of Constables in the Railway Protection force.